Darren Murphy had been doing the Sober for October charity challenge, but at least he can now drown his sorrows over his team’s struggles.
He was left with the increasingly familiar sense of frustration as Dungannon crashed to an eighth defeat of the campaign.
But while Swifts’ form may push Murphy off the wagon, Cliftonville supporters can raise a toast of seven-up as their side maintained their superb run.
This was the champions’ seventh straight win in all competitions, taking them two points clear at the top of the table.
Unfortunately for Dungannon, it was easier than it should have been for Tommy Breslin’s side.
The three goals were the result of errors and, in Joe Gormley and Tomas Cosgrove, Cliftonville had players capable of taking full advantage.
Gormley put them ahead inside six minutes with a close-range finish after some dazzling approach play from the impressive Cosgrove.
After Matt Hazley’s sublime effort had briefly restored parity, Gormley then put the Reds back in front from the penalty spot.
A game characterised by some smashing goals was then settled when Cosgrove sprinted more than 40 yards before firing home the third.
This defeat means Swifts have now failed to win any of their last 24 league games against Cliftonville.
Ominously, they must confront the weight of history again this weekend when they visit Linfield, where their record is also dismal.
These are not games which Swifts would generally expect to profit from.
However, given their current plight – second bottom and with just one win all season – they head to Windsor Park under real pressure.
Aside from the poor defending, Murphy will also rue the chances his side spurned.
It is a toxic mix at both ends of the pitch which threatens the prospect of extending their proud run in the top division to a 13th season.
The form book was against Dungannon before a ball was kicked, and a tough task became even more difficult when Cliftonville seized an early lead.
Cosgrove’s run took him past two defenders before he fed the ball through to Gormley, who scored with a right-foot, near post finish.
However, Dungannon were quickly back on level terms.
Fra Brennan pumped a cross into the box, the ball was cleared only as far as Hazley, who curled home a sublime first-time effort.
But Dungannon’s defensive frailties emerged again, gifting Cliftonville the chance to retake the lead.
Cameron Grieve was penalised for a clumsy challenge on Martin Donnelly and Gormley converted the resulting spot kick, driving his penalty low and hard into the bottom corner.
The home side had chances either side of the break, both falling to Stefan Lavery.
He steered the first just wide from close range, before taking a pass from Ryan Harpur and rattling the crossbar with his second.
With an hour played Dungannon summoned Gary Liggett from the bench to bolster their attack.
But their plans were in tatters moments later when Cliftonville scored a third.
This time it was all Cosgrove’s own work. He took the ball, dashed past three players before hammering home a right-footed finish.
It was a stunning goal – and it gave Cliftonville some much needed breathing space, which became all the more important when they lost Ryan Catney 19 minutes from time.
The midfielder, already booked early in the first half, was sent off for a second yellow.
However, Dungannon struggled to make their man advantage tell.
Their best chances fell to Brennan. His header was cleared off the line by Donnelly, before he drilled a low strike just wide of the target.
DGN SWIFTS: Rouse, Grieve, McCaffrey, Armstrong, Brennan, Sanusi (Tomelty, 68), Harpur (McCullough, 79), Hazley (Liggett, 64), Glackin, Wilson, S Lavery
Subs not used: Douglas, Hutchinson
CLIFTONVILLE: Devlin, McGovern, Scannell, Flynn, Curran (Mulvenna, 89), Donnelly, Catney, Cosgrove, Winchester, Gormley, McDaid (Johnston, 73)
Subs not used: McMullan, Knowles, Smyth
Referee: Raymond Hetherington (Dungannon)
