Dungannon Swifts will play Cliftonville in the third round of the League Cup after booking their place with a convincing victory over neighbours Loughgall on Tuesday night
The graft of the Championship underdogs proved no match for the craft and quality of their top-flight opponents as Dungannon easily navigated what could have been an awkward tie.
A fine early goal from teenager Stefan Lavery settled any nerves before a superb second half strike by Terry Fitzpatrick ended the Villagers’ hopes of an upset.
A 72nd minute own-goal from Gregg Hall extended Swifts’ lead before Shea Campbell sealed a convincing win in the final minute.
Dungannon boss Dixie Robinson was pleased to progress.
“We were a bit sloppy in the first half but we brought on a couple of players later in the game and ran out comfortable winners,” he said.
“It was important to progress, our objective was to be in the hat for the next round and we’ve done that, so overall I’m very pleased.”
Next up is an away tie at Solitude on October 12, and the Reds will certainly provide a tougher test.
Despite being big favourites, Robinson took no chances with his team selection, fielding a strong side with reinforcements waiting to be brought off the bench if required.
Lavery’s 13th minute strike gave Swifts the perfect start.
Dungannon fans have been treated to some spectacular goals in recent games and this was no exception. The young striker controlled a cross from Shea McGerrigan before finishing in style with a powerful shot into the top corner.
The pace and skill of McGerrigan had been a real threat in the first half.
Earlier the midfielder had advanced down the left wing and delivered another good ball towards Conor Forker, whose header was punched clear by Marc Robinson.
Forker went close later in the half with an overhead kick, while Craig McClean also drove a shot well wide after another cross had been fisted clear by the ‘keeper.
By contrast Niall Morgan was a spectator for most of the first half. Indeed the only problem for Dungannon was an early injury which forced Michael McKerr off.
Summer signing Tom Baldwin took his place in the back line and, as debuts go, it certainly wasn’t the most taxing of nights for the young defender.
The one concern Robinson would have had was Swifts’ tendency to give away the ball, albeit Loughgall lacked the quality to capitalise on these mistakes.
They were more of a threat after half-time, however, testing Morgan on several occasions.
The best chance came just after the hour mark when Dale Malone crossed and Jeff Brady’s side-foot effort was pushed wide by Morgan.
But within two minutes Dungannon had put the tie beyond them.
Again it was a goal to remember, Fitzpatrick taking up possession on the edge of the area before hitting a superb strike into the roof of the net.
The third after 72 minutes was less memorable – certainly for Hall – who headed a cross from Campbell past his own goalkeeper.
Campbell, a 57th minute replacement for McGerrigan, then sealed the win in the final minute, rounding the goalkeeper before sliding home the fourth.
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, McKerr (Baldwin, 16), McMinn, McClean, McCaffrey, Fitzpatrick, McGerrigan (Campbell, 57), Donnelly (Ward, 57), Funston, S Lavery, Forker
Subs not used: Montgomery, Murphy
LOUGHGALL: Robinson, Hall, Brady, Guy, Stewart, Taggert (Pedlow, 54), Hawthorne, Ferguson, Verner, Malone, Keenan (Doyle, 54)
Subs not used: King, Hull , Herron
Referee: Colin Burns (Newtownabbey)
