Irish League club confirm manager exit as former Cliftonville forward appointed successor
Ballyclare Comrades have confirmed the departure of manager Barry Baggley – with former Ballymena United and Cliftonville forward Nathan McConnell named as his successor.
Last month, Baggley stated his intention to step down at the end of the current Premier Intermediate League campaign, but his exit has now been brought forward with McConnell set to take charge for the first time on April 10.
Baggley was confirmed as Comrades chief in January 2025 following the resignation of Stephen Small and was tasked with rebuilding almost an entirely new squad after the departure of several key players.
The Dixon Park outfit ultimately couldn’t preserve their Championship status, losing out 3-2 on aggregate in a promotion/relegation play-off to Queen’s University.
Ballyclare looked on track for an immediate return to a revamped Championship ahead of next season, but have slipped to sixth after losing five consecutive games.
Four teams will earn automatic promotion to Northern Ireland’s second-tier with the Premier Intermediate League scrapped and replaced by a new National Conference Premier Division.
Confirming Baggley’s departure, Ballyclare said: “With our recruitment process now completed, we can confirm that outgoing Manager Barry Baggley has now left the Club.
“We wish to place on record our thanks to Barry and his team for all their efforts during their time at Dixon Park. We wish Barry and his coaching staff all the best in their future footballing endeavours.
“Paul Finnegan and Stewart McIlroy will be taking interim control of the upcoming matches against Rathfriland & Strabane, with Nathan McConnell taking charge for the first time when we face Oxford Sunnyside on 10 April.”
During his Irish League career, McConnell enjoyed spells with the likes of Cliftonville, Ballymena and Carrick Rangers before moving into coaching.
A teacher at Ashfield Boys High School in Belfast, McConnell is Lead Academy Coach for their football academy in partnership with Glentoran.
His first match in charge will be a league trip to Oxford Sunnyside on April 10 before Ballyclare round out their season against Coagh United and Dergview.