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Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Football Fever strikes as hundreds of excited fans line Dungannon streets
Dungannon has never witnessed a night quite like Monday's rousing celebration of the Swifts' historic Irish Cup triumph. Hundreds – possibly thousands – of jubilant fans lined the streets and packed Market Square to welcome home their champions. As the open-top bus carrying the victorious team stopped at the top of the town, the streets exploded with sound and colour. Blue and white flags flew high, flares lit the evening sky, and the voices of young and old rang out in song, as 'Buskerman' provided the soundtrack for a night that will long live in the memory. Supporters spoke of their pride in a small-town team that has defied the odds, drawing comparisons between the Swifts' footballing community and a tight-knit family. 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.' Ken Harker, who was at the final and out again for the homecoming, added: 'I think it's absolutely brilliant for everybody involved with them. I'm only a blow-in so I'm late in coming to support them but am glad to see them win.' His wife, Dorothy, reflected on her family's links to the club: 'I couldn't go to the match but watched it on TV. It's really good for the community and has brought everyone together.' Family ties and lifelong loyalty The event was a family affair for many, including Kenny McAree, cousin of Swifts' manager Rodney McAree. 'The Swifts are in the McAree blood. I've been a lifelong supporter. It's incredible, it's just hard to believe but I'm so proud for Rodney, Joe and the whole McAree family – as well as the town itself. I've been a follower of the Swifts all my life and never thought I'd see them win an Irish Cup final. It's lovely that the community is out to show their support. It's brilliant that it's properly celebrated and see the town filled tonight and celebrate it the way that it should be.' Adam Palmer, 26, from Armagh, came to the celebration with his family – including his father, Arnie, who hails from Dungannon. 'I've watched the match about 30 times back and it's magic. Even now, when I see the equaliser going in, my heart still sinks. Deccie Dunne is a legend like – to save two penalties, it's brilliant. The kids didn't get to go to the final on Saturday so we wanted to bring them tonight to see the trophy. You have to support everything the club does. I went to my first Swifts match whenever I was five years old with my dad when they were in B Division. There's no other club for me.' Arnie added: 'I was at the last cup final when we lost. When it went to penalties this time, I thought, 'No, we've been here before.' It was brilliant to win, I can hardly talk.' Eight-year-old Ezra Hassin declared the final 'the best day of his life.' His father, Ashley, agreed: 'On Saturday, they kept us on the edge of our seats for a long time! It's important to celebrate events like this. A lot of people have a lot of negative things to say about Dungannon and, to see a wee town like this absolutely punching above its weight in Irish football, and bringing some good energy back to the town has been fantastic.' Atmosphere, emotion and pride Bobbie Jo Wilson and Michelle West were among those at both the final and the homecoming. Bobbie Jo said: 'The atmosphere, the noise was amazing. My fiancé has been a fan since he was no age.' Michelle added: 'Their achievement is unbelievable for the club, especially with not having a big source of funding but it's a community club, it's a family club. We're delighted for all those who have been fans for years. It's great to see Rodney McAree who grew up in my village, do so well. I remember Joe managing the Swifts. Given the small budget they have, it's unbelievable. It's hard to attract players when you're not offering big money. You have all the big Belfast clubs and they were playing one of those on Saturday – they have double the fan base but I don't know that we even heard them. I think our fans were ten times louder and had the backing of the crowd – as well as all the neutrals who were hoping the Swifts would win.' Terry McQuaid kept it short and sweet: 'Congratulations to the Swifts. I watched the final in the house though could hardly watch it. I was running in and out of the kitchen.' Sean Paul McAleer, of McAleer's Bar, said: 'We're all delighted for the boys, a great win at the weekend. We showed the match on Saturday and there was a good crew watching it. It was emotional and tense. I had a feeling they were going to do it. Proud of Dungannon and delighted for Joe and Rodney McAree – brilliant people – and all the lads.' A fitting tribute and a town on the rise Trevor Boyd, brother of club chairman Keith Boyd, wore a Swifts t-shirt from the 1990s as he reflected on both personal loss and communal pride. 'Every single person involved in the club was amazing. Our club is all about involving everybody, making sure everybody's enjoying themselves, making them feel welcome so it's really good to see so many people supporting us tonight and see Philomena Begley sing – it's amazing. 'My father passed away only four weeks ago and he would have loved it. It's massive. Me and my two brothers have been involved in the club for years and this here is just the icing on the cake. It's a fitting tribute. My father was always in the background and my brother, Keith, who is the Chairman, has put a lot of time and effort into Dungannon Swifts. We volunteer at the club and Keith is the main steering wheel behind it and I do think he's done a massive job, turning the club to where it is today. Yes, you can have a great manager, you can have a great players, but if you haven't got the right captain steering the ship, it's not going anywhere. 'As chairman, he's responsible for the everyday running of the club and he has a good committee behind him. It's a team effort. Everyone turned out on Saturday. It was hard and tough emotionally as a family – but that's football. 'My son Dillon is the head of the supporters club, SO49, which has risen higher and higher. He's been a Swifts fan since he was four or five years old.' Eddie McCombes, Phillip Cross and Matthew Cross described the final as one of the best days of their lives. Phillip said: 'It was incredible, it's only beginning to sink in now to be honest. A very special day. It's great news for the town. The hockey club are doing well, the rugby club is doing well and the Swifts winning the Irish Cup – sport is really taking off in Dungannon, it's great to see. I'm very proud of all the clubs in the town.' Eddie added: 'It was a great turnout on Saturday and a great turnout tonight too. We've our passports all ready for going away to Europe. Phillip's buying the suntan oil!' Dungannon woman Arlene McFarland summed up the emotion of the night: 'It's an amazing day for our boys to have won this. If you know the history of the Swifts, you'll understand why this has been a very emotional moment. It's a very family orientated team, the fan base is absolutely awesome. They're a great bunch of lads and to come this far, the world's their oyster. I've always been a background fan but I really got brought into it this year and I'm so glad I did – the atmosphere when you're at the match, you can't but get emotional. It's fantastic for the town – it puts Dungannon on the map for all the right reasons.' Dungannon Swifts' Irish Cup-winning Class of 2025 has made history – and now, with Europe ahead, they prepare for the next chapter in a journey that has already united a town.
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.
Belfast Telegraph
04-05-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
More trophy joy for Rodney McAree as Irish Cup-winning Dungannon Swifts boss named NIFWA Manager of the Year
The former Coleraine and Glentoran boss was named Manager of the Year at the NIFWA Awards. McAree collected the prize at a packed Crowne Plaza.
Belfast Telegraph
04-05-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
More trophy joy for Rodney McAree as Irish Cup-winning Dungannon Swifts boss named NIWFA Manager of the Year
The former Coleraine and Glentoran boss was named Manager of the Year at the NIFWA Awards. McAree collected the prize at a packed Crowne Plaza.
BBC News
04-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Hard luck stories' turned into success by Swifts
"European football for Dungannon, scoring a goal in an Irish Cup final and winning the first ever Irish Cup for the club is something to write in history."John McGovern perfectly summarised a glorious day for him and Dungannon Swifts in the Irish Cup strike netted the opener in the final for the Swifts, who played a large part of the game with 10 men, holding their nerve to secure a 4-3 penalty shootout win after a 1-1 draw after extra result not only brings a maiden Irish Cup triumph but also European football to come with the Swifts entering the Uefa Conference League at the second qualifying round McAree's side have indeed written their names into the Swifts' history books and wherever you look across this well-assembled Dungannon side, there are hard luck turned success stories everywhere. Irish Cup win 'cherry on top' for prolific McGovern McGovern, for example, was a striker who struggled for consistency and injuries during his time at Newry City but has been a revelation since arriving at the Swifts last by Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill as a player of potential, he has been linked with a host of full-time clubs but declined to speak about his future after the final, instead choosing to savour the momentous occasion. "I'm absolutely buzzing. Coming into this people had us as underdogs but to go out and put in the performance we did, especially going down to 10 men, shows the characters in our dressing room," he said."We've been unbelievable, and I know finishing fourth is a great achievement but putting an Irish Cup on the table with the league campaign we had was the cherry on top."There is also goalkeeper Declan Dunne, the hero in the shootout who saved Shea Kearney and Luke Conlan's penalties to win the Irish was playing in the Swifts' promotion/relegation play-off victory against Annagh United just two years ago and knows they must enjoy the good times as there have been "bad times" as stopper was sure that the Swifts were going to win the trophy when the game went to spot-kicks and he was vindicated as they scored all four of their penalties."When we have the boys that we did going up to hit penalties, we practiced them on Thursday in training and you knew they were going to score, we have confidence oozing out of the team," he added."When you save it, you have to enjoy it. I fancied myself to save two at least so I'm happy." 'It's so special' for midfield maestro Bigirimana Then there is man-of-the-match Gael Bigirimana, who scored his penalty in the shootout win after clearing an Eric McWoods chance off the line in extra midfielder played in the Premier League with Newcastle before eventually coming to the Irish an unhappy spell at Glentoran, he has found a home at Dungannon and has been a standout player this season."For me it is so special, we played Cliftonville and a few months ago and I said to the boys 'I feel like we are going to do something special' and Cliftonville beat us 4-1 so I thought maybe not!" he joked."The boys have been magnificent, I'm speechless but I'm over the moon."Finally, there is Andrew Mitchell, who under McAree, has returned to the Swifts with renewed vigour and has formed a great partnership with McGovern up front after almost stepping away from the game before going back to Stangmore Park."I was very emotional after the game, 18 months ago I wasn't going to play again, I was retiring, and I'm just glad I have had the chance to come back again and it's wonderful for everyone at the club," he explained."I'm so glad we have been able to deliver for the people of Dungannon and especially Rodney and Dixie [Robinson], good people who have trusted me to come back."Mitchell reserved special praise for McAree, who has knitted the squad of experienced pros and young, hungry players together to such good doing so, he mentioned another in Danny Wallace who has been transformed since swapping Glenavon for the Swifts."Rodney is the best manager in the league no question, he instils belief in every single one of us going out every game that we are the best players in our positions."He has signed so well, Danny Wallace has done so well, someone who was treated really poorly and I love to see people turning around their careers and proving other people wrong."Something which so many in this Dungannon Swifts squad have done and they now have an Irish Cup to show for it.
