A 19-minute hat-trick from local football’s hottest property floored Dungannon Swifts as Cliftonville stretched their winning run to 13 games.
Rory Donnelly reinforced his fast growing reputation with another three goals, guiding the Reds to a comprehensive victory on a bleak afternoon at Stangmore Park.
It was a setback for Dungannon, but they are not the first team this season to be on the receiving end of a heavy defeat against this exciting young team.
Linfield and Ballymena have both slumped to six and seven-goal losses respectively, and for a brief spell this threatened to be another Reds rampage.
They raced into a three-goal lead and, only for a series of superb saves from goalkeeper Niall Morgan, would have been even further ahead.
Fortunately Dixie Robinson regrouped his side for the second half, denying Cliftonville the time and space which they had exploited so effectively in the opening period.
Joe Gormley added a stunning fourth before Michael Funston secured a hint of respectability by pulling a goal back in the closing stages.
This was Swifts’ 10th league defeat of the season, and the fourth time they have shipped four goals.
There were mitigating factors – a heavy deflection on the first, a handball in the build-up to the second – yet few could argue with the final score.
The game was as good as over with half an hour played.
Indeed Cliftonville were ahead before some supporters had taken their seats, with Rory Donnelly scoring the fastest goal seen at Stangmore Park this season.
Barely 40 seconds had elapsed when he collected a Ciaran Caldwell pass, with his strike taking a crucial deflection as it flashed past the ‘keeper.
Frustratingly for Dungannon, it came moments after John Connolly pulled off a superb save to prevent Funston scoring at the other end.
No matter, the tone of the match was set, and Cliftonville’s advantage was soon extended when the two Donnellys combined to carve apart the home defence again.
Neat approach play from Martin Donnelly created an opening, and he squared the ball to the back post for his namesake to convert at the second attempt.
And the hat-trick was sealed less than two minutes later. Barry Holland crossed towards Donnelly, who stuck out a leg to divert the ball past a helpless goalkeeper.
It was proving another harsh lesson for Dungannon, whose focus had now shifted towards avoiding another heavy, morale-sapping defeat.
They did produce glimpses of encouragement, however, despite the seemingly hopeless situation.
Funston brought some respite with a long-range effort saved at full-stretch by Connolly. The resulting corner found Dermot McCaffrey, whose downward header was also kept out.
Yet Morgan remained Dungannon’s most influential player – a sign of how the match was progressing.
Another superb passing move saw Caldwell exchange passes with Martin Donnelly before setting up Holland, whose low strike was blocked by the ‘keeper.
Morgan also tipped away another Holland effort, this time from a free-kick, before thwarting Caldwell following a surging run from midfield.
On the touchline Robinson continued to shout encouragement and bark orders – but already it looked a hopeless task.
As the second half began and the heavens opened, the efforts rained down on Morgan’s goal.
One back pass from Johnny Montgomery put him in real trouble, with the ‘keeper making a desperate clearance to prevent an own-goal.
Chris Scannell, drafted from the bench, also tested him with one terrific effort.
Funston, one of Swifts’ better players, twice went close in reply. One header was blocked while a second on a PJ Lavery delivery went flying over the bar.
But as Dungannon pushed for a goal, they were hit on the counter. A lightening break saw Scannell feed Gormley, whose spectacular shot flew into the top corner to make it 4-0.
There was some encouragement for home supporters when Funston scored late on, converting a Shea McGerrigan cross with a backward header.
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, McCluskey, Montgomery (PJ Lavery, 68), O’Neill, Fitzpatrick, Murphy, Funston, Ward (McGerrigan, 79), Topley, S Lavery (McCready, 72), McCaffrey
Subs not used: McKerr, Curran
CLIFTONVILLE: Connolly, Johnston, Holland, Donaghy, Caldwell, Garrett (C Scannell, 29), M Donnelly (McMullan, 65), R Donnelly (Gormley, 65), Seydak, Catney, McVeigh
Subs not used: Smyth, Stuart
Referee: Arnold Hunter (Maguiresbridge)
