Footballers tend to be a superstitious bunch and that has certainly been the case with Dungannon Swifts boss Rodney McAree.
The Swifts are riding high as we head towards the final few weeks of the season with the Irish Cup and European football a realistic target.
A lot of people have been trying to put their finger on the Stangmore Park side's form this season but not many would have thought it would all stem from the manager's lack of visits to his barber!
The Swifts secured a showpiece final meeting with Cliftonville on May 3 following their semi-final victory over Bangor last Saturday.
The result also meant McAree could finally get a well-needed trim, his first since Dungannon started off on their road to Windsor Park back in January.
"I needed a cut, it was the first since beginning January," said McAree as he sported his new tightly shaven hairdo during Tuesday night's draw with Larne.
"I wasn't gonna get cut until we got knocked out of the Irish Cup or reached the final and we've done that now!"
McAree will be hoping his longer locks weren't the secret to all the Swifts success this season, and that certainly seemed to be the case as they put on an impressive display to earn a share of the spoils against the Invermen.
"I was disappointed not to get the three points," said McAree. "I thought we were by far the better team, especially in the second half, I thought we were exceptional.
"Our performance levels after getting to an Irish Cup final on Saturday were phenomenal. The shift we got out of the boys was brilliant.
"You worry about the next game after an occasion like Saturday’s. You worry about boys' mindsets and mentality, are they gonna be right, but we were bang on it.
"We played some very good football and created good opportunities. We hit the post a couple of times, we had a massive shout for a penalty kick.
"I thought there could have been a red card too for a foul on John McGovern, but, overall I'm very pleased but disappointed we didn't get three points."
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