Linfield travelled down the M1 tonight with one objective; to keep pressure on the teams above them in the hunt for automatic European qualification. And to that end, the Blues did their bit, as a brace from Kyle McClean and a first Linfield goal for Darragh Leahy secured a 3-1 win over Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park.
Eleven days from their last outing – a 1-1 draw away to rivals Glentoran in the ‘Big Two’ derby to kick-off the split – Linfield’s starting eleven featured two changes as Sean Brown and Isaac Baird dropped to the bench for Kirk Millar to come in alongside Kyle McClean who returned from serving a one-match ban for accumulating five bookings over the Premiership campaign. Chris Johns remains on the sidelines as David Walsh made his second League appearance of the season.
Dungannon Swifts, on the other hand, made four changes from their team which went the distance against Cliftonville in last Friday evening’s energy-sapping Irish Cup semi-final at Windsor Park, as the Swifts booked their spot in the show-piece occasion on Saturday 2 May. Having won the Irish Cup last year for the first time – incidentally beating Cliftonville on penalties then too – it was a wonderful feat from the Co.Tyrone club. Shea Gordon, Paul Doyle, Gael Bigirimana and Leo Alves all dropped to the bench as Peter Maguire, Mal Smith, James Knowles, and Sam Anderson came in to start.
The Blues dominated possession in the first half but were wasteful with their opportunities in the opening half-hour. Matthew Fitzpatrick had a chance after just 23 seconds as he chested down a loose ball just inside the hosts’ box before volleying straight at the ‘keeper.
David Healy’s men couldn’t believe they didn’t take the lead after 22 minutes when they were denied by an excellent save. Ethan McGee played a one-two with Matthew Fitzpatrick inside the box before crossing low from the left, putting it on a plate for Matt Yates whose shot at close was somehow kept out by Declan Dunne.
Linfield forward Matthew Fitzpatrick has scored four times against the Swifts this season and the 31-year-old will be disappointed not to have added to that tally as he fired over the bar from eight yards after being set up by Kyle McClean.
Dungannon Swifts then took the lead after 36 minutes with their first real attack of the match. Kealan Dillon’s pass was touched on by Kobei Moore to release Adam Glenny down the left, and he squared a low cross to the back post where Swifts’ captain Cahal McGinty stormed in to convert the opener.
The Blues reacted brilliantly, earning a penalty a minute later as Dane McCullough was clattered when he raced onto a cross from the right, being wiped out in the process of hitting a volley. After a couple of minutes’ wait, Kyle McClean’s penalty was dispatched with great conviction. The midfielder has now scored in the Blues’ last three matches against Dungannon Swifts.
HT: DUNGANNON SWIFTS 1-1 LINFIELD
After a quiet opening ten minutes in the second half, the match burst into life with a flurry of Linfield attacks. Firstly, a clever effort from Matthew Fitzpatrick from 40 yards went just over the crossbar after he spotted the goalkeeper off his line.
Shortly after, Kirk Millar found Matt Yates who spun defender Danny Wallace to go through on goal. The Scottish forward opted for power as he put his laces through the ball to hit a fierce strike which was brilliantly saved by the goalkeeper who did so well to beat it away.
The Blues forced a corner and finally found the breakthrough on the hour-mark. Kirk Millar crossed following a short corner and the hosts were unable to clear. Persistence from Matt Yates allowed the ball to fall for Ethan McGee at close range, and he was denied twice in quick succession against his former club with more heroics from the home goalkeeper before Darragh Leahy followed in to tap the ball in from a few yards out for his first goal in a Linfield shirt. Not only was the goal coming for Linfield on the balance of play, Leahy’s first goal in a Linfield shirt felt like it had been on the cards for quite a while as a combination of great goalkeeping and the woodwork had kept him at bay since his January arrival.
A few minutes later – in the 64th minute – there was a peculiar moment as Dungannon Swifts made all their five substitutions at once. It was likely pre-planned to manage players’ minutes off the back of their Irish Cup exertions, but it may well be the first time since an occurrence has happened. Of the five substitutes, Leo Alves brought the brightest spark to the Swifts’ team, though the Blues still remained in control.
Then, with 20 minutes remaining, David Healy’s men added a third to give themselves a two-goal cushion. Kyle McClean struck against the County Tyrone men once more, making it four goals in his last three appearances against Rodney McAree’s team, and seven goals in total against Dungannon Swifts since joining the Blues from St. Johnstone in 2019. On this occasion, it was a sweet left-footed strike arrowed across the goalkeeper and into the far corner after Dane McCullough’s pull-back.
Leo Alves went close to pulling a goal back for the home team as the experienced winger has a wicked shot flash narrowly wide of the post from 25 yards, however the Blues looked likely to score again in the closing stages. Robbie McDaid had the ball in the net following Isaac Baird’s cross from the right, but it was disallowed, and it finished 3-1.
The Blues’ proud record at Stangmore Park continues, with a run of 18 consecutive victories. The last time Linfield lost there was back in November 2013 when Darren Murphy’s Swifts defeated David Jeffrey’s Linfield 1-0 thanks to Darren Boyce’s deflected shot. Even in a year where the Blues have struggled away from home, they have shown up well at Stangmore Park twice more.
Looking ahead, the Blues have three matches remaining and are ten points behind leaders Larne, seven points behind Glentoran and five points behind third-place Coleraine. The Blues finish with three home matches against Larne, Coleraine and Cliftonville.
Next up for the Blues is Larne at Windsor Park this Saturday at the earlier time of 1pm; a match that could have a big bearing on where the Gibson Cup goes. Sadly, it won’t be remaining at Windsor Park this year, but the Blues still have to try and achieve European football by hook or by crook. The pathway will become clearer as the weeks go on, though what is certain that the Blues have a European play-off final to fall back on if they don’t qualify automatically though their League finish.
FT: DUNGANNON SWIFTS 1-3 LINFIELD
DUNGANNON SWIFTS: Declan Dunne (GK), Peter Maguire, Danny Wallace, Cahal McGinty © (Shea Gordon 64’), Adam Glenny, Mal Smith, James Knowles (Gael Bigirimana 64’), Tiernan Kelly (Paul Doyle 64’), Kealan Dillon, Sam Anderson (Leo Alves 64’), Kobei Moore (Andrew Mitchell 64’)
Unused subs: Alex Henderson (GK), Eoghan Liggett
LINFIELD: David Walsh (GK), Ethan McGee (Sean Brown 75’), Ben Hall, Darragh Leahy, Dane McCullough, Jamie Mulgrew © (Isaac Baird 75’), Kyle McClean, Kirk Millar (Cammy Ballantyne 80’), Adam Frizzell (Josh Archer 80’), Matt Yates (Robbie McDaid 71’), Matthew Fitzpatrick
Unused subs: Sam Taylor, Chris McKee
REFEREE: Tim Marshall
Yellow cards: Jamie Mulgrew, Isaac Baird, Adam Frizzell