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Irish Cup final: ‘Hard luck’ stories turned into success by historic Dungannon Swifts win

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Then there is man-of-the-match Gael Bigirimana, who scored his penalty in the shootout win after clearing an Eric McWoods chance off the line in extra time.

The midfielder played in the Premier League with Newcastle before eventually coming to the Irish Premiership.

After an unhappy spell at Glentoran, he has found a home at Dungannon and has been a standout player this season.

“For me it is so special, we played Cliftonville and a few months ago and I said to the boys ‘I feel like we are going to do something special’ and Cliftonville beat us 4-1 so I thought maybe not!” he joked.

“The boys have been magnificent, I’m speechless but I’m over the moon.”

Finally, there is Andrew Mitchell, who under McAree, has returned to the Swifts with renewed vigour and has formed a great partnership with McGovern up front after almost stepping away from the game before going back to Stangmore Park.

“I was very emotional after the game, 18 months ago I wasn’t going to play again, I was retiring, and I’m just glad I have had the chance to come back again and it’s wonderful for everyone at the club,” he explained.

“I’m so glad we have been able to deliver for the people of Dungannon and especially Rodney and Dixie [Robinson], good people who have trusted me to come back.”

Mitchell reserved special praise for McAree, who has knitted the squad of experienced pros and young, hungry players together to such good effect.

In doing so, he mentioned another in Danny Wallace who has been transformed since swapping Glenavon for the Swifts.

“Rodney is the best manager in the league no question, he instils belief in every single one of us going out every game that we are the best players in our positions.

“He has signed so well, Danny Wallace has done so well, someone who was treated really poorly and I love to see people turning around their careers and proving other people wrong.”

Something which so many in this Dungannon Swifts squad have done and they now have an Irish Cup to show for it.


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