Man of the moment, Rory Patterson, was once more amongst the goals as the Bannsiders reached the decider for the first time since the 1999/00 season.

Under the watchful eye of Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington it took Patterson 24 minutes to break the deadlock when he flicked the ball beyond 'keeper Alvin Rouse after meeting a Gareth Harkin delivery to the near post.

Dungannon almost got back on level terms within five minutes courtesy of Marc McCann after he slotted the ball past the advancing Davy O'Hare only for the ball to come back out off the inside of the post before being hacked to safety.

Michael Ward then came close for the Swifts on 47 minutes with a near post header from a Timmy Adamson cross while Alain Emerson will feel he could have done better with a close range header a short time later.

The decisive second goal arrived on the hour when Stephen Carson made the most of a defensive mix-up between Rouse and Fergal McAliskey to nip in to head the ball into the unguarded net.

The Bannsiders will meet Glentoran in the March 27th final full of confidence having already defeated Alan McDonald's side twice this season.