A Curran affair

Dungannon Swifts 1-2 Cliftonville

Ryan Curran scored with literally the last kick of the game to complete Cliftonville’s comeback victory over Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park this afternoon.

Trailing to a first-half own goal from Aaron Donnelly, the Reds – who prevented their hosts from having a single shot over the course of the game – levelled early in the second period when Chris Curran netted following a corner delivery and proceeded to carve out the match’s only attacking opportunities.

Chris Curran saw another effort blocked on the line, Joe Gormley drew two saves from Sam Johnston and Ryan Curran had a header hacked away at the death before providing a delightful 90th minute cross that nobody was able to get on the end of.

Looking set to pay the price for their failure to make the most of those openings, Cliftonville were instead rewarded for their persistence deep into injury-time when the handling of another Chris Curran attempt led to the award of a penalty, which namesake Ryan stepped up to convert just a second before referee Shane Andrews sounded his final whistle.

Full report to follow…