Dungannon Swifts are the 2024/25 Clearer Water Irish Cup champions.
The Swifts defeated outgoing holders Cliftonville after a nailbiting penalty shoot-out victory to clinch the famous old trophy for the first time in the history of the club - and all this despite playing almost an hour with 10 men.
Both teams set about their business from the very start of the game, albeit without any clearcut chances being created.
Perhaps the first moment of danger came with around a quarter-of-an-hour on the clock when Leo Alves sent over a corner that Luke Conlan attempted to clear only for Reds keeper David Odumosu to be alert to the danger.
At the other end a short time later Conlan teed up Ryan Curran but the Cliftonville man, despite being in a little bit of space, sent his low effort off target.
However the deadlock was broken midway through the first half when John McGovern rose highest in a crowded box to nod home James Knowles' corner.
The Reds attempted to equalise almost immediately but Joe Gormley could only fire wide following a scramble in the box before Shea Kearney had a go with a header which Swifts skipper Dean Curry made safe.
Rodney McAree's side came close to doubling their advantage a little later in the half. Kealan Dillon combined with Alves to release Knowles but whilst he couldn't get a shot on goal the ball did fall for Andrew Mitchell who could only send his powerful effort over the bar.
Dungannon threatened again in the latter stages of the first half but Knowles' free-kick was kept out by a diving save from Odumosu.
Although the Reds started the second half with intent it fell to the Swifts to carve out the first opening when Curry was on hand to nod another Knowles delivery just the wrong side of the right post.
Jim Magilton's charges were handed a boost on 70 minutes after Dungannon were reduced to 10 men following Steven Scott's dismissal for a challenge on Rory Hale and his second caution of the game.
It took the Reds a little time to make their extra man count, and they nearly got back on level terms when Hale sent over a corner for Conlan to head against the crossbar before falling to safety.
They came close again as the game ticked over into added time courtesy of a thunderous strike from Axel Piesold which produced a superb reaction save from Swifts keeper Declan Dunne.
But the Reds did find their equaliser just moments later in sensational fashion after another Hale corner was headed away by Gael Bigirimana but only as far as Kearney who promptly returned the ball with an absolutely stunning strike from outside the area, through a crowd of players, and into the bottom left corner beyond Dunne's despairing reach.
With the momentum now behind them - and that extra man - Cliftonville came close to moving in front early in extra time after yet another Hale corner reached the head of Odhran Casey but Dunne was able to palm his header away with no-one on hand to pounce on the rebound.
Dunne came to Dungannon's rescue again in the second period with a save from a Hale shot, with Eric McWoods then unable to make the most of the follow-up as Cliftonville looked to bag the winner.
Cliftonville kept probing, and came mightily close to the deciding goal with just a couple of minutes remaining. Again Hale caused all the danger with another corner which McWoods connected with. However, just as his effort looked to have gone in, Bigirimana was on the line to head the ball away.
That was the last meaningful action of the game and that meant only one thing: penalties.
Kearney was first up for Cliftonville, but his spot kick was superbly saved by Dunne.
Bigirimana was selected to take Dungannon's first penalty, which he duly converted with confidence.
Hale and Alves, followed by Addis and Adam Glenny, and then Jack Keaney and Brandon Bermingham all knocked home their respective kicks to leave the Swifts with the advantage with one penalty each to go.
But the matter was settled when Conlan stepped up to take Cliftonville's fifth spot kick. He had to score to keep the Reds in the game, however Dunne proved to be the hero of the hour with his second save of the shootout to secure a moment in history for the Swifts!
Cliftonville: David Odumosu, Shea Kearney, Odhran Casey, Jack Keaney, Jonny Addis, Luke Conlan, Shea Gordon, Rory Hale (captain), Ryan Curran, Joe Gormley, Harry Wilson.
Substitutes: Lewis Ridd, Conor Pepper, Axel Piesold, Micheal Glynn, Eric McWoods, Alex Parsons, Ryan Corrigan.
Dungannon Swifts: Declan Dunne, Steven Scott, Adam Glenny, Dean Curry (captain), Danny Wallace, James Knowles, Gael Bigirimana, Kealan Dillon, John McGovern, Andrew Mitchell, Leo Alves.
Substitutes: Alex Henderson, Leon Boyd, Cahal McGinty, Tomas Galvin, Thomas Maguire, Grant Hutchinson, Brandon Bermingham.
