McAree positive despite defeat

AN upbeat Rodney McAree found positives amid the pain of defeat as Dungannon suffered a setback at Carrick Rangers.
David Cushley, so often the Swifts’ nemesis in this fixture, and Danny Gibson were on target.

It was a blow to Dungannon’s hopes of pushing towards mid-table, as Carrick secured their first home league win since September.

McAree, though, was encouraged by his side’s display, saying their performance in the second half had been “outstanding”.

“We changed our shape at half-time, gave ourselves more width and got higher up the pitch but Carrick know how to dig out results here,” he said.

“It’s a tough place to come, but we can leave here with our heads held high.

“In the second half we had seven or eight opportunities, hit the post and put Carrick on the back foot.

“Unfortunately, we leave with nothing, but if we get that desire and commitment from all the players for the rest of the season, we will do okay.”

Dungannon’s results have been mixed since the turn of the year but, generally, their displays have been promising.

Here, key moments went against them in a game that ultimately could have gone either way.

McAree had described Taylors Avenue as one of the most difficult away dates in the build-up to the game.

And while Carrick’s home form had been wretched in recent times, it was going to turn sooner or later, and this was the day it did.

McAree added, “I actually felt a little bit emotional in the changing room after the match because I thought we were so good.

“Unfortunately the odd penalty appeal, the odd offside call, has gone against us. We hit the post a couple of times too.”

The Swifts had gone close in the early stages through Andrew Mitchell.

Steven Scott squared to the striker, whose first time shot was saved by Ross Glendinning, who then gathered at the second attempt.

Midway through the half, Thomas Maguire took aim on the half volley, but it was off target.

There had been little in the game, but then deep in first half injury time, Carrick broke away and scored. McAree will be deeply frustrated as it came so close to the interval, and from a position of attacking strength.

Dungannon had a corner but couldn’t make it count and suddenly Carrick were racing away, chasing a clearance from Joe Crowe. James Teelan picked it up, spotting Gibson to his left. Steven Scott slipped, Gibson raced in and drove past Declan Dunne.

Teelan wasted a chance to make it 2-0 after the restart, dragging his strike wide when well-placed.

But the momentum was shifting, with the Swifts offering more of an attacking threat, and Maguire and Cahal McGinty both had chances.

However, a second for Carrick in the 60th minute left them facing a huge task.

Gibson chased the ball, Dunne came out and tripped him, with referee Declan Hassan pointing to the spot. Cushley stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, coolly slotting home.

Dungannon needed a goal, and quickly, and it nearly came to Adam Glenny, who rattled the post from close range when he could have done better.

But when Gael Bigirimana pulled one back with 19 minutes left, they had real hope.

The midfielder took a pass from Dean Curry, turned smartly and scored with a cracking right-foot effort.

The pressure was starting to get to Carrick, with boss Stuart King sent off after being booked twice in three minutes on the touchline.

Then Kurtis Forsythe was dismissed, shown a straight red card for a rash challenge on Leo Alves with ten minutes left.

Dungannon pushed for an equaliser – the ball was twice in the net, but each time it was rightly ruled offside.

Aidan Hegarty also sent a late shot wide as they fell just short.