Dungannon 'humbled' by Carrick thrashing - McAree

Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree says his side are "hurting" after their 5-1 loss against Carrick Rangers at Taylors Avenue.

Goals from Joe Crowe, Paul Heatley and Adam Lecky gave the home side a comfortable lead at the break.

Lecky netted again after the restart before substitute Eoghan Liggett grabbed a consolation goal for Dungannon. Striker Lecky then completed his hat-trick in the final 10 minutes of the match.

"When we started the game, we had five opportunities very early on and we didn't take any of them," McAree told BBC Sport NI

"After that it just seemed like every time the ball went into our box, we were going to concede. It is very unlike us.

"We are hurting and I am hurting. It is disappointing and we are humbled."

The result is the second match this season that Dungannon have lost by a four-goal margin after losing 4-0 at the Coleraine Showgrounds in October.

However, it is just their second defeat in their last eight league games with Rodney McAree's side now three points behind Linfield in fourth.

The result has differing implications to the league standings of the sides with Stephen Baxter's outfit moving up to ninth position from 11th.

"We don't want to dwell on it, but we have to learn from it. We have to know that it is unacceptable and we have to hurt," McAree continued.

"I hope the players, by the time they get home, are still hurting and I hope they are hurting throughout the week and hope they are looking forward to trying to make things right.

"They need to show the attitude and desire needed to try push this club forward and maintain where we are in the league."