Scottish Cup giant killers SACK manager just four weeks out from Junior Cup final as daughter calls out ‘shameful’ board
SCOTTISH CUP heroes Darvel have sacked their manager – just two weeks after he led them to their first Junior Cup final in almost 50 years. Tony McInally took over from Mick Kennedy for this season after the man behind the Aberdeen giant killing left for East Kilbride. Tony McInally has left Darvel Willie VassDarvel made headlines last year when they beat Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup[/caption] Alan MacGregor EwingThe club’s dressing room rivals that of some Premiership sides[/caption] While it’s been a disappointing season in the league for the Vale, who currently sit seventh in the West of Scotland Premier Division, they have enjoyed much more success in the cups. Just last week they lifted the West of Scotland League Cup with a 2-0 victory over Pollok. And a week earlier they triumphed over two legs against Ayrshire rivals Auchinleck Talbot to reach the Junior Cup final for the first time since 1976. It’s only the second time in Darvel’s history that they will contest the final of junior football‘s biggest prize. But after talks with the decision makers Doon the Brae, including local businessman and Vale chairman John Gall, McInally has been relieved of his duties. Darvel released a statement thanking McInally and described his exit as a parting of ways. But it’s understood McInally did not walk – even if it was unlikely he was going to be leading the club next season – given the Junior Cup final was on the horizon. “Darvel Football Club can confirm that manager Tony McInally and the club have parted ways with immediate effect. “We would like to place on the record our thanks and appreciation for all the hard work Tony has done for the club and the results he and his backroom team have achieved. “Further information will be provided in due course.” The announcement left supporters of the club reeling and other Scottish footie fans questioning the decision and its timing. Punter Alex Walker said: “Wow something not right there, just won the West and in the final of the big one and leaves.” Darvel fan Paul McLean said: “Bit of a shock no-one knows why this has happened, John is a clever man hence why he is a successful business man. There’s obviously a good reason for it so out of the blue so wait until the truth comes out before people jump on the band wagon.” McInally’s family even got involved, with daughter Niamh McInally calling out the club chiefs and saying they had “a lot to answer for”. She also claims it wasn’t a mutual decision. She wrote: “Not the decision of the management team. John Gall and the committee at @darvelfc have a lot to answer for. Absolutely shameful.” Another fan, Hughie Houston, said: “Absolute shambles who ever has made this decision hang your head in shame.” Fellow Vale supporter Tony Penman commented: “Really surprised at the timing here. Tony has done a great job with reduced resources to get where we are, especially in the cups. Strange decision.” Another said: “I have three buses going to final, we deserve better.” While Darvel currently sit seventh in the league they have games in hand on teams above them, and if results go their way they could finish in the top three. Darvel face Arthurlie in the Scottish Junior Cup final on June 2. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
SCOTTISH CUP heroes Darvel have sacked their manager – just two weeks after he led them to their first Junior Cup final in almost 50 years.
Tony McInally took over from Mick Kennedy for this season after the man behind the Aberdeen giant killing left for East Kilbride.
While it’s been a disappointing season in the league for the Vale, who currently sit seventh in the West of Scotland Premier Division, they have enjoyed much more success in the cups.
Just last week they lifted the West of Scotland League Cup with a 2-0 victory over Pollok.
And a week earlier they triumphed over two legs against Ayrshire rivals Auchinleck Talbot to reach the Junior Cup final for the first time since 1976.
It’s only the second time in Darvel’s history that they will contest the final of junior football‘s biggest prize.
But after talks with the decision makers Doon the Brae, including local businessman and Vale chairman John Gall, McInally has been relieved of his duties.
Darvel released a statement thanking McInally and described his exit as a parting of ways.
But it’s understood McInally did not walk – even if it was unlikely he was going to be leading the club next season – given the Junior Cup final was on the horizon.
“Darvel Football Club can confirm that manager Tony McInally and the club have parted ways with immediate effect.
“We would like to place on the record our thanks and appreciation for all the hard work Tony has done for the club and the results he and his backroom team have achieved.
“Further information will be provided in due course.”
The announcement left supporters of the club reeling and other Scottish footie fans questioning the decision and its timing.
Punter Alex Walker said: “Wow something not right there, just won the West and in the final of the big one and leaves.”
Darvel fan Paul McLean said: “Bit of a shock no-one knows why this has happened, John is a clever man hence why he is a successful business man. There’s obviously a good reason for it so out of the blue so wait until the truth comes out before people jump on the band wagon.”
McInally’s family even got involved, with daughter Niamh McInally calling out the club chiefs and saying they had “a lot to answer for”.
She also claims it wasn’t a mutual decision.
She wrote: “Not the decision of the management team. John Gall and the committee at @darvelfc have a lot to answer for. Absolutely shameful.”
Another fan, Hughie Houston, said: “Absolute shambles who ever has made this decision hang your head in shame.”
Fellow Vale supporter Tony Penman commented: “Really surprised at the timing here. Tony has done a great job with reduced resources to get where we are, especially in the cups. Strange decision.”
Another said: “I have three buses going to final, we deserve better.”
While Darvel currently sit seventh in the league they have games in hand on teams above them, and if results go their way they could finish in the top three.
Darvel face Arthurlie in the Scottish Junior Cup final on June 2.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
