Manager’s programme notes
Posted : 30th October 2021
Today we will face a Dungannon team that has played good football under Dean Shiels this season and they will be keen to build on last week’s impressive win against Carrick Rangers and make further progress away from the danger zone at the foot of the table.
We’ve been pleased with our recent league wins against Carrick Rangers and Warrenpoint Town, as well as in the County Antrim Shield against Dundela. Within the games we’ve been able to give game time and rest to most of the members of the squad and with a heavy schedule of fixtures ahead, it’s important to maintain competition levels within the squad.
On Monday night we came away from Larne with a hard-fought but thoroughly deserved 1-1 draw. The players showed great resilience and character to bounce back from a late Larne goal to grab an even later and vital equalising goal.
One or two players picked up a few niggly injuries in the Larne game and ahead of today’s game, we will assess the squad to ensure recovery time is provided for any player who needs it.
Kyle McClean and Jake Corbett continue to make progress recovering from their long term injuries and Jack Ruddy has continued his comeback from injury, by playing for the Swifts in their game on Monday night.
We will also be without Conor Pepper due to injury and we will assess Cameron Palmer’s fitness, as he recovers from the injury that has ruled him out of several recent games.
Jordan Stewart returned from a one game suspension and scored the all important late goal at Larne on Monday.
I was delighted with the Swifts 3-2 win against Glentoran seconds after extra-time in last weekend’s Steel and Sons cup quarter-final and I want to wish David Dorrian and his squad every success in the upcoming semi-final in this prestigious competition.
I want to wish Michael Gault and his Linfield Rangers squad every success in today’s Harry Cavan Youth cup game against St Oliver Plunketts under 18s at New Midgley Park.
Congratulations to Jimmy Callacher who made his 300th appearance for this club in the recent County Antrim Shield tie against Dundela and congratulations also to Trai Hume and Cameron Palmer who represented this club in the Northern Ireland under 21s squad in their recent away games in Russia and Spain.
I want to express my sadness at the news of the passing of the legendary Rangers manager, Walter Smith OBE who I had the privilege of playing under as a Rangers player. He was a great man and a great manager who brought huge success to the club he loved and he has thoroughly deserved the glowing tributes he has received in the past few days.
Our support was in attendance in large numbers at our recent away games at Warrenpoint and Larne and we will need a large support in attendance today, providing vocal and positive encouragement to each of our players on duty in this vitally important game.