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THERE was a busy transfer deadline day at Stangmore Park as captain, Oisin Smyth made a ‘dream’ move from Dungannon Swifts to League One in England, while Coleraine striker Cathair Friel and Annagh United midfielder Ruairi McDonald joined Dean Shiels side.
Twenty-one year-old Smyth, who was coveted by Wrexham and Larne, amongst a number of other clubs, has made the move to professional football on a three and a half year deal after the Swifts and the League One side agreed an undisclosed fee.
Having been with the Stangmore Park for the best part of a decade, Smyth was keen to thank his former club for the part they played in getting him to this stage in his career.
“I just want to say a massive thank you to Dungannon Swifts for everything they’ve done for me. Dungannon have looked after me for almost 10 years now and I owe a lot to this club,” said Smyth.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to move to England to play professional football and when the opportunity arose for me I didn’t think twice of grasping it with both hands.
“I would like to thank both Dungannon Swifts and Oxford United for making this move happen in such short space of time.
“A massive thank you to Dean [Shiels] and the coaching staff for showing faith in me to captain this great club, I have enjoyed every minute of it. It has been an absolute honour.”
He is now looking forward to testing himself in full-time football with Oxford under manager Karl Robinson, who can expect the same impressive work ethic that he displayed at the Swifts.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for me and I’m really looking forward to it,” Smyth beamed.
“I’ve been really impressed with the facilities here and it’s definitely a club on the up. There are a lot of really good players here and I can’t wait to get out there on the training pitches, work as hard as I can, and make the most of my chance here.”
Meanwhile, McDonald rejoins Dungannon from Annagh where he moved in 2018 after six seasons at Stangmore Park.
During his previous stint at Dungannon, he also had a short loan spell at Loughgall FC and while at Annagh United, he was part of the Intermediate League title winning squad, scoring 14 goals in 25 appearances.
McDonald has signed a two and a half year deal and Swifts boss Shiels is delighted to have gained his signature.
“Ruairi is someone who fits the profile of the player we want to bring to the club. He’s a talented midfielder with hunger to join the club,” he said.
“He has been outstanding this season in the Lough 41 Championship and I’m delighted to get him signed.”
And 28-year-old Friel has also arrived at Stangmore Park, joining on loan from Coleraine until the end of the season.
“I’m very happy to get Cathair on board. He is a proven Premier League goal scorer and those are hard to come by,” Shiels added.
“He gives us another dimension to our attack and I’m sure he will thrive with the attacking talent we already have here at Dungannon Swifts”
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