Latest news with #Swifts'
Courier-Mail
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
Super Netball round 12 results: West Coast Fever defeats Sunshine Coast Lightning 69-54
Don't miss out on the headlines from Netball. Followed categories will be added to My News. Melbourne Mavericks have pulled off one of the biggest Super Netball upsets of the year, denying a New South Wales Swifts surge with a 68-64 victory on Saturday night. With their coaches arm in arm on the sidelines, the Mavericks four-goal win had all the physicality fans have come to expect. But, it was their clinical play and scrappy hunting of loose balls that won the day. Such was the drop in the Swifts' form that they lost three of the four quarters and have dropped to second after holding down the minor premiership position since the season began. In a first versus sixth placed matchup, few would have tipped the Mavericks, but after a horrendous eight goals to one start they grittily clawed back the deficit to take a one point lead into the first break. From that point on they never relinquished it, despite the Swifts' desperate attempts to wrestle back control. At the heart of the comeback was goal defence Kim Brown who used her footwork to create confusion for the feeders looking for New Zealand star, Grace Nweke, who had three turnovers in the first term. Brown's partnership with youngster Jessie Grenvold has grown over the course of the season as the former training partner relishes the opportunity created by Lauren Parkinson's long term injury. Ever a class act, Nweke found form in the second term and eventually went on to slot 48 from 53. However, she was outscored by the Mavericks' tall timber, Shimona Jok, who finished with 61/63 of her own. The Swifts continue to search for answers for their problematic goal attack and wing attack position. While Helen Housby is one of the best in the world, she had another quiet match finishing with 6/10 at 60 percent. Sophie Fawns, after sitting out for the first nine rounds, was used for her two point accuracy in an attempt to claw back the lead. 19-year-old Grace Whyte and the experienced Verity Simmons were both rotated through wing attack against the Mavericks' captain, Amy Parmenter. Comparatively the Mavericks have largely run the same midcourt all season. On Saturday night each member of that midcourt impressed with Parmenter collecting two gains and wing attack Tayla Fraser shaking off a first quarter hard hit to put in 37 feeds. But it was MVP Molly Jovic who largely carried the load with 32 goal assists: a career best for the centre. Mavericks coach Tracey Neville hinted that Jovic is playing international quality netball. 'For me, the Diamonds play internationals and they are the players we want in our team,' she said. 'They always want to be better and always want to progress. We can only work with her as an individual to bring out the best in her and I think tonight she brought out the best in herself.' GLASGOW CALLS OUT TROLLS Mavericks goal attack Sasha Glasgow has revealed the social media vitriol she's received since making her comeback from a serious leg injury. In a personal post shared to Instagram, Glasgow acknowledged that amongst the DMs and comments in the early rounds of the season, trolls took potshots at her return to form and her 'appearance and life.' Glasgow bravely called out the trolls urging them to remember that athletes are people too and that 'noone has the right to comment on our bodies.' HADLEY'S HARD WORK Diamonds vice captain Paige Hadley is having one of her best seasons to date, but her work often flies under the radar. Currently, Hadley sits fourth for goal assists (194), second for second phase receives (158), and third for loose ball pick ups (20). But most impressive is her safe hands: she has only given away 21 turnovers all season. Comparatively, most of the other members of the Diamonds front line have turned over upwards of 45 balls each so far this season. LIGHTNING CRASH LEAVES FINALS BERTH IN JEOPARDY - Erin Smith Fever coach Dan Ryan says his seemingly unstoppable side still have more levels to reach after punishing Sunshine Coast Lightning 69-54. The win is Fever's 10th consecutive victory while Lightning have now lost three in a row. Fever coach Dan Ryan said to bank 10 consecutive wins was a huge feat. 'I'm really pleased to see the team growing week upon week and building on different parts of our game and just the form of all the players out there,' Ryan said. 'We are really enjoying the wins but I've always been pretty critical of where we know we can keep getting better and need to keep getting better and today was no different. 'I think the score line wasn't indicative of how intense and tough the game felt.' Lightning, missing shooter Cara Koenen due to a foot injury for the second week running, were on the back foot from the opening quarter. Lightning coach Belinda Reynolds said Koenen was 'extremely close' and they gave Koenen up until the last possible minute but she wasn't able to pass the fitness test. It was like Fever's players could read their opposition's minds - whatever the Lightning tried - the green clad side had an answer. Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard takes possession. Lightning shooter Steph Fretwell looked hesitant under the post and was off her game, which in turn put a lot of pressure on Reilley Batcheldor. The issues under the Lightning post cost them vital points with Batcheldor shooting at 90 per cent and Fretwell at 80 per cent. Fretwell sank just 2 of her 6 super shot attempts. Fever's Sunday Aryang certainly takes some blame for the Lightning's shooting woes, going to great lengths to keep Fretwell away from the post and from the centre of the arc for the super shots. Ryan said the Fever's defensive effort on Saturday night was one of their best of the season. 'Tonight we knew we had to be good because of how dangerous Lightning's attack is when they get humming,' Ryan said. It was in stark contrast to Fever shooting duo Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard and Shanice Beckford shooting at 96 per cent and 94 per cent respectively. Reynolds said it was always going to be a tough task. Shanice Beckford outpoints two opponents. 'I think any team without a target shooter is always going to be a hard job,' Reynolds said. 'To Roo and Steph's credit they attacked it and they had to attack some of those two points because of the position we were in, it's always good to have your three shooting threats to go to.' Fever midcourters Alice Teague-Neeld, in her 100th game, and Jordan Cransberg had Lightning's Liz Watson and Leesa Mi Mi frazzled. Watson and Mi Mi had 12 general play overs between them. The visitors' slick ball movement and accuracy under the post had them ahead 22-13 at the first break. Lightning stepped up in the second quarter — a time out speech from Belinda Reynolds where she asked her team 'Is this how we want to end the half' seemed to spark something and they staged a gallant fight back shooting tit for tat with Fever. But the level quarter meant Fever still had a nine goal lead at the end of the half. Lightning star Liz Watson. The momentum carried into the start of the third quarter with Lightning shrinking the scoreline to a difference of six within the opening three minutes. But Fever weren't having any of it - fighting back to outshoot them 15-14 and surge ahead 51-41 at the last break. Fever showed no mercy in the final quarter. Lightning players looked defeated and at a loss as to how to deal with such a fast-paced attacking side. The Sunshine Coast side's finals chances are under pressure and it isn't going to get easier with their final two regular season opponents being Swifts and Thunderbirds. Lighting have a good record on the road and Reynolds is confident they can still pull it together and make finals. 'It's just keeping the energy,' she said post-match. 'We had ourselves within touching distance in the third quarter, it is about finding that energy… and maintaining that when we are attacking. I have full faith that we can attack these last two games, there is no tomorrow if we don't.' FIREBIRDS CO-CAPTAIN FACING YEAR ON SIDELINES — Rebecca Williams Queensland Firebirds co-captain Hulita Veve will be sidelined for the rest of the season after suffering an ACL tear - the second player to be ruled out for the remainder of the club's 2025 campaign this week. The Firebirds revealed on Friday the 29-year-old midcourter and Tongan international injured her ACL in training earlier this week. The club said Veve would consult with a specialist in the coming days to determine when she would undergo surgery. Veve's injury comes after Firebirds goal attack Tippah Dwan was this week also ruled out of the rest of the season due to an ongoing knee injury. Hulita Veve has suffered an ACL injury. Firebirds head coach Kiri Wills said the loss of Veve's was a blow to the team's on-court leadership. 'This is a massive blow for Hulita and for all of us at the club,' Wills said. 'Not only is Hulita a leader in our club, she's a hugely popular and important part of our purple family and I know everyone will be doing all we can to support her as she begins her rehabilitation. 'It's a huge loss for us on court - but we have a resilient group and I know Hulita will want us to do all we can to finish the season as strongly as possible.' Veve was named as a co-captain alongside defender Ruby Bakewell-Doran this year. A premiership winner with the Firebirds in 2016, the mother-of-two made a successful return as a full-time contracted Super Netball player last season. The Firebirds sit at the bottom of the Super Netball ladder with three rounds remaining in the regular season. Originally published as Super Netball round 12: Melbourne Mavericks stun NSW Swifts West Coast Fever defeats Sunshine Coast Lightning 69-54
The Advertiser
07-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Super-shooter's 71 goals as Fever end Swifts' streak
The great Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard has scored 71 goals as the West Coast Fever ended the NSW Swifts' unbeaten start to the Super Netball season with an impressive 79-68 win at Ken Rosewall Arena. In a heavyweight blockbuster between the competition's two best teams, the Fever (7-2) started quickly and finished with a flourish, extending their winning streak to seven and ending the Swifts' eight-game unbeaten run in 2025. Remarkably, NSW have never tasted victory against West Coast at their Sydney home base, a trend that continued on Saturday night. "It's really good," said Fowler-Nembhard, the world's best shooter, who missed just one shot attempt all evening. "I came up against some brilliant defenders. "The Swifts are an incredible team and we couldn't come here and underestimate them." At the other end, NSW shooter Grace Nweke racked up a whopping 13 rebounds to go with 48 goals at a less efficient 80 per cent. After a goal-for-goal opening, the Fever created some separation through Fowler-Nembhard, who hit 21 in the opening stanza to give the visitors a 22-16 buffer at the first change. Fowler-Nembhard's connection in attack with the likes of Alice Teague-Neeld, Jordan Cransberg and Shanice Beckford was a feature. The home side rang in the changes in the second period, particularly in defence, as the contest became scrappier and more physical after opening in clean, clinical fashion. Fowler-Nembhard had 37 by half-time, while Nweke was off-target in the Swifts' attack, hounded relentlessly by Kadie-Ann Dehaney. West Coast held sway 39-32 at the main break before NSW lifted through co-captain Paige Hadley and goal attack Helen Housby. Housby's sixth two-pointer trimmed the margin to three before Fowler-Nembard's second-chance goal put the Fever in front 59-55 with a quarter to play. But the last term belonged emphatically to West Coast, who shot 20-of-20 to the Swifts' 11-of-19 to put the rest of the competition on notice. The great Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard has scored 71 goals as the West Coast Fever ended the NSW Swifts' unbeaten start to the Super Netball season with an impressive 79-68 win at Ken Rosewall Arena. In a heavyweight blockbuster between the competition's two best teams, the Fever (7-2) started quickly and finished with a flourish, extending their winning streak to seven and ending the Swifts' eight-game unbeaten run in 2025. Remarkably, NSW have never tasted victory against West Coast at their Sydney home base, a trend that continued on Saturday night. "It's really good," said Fowler-Nembhard, the world's best shooter, who missed just one shot attempt all evening. "I came up against some brilliant defenders. "The Swifts are an incredible team and we couldn't come here and underestimate them." At the other end, NSW shooter Grace Nweke racked up a whopping 13 rebounds to go with 48 goals at a less efficient 80 per cent. After a goal-for-goal opening, the Fever created some separation through Fowler-Nembhard, who hit 21 in the opening stanza to give the visitors a 22-16 buffer at the first change. Fowler-Nembhard's connection in attack with the likes of Alice Teague-Neeld, Jordan Cransberg and Shanice Beckford was a feature. The home side rang in the changes in the second period, particularly in defence, as the contest became scrappier and more physical after opening in clean, clinical fashion. Fowler-Nembhard had 37 by half-time, while Nweke was off-target in the Swifts' attack, hounded relentlessly by Kadie-Ann Dehaney. West Coast held sway 39-32 at the main break before NSW lifted through co-captain Paige Hadley and goal attack Helen Housby. Housby's sixth two-pointer trimmed the margin to three before Fowler-Nembard's second-chance goal put the Fever in front 59-55 with a quarter to play. But the last term belonged emphatically to West Coast, who shot 20-of-20 to the Swifts' 11-of-19 to put the rest of the competition on notice. The great Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard has scored 71 goals as the West Coast Fever ended the NSW Swifts' unbeaten start to the Super Netball season with an impressive 79-68 win at Ken Rosewall Arena. In a heavyweight blockbuster between the competition's two best teams, the Fever (7-2) started quickly and finished with a flourish, extending their winning streak to seven and ending the Swifts' eight-game unbeaten run in 2025. Remarkably, NSW have never tasted victory against West Coast at their Sydney home base, a trend that continued on Saturday night. "It's really good," said Fowler-Nembhard, the world's best shooter, who missed just one shot attempt all evening. "I came up against some brilliant defenders. "The Swifts are an incredible team and we couldn't come here and underestimate them." At the other end, NSW shooter Grace Nweke racked up a whopping 13 rebounds to go with 48 goals at a less efficient 80 per cent. After a goal-for-goal opening, the Fever created some separation through Fowler-Nembhard, who hit 21 in the opening stanza to give the visitors a 22-16 buffer at the first change. Fowler-Nembhard's connection in attack with the likes of Alice Teague-Neeld, Jordan Cransberg and Shanice Beckford was a feature. The home side rang in the changes in the second period, particularly in defence, as the contest became scrappier and more physical after opening in clean, clinical fashion. Fowler-Nembhard had 37 by half-time, while Nweke was off-target in the Swifts' attack, hounded relentlessly by Kadie-Ann Dehaney. West Coast held sway 39-32 at the main break before NSW lifted through co-captain Paige Hadley and goal attack Helen Housby. Housby's sixth two-pointer trimmed the margin to three before Fowler-Nembard's second-chance goal put the Fever in front 59-55 with a quarter to play. But the last term belonged emphatically to West Coast, who shot 20-of-20 to the Swifts' 11-of-19 to put the rest of the competition on notice.
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
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'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 final. Advertisement The 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 time. That 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 stage. Rodney 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 summer. Advertisement Namechecked 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 Cup. Advertisement He 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 well. The 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 time. Advertisement The midfielder played in the Premier League with Newcastle before eventually coming to the Irish Premiership. After 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. Advertisement "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 effect. In doing so, he mentioned another in Danny Wallace who has been transformed since swapping Glenavon for the Swifts. Advertisement "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.
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.
