Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree has openly admitted his worry about losing key midfielder Sean McAllister to a late transfer. Speaking after his side's 2-0 Premiership win over Bangor, McAree confirmed to the media that there has been concrete interest in the player, who has scored twice in three games this season.
McAree's comments come as the Swifts build momentum with back-to-back league victories. The win at Stangmore Park, secured by a Sean McAllister thunderbolt and a late Andrew Mitchell penalty, moved the team up the early table.
Rodney McAree did not hide his concern about the situation. "I'm still worried about losing him, to be honest," the Dungannon Swifts boss said. He revealed that interest has been shown in McAllister, though none had emerged in the week leading up to the Bangor match. McAree joked about ignoring phone calls, adding, "If we get past the next nine days or so and we still have Sean McAllister here, we'll be delighted."
The manager's anxiety is understandable given McAllister's early-season impact. The 25-year-old midfielder, who rejoined the club in 2023, has been in excellent condition and high spirits since returning for pre-season. His stunning strike against Bangor showed the quality that has attracted attention.
Sean McAllister's importance is reflected in his statistics and his role. He has started all three of Dungannon's league matches this campaign, playing a versatile role on the right side and in midfield. His two goals already match a strong contribution from the centre of the park.
Beyond the numbers, McAree highlighted the player's growing confidence and happiness at the club. "Sean's grown in confidence, he's enjoying it, he's got a smile on his face," McAree stated. The manager believes the environment at Stangmore Park has been vital for McAllister's development, especially after he overcame a serious thigh injury prior to his return.
The victory was slightly marred by an injury to midfielder Kris Lowe. He was substituted in the first half after feeling tightness in his hamstring. McAree explained that, given Lowe's previous issues with soft-tissue injuries, the decision to take him off was precautionary. The club hopes the problem will not keep him out for more than a couple of weeks.
This concern shows the need for squad depth as the season progresses. Fans can check the latest availability updates on the club's injuries page. The Swifts' squad, which includes experienced figures like goalkeeper Declan Dunne and forward Andrew Mitchell, will be tested during a busy period. The full roster is listed on the squad page.
With the transfer window set to close shortly, the immediate focus is on retaining key assets like McAllister. On the pitch, attention turns to maintaining their winning form. The team's next fixture is a league encounter, continuing a run of games detailed on the fixtures schedule.
The Swifts will look to build on their positive start, which has seen them collect six points from their opening three matches. Their next challenge comes on Saturday, 12 September 2026, as they aim to make it three consecutive Premiership victories.
