Dungannon welcomes home Swifts' Irish Cup heroes

Hundreds of people lined the streets of Dungannon on Monday night to give a warm welcome home to Dungannon Swifts FC after their Irish Cup final win at the weekend.

The team won their first ever Irish Cup 4-3 on penalties, beating Cliftonville in the final at Windsor Park on Saturday.

The champions left their home ground, Stangmore Park, in an open bus before making their way to the town centre, where they were greeted by cheering, screaming and chanting fans.

The atmosphere was electric outside the Hill of the O'Neill as they walked on stage to the Queen song We Are the Champions.

Jude Johnston and Mathew Williams celebrated team's homecoming with their family.

"It's such a great achievement, we were all there on Saturday so it was really, really good to see everybody and get the atmosphere," Ms Johnston said.

"For a town like Dungannon to come away and win the fourth oldest competition in the world of football – absolutely outstanding," Mr Williams added.

As well as delighting long-time fans, the historic win has inspired a new generation of footballers.

Nine-year-old James has hopes of someday wearing the blue and white of Dungannon Swifts.

"They played well, it was just scary when it came to penalties," he said.

"They could do it again in my opinion."

Katherine McCausland and Roy Stretton were emotional at describing the joy of the town.

"I've waited a lifetime on this," Mr Stretton said.

"I can't put it into words, they were just so good this year.

"This season was just absolutely brilliant from start to finish and the whole comradery about the club is just unreal."

"It's just class, the celebrations have only just begun and this is going to be amazing tonight," Ms McCausland.

"The supporters are the twelfth man and I think whenever things happened on Saturday we were definitely there to back them all the way."

Philip, who said he rarely misses a Swifts' match, described their win on Saturday as "unbelievable".

"Probably the best day of our lives, incredible feeling. It's still hasn't sunk in to be honest and we're at it now three days.

He added that this win would provide "memories to last a lifetime".

Ken Harker was also at the match on Saturday and said the atmosphere was "out of this world".

"It's absolutely brilliant for the whole town and everybody in the surrounding area."

Trevor Boyd, brother of Swifts chairman Keith Boyd, said their father died three weeks ago, adding that he was "emotional" being at the homecoming.

"The players all came out to the house and every one of them said 'We're going to win this, and win it for you', and they did – amazing.

"Our club has always been about involving community, families, friends - making everybody feel welcome."

Management and some players addressed the crowd, thanking them for their continued support throughout the season.

The players also welcomed the Queen of Country, Philomena Begley, on stage for a rendition of her popular song "Blanket on the ground" - the Swifts unofficial anthem for the season.

Speaking to BBC News NI, manager Rodney McAree said of his players: "I love them to bits; I love all of them. They gave me their heart and soul.

He said their performance on Saturday had "made us all very proud".

"Especially the real Dungannon Swifts fans, people who supported this club through thick and thin, through the good times and the bad times.

"This is just remarkable."

Goalkeeper Declan Dunne, who saved two Cliftonville penalties in the shoot-out, said: "It still doesn't really feel real at the minute.

"I think probably when we start to sober up next week, towards the end of the week, it'll start to feel a bit more real.

"But I'm absolutely buzzing for the team, the players, the coaching staff, and everyone associated with the club.

"There's a lot of hard work that goes into here."

John McGovern, who scored Dungannon's goal in the final, said: "I think for Dungannon this is definitely only the start

"You look through the youth, you look through the entire club, there's success coming through the club from no age all the way up to senior level.

"So I think this is only the beginning."