Three goals helped the Swifts to defeat Armagh City at Holm Park to reach the semi-finals of the Mid-Ulster Cup for the first time in two seasons.
Rodney McAree named a much-changed side from the league defeat on Saturday against Carrick Rangers. He made eight changes, with only Kealan Dillon, Adam Glenny and Shea Gordon renaining on the team sheet.
The game saw the return of Declan Dunne in the Dungannon Swifts goal following his three-game suspension after being red carded in a 3-0 defeat against Crusaders. Thomas Slater also earned his first competitive senior appearance on the bench and Steven Scott made a return to the squad after being out with two separate injuries.
The game started perfectly for the away side. A good ball from John Scott and touch from Shea Gordon allowed him to tap past the Armagh City goalkeeper. This was already his second goal of the Mid-Ulster Cup campaign to put the Swifts ahead after just five minutes.
The Swifts continued to keep possession throughout the rest of the half, creating a number of half chances, whilst the defence remained resolute to keep Armagh at bay.
Shea Gordon’s goal was the difference at the break as the referee blew the half time whistle.
The second half continued the way the first half ended with the Swifts keeping the ball for prolonged periods, but the home side did well to prevent any further goals at this stage whilst also creating chances of their own.
The lead was doubled just before the hour mark. Andrew Mitchell grabbed his second goal of the season to give the visitors a two-goal cushion and put one foot in the next round.
Rodney McAree unleashed a triple substitution minutes later, and there was an impact shortly after as Corey Smith scored the Swifts’ third goal of the evening. It was also his first goal of the season, and his first Dungannon Swifts goal since April 2023.
The Swifts then saw the game out effectively, dealing with the pressure that Armagh put on them late in the second half in hopes of getting back into the game, and were helped by some important saves late on by Declan Dunne to secure a clean sheet.
Thomas Slater was introduced to the play during this time to make his competitive senior debut after signing his first professional contract just under one week ago. Steven Scott was also brought on to make his first competitive appearance March.
Following the game, Rodney McAree said: “It’s nice. It’s nice to have a semi final to look forward to. It’s nice to win a game of football. It’s nice to score three goals and it’s nice to keep a clean sheet. It’s great to see.
“I thought Shea Gordon playing higher up the pitch, gets the first goal, makes a good run and a good first touch. It’s a good ball from John Scott and then it’s nice to see Mitch score in the second half, Corey Smith scores also. I just felt in the first half we needed to be a little bit more advanced in terms of getting bodies higher up the pitch and asking a wee bit more questions of Armagh. We were a little bit stand-off, a little bit safe and once we got bodies higher, and bodies running beyond Armagh, I felt we caused problems especially at the start of the second half and thanks to Decky, he makes a couple of saves late on, and keeps a clean sheet and it’s nice to see him out between the sticks again even though I feel Alex has done really well.”
Up next for the Swifts is a trip to the seaside and Clandeboye Park to face Bangor in a league fixture.
Armagh City: Byrne (GK), Parker, O’Connor (Emmanuel 66’), Spain (C), Smyth (Keogh 77’), Adair, Conway (Halliday 77’), Doherty (Wilson 77’), Murray (Murphy 77’), Oladunjoye, Gorman.
Unused Substitutes: McElroy (GK), McCloskey.
Dungannon Swifts: Dunne (GK), McGinty, J. Scott, Kelly, Smith, Mitchell (Glackin 61’), Dillon (S. Scott 61’), Glenny (McAllister 73’), Gordon (Slater 73’), Doyle (C) (Junior 61’), Johnston.
Unused Substitutes: Henderson (GK), Wallace.
Referee: Niall Devlin
