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Belfast Live
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Gareth Fullerton

"Right up there" - How David Jeffrey ranks Europa League success with Ballymena United

David Jeffrey beamed with pride after Ballymena United booked their place in the next round of the Europa League on Thursday night.

A spirited 0-0 draw with NSI Runavik in the Faroe Islands saw the Sky Blues complete a 2-0 aggregate win.

It tees up a massive clash with Swedish giants Malmo in the next round, and bank the Irish League club another Uefa cash windfall in the region of £210,000.

Jeffrey has won all there is to win in domestic football, and enjoyed some big nights with Linfield when they graced European competition on a regular basis.

And he ranks Ballymena's progress in this summer's Europa League right up with his achievements with the Belfast Blues.

"It is right up there. It is phenomenal," he said.

"We beat NSI Runavik 2-0 at home which was superb. And what we have done in the return leg and qualifying for the next round is a great achievement.

"This has never been done before at the club. When Bryan McLaughlin and I came in the club were heading downwards towards relegation.

"So to qualify for Europe twice in three years and to progress to the next round this year, it has to be right up there.

"We have Malmo next, but this is a time for reflection and we will then sit down and plan next week's game."

Jeffrey hailed the performance of his players over the two legs, and had special praise for goalkeeper Ross Glendinning who kept two clean sheets.

"It was a ginormous effort," he said.

"The players only had four weeks off but even then they were doing a pre pre-season. They worked hard over the summer.

"The players are the ones who deserve immense credit, and I think the one player who epitomised everything we wanted in the second leg was Ross Glendinning who put in a brilliant performance.

"NSI Runavik are 14 or 15 games into their own season, so we knew it would be tough. But we kept our shape and remained disciplined."

Jeffrey also praised Ballymena's fans who travelled to the Faroes to cheer on the team.

"To the men and women who paid their hard-earned money to follow us, we thank you," Jeffrey said.

"Bryan McLaughlin and I just love you to bits!"

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