Irish Cup win 'means everything' - Swifts boss McAree
Swifts manager Rodney McAree holds the Irish Cup with dad Joe
- Published
Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree says his side's first ever Irish Cup success "means everything" and is "such a good feeling".
The Swifts took the lead in the showpiece decider at Windsor Park on Saturday through a first-half John McGovern header but then had defender Steven Scott sent-off after the break for what referee Ian McNabb adjudged to be a second yellow card offence.
Shea Kearney equalised with a stunning strike in second-half stoppage time but with neither side able to find a winner in extra-time, the game went to penalties.
Dungannon goalkeeper Declan Dunne emerged the hero as he saved two of Cliftonville's penalties in a 4-3 shootout triumph.
"When we went down to 10 men it was just a case of trying not to concede, try to see it out," McAree told BBC Sport NI.
"We conceded but we hung on to get it to penalty kicks. That was the target, to try and win it on penalty kicks.
"We saw the game out magnificently well. We have fantastic team spirit, fantastic camaraderie. We've got a fight, we've got a passion among the group."
McAree's family are synonymous with the Stangmore Park club, including his father Joe, who also managed the county Tyrone outfit.
"I grew up in the club since I was three or four years of age.
"It's so good to do it for real good people who have been around the Swifts for so many years.
"It's beyond words to be honest. Whenever I came back into the club [for a second spell as manager] we wanted to compete. We wanted to be a challenge for every club that we played against.
"The players have done exceptionally well this season and have been a joy to work with."
The Swifts boss also had words of consolation for Scott.
"Stevie Scott got sent-off, whether it's a second yellow card or not, he gives the referee a decision to make and he shouldn't.
"He's on the pitch at the end crying. He's such a good lad, he's had a hard time, but he was brilliant up until then."