Ballymena Utd 1 Dungannon Swifts 3

Dungannon Swifts made history with a superb 3-1 victory over Ballymena United in the BetMcLean League Cup final.

A double by Ryan Mayse and a third from Cormac Burke saw the Stangmore Park club lift its first ever senior trophy.

Kyle Owens scored Ballymena's only goal of the game, cancelling out Mayse's opener in the first half.

But another from the Dungannon midfielder, then a curling effort from Burke in the second period, eased the Swifts to their victory.

They also had skipper Ryan Harpur sent off following a late incident involving Kofi Balmer, but it wasn't long before Rodney McAree's men were celebrating.

Here's how the game unfolded:

Dungannon's Chris Lowe in action with Ballymena's William Faulkner

First half

Ballymena were almost gifted a chance inside 10 seconds when Jonathan McMurray pounced on some hesitancy from Chris Hegarty, but Swifts goalkeeper Stuart Addis recovered the situation.

The deadlock was broken in the 11th minute with Mayse finishing off a great build-up involving Paul McElroy and Harpur.

McElroy delivered a deep cross from the left which Harpur met at the back post, he nodded it into the path of Mayse who volleyed home.

Ballymena were denied an equaliser in the 17th minute when Addis clawed Willie Faulkner's goal-bound shot away from the top corner.

It was a superb save, but moments later Ballymena were level from the resulting corner.

Leroy Millar delivered a curling cross that Owens headed home from close range, Addis rooted to his line.

The goal gave Ballymena confidence, and in the 21st minute Conor McCloskey crossed for McMurray who could only poke his shot wide.

At the other end Ross Glendinning did well to tip Cormac Burke's curling effort over the bar.

Dungannon were ahead for a second time in the 38th minute.

Seanan's Clucas' cross from the right was met by Mayse whose initial effort was saved by Glendinning.

But Mayse reacted quickest to force the rebound home.

Dungannon's Paul McElroy in action with Ballymena's Kyle Owens

Second half

Dungannon were dreaming of League Cup glory in the 55th minute when Burke made it 3-1.

He picked up possession on the left edge of the box, and with a look up he curled a delightful right foot shot into the far corner.

Ballymena keeper Glendinning only watched as it nestled in the net.

The Sky Blues tried to respond. McMurray hit an effort straight at Addis in the 62nd minute.

Dungannon should have put the game to bed in the 65th minute when Jarlath O'Rourke crossed for McElroy who was in acres of space, but the striker could only head tamely wide.

Dungannon were reduced to 10 men in the 80th minute when skipper Harpur was sent off following an incident with Kofi Balmer as the players jogged out of the Ballymena penalty box.

It was some late drama but it wasn't long before the Swifts were celebrating.


Ballymena: Glendinning, Kane, Owens, Friel, McCloskey, Burns (Weir 67), Balmer(McCaffrey 83), Ervin, Millar, Faulkner (Shevlin 67), McMurray.

Subs not used: Flynn, Quigley.

Dungannon: Addis, Hegarty, Armstrong, Mayse (Teggart 75), McElroy, Harpur, O'Rourke, Lowe, Clucas (Wilson 46), Burke (Fitzpatrick 82), Hutchinson.

Subs not used: Coleman, Campbell.

Referee: Tim Marshall

Attendance: 2995