Glentoran 1 Ballinamallard Utd 3

Ballinamallard's six year stay in the NIFL Premiership came to an end today as, despite an emphatic 3-1 victory over Glentoran at the Oval, they were relegated to the Championship, Harry McConkey's side finishing againisingly behind Carrick Rangers on goal difference.

The Mallards went into the game knowing that they had to better Carrick's result against Warrenpoint if they were to force their way into a relegation/promotion play-off against Newry City but with Carrick claiming the points on offer meant that Ballinamallard were relegated.

The opening goal at the Oval arrived from the head of Sean Noble in the15th minute but at that stage Carrick were already ahead and Rangers went in at the break with a 3-1 advantage. 

Noble added a second midway through the second half and Josh McIlwaine made it 3-0 but the Mallards gallant attempt at survival ,which has seen them claim 13 points from their final eight games since Harry McConkey took the reins, was in vein as Carrick saw out the game against Warrenpoint to secure a 3-2 win and finish above the Mallards on goal difference.