Irish Premiership: Swifts secure top-flight status

Goals from Ethan McGee and Michael O'Connor secured Dungannon Swifts' Premiership status for another season as they overcame a first leg deficit to see off battling Championship side Annagh United in the promotion/relegation play-off.

Having been 2-1 down from Tuesday's first leg in Portadown, Dean Shiels' men needed a fast start and they got it with right-back McGee sidefooting home a fierce effort from Marc Walsh's pass into the top corner.

The hosts dominated for the first hour, but it took until 20 minutes from time for them to edge ahead in the tie as O'Connor latched onto captain Ryan Mayse's through ball before producing a fine finish to lift the ball past advancing Annagh keeper Joel Little.

That seems to spark Annagh into life and Swifts keeper Declan Dunne pushed over a looping Jordan Campbell header from a long throw by Craig Taylor, before Dunne has to be alert to keep out a rasping Taylor drive from 18 yards.

However, Ciaran McGurgan's men just couldn't find the goal that would have taken the tie to extra-time as the hosts held on to make it 20 seasons in a row in the top flight of local football.

While the men behind the winning goal in the tie - Mayse and O'Connor - are both expected to leave Stangmore Park for pastures new this Summer, Swifts boss Shiels confirmed he's staying with the County Tyrone club following the victory.

MATCH STATS

Dungannon Swifts: Dunne, McGee (O’Kane 85), Curry, McGinty, Ruddy, Donnelly (Scott 85), Bruna, Walsh (Cushnie 69), Moore (Smith 59), Mayse, Lynch (O’Connor 59).

Subs not used: Nelson, Galvin

Annagh United: Little, Kerr, Campbell, McGuinness, McGinley, Moffatt (Harpur 84), Finnegan, Duffin (McDonald 74), Storey, Taylor, Murray.

Subs not used: Burns, Martins, Topley, Shortt, Egas

Referee: Evan Boyce