Dungannon Swifts transfer window review
- Published
2024-25 League position: 4th
2024-25 Irish Cup winners
Manager: Rodney McAree
Next five fixtures: Glenavon (A) 6 September; Crusaders (H) - 13 September; Cliftonville (H) - 20 September; Ballymena United (A) 27 September; Larne (H) - 4 October
Dungannon Swifts have made a poor start to the season and are clearly missing Irish Cup-winning captain Dean Curry, who has retired and frontman John McGovern, who joined League of Ireland side Shamrock Rovers this summer.
Neither of those players have been adequately replaced internally as the Swifts would have hoped as Caolan Marron has struggled in defence and Tomas Galvin has yet to find the net at the other end.
Boss Rodney McAree aimed to strengthen his squad this summer after last year's incredible season as he brought in defender Mal Smith following his departure from Crusaders forward Darragh McBrien, who has returned for a second spell at Stangmore Park after being released by Linfield.
Both players, who are looking to reignite their careers at Stangmore, have yet to really get going in the Swifts' run of five straight defeats with fellow new signings Sean McAllister and Tiernan Kelly, who have started most of those games, also struggling.
It is safe to say so far, their business looks a bit underwhelming, and they seem not to have been able to add to the squad even from a position of strength after last year.
The late additions of former Glentoran striker Junior and youngster Sam Anderson from Luton should offer them some different profile of forwards.
They will hope both can quickly get up to speed hit the ground running as they look to transform their fortunes and get off the bottom of the table.
2025-26 signings so far: Mal Smith (Crusaders), Peter Maguire (Ballinamallard), Sean McAllister (unattached), Tiernan Kelly (Loughgall), Darragh McBrien (Linfield), Junior (unattached), Sam Anderson (Luton Town - loan)
2025-26 departures so far: Dean Curry (retired), Oliver Crowe (Loughgall - loan), John McGovern (Shamrock Rovers), Grant Hutchinson (unattached), Padraig Lynch (Institute), Tommy Connolly (Ballinamallard United - loan), Aidan Hegarty (Institute - loan), Brandon Bermingham (Cliftonville - loan), John Scott (Loughgall - loan)