Pacemaker Press 3426 Cliftonville v Dungannon Clearer Water Irish Cup Semi Final Dungannon’s Daniel Wallace and Declan Dunne celebrate after this evening’s game at the National Stadium, Belfast. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press
It was a very good Friday for the Swifts as they created more history, reaching their second successive – and only third ever – Irish Cup final after defeating Cliftonville on penalty kicks.
Pre-match, Swifts manager, Rodney McAree, made three changes to his side which were defeated 2-1 by Coleraine six days ago. He replaced Alex Henderson, Caolan Marron, and Mal Smith with Declan Dunne, Cahal McGinty, and Leo Alves.
The game kicked off with two sets of evidently nervous teams on the Windsor Park pitch. Cliftonville did have more of the ball in the opening stages, creating a couple of half chances, but not troubling Dunne in goal.
However, whilst not massively scaring Morrison in the Cliftonville goal, the Swifts did have chances of their own. First was a well hit Kobei Moore shot from just outside the area, which went narrowly over the crossbar, and also, a Gaël Bigirimana shot from thirty yards out, which was gathered up by the Cliftonville number thirty one.
Whilst the Swifts grew into game, they were lacking any clear cut chances. However, before the end of what can be described as an uneventful half, typical of a cup match, the north Belfast side created the two best opportunities of the game so far. A Jonny Addis free kick came first. It came just outside the box, and was whipped around the blue wall, only to go narrowly wide. Also, captain, Rory Hale, sent a great ball through to January signing, Brian Healy, who was one on one with the goalkeeper, only for Danny Wallace to make an exceptional last ditch challenge to keep the match scoreless.
This was the last event of the half, ending 0-0.
Undoubtedly, there was more direct attacking football in the second period, and people all around the country must have been wondering how the Swifts did not score on a number of occasions.
Both of these chances began with former Cliftonville player, Shea Gordon, and were almost identical to each other. First, a ball was played through to the temporary right back with just the goalkeeper to beat, but the man in black and yellow stood tall and saved. On eighty six minutes, the same happened again – ball through to Gordon, saved by Morrison. However, this time, the ball fell to substitute, Andrew Mitchell, who looked certain to score, however his header went over the bar for the game to remain scoreless.
The Swifts’ defence were resolute throughout the second half, hardly giving the Reds a single opportunity throughout. All Cliftonville had to show was a shot from McStravick into the hands of Declan Dunne, and a hit from Healy which was blazed over the upright.
After three minutes of additional time, referee, Chris Morrison, blew his full time whistle, and just like the final last year, extra time was required.
The Swifts came out all guns blazing at the beginning of the first period, with the ball barely seeing itself out of the Cliftonville half. Deservedly so, the deadlock was broken eight minutes into the first half of extra time. After the ball fell to Andrew Mitchell on the right hand side of the pitch, he got past his man, passed a ball into the area, which found Kealan Dillon, who smashed his first time shot into the goal to make it 1-0, to the delight of the travelling support.
Kealan described his goal after the game, saying:
“Look it’s a tough game, it’s not often I get the extra time, it’s not normally I get to the end of the ninety, but I think everyone has to do their shift, look the ball falls to me in the box and luckily it goes in I put it away. Like I said I should probably score more goals. I back myself when I get in around the box to have a shot, tonight it’s come off.”
There would be no further involvements in this half, ending 1-0.
The Swifts would have another good opportunity at the beginning of the second period. Sean McAllister, who was making his first appearance since getting injured in the Irish Cup quarter final, made a great run with the ball down the line before playing to Mitchell, whose shot hit the side netting.
As the Swifts kept the Reds at bay for most of the second half, disaster struck as there was déjá vu for the Swifts in the last kick of the game. Keenan Hawthorne whipped in a great corner to a dangerous area, only for the ball to direct off the head of Danny Wallace and into the goal to equalise for Cliftonville, breaking the hearts of the Dungannon Swifts players, management, and supporters.
This was the last kick, with nothing to separate the teams after one hundred and twenty minutes, so penalties were needed to decide the game.
This was a true sucker punch for all everyone, and after Rory Hale won the coin toss to take first, it seemed it was all going wrong for the Swifts.
However, this did not phase the first three takers, Kealan Dillion, Adam Glenny, and Gaël Bigirimana as they scored their spot kicks. The Reds were able to match this, with Gormley, Curran, and Hale scoring too. Sheridan was next to take, and his penalty was saved by Dunne in the bottom corner, and after Sean McAllister scored his into the top corner, it was advantage Swifts, leaving the next taker, Harry Wilson under immense pressure. This got to him, as he put his penalty wide, sending everyone in the club into dreamland, as they reached the Irish Cup final again.
After the game, assistant manager, Dixie Robinson, addressed his thoughts on the match. He was replacing manager Rodney McAree, who has very unfortunately lost his father-in-law overnight. We send our sincere sympathy to Rodney and Adele, and the entire McAree and Tate families.
Dixie explained his thoughts, saying:
“It’s the stuff of dreams, to be honest with you. When you when you think of the achievements we have just made tonight and hopefully we can go one step further and create another bit of history. I thought the players were phenomenal. You know, to have the character to come back in the penalty kicks after conceding right at the last kick of the game, it says a lot about them. They’re fantastic group and they got their just rewards and we now I think it’s the second of May to look forward to.
“It’s something similar to to last year’s cup final with Shea Kearney, when you think you’re almost there, you know, but that that just goes to show players and supporters, I suppose, that you know, the game’s never over until the final whistle goes and you have to keep at it. And Danny was a bit unfortunate, he goes to clear the header. but thankfully as I said we we regrouped and you know we always know that big Decky would always possibly save one or two penalties, so it proved to be that Cliftonville missed a couple and our boys put every one of them away really well.”
Man of the match was awarded to Swifts captain, Gaël Bigirimana, and Dixie had the following to say about it:
You don’t win those types of games with just one or two players playing well. I thought we were a little bit shaky in the first half, maybe a little bit nervy, but I thought there was a good collective effort, but you need your leader on the pitch to to sit in that pivotal role and and you know dictate the play and Bigi certainly does that. He’s an absolute quality player, but not signing anybody out either, but for Shea Gordon to go in there and play as a right back, you know, I thought Shea had a fantastic game himself.”
In the final, the Swifts will face off against Coleraine, following their 2-1 victory over Larne in the second semi-final. It will take place at Windsor Park on Saturday 2nd May 2026.
Up the Swifts!
Cliftonville: Morrison (GK), Addis (A. Kelly 91’), Wilson, Hale (C), Leppard, Conlan (Pepper 106’), Glynn (Hawthorne 57’), Toole, McStravick (Sheridan 80’), J. Kelly (Gormley 90’), Healy (Curran 90’).
Unused Substitutes: Ridd (GK).
Dungannon Swifts: Dunne (GK), Kelly (McAllister 71’), Dillon, Alves (Marron 105’), Glenny, Gordon (Knowles 105’), McGinty, Doyle, Wallace, Moore (Mitchell 81’), Bigirimana (C).
Unused Substitutes: Henderson (GK), Maguire, Smith
Pacemaker Press 3426 Cliftonville v Dungannon Clearer Water Irish Cup Semi Final Dungannon’s fans celebrate after this evening’s game at the National Stadium, Belfast. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press
As excitement builds before the Swifts’ second Irish Cup semi-final appearance in as many years – and only the sixth in the history of the club – they are preparing for the next step in their defence of the trophy against 2025 runners-up Cliftonville.
The Swifts booked their semi-final spot after defeating H&W Welders in the quarter-final, following wins against Portadown and Ards in previous rounds.
Cliftonville have followed a very similar path to Windsor Park, beating Championship opponents in the quarter-final (Loughgall) and fifth round (Dundela), and overcoming Premiership opposition in the form of Glenavon in between.
Manager Rodney McAree welcomes the challenge of today’s match, saying:
“We have to look forward to it, and we have to embrace the challenge. It’s a tough opportunity, but it’s a great opportunity to maybe sample another day out.
“We’re only one of four teams left in the competition, and we have to be proud of that, and then we have to try and find a way of overcoming Cliftonville.”
The Swifts, like last year at this stage in Seaview, promise to bring a large, vocal crowd to be the team’s twelfth man.
It has already been another hugely successful season for the club in securing another top six finish and reaching the semi-final of the Irish Cup, and the fans have played their part in that.
“I just hope that everybody comes out and supports us. We had a fantastic travelling support at the cup final and the semi final last year, so we’re hoping for something similar this year as well, so supporters come out and support – get behind us!” Rodney said.
In terms of availability, the Swifts were dealt a hammer blow last week when it was announced that full-back Steven Scott was ruled out of the match, and it is doubtful whether he will return for any part of the remaining season.
Attackers Sean McAllister and Sam Anderson are also doubtful for the game today.
Neither team is coming into the match in their best league form of the season, with both the Swifts and the Reds winning just one game out of their last five in the Premiership.
The Swifts, however, have the edge over Cliftonville this season, winning two and losing one, including an exciting 3-2 victory over the north Belfast side at Stangmore Park in February.
The teams are just a point apart at this stage of the season, confirming there is little to separate the sides.
Rodney’s men, of course, also came out on top at Windsor in their historic Irish Cup final victory last year, securing the cup on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
It is the third successive semi-final appearance for The Reds, winning the trophy in 2024 before their narrow defeat to the Swifts last year.
Today’s game is a huge one, so make sure to get your tickets and help the Swifts to continue their cup defence and seal another memorable day out in May.
Police are requesting that Dungannon supporters travelling by car and coach to the Clearer Water Irish Cup semi – final against Cliftonville at the National Stadium, Windsor Park, on Friday 03rd April 2026 with a 19:45 hrs kick off, leave sufficient travel time to arrive at the match.
Dungannon supporters should approach the Stadium from the Lisburn Road or Donegall Road side with entry to the ground being via the Donegall Avenue gate.
Gates at the Stadium will open at 18:15 hours for general admission.
Stewards will direct supporters to their respective turnstiles for entry to the South stand following an initial ticket inspection.
As a condition of entry to the stadium supporters will be subject to random searches by stadium security.
Traffic congestion is likely at key ingress and egress times due to the expected volume of supporters attending the fixture.
We would ask that supporters are respectful and considerate when parking in residential streets and commercial areas convenient to the stadium.
Dungannon supporter coaches are requested to park on the Lisburn Road side of the Stadium. Supporters should only disembark when the coaches have parked up. Coaches will not be permitted to park on Tates Avenue.
Police are reminding all fans that there are specific offences created by the Criminal Justice Act NI 2011 in relation to soccer matches-
• Possession of/ throwing Fireworks/ Flares etc
• Throwing Articles capable of causing injury
• Going on to the Playing area
• Sectarian Chanting
• Drinking on Passenger Carrying Vehicles
Please be mindful that Dungannon will be held to account for the conduct of their supporters within the stadium and that any breaches of the rules may result in the club facing disciplinary action.
Supporters are asked to be respectful and considerate whilst walking through residential streets convenient to the stadium.
In addition supporters are reminded that the areas around the stadium are “No Street Drinking” zones under Belfast City Council By-Laws and that on street drinking will not be tolerated by police.
Police will be utilising CCTV and Video Evidence as part of the match Policing Operation to deal with any criminal or anti-social behaviour.
Police will take all steps to identify and hold to account individuals who engage in any offending behaviour.
It is hoped that a common sense approach can be taken by all supporters and that it will occasion an enjoyable experience for all.
The Swifts were unable to bounce back from a shock loss to Moyola Park during the week in the Bet McLean Cup as they were defeated by Cliftonville at Solitude.
An hour before kick off, Swifts manager Rodney McAree made a total of six changes to the side which were defeated by Moyola. He brought in Declan Dunne, Caolan Marron, Danny Wallace, Gaël Bigirimana, Leo Alves, and Sean McAllister for Alex Henderson, Peter Maguire, James Knowles, Thomas Maguire, Mal Smith, and Andrew Mitchell.
Early on, the Swifts created a wonderful opportunity. A cross on the left hand side of the pitch found Cahal McGinty, who took the ball down and shot, and as he was expecting his superbly hit effort to nestle in the far corner, it was excellently stopped by Morrison in the Cliftonville goal.
The Reds would get a good chance of their own just two minutes later when Ryan Curran found himself free in the box, only for his shot to be saved by Declan Dunne at his near post.
The rest of the half would consist of mostly half chances at both ends, with the two sets of teams putting pressure on the opposing defences using mostly crosses. Despite this, there would be one clear cut chance in the half. On the left corner of the pitch, Kealan Dillon stood up to take a free kick. His effort was a direct one, which was inches away from hitting the roof of the net, with goalkeeper Morrison tipping it over the bar instead.
A half in which there was very little to separate the two teams would then end goalless.
After coming out slowly, disaster struck just five minutes after the restart for the visitors. After a series of chances, a corner was earned for Cliftonville. Reds captain, Rory Hale was the one to take it, and he then played it short to Sheridan, who lobbed it into the area, and after a number of touches in the box, Jonny Addis was the man who got on to the end of the ball, and his header went past Dunne in goal to put Cliftonville 1-0 up.
Things would only get worse for the Swifts not too long after. After a series of challenges which looked to be fouls on blue shirts at the other end of the pitch which were not given, Cliftonville got a free kick of their own, and in a very dangerous position. Jack Keaney was the man who opted to take it, and after noticing a gap in the box, he passed the ball into the corner of the goal, leaving the Swifts with an uphill task to get back into the game.
The away side made a number of substitutions to try and get back into the game, and this seemed to spark a slight reaction from the entire team. After, the Swifts would create their first chances of the half, even having a penalty shout when it looked as if Adam Glenny was taken down in the box, but all calls were waved away by the referee.
The last parts of the game had a number of chances at both ends. Cliftonville would continue to cross the ball into the box, like they had been doing all game, putting endless pressure on the Swifts defence. The visitors did have a number of opportunities throughout the last minutes curtesy of Andrew Mitchell, who had both shots and headers, which, unfortunately for him and the team, didn’t go in, and also from Cahal McGinty once more, who had his effort saved well by Morrison again.
These would be the last chances of the afternoon, bringing an end to a disappointing day for the Swifts.
Post match, Rodney McAree discussed his thoughts on the game saying, “I thought first half there wasn’t an awful pile in the game, I thought both teams tried to play, I thought it was a decent first half and I was relatively confident at halftime, but whenever you defend the way we did in the second half and give the two goals away that they give away, you’re always going to be fighting an uphill battle.
“It’s disappointing. The first goal’s very soft, it enters the net very soft, and the second one, we allow Cliftonville to get into an area and then we give a very a poor free kick away and it ends up in the back of your net.”
Up next for the Swifts is a trip to the Oval to face Glentoran (due to next weeks game against Linfield being postponed due to International Call ups on Linfield team) on Friday 21st November with a 7:45pm kick off, with the game being shown live on the BBC also. Up the Swifts!
After disappointing defeats at the hands of Rathfriland Rangers in the Mid-Ulster Cup, and Coleraine in the league, the Swifts got back to winning ways against bottom side Glenavon.
Looking for a second victory over the Lurgan Blues this season, Rodney McAree made one change to the side beaten at the Showgrounds last week, taking out the injured Leo Alves for Bobby-Jack McAleese.
After only two minutes, the visitors came inches from taking the lead.
Glenavon, lined out in pink and blue shirts, won a free kick 35 yards from goal, which was struck by Jack Malone, scorer of the free which earned his side their first win of the season against Carrick Rangers last week.
However, this time, his attempt smashed the crossbar, with former Swifts player Corey Smith putting the rebound wide.
At the other end, the Swifts created their first chance five minutes later, with Steven Scott sneaking into the box and drilling a shot at goal. After an initial stop by keeper Mark Byrne, he then reacted quickly to gather the ball as Junior threatened to pounce.
Five minutes later, the deadlock would be broken.
A superbly worked, simple move started when Caolan Marron released Steven Scott, who drove down the right wing, and then fired the ball across the box for Junior to direct it into the goal.
Glenavon would come close to equalising from another free kick. This time, Corey Smith curled narrowly past the post.
Minutes later, Adam Glenny was the player who stepped up to take a free from the edge of the box, which curled towards the top right corner, but didn’t have the power to trouble Byrne in goal.
There would be two additional free kicks directed at the Swifts goal during the remainder of the half. The first was by Smith once more, but was stopped easily by Declan Dunne in nets, and the second was whipped into the box by Malone and found the head of captain Barney McKeown, but was once more saved by Dunne.
After a lacklustre first 15 minutes of the second half, the only highlights being substitutions and bookings, there would be half chances at both ends.
A Malone shot for the away side was blocked well, while at the other end, a ball in from the right from Tiernan Kelly found the head of Glenny at the back post, but it went wide.
Glenavon would continue to pile on the pressure as they searched for an equaliser, creating their first big chance of the half with ten minutes left, when Bosakani unleashed a shot which was well stopped by Dunne in goal.
The visitors would keep pressing their opponents, but the Swifts defence stood strong.
The day would end in the worst possible way for Glenavon, when former Swifts player Oran O’Kane was shown a red card.
The referee initially took out a yellow for a dangerous sliding challenge on Gaël Bigirimana, but after the player elbowed Cahal McGinty in the stomach, he was also shown a red.
This would be the final drama of the afternoon, with the Swifts gaining a sixth win of the league campaign, and keeping Glenavon on just three points at the foot of the league table.
Rodney McAree discussed his thoughts on the game saying: “Fantastic, I actually used the word in there, sensational. I think it was sensational because it was one of those ugly one-nil wins, and we spoke on Thursday night in depth about at times we have to do the ugly side and the dirty side of it better, we have to stay in the game, we have to fight our corner, we have to try and get draws, we have to try and stay in front whenever we’re under the cosh.
“I thought Glenavon were very good, on another day, they probably come here and get something, but I thought we put our body on the line in the second half, we blocked shots, we dug in for each other, we lacked a little bit of quality today, there’s no doubt about that, but it’s probably as good a three points as we’ve had this season because it was an ugly one.”
Regarding next week’s fixture against Crusaders, Rodney said: “The last time Crusaders came here they beat us and they beat us well. I feel as if we’ve improved a little from then, but we’re going to have to be at our best, they’re a young side, they’ve got experience missing at the moment, whether they’ll be back or not, I’m not sure, they’re a young side, but they’re full of pace, they’re full of good players, and it’s one that we have to be at our very best and we’re in a good run this past while, we’ve picked up good points, we’ve got ourselves into a nice position and and we want to try and build on it, so we look forward to our next game and we’ll try and go and get another three points.”
The Swifts enjoyed a convincing 2-0 victory over league high-flyers Larne at Stangmore Park to earn their third win in a row.
Coming into the game – Rodney McAree’s 251st as manager – he made just one change to the side which defeated Ballymena United by the same scoreline seven days ago, losing goalscorer Bobby-Jack McAleese due to a slight injury concern, and bringing in Leo Alves.
The early exchanges saw Storm Amy largely come out on top, with free kicks and long balls being taken by the swirling winds and preventing any clear chances for either team.
The Swifts, who in the first period had the wind largely against them, and the sun in their eyes, created the first major opening when Leo Alves found himself open in the middle of the park and passed to Adam Glenny on the left.
His cross went past everyone in the area and found Steven Scott, whose shot was deflected by a Larne body and fell to Sean McAllister. Fortunately for the Inver Reds, his shot was deflected onto the crossbar and over for a corner, which was subsequently headed away.
However, five minutes later, he would find the ball at his feet for a second time, and earned another corner after his cross was blocked.
A second corner followed, taken by Alves, and was met by Adam Glenny at the back post. He found Tiernan Kelly amongst a crowd of blue and red shirts in the six-yard box, and he fired the ball into the net to score his first goal for the Swifts and make it 1-0 to the hosts.
This was also the first goal Larne goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson had conceded since the second game of the season against Cliftonville.
Just three minutes later it was 2-0 after the keeper, who had already survived two close calls, was badly caught in possession by the press of Junior.
He laid the ball off to Kealan Dillon and his quick shot from distance skimmed the head of Chris Gallagher and bounced into the empty net.
Post-match, Rodney praised the goalscorers.
“Tiernan’s a great kid. Tiernan got his ankle busted last week at Ballymena, played for 60 minutes with a hole in his ankle and had to go after the game and get two stitches in it, and he’s straight out on the training pitch this week as well and can’t wait for the next match to come.
“There’s a hardiness about Tiernan that we like and he’s not a dirty player, but he’s certainly a competitive player and we’re very, very fortunate to have him and it was great to see him pop up with a goal today.
“Keelo’s vital for us in terms of whenever we’re looking to bite out and we’re looking to try and get the ball back. I thought he did well today, I thought he used the ball well.
“He came off a pitch after 75 minutes, he said he was busted, which is nice to hear as well because sometimes you take them off and they’re not overly happy, but I think he welcomed a little bit of a rest. He puts a serious shift in all the time, but I thought he used the ball well first today, and it was nice to see him get his goal.”
The home side would continue to dominate, coming close on two further occasions.
First, Ferguson in goal lost the ball once more, this time to Leo Alves. He set it up for goalscorer Dillon, who attempted to play it through to Junior, but the ball drifted out of play.
Then McAllister was causing more havoc in the Larne half, this time his cross finding Junior, who got to the ball ahead of the goalkeeper but his shot went into the side netting.
The visitors would not create their first opening until 34 minutes when former Swifts loanee Matthew Lusty was sent clear and went to ground after competing for the ball with Declan Dunne.
A penalty initially looked to be given but the referee, Evan Boyce, had instead pointed for a goal kick, and the protests ended and play resumed.
More protests came from the Swifts twice within two minutes after very rash challenges by Larne players. First Adam Glenny was taken out very late by Mark Randall, who was handed a yellow card, which was the same punishment that Simpson got for a late challenge on Bigirimana.
After an attacking change for the visitors at the break, the Swifts resumed as they had ended the second half, when a beautiful cross from Steven Scott looked to be going towards Junior in the box, but was headed out very well by a Larne body.
Larne came close to getting a goal back soon after. After substitute Conor McKendry was fouled, he took the resulting free kick, which landed on Matthew Ridley’s head at the back post, only for both Randall and Bent to compete for the same chance and the ball go out for a goal kick.
After bringing on another substitute to try to get back into the game, the opposite almost happened for Larne. The Swifts capitalised on another mistake, and passed to McAllister who went past the Larne defence but shot into the side netting.
The same outcome from the same situation happened a few minutes later, this time Junior’s shot going wide of the post.
After another lacklustre 20 minutes, Larne created two chances with the clock running out. First, a McKendry corner found the head of an open Leroy Millar, who was playing his first game after an extended period on the sideline, and his header drifted past the far post.
Then, a scramble in to box fell to substitute Tiernan O’Connor, who lashed his shot over the bar, summing up Larne’s disappointing afternoon.
Rodney said it was “a great three points, a very hard earned three points”.
“I thought in the first half we were excellent. I thought our press was very, very good. I thought the energy that we played with the ball and without the ball was very, very good, and we find ourselves 2-0 up at half-time, and we see the game out in the second half, we keep a clean sheet.
“Whenever you’re playing the likes of Larne at home, you’ll take any sort of three points, but to get it the way we did today is has been very, very pleasing.
“I think the performances are probably steadily getting better, which is good and it had to be as well. Our start to the season was slow, losing the first five games was very disappointing.
“I do believe that the St Mary’s game and the Mid Ulster Cup come at a good time because it gave us the opportunity – with no disrespect – to win a game of football and it sort of got ourselves going a little bit from that.
“To win this game today was a huge three points because our next two league games after this is home to Glentoran and away to Coleraine, so if somebody had offered me three points from all three games or three draws, I probably would have took it.”
However, this did not phase the first three takers, Kealan Dillion, Adam Glenny, and Gaël Bigirimana as they scored their spot kicks. The Reds were able to match this, with Gormley, Curran, and Hale scoring too. Sheridan was next to take, and his penalty was saved by Dunne in the bottom corner, and after Sean McAllister scored his into the top corner, it was advantage Swifts, leaving the next taker, Harry Wilson under immense pressure. This got to him, as he put his penalty wide, sending everyone in the club into dreamland, as they reached the Irish Cup final again.
