Ballinamallard United are making moves to ensure they WILL be able to play in Europe if they cause a fairytale giant-killing in next month’s Irish Cup final at Windsor Park.
The Mallards, preparing for their first ever appearance in the showpiece , have given IFA officials the green light to pursue a so-called extraordinary application for a UEFA licence.
As a non top-flight club they are permitted to submit a late request to play in European competition, abiding by the same criteria applicable to other clubs.
Stephen Baxter's Crusaders are massive odds-on favourites to lift the cup for the first time in a decade when they face the Championship outsiders on May 4.
But the potential windfall for qualifying for the Europa League by lifting the trophy in four weeks time means it is sensible and prudent for Ballinamallard to make their late move for a licence.
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This year's Irish Cup winners are poised to enter the first qualifying round of the competition in July and pocket in the region of €240,000 for playing in that stage of the competition.
Not only are the Mallards preparing for their first ever final, the rank outsiders are the first non top-flight club to reach the showcase fixture in 43 years.
The last time was in 1976 when Carrick Rangers, then of the old B Division, shocked Roy Coyle’s Linfield 2-1 at The Oval with two goals from Gary Prenter.
If Harry McConkey’s men do manage to cause a major shock and qualify for Europe, it is understood they would have to play their home leg away from Ferney Park.
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Club officials have already reached out to a number of senior clubs in recent days in a bid to tee up an alternative venue if required.
In the event of the Mallards lifting the cup but NOT securing a UEFA licence, the Europa League spot from the final would transfer to the Danske Bank Premiership.
In such a scenario, the league runners-up would play in the first qualifying round of the competition with third place guaranteeing a berth in the preliminary round.
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