MANAGER'S VERDICT: Rodney McAree delighted 'comfortable' Dungannon Swifts earn win against Coleraine
Rodney McAree was understandably a pleased Dungannon Swifts manager after his side ended a run of two successive defeats by beating Coleraine.
Here’s what he had to say after the 3-1 win at Stangmore Park.
MUST BE PLEASED WITH THE PERFORMANCE?
“First half especially and even the second half I thought there was large parts of it we played well.
"Like to concede early in the second half in the position that we're in, you can fold but we showed good character and togetherness that got us going again.
“I thought outside of the first 10-15 minutes of the second half I thought we were comfortable, which is surprising. First half I thought we were exceptional. We pressed at the right times, we won it back at the right times, we caused problems and we created numerous opportunities.
"We scored three. We could maybe have scored just on the stroke of half-time...Shea Gordon has a great effort where Ryan Schofield makes a fantastic save, one of a number of saves that he made in the first half.
"So we were really, really pleased at half-time but it was important that we kept our composure and our discipline to try and get us over the line and it's a fantastic three points at the end of the day.
FIRST HALF BEST YOU’VE PERFORMED ALL SEASON?
"I think so, aye. I think in terms of attacking-wise, yeah.
"I actually thought in the first half we maybe could have kept the ball a wee bit better at times but that's maybe me being a wee bit ultra-critical.
"But to get off to the start that we do and building on that start and notsettling for it as well was fantastic.
"I thought our midfield and Sean McAllister were superb. I thought Shea Gordon, Paul Doyle and Tiernan Kelly, the energy that they showed and the understanding that they showed along with Bigi (Gael Bigirimana) and Leo Alves.
"Danny Wallace didn't miss too much to be honest and he knew when to send it and when not to, which Danny does.
"But I thought it was a huge improvement in terms of where we have been. I think the lads appreciate as well that we haven't done well enough in recent weeks and they wanted to do it for themselves as well.
"The three points is massive for us as staff but I'm just so delighted for the players that they've managed to get it for themselves.
ALL BUT SECURES TOP-SIX STATUS:
"hopefully we manage to stay there.
"For Dungannon Swifts, if we finish top six two seasons in a row, it's a fantastic achievement.
"We all should be very proud in terms of the efforts that we've put in and the players that have come into the club as well and what they have contributed has contributed massively.
"We're not there yet. Mathematically we're not there yet but hopefully we're very close if not.”