McConkey salutes Mallards’ resilience
BALLINAMALLARD United’s survival hopes were further increased on Saturday as they came from behind to grab a point against Dungannon Swifts at Ferney Park.
The draw moves Harry McConkey’s resurgent side to within a point of Carrick at the foot of the table and the Mallards will have the chance to leapfrog Rangers and climb off the bottom of the table for the first time this season when the sides meet in a crunch game at Ferney Park on Tuesday night.
Having led through a Stephen O’Flynn header against the Swifts on Saturday, the Ducks were facing defeat as Dungannon hit back with goals from Alan Teggart and Daniel Hughes. However, Ryan Curran thundered home an equalis- er for the home side to earn his side a point and McConkey feels that the resilience his side have shown since he has taken over the managerial role from Gavin Dykes last month will stand to them on Tuesday night.
“Everybody wants to know about the Carrick game but truthfully I do believe these players now have shown the resilience. We spoke about resilience and dignity, how the players were going to earn the respect of the supporters and be worthy of praise now which they are. They have shown resilience against Linfield and the resilience to come back from Ballymena having lost and beat Warrenpoint. We have asked for commitment, we had Ross Taheny at right back, a position he has never played before, and he had two calves about to pop but he kept going and that’s the commitment we are asking for as well so we have all those qualities which is wonderful,” said McConkey. BALLINAMALLARD: Brush, McLaughlin, Taheny, McKenna, Clarke, McGinty, Curran, Smyth, Noble (Armstrong, 86 mins), O’Flynn (McCartney, 64 mins), Kee (S Hutchinson, 31 mins).
DUNGANNON: Addis, Hegarty, Wilson, Armstrong, McElroy (Patton, 68 mins), Teggart (Mayse, 63 mins), O’Rourke, Lowe (Harpur, 59 mins), Clucas, Burke, Hughes. Referee: Ross Dunlop (Carrickfergus)
Man of the match: Chris Hegarty
Match rating: 8/10