“European football for Dungannon, scoring a goal in an Irish Cup final and winning the first ever Irish Cup for the club is something to write in history.”
John McGovern perfectly summarised a glorious day for him and Dungannon Swifts in the Irish Cup final.
The strike netted the opener in the final for the Swifts, who played a large part of the game with 10 men, holding their nerve to secure a 4-3 penalty shootout win after a 1-1 draw after extra time.
That result not only brings a maiden Irish Cup triumph but also European football to come with the Swifts entering the Uefa Conference League at the second qualifying round stage.
Rodney McAree’s side have indeed written their names into the Swifts’ history books and wherever you look across this well-assembled Dungannon side, there are hard luck turned success stories everywhere.
McGovern, for example, was a striker who struggled for consistency and injuries during his time at Newry City but has been a revelation since arriving at the Swifts last summer.
Namechecked by Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill as a player of potential, he has been linked with a host of full-time clubs but declined to speak about his future after the final, instead choosing to savour the momentous occasion.
“I’m absolutely buzzing. Coming into this people had us as underdogs but to go out and put in the performance we did, especially going down to 10 men, shows the characters in our dressing room,” he said.
“We’ve been unbelievable, and I know finishing fourth is a great achievement but putting an Irish Cup on the table with the league campaign we had was the cherry on top.”
There is also goalkeeper Declan Dunne, the hero in the shootout who saved Shea Kearney and Luke Conlan’s penalties to win the Irish Cup.
He was playing in the Swifts’ promotion/relegation play-off victory against Annagh United just two years ago and knows they must enjoy the good times as there have been “bad times” as well.
The stopper was sure that the Swifts were going to win the trophy when the game went to spot-kicks and he was vindicated as they scored all four of their penalties.
“When we have the boys that we did going up to hit penalties, we practiced them on Thursday in training and you knew they were going to score, we have confidence oozing out of the team,” he added.
“When you save it, you have to enjoy it. I fancied myself to save two at least so I’m happy.”
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.
