Swifts beat Linfield on penalties to win Charity Shield

The Northern Ireland Football League Charity Shield is the curtain-raiser for the Irish League season

Dungannon Swifts have won the Charity Shield by beating Linfield 5-3 on penalties after a goalless draw at Windsor Park.

After winning the Irish Cup on penalties in May, there was more shootout joy for the Swifts after Linfield's Rhys Annett saw his effort saved by Alex Henderson.

Linfield's attention will now turn to the first round of Champions League qualifying when David Healy's side travel to Dublin to face Shelbourne on Wednesday.

After a slow start, chances started to flow midway through the first half as Linfield defender Ethan McGee miscued at the back post before Kealan Dillon fired into the arms of Chris Johns at the other end.

Ben Hall should have opened the scoring from close range but he could only head wide from Kirk Millar's cross, and Caolan Marron put in a big block to deny Charlie Allen from inside the area.

Matthew Fitzpatrick twice fired off target, either side of a decent chance for the Swifts as Adam Glenny's good ball was just beyond Danny Wallace in the area.

Peter Maguire and Tomas Galvin both headed wide as the Irish Cup winners ended the half well.

The rhythm of the second half was interrupted by numerous substitutions by both sides, but Annett's snap shot also found the bottom corner for Linfield late on.

Leo Alves, Glenney and Sean McAllister all netted their opening kicks in the shootout for the Swifts, while Kieran Offord and Chris Shields scored for Linfield.

However, Henderson saved Annett's low penalty to give the Swifts the advantage, and Leon Boyd scored the decisive kick to win their second trophy at Windsor Park in the space of three months.