SWIFTS BAG VITAL THREE POINTS
Dungannon Swifts picked up a vital three points with a Boxing Day victory over Newry City at Stangmore Park.
Dean Shiels' side got off to a great start, hitting the woodwork twice during the opening moments of the game through Rhyss Campbell and Michael O'Connor.
At the other end Daniel Hughes hesitated in front of goal to allow the Swifts to clear, but the home side continued to look the more likely to find a way through when first Joe McCready and then O'Connor tested the City defence.
Dungannon eventually found a way through just before the half-hour mark courtesy of Ethan McGee's low driven finish into the far corner past Steven Maguire.
McCready might have doubled Dungannon's lead around the hour mark but was thwarted by a Stephen Moan goalline clearance but Newry could have levelled not long after that when Hughes volleyed an effort against the crossbar after doing well to control the ball.
However the game was effectively settled as a contest midway through the second half thanks to James Knowles' stunning and unstoppable 25-yard free-kick beyond Maguire's reach into the top corner.
Dungannon Swifts: Dunne, J. Scott, Breen, Knowles, McCready, O’Connor, Campbell, Walsh, McGee, Animasahun, Bruna subs Nelson, Mayse, Gallagher, McGinty, Cushnie, Smith, S. Scott
Newry City: Maguire, N. Healy, McGivern, Hughes, Lockhart, McGovern, Martin, Moan, Forde, Rocks, Clarke subs Brady, Carville, Teelan, B. Healy, Donnelly, McCaul, Montgomery
Substitution 
Substitution 
