Game was 'dead and buried' in eight minutes - McAree

Dungannon Swifts boss Rodney McAree was left to rue a calamitous eight minutes in defeat to Linfield that saw his side concede three times in quick succession.

After a relatively even opening in a contest that ultimately finished 3-1 to the hosts at Windsor Park, Joel Cooper put the Blues ahead with his strike soon followed by efforts from Kyle McClean and Chris Shields.

While Dungannon improved in the second half, and reduced the deficit through Adam Glenny, McAree knew there was no way back from 3-0 down against David Healy's men.

"We were well in the game," said the former Glentoran boss.

"Within the space of eight minutes we found ourselves 3-0 down which was massively frustrating and hurts a lot.

"We have to identify that quicker on the pitch in terms of leadership, getting higher up the pitch, defending better, reacting to second balls, all the basic things and it hasn't happened.

"In the space of those eight minutes the game is dead and buried."

Things get no easier for Swifts with a trip to Solitude on Tuesday night to face Cliftonville.

"Obviously going to Cliftonville is a tough place to go," McAree added.

"We pick ourselves up, take the positives from the second 45 minutes, and we'll look forward to it."