After reigning FA Cup champions Crystal Palace were dumped out following a historic upset defeat to Macclesfield earlier on Saturday, Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree was determined his Irish Cup kings weren’t going to suffer the same fate.

Entering this season’s competition as holders for the first time after a famous May triumph over Cliftonville, the Swifts quickly put to bed any fears of a shock at Stangmore Park as Sean McAllister, Junior and Tiernan Kelly all scored within 37 minutes against second-tier Ards.

Given last term’s historic success, there was a slightly different feeling amongst the Swifts squad as they arrived to begin their defence, but there was a clear message from McAree ringing in their ears as they took to the pitch – “no headlines about falling at the first fence”.

"It was probably one which we were a wee bit weary of because obviously it came off the back of last year's success,” said McAree. “(There was) a tiny wee bit (of a different feeling).

placeholder image — Dungannon's Tiernan Kelly celebrates his goal. (Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press)

"You're talking about players' mindset and stuff like that, it has to be spot on. Whenever you come into these games, you have a fear that players get a little bit complacent or a wee bit lethargic and think that it's just going to happen.

"For me, I thought we made it happen. I thought the goals that we scored in the first half, Leo's (Alves) ball in was superb, the second goal was an exceptional goal and the third goal was obviously a great ball and a great finish, so I thought we went about it in the right way.

"I thought we showed a level of quality as well, which was very good.”

Kelly played a key role in Dungannon’s weekend victory with his composed lob over Marc Matthews after latching onto a pinpoint Caolan Marron pass ultimately putting the tie beyond Ards.

The 24-year-old has been a standout performer since joining from Loughgall last summer, establishing his spot in a competitive Swifts midfield, and McAree is delighted with how he has adapted his game.

"I think he surprised a few people (with his finish)!” laughed McAree. “It was a great run and finish...it was a deft touch to lift it over the goalkeeper.

"Tiernan has done extremely well since he's come into the club. People talked about his discipline before, he picked up a lot of yellow cards, but I think Tiernan's only picked up three yellow cards this season.

"If he concentrates on playing – yes he's aggressive and he'll get stuck in – but he's also got the capabilities of playing so it's very, very nice to have him here.

"He covers a lot of ground and he has got good energy. Whenever he came from Loughgall, they probably played him as a six sitting.

"I've seen him as somebody who's got good energy and good legs, somebody who can get into the box like he did, make forward runs and score a few more goals. I think that's his second...it's nice to see him score goals as well.”