Derby delight for super Swifts as Clucas produces sting in the tail

Final blow: Seanan Clucas netted the winner for Swifts SEANAN Clucas headed a stoppage time winner to give Dungannon victory in a thrilling Mid-Ulster derby.

The Swifts had led 2-0 through Daniel Hughes’ well-taken double.

But Glenavon pulled it back to level after Robbie Norton and then Sammy Clingan scored in three minutes. However, a superb game had one last twist, as Clucas headed in a late winner.

The Swifts had been struggling for form in the league but were well on top here, and went in front in the 25th minute.

Grant Hutchinson, who was winning balls aplenty in midfield, stole possession and slid in Hughes, who slotted past the goalkeeper.

Dungannon had chances to stretch their lead, but could not convert before the break. But the visitors’ luck did not hold and they found themselves 2-0 down in the 73rd minute.

Kris Lowe was fouled in the box by Joel Cooper, resulting in a penalty, which Hughes tucked away confidently.

It looked bleak for the Lurgan side, but from nowhere they were handed a lifeline.

In the 75th minute — two minutes after conceding — Norton pulled one back, netting with a low drive after Cooper’s nod down. And they levelled it up three minutes later through a trademark Clingan free-kick.

Cooper was fouled on the edge of the area, and up stepped the veteran midfielder to score with a free-kick which crashed in off the crossbar.

Dungannon, though, won it in the 91st minute, Mark Patton curled in a corner and Clucas’s looping header found the net. DGN SWIFTS: Coleman, Lowe, Hegarty, Clucas, O’Rourke, Wilson, Hutchinson (McMenamin, 86 mins), Burke (Mayse, 65 mins), Teggart (Campbell, 86 mins), Patton, Hughes. Subs not used: Addis, Fitzpatrick

GLENAVON: Tuffey, Lindsay, Singleton, McGrory, Marshall, Clingan, Cooper, Foley (Norton, 54 mins), Daniels, Griffin (McCavitt, 69 mins), Murray. Subs not used: Barr, Hunter, O’Mahony.

Referee: Raymond Crangle (Belfast) Match rating: 9/10

Man of the match: Daniel Hughes