Rodney McAree is Irish League’s best boss, declares Andrew Mitchell

The forward scored in a 3-0 win against Ballymena United which secured eighth place in the Sports Direct Premiership table.

It was the Swifts’ fifth successive League win — the first time they have achieved that feat as a top-flight side.

They also secured their best placing and points tally since 2017/18, when McAree was last in charge.

Mitchell said: “I think it’s been a good season, it’s been a positive season from where Dungannon were at this time last year.

“We have come on leaps and bounds, we have taken points off the big teams and in the split, we have beaten everybody.

“It speaks volumes for the squad and also the manager — Rodney is the best manager in the League. He is absolutely superb and one of the main reasons I came back here.”

Ballymena rested players ahead of their promotion-relegation play-off with Institute this week.

And Dungannon took full advantage, dominating large parts of the game.

Adam Glenny headed them in front early on, before Mitchell swept home to make it 2-0 after half-time, with Dean Curry rifled in their third late on.

Mitchell, who returned to Dungannon in January after an injury-ravaged spell at Coleraine, is also pleased with his own progress.

“It is good to be back playing and scoring,” he added.

“I was out for 18 months, it was a long time, and I am glad to be back playing week in, week out again.

“I’ve played 90 minutes 15 or 16 times now. If you’d asked me to do that this time last year, I’d have said no chance.”

McAree, meanwhile, was pleased to finish the season in such good form, and hopes to use it as a springboard for the 2024/25 campaign.

“It is a huge achievement to get 15 points out of the split. Alright, you are playing against the bottom six sides but they are still very competitive and tough games,” he said.

“To win them all, and to get four clean sheets, is massive for us.

“It’s a good, positive finish from us and it is good to take into the new season.”

Ervin, meanwhile, admitted that his focus was on this week’s play-off.

“We’re disappointed to lose the game, but performance-wise from that young group, I’m pleased with how they accomplished themselves,” he said.

DUNGANNON SWIFTS: Dunne, S Scott, McGinty, Curry, Glenny (J Scott 84), Bigirimana, Knowles, Dillon (Maguire 74), Alves (Campbell, 74), Mitchell (Moore 84), Galvin (Lusty 58). Unused subs: Henderson, Barrowman

BALLYMENA UNITED: Johnston, Hood, McGrory, McAuley, Tennant, D Taylor, Rocks (Brown 76), F Taylor (Barr 46), Place, Mallon (McCurry 76), McMurray (Stewart 76). Unused subs: O’Neill, McCullough, McCallion.

Referee: Tim Marshall (Irvinestown)

Man of the match: Andrew Mitchell

Match rating: 3/10