‘Simplicity is genius’ – From the Premier League to Irish Cup

He has played for Old Trafford and the Emirates, scored for Wembley, and participated in one of the biggest tournaments in football.

Yet it’s a small town in Northern Ireland where Gael Bigirimana feels most at home when he plays in front of 2000 people on average every week.

The Burundi international has had a journey that included playing for Newcastle United and Dungannon Swifts.

Since moving to Stangmore Park in 2023, the 31-year-old has been a revelation, leading the Irish Premiership’s underdogs to a possible European adventure and a second-ever Irish Cup final.

Dungannon values Bigirimana, and they share a similar love for her.

Sometimes, he says, “simplicity is genius.”

Bigirimana, who represented Burundi at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019, said, “I’ve been on the other end of where I’m now, when I was at such a big club and earning money that I never would have dreamed of.”

You can lose the simplicity and love of the game, I know, given all the money and glitz of playing for a top-tier team.

Bigirmana claims that the appeal included the “simplity and” challenge” of playing at Dungannon and that he has always been a football fan.

The ups and downs that come with it make it enjoyable to me.

“Could I come here and impact this club and serve them?” And help my team-mates succeed by enabling them to achieve the best possible results?

I wanted to come here, and I’m grateful that the fruits are showing.

Bigirimana played for Newcastle United for 25 games in 2013 and is a world away from the riches of the Premier League.

He later made a successful move to St James’ Park and appeared in Tanzania with Motherwell, Glentoran, and Young Africans.

However, Bigirimana has since made his presence known in the Dungannon community, which is located in County Tyrone, along with his wife and two children.

He continued, “It’s been a wonderful time for my wife and my two kids.”

The town has been enjoyable, and the residents are very welcoming.

Bigirimana has only one medal from his professional career, despite having an 11-year career and making over 250 appearances in four different countries.

That was the case in the 2017 Checkatrade Trophy final, when he scored the opening goal for Coventry City to defeat Oxford United 2-1.

While he claims that his final game with Coventry was his “highlight” of his career, he also claims that Newcastle United was “a fantastic experience that will stick with me for the rest of my life.”

That may soon change, though.

The Irish Cup, the most prestigious knockout trophy in Northern Irish football, is never won by the Dungannon Swifts.

When asked where winning the Irish Cup would go, Bigirimana said, “I think it would be the best highlight of my career, 100%.

Because Cliftonville is such a strong club, the game will be difficult for them.

We are aware of the challenges that lie ahead for them and they have some very talented players.

“For the club, the town, having a small budget, and our being part-time, for us to lift that trophy would make me very happy,” he said.

“Dungannon Swifts and the town will have such a big day,” they said.