McAree credits Swifts' 'courage' on emotional night

Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree paid tribute to his players' "courage" to come through on penalties against Cliftonville in Friday's Irish Cup semi-final. As the holders battled through to return to the final with a 4-3 win over Cliftonville on penalties in Friday's semi-final, McAree's thoughts were firmly with family as his father in law, John gravely ill and passed away in the hours that followed. Naturally emotional, McAree said he reminded his players of that fight as they gathered themselves for the shoot-out following a 1-1 draw after extra-time when Cliftonville found an equaliser with time virtually up.

Preparing for such a big game in such circumstances was tough for McAree, but he paid tribute to all at the club for helping him through. "I've terrific people around me, terrific support in the club and a terrific group of players who want to do well," McAree told BBC Sport NI. "They understood my situation before tonight so it was just a case of finding something within to win on penalty kicks.

"It's remarkable as people has been saying he's hanging on to find out the result. John is going to a good place and he knows he can go there as a happy Swifts man. " 'Cliftonville equaliser didn't come at the worst time' McAree acknowledged "football is a massive release as it gets you away from your worries and troubles" but was delighted his players "showed courage" to keep their hopes of back to back Irish Cup wins alive.

They thought they had it done before the need for penalties when Kealan Dillon fired them into the lead but a last-gasp Cliftonville equaliser sent it to a shootout. Dungannon held their nerve, converting all four of their kicks with goalkeeper Declan Dunne saving from Joe Sheridan with Harry Wilson then dragging wide to send the Dungannon support into raptures. "I'm delighted we've got to the final but I thought we were poor in the first half," McAree added.