Ballinamallard manager Harry McConkey cut a despondent figure on Saturday evening as his side bowed out of the Premier League. The Mallard’s attempt at pulling off an unlikely escape had fallen at the final hurdle with victory on the final day not enough to stop them being relegated on goal difference, and the manager admitted it was tough to accept.
“Gareth Southgate said ‘Football is meant to be the people’s game, but sometimes it not very nice to the people’ and that was exactly the way I felt. Football was not nice to us on Saturday,” said Harry. “We went towards the supporters on the bank and it was quite emotional. I saw a lot of people there that I know, and I know what they have put into the club, and I couldn’t help but feel emotional in the sense that ultimately you had done your very best but it wasn’t enough. I turned to the players in the huddle and I told them that they must all take pride in their efforts and their honesty and their commitment to the club, and that would be very much seen by those supporters on the hill, even though it was a sad day for the club. We have shown passion, resilience, commitment, all those qualities, but ultimately we had the sucker punch. Carrick obviously hadn’t read the script.”
“I have to thank all the supporters who followed us,” he continued. “They travelled in great numbers to Glentoran and to Bangor when we played Ards and were very vocal. At the end you saw them appreciate the efforts the players have made, and they should never underestimate the difference that makes. The players have been really heartened and warmed by the support and it has given a sense of true togetherness. The players have said that to me, that it was great seeing smiles on faces in recent weeks and really getting behind us. Even in the Championship I would love people to come out and continue to support the club.”
Ballinamallard went into the match knowing that their fate was out of their own hands, and their hopes that the day would end on a high were quickly dampened by news that Carrick Rangers had raced into an early two goal lead against Warrenpoint. “We seemed to get so many things right in terms of our approach to the game and our preparation but there is no question it was a bit flooring when you are told the other score is 2-0,” admitted Harry. “We scored and then you hear its 3-0 and you have to think about how you are going to approach this at half time, because even though we are one up they are going to feel that it is almost a lost cause. Then the other game went to 3-1 and the team talk was how it only takes a second to change things in football. Ballinamallard have been there themselves and won games in the last second and I said it could easily change, but we need to push on ourselves and keep doing what we were doing. When you hear its 3-2 we knew we had to keep playing and hope for a bit of news to come through to say it was 3-3 but unfortunately that never came and as a result when the final whistle went it was almost like a wee bit of shock thinking has this really happened?”
Once the reality of the situation had been accepted thoughts quickly turned to the future and who will lead the club in their attempt to return to the top division. McConkey is the club’s number one choice but the manager has said that he will spend several days considering his position. “It was always the agreement that I would put all my energy into the eight games and then talk after that, and that is exactly what we are doing this week. There are things outside of football that I was committed to but we will take time this week to try and see if we can find some solutions to moving forward, or it may be a case that someone else comes in and takes up the mantle. I would like to think by the end of this week there will be a decision made.”
Whether the club start the season with Harry at the helm or someone else, the boss has a simple message for the supporters. 
“Keep the faith,” he said. “Clearly there is now going to be a transformation in the team and next season will be a transitional period for the club. There has been a taste of the Irish Premier League and I would like to think that the people at the club will have a desire and a hunger to get back in there again for the sake of the youngsters in the area. We must stay positive and I know the club are looking at a potential business plan and they want to generate a situation where that is possible. We just maybe now need to have a little patience with that and steady the ship and build things on good foundations.”
Harry is in no doubt about the size of the challenge facing the club in Championship One with big spending Larne and former Premier League champions Portadown regarded as favourites. 
“Clearly the number one and two spots are almost already spoken for, purely on the size of their budget and on their own hunger and determination to get back into the Premiership,” acknowledged Harry. “However if I was a young player in Fermanagh I would be relishing the thought of playing those clubs. Those are the sort of games and challenges you must embrace.”