Swifts 'will respond' after Irish Cup loss - McAree

Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree said his side were "exceptional" during their 3-2 defeat by Coleraine in the Irish Cup final.

McAree's side were aiming to defend their Irish Cup title, but a double from Matthew Shevlin and Joel Cooper's strike meant it was Coleraine who were the victors.

It was a valiant performance from the Swifts, who came from behind twice through goals from Paul Doyle and Andy Mitchell, but they couldn't find the crucial third goal.

"First and foremost, we're devastated," McAree said

"It's an honour for us to be involved and I think it's privilege, but we've earned the right to be here. Over the course of the last two seasons, we've been exceptional. And I thought we were exceptional today.

"I thought, especially first half, we were very, very good. We created opportunities and whenever you play against the so-called bigger and better clubs, you've got to take those opportunities."

'I'm disappointed with the three goals that we conceded'

Dungannon started the final the stronger side with Ryan Schofield making multiple good saves to deny the Swifts from breaking the deadlock.

Despite being happy with the overall performance, McAree added that his outfit need to be more clinical and gave away preventable goals.

"We should be more clinical and go punish teams whenever you get that opportunity but going forward, I thought we were very good," he added.

"I'm disappointed with the three goals that we conceded and the first ones that mix up. It should be dealt with and the second one we don't defend the space in behind well enough.

"The third goal, we don't need to go and try and win the diagonal ball, and we sell ourselves and we're caught short. Ultimately, that's what's cost us the game."

Now, Dungannon's attentions will turn to their European play-off as the side try and secure European football for a second season.

The Swifts face Carrick Rangers in the quarter-final on Wednesday, 6 May and will aim to progress to the semi-final on 9 May with the final three days later.

"You can respond one or two ways and you either pick yourself up or you don't," he continued.

"I have complete faith in the changing room and our changing room over the years has been extremely tight and we have a tight set of players in the changing room.