Allen doubles up to help Glentoran get one over on McAree
DUNGANNON Swifts chief Rodney McAree last week turned down the chance to become manager of Glentoran — after this showing, he may be having second thoughts.
McAree opted to sign a new three-year contract with the progressive Swifts, rather than attempt to resurrect a fallen giant.
It’s been a traumatic season for the Glens, but there may be a chink of light at the end of what has been a very dark tunnel.
Goals from Curtis Allen, who bagged a double, James Ferrin and John McGuigan gave the home fans something to cheer.
Even though Daniel Hughes and Chris Hegarty replied for the Swifts, they never appeared capable of salvaging anything.
But if Allen was hailed for his brace, it all turned sour three minutes from time when he was red-carded by rookie referee Shane Andrews along with Swifts midfielder Seanan Clucas after a free-for-all broke out.
The Swifts were quick out of the traps with Hughes testing Elliott Morris after only nine minutes. Mark Patton gobbled up the rebound, but blazed high and wide.
But it was the Glens who nicked the lead. McGuigan whipped in a teasing corner and Ferrin got up above goalkeeper Stuart Addis to head home.
The cheers from the sparse crowd hadn’t died down when Dougie Wilson tried his luck from distance at the other end. His shot looked to be drifting wide, but Hughes got onto it and poked past the stranded Morris.
Glentoran were back in front on 31 minutes, courtesy of McGuigan’s excellent finish.
Allen was chopped down by Hegarty 25 yards out and, although the striker fired the freekick into the wall, it broke kindly for McGuigan, who drilled low and hard into the bottom corner.
The Glens struck again eight minutes before the break with a goal from the training ground. Ross Redman’s free-kick was flicked on by McGuigan to Allen, whose drive rocketed home.
Dungannon came out all guns blazing and were back in it again on 53 minutes when defender Hegarty roared forward to meet a Wilson cross and his header flashed past Morris.
They thought they had levelled seconds later when Jarlath O’Rourke headed in a Lowe cross, but his goal was ruled out for offside.
The visitors were right out of luck on 67 minutes when Hughes’ 25-yard free-kick smacked against the crossbar.
Substitute Cormac Burke then clipped the top of the woodwork.
But it was Allen who settled matters 12 minutes from time when he got on the end of a McGuigan cross and he just doesn’t miss from two yards.
It all ended on a sour note with that flare-up ending with Allen and Clucas dismissed. GLENTORAN: Morris, Ferrin, Redman, O’Hanlon, Birney, Addis, Kane, Knowles (Kelly, 80 mins), Nelson, Allen, McGuigan (Davidson, 84 mins).
Unused subs: McMullan, McCaul, Nelson. DUNGANNON SWIFTS: Addis, Hegarty, Wilson, Harpur, O’Rourke, Patton, Lowe (Coyle, 60 mins), Clucas, Hughes, Hutchinson (Burke, 69 mins), Campbell.
Unused subs: Fitzpatrick, McElroy, Teggart.
Man of the Match: John McGuigan
Match rating: 8/10
Referee: Shane Andrews (Comber) Good start: James Ferrin hails his opener for the Glens