Michael Connolly Park keeps player’s legacy alive


Michael Connolly Park, home of NFC Kesh, was officially opened on August 3, 2001. The ground is named in memory of Michael ‘Mickey’ Connolly, a talented and popular club player who tragically passed away on March 24, 2001, aged just 23. Mickey came through the youth ranks to become a key member of the senior […]

Stafford calls on Ballinamallard to ‘buck the trend’


By Aaron Hassard BALLINAMALLARD United manager Mark Stafford was left to reflect upon “a game of two halves” as his side suffered consecutive defeats for the second time this season. Adam Carroll’s seventh minute strike was cancelled out by Daniel Barker, his first of the campaign, which had the Mallards deservedly level at the break. Stafford […]

Johnston scores late for Lisbellaw
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F&W Division One Strathroy Harps 1 Lisbellaw Utd 1 By John McGovern UNBEATEN Strathroy Harps were forced to settle for a draw against Lisbellaw on Saturday after conceding a dramatic late penalty at Strathroy Road. The early stages saw both sides tussle for possession, but it was the hosts who soon began to assert themselves. […]

Stafford braced for ‘difficult’ ‘Point challenge
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By Aaron Hassard QUEEN’S 3-0 success was harsh on Mark Stafford’s Ballinamallard United, with the Mallards boss left to reflect on a “strange” afternoon that culminated in the cessation of Ballinamallard’s unbeaten home run. “The result obviously looks bad, but it’s a strange one as we actually played quite well in spells,” explained Stafford. “We […]

Lisbellaw Ladies captain Funston eager for more
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LISBELLAW United Ladies captain Sasha Funston said they want to “reach for the highest level” and inspire younger players as they prepare to make their debut in Division One of the NIWFA. The Fermanagh side produced a standout season, winning 10 of their 12 games in Division Two of the Northern Ireland Women’s Football Association, […]

Stafford’s men deserve ‘huge credit’ after Dundela win
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By Aaron Hassard WITH the pain of conceding late goals last season still etched in the mind of Ballinamallard United boss Mark Stafford, James McGrath’s late winner over Dundela felt all the sweeter. McGrath scored both goals for the Mallards either side of an Ewan Kelly leveller at the break to continue Ballinamallard’s intimidating home […]

McGrath’s double helps Ballinamallard United to big win
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Playr-Fit Championship Ballinamallard Utd 2 Dundela 1 By Aaron Hassard A BRACE from James McGrath helped Ballinamallard United to a big 2-1 win over Dundela at Ferney Park on Saturday in a tough Playr-Fit Championship clash. Mallards boss Mark Stafford made one change to the team that started in his side’s midweek stalemate against Institute. […]

Smyth to the ‘four’ as Derrygonnelly Harps win title
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By Martin McBrien FOUR Eimear Smyth goals, two in each half, propelled Derrygonnelly to an unexpected but nevertheless fully deserved victory over title holders Kinawley in an absorbing Brewster Park contest on Saturday. The Harps scoring ace also notched up seven points and her majors tally could have been greater had it not been for excellent […]

Ballinamallard United in running for £2.5m funding
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BALLINAMALLARD United chairman Tom Elliott says the club is ‘very pleased’ to be in the running for multi-million pound support from the Northern Ireland Football Fund. The Mallards are one of 20 clubs to reach the second round of the process, which will see significant grants awarded to clubs to enhance their facilities. “We’re very […]