Pictured: Manager, Dean Shiels pictured with New Signing, Goalkeeper Declan Dunne

Dean Shiels has made first signing of the January transfer window with the addition of goalkeeper, Declan DUNNE.

Twenty one year old DUNNE joins us on a three and a half year deal from Cliftonville FC. Dunne a former Northern Ireland schoolboy International, is a current Northern Ireland U21 goalkeeper and comes to Stangmore Park highly rated.

A St Oliver Plunkett graduate, Dunne has been with Cliftonville FC since he was fifteen years old and only ever left to go on loan to Portadown during the 2018/19 season.

Dunne is looking forward to getting started at Stangmore Park as early as what could be Tuesday night against Warrenpoint Town.

“I was absolutely delighted when I heard Dungannon were first to get in contact about signing me. It was a no brainer for me. I know what the Club are doing at the moment, they have a lot of young players coming through so for me it was a big ‘yes’ to come, develop, progress and hopefully get Dungannon to where they should be in the table again. I’ve played with Oisin Smyth in the NI U21s, and James Knowles at Cliftonville. I’ve also played alongside Caolin Coyle and Cahal McGinty at the NI under age levels.
I can’t wait to get in and get the nod from Dean, which will hopefully be on Tuesday night away to Warrenpoint. It’s a massive game against Warrenpoint who are behind us in the table. Hopefully I will be selected and we get the win.”

Declan Dunne

Manager Dean Shiels was visibly delighted to get Declan signed for Dungannon and had this to say on his new signing;

“Obviously I’m delighted to get it over the line, it’s been a problem position since I came in and hopefully now we can get some stability in that position where we can then get stability in our defensive line and that adds confidence and helps with us conceding less goals.
Declan is a young keeper that’s been on our radar. He’s got all the attributes to have a great career and we hope that he can come in and play his best football for Dungannon. He’s got great potential and we see him really benefiting the team.”

Welcome to Stangmore Park, Declan and we wish you every success in a Swifts jersey.

We would like to thank Cliftonville FC, Paddy McLoughlin and David Begley for making this move possible for Declan.

Pictured: Manager, Dean Shiels, Goalkeeper, Declan Dunne and Chairman, Keith Boyd.