The Dungannon Swifts have celebrated their incredible and well deserved Irish Cup win with an ‘open top tour’ that saw fans descend on the town centre in their droves.
The county Tyrone side picked up the silverware for their very first time after an intense final against Cliftonville on Saturday (May 3) which ended in penalties following a 1-1 draw at extra time.
The win marked an historic moment for the club and one which they are keen to celebrate with all of their avid supporters.
For Club Chairman Keith Boyd, it was a particularly poignant victory. Described by the club as a “tough cookie” in recent weeks, the chairman had to “stand up and keep going” to make sure his side made it to the final after suddenly losing his father at the start of April.
And, of that victory and their Chairman’s unwavering commitment to the club Dungannon Swifts Football Club said: “The boys didn’t let you down!”
As an additional surprise, the Swifts received a further boost the following day when their Manager Rodney McAree was awarded the Northern Ireland Football Writers Association’s Manager of Year.
With much to celebrate, the team conducted a tour of the town in an open top bus yesterday evening (May 5).
Dungannon square awash with blue as hundreds of fans turned up to show the Stangmore Aces their support.
And the sea of blue wasn’t just confined to the square. Supporters draped with club flags and scarves lined both sides of the road as the bus completed its tour from Ranfurley Road back to their homes grounds at Stangmore Park.
Joining the team on their tour by their “favourite country singer”, none other than the ‘Queen of Country’ herself, Philomena Begley who put on a sensational show for the jubilant masses.
