'Pressure - what pressure?' straight-talking from Ballymena boss Jeffrey

Irish league legend is star guest on Cool's Danske Bank Premiership

Dankse Bank Premiership panel
Published 11th Oct 2017
Last updated 12th Oct 2017

Holders Ballymena went safely through to the quarter-finals of the Bet McLean League Cup after a 2-0 win over struggling Championship side Portadown.

It was an easier win for the Sky Blues than the scoreline suggest with David Jeffrey’s men dominating from start to finish.

Ballymena’s league form has not been great this season to date.

But in an exclusive interview with us, David Jeffrey dismissed talk of feeling the heat.

The Irish league legend was special guest on this week’s Cool FM’s Danske Bank Premiership in partnership with NIFL which can be viewed below

When asked if he was under pressure during our filming at Windsor Parkl, Jeffrey said: “Not at all – the only one who puts me under pressure is me.”

Jeffrey tells us that you have to have a “thick skin” as an Irish League manager even for him returning to his former Linfield home.

“It is rather ironic that we are here in Windsor Park and the last time I was here with Ballymena I took more abuse that day as I did at some of the other grounds,” he said.

“But I suppose in many ways I take that as a back handed compliment.”

Also joining Jeffrey on the guest panel was ex Ballymena star Mark Surgenor, now with Carrick.

And last night he helped his side progress to the quarters after beating Glentoran 1-0 while Dungannon Swifts are into the last eight after a similar scoreline away to Warrenpoint