Ballinamallard United manager Harry McConkey will remain at the helm of the Ferney Park club after agreeing to stay on for next season.

McConkey took charge of the Ducks towards the end of the 2017/18 season in which they just missed out on pulling off a miracle escape from relegation from the Premiership while the next season he led the club to the Irish Cup final at Windsor Park.

McConkey says he is delighted to have reached an agreement with the Mallards to stay in the post and expects next season’s Championship to be very competitive.

“I am delighted to accept the challenge of leading the club next season in what will be a very competitive Championship.

“It’s been an incredible three years and a real roller-coaster for myself, my staff and the players,” he said.

McConkey side were relegated on goal difference at the end of the 2017-18 season and it led to a massive rebuild at the club as they struggled to find their feet in the Championship in the early stages of the following season.

However, they managed to turn things around to secure a top six finish as well as that memorable run to the cup final.

The next season the Mallards were right in the promotion mix only for Covid-19 to put an end to the season and the Ducks just missing out on promotion to Portadown as only one side went up while this season was a wipe out completely with the league not played. The Mallards did play in the Irish Cup recently and lost out to Dergview.

“Now it’s time to turn that dip against Dergview into another rise, by preparing well in pre-season and get off to a positive start on August 7,” said McConkey.

“We are in no doubt of the size of the challenge to climb to the top of what I believe will be an incredibly competitive 2021-22 Championship.”

Club Chairman Tom Elliott said: “The past three seasons has certainly been an intense period at Ferney Park. Harry McConkey has been central to the Mallards football family during this time.

“Harry’s enthusiasm reverberates all around the Club and the style of football that he espouses is a great example for everyone.

“We are delighted that Harry has agreed to remain at Ferney Park to continue his plans at the Club.”