We are delighted to say that after a 2 and a half hour operation on Monday in Musgrave Park Hospital to replace his ankle, Harry McConkey is on the road to recovery. Harry is hoping to return home on Wednesday evening and he will be in plaster for 2 weeks with no weight bearing before wearing a protective air boot for a further 4 weeks. "I am pleased to have the surgery behind me now and whilst I must be especially careful over the next few weeks, I intend to return to the training pitch as soon as possible to engage with my players and staff". "Before the operation I was asked by the nurse what blood group I was, but I was unsure. After a quick test she informed me that I am 'B-Positive' an
Defender Matthew Smyth, who picked up our Young Player of the Year Award last season, has agreed terms with Harry McConkey to remain a Ballinamallard player. Upon this announcement a thrilled McConkey commented, "This is a real bonus for myself and Ballinamallard United FC, as Matthew is a quality centre half with a great future in the game. Steve, Craig and myself are looking forward to helping him develop his game and confidence further, as he was simply superb for me at the heart of the defence in March and April". 20 year old Matthew was part of our Youth Academy as a youngster before earning a move to Stevenage FC. He then moved to Dundee and onto Arbroath before returning home and we a
Midfielder Gary Henderson has agreed terms with Harry McConkey to sign with Ballinamallard for the 2018/19 season in the Championship. Henderson was previously on the books of Institute as a youth and was most recently Captain of Intermediate side Strabane Athletic. "I wish to express my thanks to Eamon Curry, manager at Strabane Athletic, who gave me permission to speak with Gary and then kept me informed throughout our negotiations. Gary is another important piece of my jigsaw and I am delighted that he has agreed to join us" commented McConkey. Welcome to Ballinamallard Gary!
Harry McConkey has today confirmed that he has agreed terms with Richard Clarke to remain a Ballinamallard player for the 2018/19 season. Clarke was McConkey's Vice-Captain, but with James McKenna's retirement, the midfielder will role take on the role of Captain for the season ahead. "To have Clarkie on board is a great boost for this club" commented a delighted McConkey. "Both Glentoran and Institute showed an interest in the player and held talks with him over the past 3 weeks but throughout Richard has remained a total professional. I know he will play a big part in helping to guide and support the younger players in our squad, but ultimately I want him to express himself on the pitch an
Captain James McKenna has decided to hang the boots up after a successful career spanning Junior, Intermediate and Senior football. The 33 year old suffered a Collar Bone break twice within six months but fought back to fitness to finish the season wearing the Captain's armband and has now decided that the time is right to finish his career. Having enjoyed a successful spell with Enniskillen Town, McKenna signed back to Ballinamallard in the summer of 2008, having previously been a youth player at the Club. Under the stewardship of Whitey Anderson, he was a key component of the team throughout the years in the Championship One division and a became a fearsome competitor in the middle of the
Defender Colm McLaughlin has confirmed with manager Harry McConkey that he will not be returning to the Club due to major difficulty in juggling work and travel commitments. The Buncrana native originally joined the Mallards on loan from Sligo Rovers in January 2013 before having a short spell with Institute. He then re-signed for us ahead of the 2014/15 season and made his 100th appearance for the club back in January of this year. A hugely talented footballer, he Captained the side on several occasions but is now looking for a club closer to home. "Colm was a superb player for me in those final 8 games. I held talks with him in Londonderry in mid May and he sadly has not been able to find
Midfielder Aaron Arkinson is the latest player to join up with his old manager Harry McConkey at Ballinamallard. The diminutive and tricky winger has been on the Mallards radar in previous summers but has been a loyal servant to Dergview. Despite suffering ankle ligament damage last season 'Arko' is now back to full fitness and at 27 years of age he is ready for a fresh challenge and is excited about joining up with Ballinamallard for pre-season. McConkey was thrilled to have secured another signing for the season ahead. "I feel that Aaron will be a popular figure around Ferney Park and he is sure to catch the eye in August when we get underway. He now needs to get his head down, have a good
Harry McConkey has been busy negotiating with several of last years playing staff and expects confirmed answers by the weekend on some of their futures. "Both Institute and Glentoran have held talks with Vice Captain Richard Clarke. He is a quality player with a terrific attitude. When we met in early May I was impressed by his hunger to stay in the Premier League and continue to test himself. That is exactly the type of attitude I want in my changing room. If he moves on, he'll go with my admiration, but if he stays I know I'll have a totally committed professional in my team" "I am gradually piecing together my 20 mansquad and will be continuing talks with Matty Smyth, Jonny Leddy, Ryan O'
Ryan 'the Rocket' Campbell has returned to Ballinamallard for a fourth spell at the Club. The striker was originally brought to the the Mallards back in 2005 when Harry McConkey signed him on loan from Linfield and he had another spell in 2009 before joining Dergview. Ryan then rejoined us in 2012 for our first year in the Premier League and remained with us for 4 years. He scored 34 goals in 170 appearances, rarely missing a game and finishing top goalscorer every season either on an outright or joint basis. He now comes back to Ballinamallard having helped Dergview to secure their Championship One status for 2018/19 season, finishing as their top goalscorer and netting in the playoff again
The following games have been confirmed as part of our pre-season programme; Institute (Home) - Saturday 14th July at 3pm Newry City (Away) - Saturday 21st July at 3pm Cliftonville (Away) - Thursday 26th July Dungannon Swifts (Home) - Saturday 28th July Enniskillen Rangers (TBC) - Saturday 31st July
There will be NO Football Development Centre on Fisher Park on Saturday 9th June due to pitch maintenance.
Mallards fans will be delighted to hear that 'Super Jay McCartney' has confirmed that he will be remaining at Ballinamallard for the 2018/19 season. The winger has made 244 appearances to date for the Mallards and now enters his eighth season at the club, making him the longest serving player in the squad. "I am thrilled to have agree terms with Jay and to have a man of his experience and calibre on board for the season ahead" commented Harry McConkey. "He is a player who I have always admired and when I came in at the end of last season he was lacking fitness due to niggling injury, but despite not always starting or playing, he was such a positive influence in the changing room. He is a tr