Swifts pen pictures for today’s programme
Posted : 25th December 2021 at 00:59:10
David Walsh - 19 year-old goalkeeper from Portadown with seven first team appearances to his name. David was the hero a few weeks ago for the first team saving two penalties in a Co. Antrim Shield semi-final shootout win over Cliftonville. Made his way up through the Linfield Academy system and is highly rated with a bright future ahead in goal.
Matthew Williamson - The 16 year-old has represented the club at Academy level before making the step up to the Swifts in the past year. Has played in most Swifts matches this season. A modern day goalkeeper who is equally good with his feet as he is with his hands. Son of senior goalkeeping coach Johnny Williamson. One of the six Full Time Academy Scholars as part of Linfield's scholarship scheme.
Jack Wilkins - At just 15 years old, Bangor-based goalkeeper Jack has already played in a number of league matches in goal for the Swifts. He was part of the Northern Ireland Victory Shield squad and is another who shows great promise at a young age.
Ewan McCoubrey - 17 year-old Ewan can operate as a full-back or as a wide player on the right side. Despite his young age Ewan has made a couple of senior appearances this season. His positive style of play makes him exciting to watch. One of the six Full Time Academy Scholars part of Linfield's scholarship scheme.
Conall Murray - A regular for the Swifts team, Conall who recently turned 20 is very consistent at left back. From Newcastle, Conall is very popular amongst his teammates and his committed style of play and quality on the ball has seen him gain many admirers.
Kielan Reid - One of the younger members of the squad, the 16 year-old left-sided centre back has really grown throughout the year and is now a regular for the Swifts. Has stepped up after Josh Roney and Ruairi McConville moved to Stoke City and Brighton, respectively. Comfortable on the ball and strong in the air, the Dundonald native is another promising talent.
Joshua Briggs - 15 year-old Josh shows great promise. Whilst still 15 he is eligible to play for the u16s, he has played in a number of matches for the Swifts this year and also at underage levels for Northern Ireland. A footballing centre half with tons of class and composure.
Ross Larkin - Ross was part of the 2019 winning Swifts team and the Newry man has made almost 30 first team appearances since signing from Portadown in 2019. A class act and a calming influence amongst younger players in the changing room. Reads the game very well, a threat at set-pieces and is experienced for a 22 year-old having made his senior Portadown debut at 17.
Joshua Archer - Captain of the Swifts, Josh was a baby-faced substitute during the 2019 final and has since gone on to show his great quality throughout this competition and also for the senior side. Josh scored on his senior debut just over a year ago aged 17. Now 18, he has eight senior appearances under his belt - seven of which have come this season. One of the six Full Time Academy Scholars as part of Linfield's apprenticeship scheme.
Jake Corbett - The man for the big occasion, Dromara man Jake has earned many personal awards in the game, including 'Man of the Match' in the 2019 final when he scored twice in a 3-1 win over Newington. Recently returned from an ACL injury sustained early in 2021, Jake has played a few matches for the Swifts in recent weeks and his experience and quality is massive for a young Swifts team when he's involved. Midfield general, 20 years old. Underage International.
Diego Esquivel McGann - 16 year-old Diego hails from Central America and is a very popular figure at the club. His mother is from Belfast and his father is from Costa Rica. Joined Linfield from a club in Costa Rica in the summer. The central midfielder possesses great technical ability and is strong despite his young age. Has played in a number of games in the run to the final and is one of the six Full Time Academy Scholars as part of Linfield's scholarship scheme.
Travis Macfarlane - Local lad Travis is another promising young footballer who gives everything on the pitch. The central midfielder has a great range of passing and his all-action style makes him popular amongst his teammates.
Jack Montgomery - Ballyclare lad Jack is an attacking player who has scored many important goals for the Swifts this season, including a strike against Glentoran in the Quarter final. There are high hopes for the 16 year-old who has been in and around the first team squad a couple of times. Can play through the middle but has been playing off the left. One of the six Full Time Academy Scholars as part of Linfield's scholarship scheme.
Andrew Clarke - The lively forward signed from Crusaders in the summer and is highly rated by first team boss David Healy. Although Andrew is more of a deep-lying striker who likes to link the play, the former Saintfield United youth player has an eye for goal as he showed against Lisburn Distillery in the semis on a night when he was named 'Man of the Match'. Has never won a trophy and wants to put that right. Turned 19 two weeks ago and has made more than 10 appearances for the first team this season.
Adam Carroll - Has been with Linfield for many years and came through the Academy. The Newry native has an eye for goal and has shown that in a loan spell for Warrenpoint Town in the Irish League last season. Was part of the 2019 winning team, and also featured in the 2017 final defeat to Newington. Has scored in two Youth Cup Final victories. A quick and intelligent frontman who has scored many big goals for the Swifts this season.
Callum Marshall - Callum recently turned 17 and the striker has many admirers. Tipped for a great future and linked with a move across the water, Marshall scored his first senior goal for the first team against PSNI aged 16. A really elegant footballer with great close control, tons of pace and a strong left foot. The Glengormley lad has been a key man for the Swifts in the Cup this season. One of the six Full Time Academy Scholars as part of Linfield's scholarship scheme. Five first team appearances this season and an unused substitute many times on David Healy's bench.
Gledis Cakaj - In recent months Gledis has made the step up from Academy sides to the Swifts and embraced it, scoring a number of goals already this season. The attacking midfielder's hard work, direct style and pace is a constant thorn in the opposition's side. He shows great promise and always carries a goal threat.
Cormac Austin - Cormac is another really promising talent who is being tipped to have a bright future ahead across the water. The graceful young central midfielder oozes class and a maturity despite only being 15 years old. Swifts boss David Dorrian and first team manager David Healy both believe Cormac will have his pick of English teams after him and he showed why when he made his first team debut this season, impressing against PSNI in the League Cup. Cormac was with Cliftonville previously and the West Belfast lad is a student of St. Mary's CBGS.
Leon Boyd - Coleraine based teenager Leon impressed everyone by scoring against Manchester United for Linfield Youth in the Super Cup in the summer. The lively frontman has that explosive ability to win a game out of nothing, pace and quality. He is another being tipped for a bright future in England or Scotland. Played against Stoke City's first team for Linfield's first team in the summer in a pre-season friendly.
Jack Hastings - A 15 year-old striker from Larne, Jack scored the winning goal in a recent development league match in another positive step for his development. He works hard and will develop even more in the coming years when he'll be looking to become a regular in the Swifts team