Dungannon Swifts ace Ryan Mayse is hoping that he can maximise the next three years of his career.

The talented midfielder, who turned 28-years-old back in December, has been an ever-present figure for Dean Shiels’ side this season.

The Swifts have caught the eye for their possession-based football and faith in youth players throughout the campaign, but Mayse knows that will count for nothing if they don’t avoid the drop.

As the Danske Bank Premiership gets ready to kick-start the post-split fixtures this weekend, only a scatter of points separates Portadown, Carrick Rangers and the Swifts in the battle to avoid a relegation/promotion play-off fixture.

“I have played plenty of games so far this season apart from the times where I’ve been suspended,” Mayse joked.

“I have really enjoyed my football this season as we have a group of hard working, talented players and we try and play football the right way.

“With recent results, we know we have to pick up results in the post-split games otherwise we will be in danger of a relegation play-off and we don’t want that.

“Ideally we want to finish as strong as we can and build for next season as we have the potential to be a top side in the next few years.

“I have recently turned 28-years-old, so I’m arguably entering my prime, but I just want to continue enjoying my football for the next three years and see where it takes me.”

Mayse would make a return to Stangmore Park for the 2017-18 season and that would prove to be a memorable one as he netted twice in the BetMcLean League Cup final win against Ballymena United.

“I always wanted to go back and play for Dungannon Swifts again,” he conceded.

“After coming through the youth team and leaving, it was great to play in the first team and we had three or four players from the Omagh direction, so we were a tight knit bunch.

“Scoring twice in the League Cup final was an incredible feeling as we were underdogs the whole way through the competition.

“To help Dungannon Swifts win their first ever senior trophy is something that can never be taken away from us and we often meet up – although Seanan Clucas’ girlfriend doesn’t allow him!

“There must have been seven or eight players who came through the youth system that picked up a winners’ medal and that’s something to be proud of.”

After being placed on the transfer list at his own request, the Newtownstewart native would join Ballymena United as David Jeffrey swooped to land his services.

That switch would see Mayse guide the Sky Blues to a second-place finish in the Danske Bank Premiership and earn European qualification in the process.

“My first year at Ballymena we nearly won the league,” he reflected.

“It was probably a step too far for us to win it, but we were a new team whereas Linfield had the experience to get over the line.

“However, we were able to qualify for Europe and that was a different experience as I was usually involved in a relegation battle.

“We were able to eliminate Faroese side NSI Runavik in the first qualifying round of the Europa League, before being beaten by Malmo in the next round.

“They were a very good side, who played Chelsea in the Round of 32 the year previous, so that was a great experience.”

At the start of 2020, Mayse would pen a loan deal at Ballinamallard but that reunion at Ferney Park would be marred by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“To be honest, I didn’t get much of a chance during my second year at Ballymena and Davy stuck by a team that was getting results,” he acknowledged.

“I was doing a lot of travelling and I asked Davy if I could go out on loan and thankfully Ballinamallard were interested.

“We were sitting second in the Championship table behind Portadown but unfortunately the season was called to a halt due to the pandemic.

“Portadown went up but you never know what would have happened if the campaign was played to a close.

“I signed permanently for the following campaign but we didn’t kick a ball and Harry McConkey was understanding in allowing me to go back to Dungannon in January 2021.”

That move was aided by no relegation in the 2020/21 season with Mayse heaping praise on current boss Dean Shiels.

“Matty Smyth and I joined the Swifts at the same time under Kris Lindsay,” he continued.

“Thankfully there was no relegation that year but Dean Shiels came in and it took us a bit of time to get used to his ideas.

“He is a very good coach, a top manager and he kicks and heads every ball on the touchline.

“He makes sure you know your role both in and out of possession, what he wants from you and his tactical knowledge is second to none.

“I have no doubt that he will move onto massive things over the water as he’s such a good manager.”