Latest news with #BlanketontheGround
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Football legends and Queen of Country take the stage to celebrate Irish Cup win
The South Tyrone town of Dungannon has never experienced anything quite like tonight's celebrations. Hundreds of excited blues supporters lined the streets of the town and filled Market Square at a special homecoming parade which saw an open top bus carry the Dungannon Swifts' winning team through the town from Stangmore Park. Fans spoke to the Impartial Reporter about their pride of the small club which has taken the Irish league by storm - and of the Swifts' footballing community being akin to a family. Michelle Scott from the Bush said: 'It's absolutely amazing for the town of Dungannon and, for some of my closest friends, Rodney and Adele McAree - as well as all the team and the backroom staff. What the supporters club has done is absolutely fantastic - it's the best supporters club in Northern Ireland!' Lucy Redmond, Captain of Dungannon Hockey Team said: 'To be here tonight is amazing. It's so good for the Swifts to bring it home. Unbelievable game and Dungannon Hockey team can hopefully do the same this Saturday.' Just after 7pm with the sun shining, the bus then arrived, stopping at the purposefully built stage at the square, and a raucous crowd sang and cheered as the team of players danced and held up the cup which they won in dramatic fashion against Cliftonville at Windsor Park on Saturday. The excitement continued as the crowd waved blue and white flags and scarves as Mid Ulster Council Chairman, Cllr Eugene McConnell welcomed sports compere, Adrian Logan, to the stage. The crowd went mad as Adrian introduced the Swifts team as the Irish Cup champions. Among those interviewed during the evening were the Blues' Team Captain Dean Currie, Manager Rodney McAree, Chairman Keith Boyd and Goalkeeper Declan Dunne. Fans sang enthusiastically for each person of the team that took to the stage, and it seems every person has his own special tune. But the star of the night had to be country music songstress Philomena Begley, who used her mischievous sense of humour as well as her remarkable voice to entertain the crowd - with everyone joining in when she sang her famous hit single, 'Blanket on the Ground', which has become the Dungannon club's unofficial anthem. The 82-year-old Queen of Country, who was dressed in blue and white to show her support to the footballing team, chatted to the players on stage and got the crowd going - and it seemed everyone was in high spirits, enjoying the momentous occasion which has unified in the town and given locals something positive to celebrate. It was a night to remember as our famous legends of football and song were celebrated in spectacular fashion.
Belfast Telegraph
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
‘A bit of a surprise': How Dungannon Swifts began a love affair with queen of country Philomena Begley
Begley joined cup winners on open-top bus tour after Blanket on the Ground became their unofficial anthem Dungannon Swifts goalkeeper Declan Dunne received much of the credit for his side's Irish Cup win against Cliftonville, but the team had another weapon up their sleeves: Philomena Begley. On Monday night, as hundreds of excited fans lined the streets of Dungannon to greet the triumphant team, the players were joined on the open-top bus tour by the Tyrone country music legend.
Belfast Telegraph
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Philomena the queen of country… and Dungannon Swifts too
Begley joins cup winners on open-top bus tour after Blanket on the Ground becomes their unofficial anthem Dungannon Swifts goalkeeper Declan Dunne received much of the credit for his side's Irish Cup win against Cliftonville, but the team had another weapon up their sleeves: Philomena Begley. On Monday night, as hundreds of excited fans lined the streets of Dungannon to greet the triumphant team, the players were joined on the open-top bus tour by the Tyrone country music legend.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Swifts parade Irish Cup in unforgettable homecoming celebration
Rodney McAree has a special story to tell. (Image: John Stafford) Just after 7pm on Monday evening, beneath a sunlit blue sky, the Dungannon Swifts made their triumphant return home, arriving on an open-top bus to a rapturous reception in Market Square. The winning team pulled up beside a specially constructed stage, greeted by crowds singing, cheering, letting off flares, and waving blue and white flags in celebration of their dramatic Irish Cup victory over Cliftonville at Windsor Park on Saturday. The team remained atop the bus for a time, soaking up the moment and energising the crowd as they danced and proudly paraded the Cup – now in its third day of celebrations. Excitement surged as Mid Ulster Council Chairman, Councillor Eugene McConnell, introduced local sports personality Adrian Logan to the stage, prompting a roar of approval from the packed square. When Logan declared the Swifts 'Irish Cup champions,' the crowd erupted, joining the team in a spontaneous rendition of We Are the Champions. Among those interviewed live on stage by 'Logie' were Swifts' captain Dean Currie, club chairman Keith Boyd, goalkeeper Declan Dunne, and goalscorer John McGovern – who sparked laughter with his candid remark: 'You see to be honest, I don't remember anything about the goal.' As each player appeared on stage, fans serenaded them with individual chants, with many of the squad now boasting their own unique songs. The players revelled in the atmosphere, and cheers reached a crescendo when manager Rodney McAree and his wife Adele took to the stage. Visibly moved, Mr. McAree told the crowd: 'I keep thinking this is a dream and we've already gone to Heaven, looking down, imagining what could have been. It's unbelievable – to drive in the town road and see so many supporters.' He then joked: 'I got promoted with Fulham (as a player) and I scored a goal at Fulham which was better than any of these boys could do,' prompting a quick retort from Logan: 'Look, he had 485 appearances and he scored one goal.' Mr. McAree continued: 'We did an open top bus parade around Fulham but there was nobody on the streets, it was embarrassing and I really worried about this night but this here is phenomenal. You guys are exceptional and I thank you so much.' He needn't have worried – the turnout, in Adrian Logan's words, numbered in the thousands, made up of seasoned Swifts fans and newly converted supporters alike. But the undisputed star of the night was country music legend Philomena Begley. Dressed in blue and white, the 82-year-old took to the stage with her trademark wit and powerhouse vocals, belting out her iconic hit Blanket on the Ground – now the unofficial anthem of Dungannon Swifts. Ms Begley mingled with players and supporters, chatting, singing, and dancing with the team, their families, and the entire crowd. The celebrations reached a high as jubilant goalkeeper Declan Dunne lifted manager McAree – and the Irish Cup – onto his shoulders in front of an ecstatic audience. Among those in attendance was Mid Ulster Councillor Dominic Molloy, who told The Impartial Reporter: 'I can't believe the turnout in the Square! Great to see the sea of blue and white bringing everyone together. I heartily congratulate the players, management and backroom team of Dungannon Swifts FC on their historic win. It really was the icing on the cake in a very successful year for the club. The win and run up to the final has been a huge lift for the entire Dungannon area." It was, by all accounts, a night to remember – a triumphant celebration of football, music, and community spirit that brought Dungannon together in spectacular style.
BBC News
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Irish Cup final: Philomena Begley scores with Dungannon Swifts soundtrack
Did you ever hear the one about the Queen of Country and the County Tyrone football club?Philomena Begley is one of Irish country music's most loved and celebrated entertainers who has been working in the industry for more than 60 Dungannon Swifts are about to compete in their first Irish Cup final in almost 20 might be an unlikely pairing, but the country legend's music has emerged as the surprise soundtrack for the team's supporters club. It comes as the town of Dungannon could become the unlikely sporting capital of Northern local rugby and hockey clubs, which are both only minutes away from the Swifts' home ground along the Moy Road, are also striving for major Saturday, the same day Dungannon Swifts play Cliftonville in the Irish Cup final at Windsor Park, Dungannon Rugby Club will be competing in the Ulster Senior Cup final at Kingspan Dungannon Ladies Hockey Team who recently won the Irish Hockey Challenge Cup, are hoping to retain the Ulster Senior Cup with a final later in May. 'The whole place just took off' As for Ms Begley's Blanket on the Ground becoming the unofficial anthem for the Swifts and their journey to the cup final, Dillon Boyd from The Spirit of '49 Dungannon Swifts supporters club said it all started after the Pomeroy woman's song was played on the bus radio on an away trip and "the whole place just took off"."It works because us young lads, we sing away at the back of the bus and it gets the older members of the club at the front of the bus involved, because they grew up around that type of country music," said the has been more pleasantly surprised by her recent connection with Dungannon Swifts fans than the Queen of Country to BBC News NI ahead of the Irish Cup final, Ms Begley said she was "shocked, but delighted" with the response. She added: "It's been a lovely surprise, to have found this new connection to a group of fans I didn't even know I had."To tell you the truth, I'm really honoured and I hope the team do really well."Recently, Ms Begley even surprised fans and players with an in-person performance at Dungannon Swifts' Stangmore Park club house. But it's not just country music legends who are getting involved in the final build-up, excitement has spread across town centre is covered with blue and white bunting with many local businesses showing their Mohan runs a clothing business in Dungannon."There's a real energy about the place," he has also been showing his support for the club by kitting out the players in tailored suits for the said: "The Swifts have one of the lowest budgets in this league this year, so we felt our players deserved this and I think it's made the guys feel more connected to the football club too and hopefully that has spilled onto the pitch as well." Directly across the road from Dungannon Swifts' home ground, the local primary school are also showing their support with handmade good luck posters on the side of the McWilliams is the school's said: "The build-up has been so exciting, in the mornings speaking to the parents and the children coming, all they want to talk about is the Swifts."Reuben is aged 10 and has been a Swifts supporter for as long as he can said: "If we win the final, it would mean a lot to everyone, the players and the school as well, so I'm really excited." As for Dungannon Ladies Hockey Team's upcoming final in the Ulster Senior Cup, team captain Lucy Redmond said the town is buzzing with the local sides doing so well."Trophies are great, but I just love the game of hockey, and it's the same with all the girls here, we go out just for love of the game," she said."But I have to say with us and the other clubs in finals it's created a fantastic atmosphere around the town, and it's great because it gives the young people coming through these clubs something to aspire to." Irish Cup holders Cliftonville have won it nine times, whereas the Swifts have yet to win Northern Ireland football's premier cup Boyd says it has already been a success story for the Swifts and Dungannon no matter what happens on said: "It would mean everything to the town for the lads to win, a bit of good news and we're going in as underdogs, but that's OK we like that and we've already shown what we're capable of."So whatever happens on Saturday, we've already shown the community spirit connected to this club and we all believe this club can really go places."
