Danske Bank Premiership: Dungannon Swifts v Newry City (Monday, Stangmore Park, 3pm)
DUNGANNON Swifts and Newry City may be the only two Premiership sides not classed as local rivals who are facing off against each other on St Stephen's Day, but their encounter is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing matches on the slate.
Last year’s Championship winners Newry have been one of the league’s surprise packages, and after a 4-1 win over Carrick Rangers on November 12 saw them open up an 11-point gap on the bottom two, they seemed to be leaving Dungannon and Portadown in their wake.
However, an award of three points by NIFL after Portadown broke the rules in their 3-1 victory over City notwithstanding, Darren Mullen’s men have yet to win a game since that day, and following recent wins for Dungannon over Glenavon and Carrick Rangers, the importance of Monday’s meeting isn’t lost on the Newry boss.
“We’re well aware of how important it is,” said Mullen.
“I said a while ago that it would be only a matter of time before Dungannon and Portadown started winning games, and that has been the case recently, so we need to make sure that we keep that gap. Dungannon are the next team behind us obviously, so it’s an important game.
“Dungannon have started to turn their season around, whilst we have had a good start to the season, and we just need to maintain that progression.”
The festive season is a wonderful time for fans of the league, but for players and management it means taking things a little bit easier on Christmas Day. However, despite the sacrifices involved, Mullen prefers the current set-up over talk of a winter break.
“It is a sacrifice for players and managers, there’s no doubt about it,”
“Even in my own house, we have a party every Christmas night, and I have been the designated driver for it. But I wouldn’t be one for changing it; you’re well aware of the sacrifices that are needed at this level of football, and this is just one of them.
“If you go and win a game on Boxing Day, it’s a great feeling; if you don’t, it doesn’t be long ruining your break. But that’s the nature of Irish League football – it’s a great day for the fans, and I’m sure there will be great attendances at all the games.”
Dungannon will be looking to bounce back from their defeat to Linfield at Windsor Park last weekend, which came off the back of a 4-1 win for Dean Shiels's side over Carrick the previous week.
