Ronnie McFall's resignation as manager of Portadown, after a shock 3-2 Irish Cup quarter-final home defeat by lower league Lurgan Celtic, means a sorry end for a colossus of the local game who had signalled his intention to step down at the end of this season after almost 30 years in charge.

Altogether his remarkable career has spanned 50 seasons, the last 29 as Portadown boss, having come in to the game with his home town club, aged 17. He also played for and managed Glentoran, leading them to an Irish League title in 1981.

But it was with Portadown he really made his mark, ending a title famine in 1990 and going on to add more three more championships and three Irish Cups in a golden era through the 90s and early part of the new century.

The last few season have been a struggle, by the standards McFall set at Portadown, with budget constraints hitting his transfer market options and amid supporter unrest, he announced before Christmas last year that this would be his last season.

But the end came sooner than planned after Celtic's shock win, courtesy of a last minute penalty after Ports had fought back from 2-0 down to 2-2.

One of the big Irish League personalities of the past three decades, it will be strange looking at the Shamrock Park dugout and not seeing Ronnie, in his trademark flat cap and muffler, barking orders, disputing decisions, living and loving every minute of the 90.

Aged 67, he was asked in a recent Belfast Telegraph interview how he would spend his Saturdays in retirement and said: "To be honest, I haven't had time to think about it. I've been too busy preparing the team from match to match and taking care of all the other business being a manager entails. Maybe getting closer to the time, I will start wondering what I'm going to do with the time I've spent on football down the years.

"I expect I'll still go to matches. Many good friendships have grown out club rivalries down the years and there's nowhere I wouldn't feel welcome."

Even prior to stepping down last night, he had been linked with the vacant Ballymena United post

But in that same interview, he was adamant that Portadown is his last managerial job in football.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Ronnie McFall Ronnie McFall 1972 Ronnie McFall 1966 Ronnie McFall 1979 Ronnie McFall 1973 Ronnie McFall 1974 Portadown manager Ronnie McFall (left Back Row) pictured with his victorious double winning team in 1991. Portadown boss Ronnie McFall still looks pensive even though his team are 3-1 up against Linfield during the Irish Premier league game at Shamrock Park in Portadown in 2002. Portadown manager Ronnie McFall celebrates with the Irish Cup at Windsor Park in Belfast in May 2005. Glentoran Manager Ronnie McFall. 8/9/84. Portadown manager Ronnie McFall takes the plaudits from the fans after winning the Bass Irish cup in 1991 to go along with the League title Ronnie McFall Portadown boss celebrates a 5-1 win over Larne at Windsor park in 2005. Portadown manager Ronnie McFall with his ace striker Vinnie Arkins in their 3-1 victory over Cliftonville in April 2002 Portadown's long serving manager Ronnie McFall MBE in December 2007. PACEMAKER BELFAST Portadown manager Ronnie McFall with the 1996 Irish Premier Championship Northern Ireland Supremo Billy Bingham chats to Glentoran manager Ronnie Mcfall. 1982 Ronnie McFall 1995 Ronnie McFall receives his manager of the year award in 1991 Ronnie McFall. Ronnie McFall, the Portadown Mnager, celebrates his team success as they lifted the Nationwide Iirsh Cup, against Larne at Windsor Park today 7/05/05/ Ronnie McFall Portadown Manager. 3-4-1999 Ronnie McFall in 1992 Danske Bank Irish Premier League - Ballymena United v Portadown FC at Ballymena Showgrounds. August 2014. Picture by John McIlwaine/Presseye.com Danske Bank Premiership. Portadown v Cliftonville. November 2014. Portadown v Glenavon November 2014. Ronnie McFall:Football/After recieving his MBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace. Pictured with his wife. Ronnie McFall and wife Anne. Portadown manager with the Irish League Cup. 28/3/1991 Carrick v Portadown. October 2015 Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press Portadown v Ballymena United. October 2014. Portadown's Ronnie McFall August 2015 Picture by Stephen Hamilton / Press Eye.com Portadown FC v Warrenpoint Town November 2013. Portadown manager Ronnie McFall March 2013 in a game against Coleraine. Danske Bank Premiership, Portadown v Donegal Celtic at Shamrock Park. Portadown manager Ronnie McFall. January 2013 Ronnie McFall and wife Anne. Portadown manager with the Irish League Cup. 28/3/1991 Portadown's Ronnie McFall 28th February 2009. Portadown v Crusaders Danske Bank Premiership. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press PMAKER Portadown v Linfield Carling Premiership, May 2010. Photo Charles McQuillan/PacemakerPACEMAKER BELFAST Dungannon Swifts Vs Portadown. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Portadown v Glenavon 26th December 2006. Portadown manager Ronnie McFall, left, receives a present from the club's chairman, Roy McMahon, for 20 years service. Linfield v Portadown, 27th October 2012 - Brian Little/ Presseye Portadown's Ronnie McFall gets a kiss from David Jeffrey ahead of a clash between Linfield and Portadown. Ronnie McFall:Football/After recieving his MBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace. Pictured with his wife. Portadown's manager Ronnie McFall after Lurgan Celtic were awarded a penalty during the game at Shamrock Park, Portadown. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press PMAKER Portadown's manager Ronnie McFall after his final game against Lurgan Celtic. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press PMAKER Portadown's manager Ronnie McFall during his final game at Shamrock Park, Portadown. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press PMAKER Portadown's manager Ronnie McFall at his final game at Shamrock Park, Portadown. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press PMAKER / Facebook

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"I always said when I finished with Portadown, I'd be finished with football, and I'm holding to that. It will be a complete break," he said.

Ronnie has brought a lot to the Irish League party and his big presence and vast reserve of football knowledge will be missed.

Lurgan Celtic now look forward to their first irish Cup semi-final against Linfield at Windsor on Friday, March 31. Their town rivals Glenavon face Crusaders at the same venue on Saturdat, April 1.

Belfast Telegraph