Breaking Swifts duck a weight off my shoulders, admits Hughes

DANIEL Hughes admits he is relieved at getting off the mark for Dungannon Swifts after netting his first goals in the loss against Ballymena in midweek.

Hughes was signed in January to address the Co Tyrone side’s scoring problems, but failed to hit the net in his first four games.

The 25-year-old — who endured a frustrating time at Cliftonville — was starting to worry.

“It was playing on my mind a wee bit,” he said. “It went three games, then four games — I was putting more pressure on myself.

“But before I left for the game on Tuesday, I just forgot about it. I just tried to concentrate on going out and doing what I do, and thankfully it worked.”

Today, Hughes returns to his former club as Dungannon face Warrenpoint Town.

It is Town’s first game under Stephen McDonnell, who is in interim charge following the departure of Matthew Tipton.

Hughes said: “I know Stephen well, I played with him during my time at Warrenpoint. He’s a good football man and I know he’ll do well there.

“It’s nice to go back and I’m looking forward to it, but the main thing is to get three points.”

Tuesday’s loss to Ballymena ended Dungannon’s already slim hopes of making the top six. They are now in a race for seventh, which brings a play-off for European football.

With the League Cup already in the Stangmore Park trophy room, Hughes insists they want a strong finish to the campaign.

“Nothing has dropped off,” he said. “The first training session after the cup final was the best I’ve seen since I came here. There is still a lot to play for.”