Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
LINDSAY: SMYTH IS A STAR OF THE FUTURE
Ballymena 2 Dungannon 2
DUNGANNON Swifts boss Kris Lindsay is predicting a big future for Oisin Smyth after the teenager stalled Ballymena United’s title charge at the Showgrounds.
The Sky Blues, who are now three points behind Linfield at the summit, led twice – firstly through a Jude Winchester rocket and then Cathair Friel’s 14th goal of the season.
But the Swifts, who lost Dougie Wilson to a 70th minute red card for a high tackle on Jim Ervin, responded through Daniel Hughes and Smyth’s first ever senior goal.
The substitute midfielder reacted quickest to sweep the ball home from close range after Paul Mcelroy’s initial effort was parried by United keeper Ross Glendinning.
Lindsay said: “I have every faith Oisin will go on to be a top Irish League player and a big player for us. He’s still young and we’re trying to break him into the team gently, but anytime we have used him, he has been excellent.
“He got the winner, but apart from his goal he did ever so well.
“He’s so composed on the ball, kept it and played in good areas.
“Overall I thought we were excellent, even when we were down to 10, and we might even have nicked it if we had taken two chances on the break near the end.”
While praising Dungannon for their resolve, Ballymena boss David Jeffrey also branded Saturday’s wind-affected draw on a bobbly pitch “most frustrating.”
“We were authors of our own downfall with the goals we conceded, but I can’t be overly critical of the players who have given so much over a lengthy period,” he added.