Rodney McAree delivered a blunt assessment of Dungannon Swifts' performance after a 1-1 Premiership draw with Ballymena United at Stangmore Park. The manager said his team started poorly and were fortunate to go in level at half-time after playing much of the first period with ten men.

"When it was 11 v 11, I thought we were atrocious," McAree told the club's media channel. He said Ballymena looked in complete control early on, putting the Swifts under sustained pressure. The game turned when Scot Whiteside was sent off for the visitors shortly after Igor Rutkowski had given Ballymena a 24th-minute lead. Danny Wallace reacted in the box to equalise on the stroke of half-time, handing Dungannon a lifeline.

Second-half chances wasted

Despite having a numerical advantage after the break, the Swifts failed to capitalise on several opportunities to win the game. McAree pointed to a lack of urgency and sharpness in the final third. "We weren’t good, there was too many below-par performances, and that has to improve and be better," he stated. He acknowledged that a victory might have been harsh on a Ballymena side that dug in and fought hard.

The manager did highlight a positive impact from substitute Kris Lowe, who was excellent after coming on at half-time. Corey Smith also provided some joy on the left flank. But McAree felt his players were lethargic and off the pace, failing to press with the required intensity or move the ball quickly enough to break down a stubborn defence.

McAree's demand for improvement is urgent, with his team's recent form showing just one win in their last five league matches. The Swifts' next challenge is a key away fixture against Glentoran, a game where the manager will demand a marked improvement in hunger and desire from his squad. The team's current position of fourth in the standings is built on a solid start, but maintaining it will require greater consistency. The draw leaves Dungannon with 13 points from eight matches, having scored nine goals and conceded eight. A deeper look at the team's stats reveals the need for sharper finishing, a point McAree emphasised after watching his side waste their second-half chances against ten men.

The report in full is at Belfast News Letter