Indeed, this most unfair method of deciding the destiny of the trophy was put into perspective when, arguably, the three most talented players on the park failed to score from their spot kicks.

    A tentative start by both sides was eventually dominated by Ballinamallard. During the opening quarter of the tie the Mallards enjoyed a lot of possession.

    The threat of Michael Surgeon up front for the Welders was being well controlled by man of the match Bob Carroll. Surgeon showed some good touches, but Carroll’s strength and aerial ability kept the Ballinamallard goal intact.

    The influential Shane McCabe, as expected, received the undivided attention of Barry Reid, while Garry Bownes, in his free role tried hard to break down the resolute Welders defence.

    The first good chance of the game came after 21 minutes. Tom Clelland’s attempted quick pass was intercepted by Conor McGuigan who picked out Bownes on the right wing, Bownes held the play up waiting for support, McGuigan continued his run into the Welders’ box and was found by Bownes. The normally lethal striker elected to square his pass to the centre of the box when a shot on goal looked the better option, perhaps the fear of missing greater than the joy of scoring.

    Ballinamallard were well on top at this stage as the Welders struggled to contain centre forward Shane O’Brien who refused to let Jason Allen and Philip Major settle on the ball at the back.

    Philip Knell received a yellow card for a late challenge on McCabe after 24 minutes as Ballinamallard turned the screw, a succession of corner kicks yielded little, a McGuigan strike from a goalmouth scramble the only effort on goal.

    A goal chance came after 31 minutes when the quick thinking Carroll found Mark McConkey who released Bownes. The midfielders ran at the back pedalling Welders defence and McGuigan once again found space in the box, when picked out. The striker, however, decided on passing when a clear shot on goal could have been much more rewarding.

    A glorious opportunity squandered by Ballinamallard who failed to kill off their opponents when they had gained superiority.

    Gordon Hillis saw yellow for dissent after 37 minutes, as the experienced Welders became frustrated. Colum Monahan found himself unmarked on the left edge of the box, after good interplay between Bownes and McCabe, but Monahan’s effort went high and wide.

    This proved to be a turning point for the Welders. They settled down to play good attractive football and finally put pressure on the Ballinamallard defence. Hillis’ cross from the right wing was just too high for the inrushing Knell, who was coming more into the game.

    A neat move by Welders involving Knell, Clelland and Hillis saw Stephen Johnston hit over the previously untroubled Christopher Breen’s crossbar as half-time beckoned.

    Ballinamallard restarted showing a lot more vigour, even though the Welders had finished the half strongly, it was the Mallards who came out of the blocks first after the restart.

    A McCabe corner after 48 minutes was headed down by Ricky Cathcart to Carroll who failed to make contact. Monahan then had an effort which sailed over as an air of confidence in their own ability seemed to filter through the Ballinamallard team.

    The opening score finally arrived after 54 minutes. Monahan found space on the right wing, his cross was deflected off Welders captain Paul Graham into the path of O’Brien who side footed on the volley to the net off the underside of the bar, a cracking finish by O’Brien who thoroughly deserved his goal for the effort and commitment he had shown throughout the match.

    Ballinamallard had taken a deserved lead and Welders really didn’t look like scoring, but with all the experience and skill throughout their side H&W were not going to lie down easily or panic.

    They got their equaliser after 58 minutes, a long throw into the six yard box from Reid was half punched clear by Breen to the 18 yard line, with Stephen Johnston heading goalwards through a ruck of players and into the net. A perfect response by the Welders, but a very soft goal to concede so quickly after taking the lead.

    The game was now at boiling point, the young Ballinamallard side were visibly rocked by the goal, but with O’Brien urging his team mates forward the Fermanagh side responded admirably.

    McCabe now had Knell as his minder. As the Welders played the game at their pace, McCabe lacked support in midfield as the occasion seemed to get to a couple of the Ballinamallard players. Surgeon and Bownes were booked for diving in their opponents’ boxes as both sides sought out the winning goal. Breen dropped a cross on the line as Johnny Clapham challenged, referee Alan Black, who had an excellent game, blowing for an infringement on Breen.

    The match played out for a draw and at the end of 90 minutes, the Welders looked surprisingly fresh for all their combined years.

    McCabe’s cross four minutes into injury time was just missed by O’Brien at the back post who outjumped Jason Allen. Philip Major had had enough and was replaced by Gary Trueick, as the election of penalty takers looked the best tactic by the managers.

    The last minute of extra time almost brought a winner for H&W. Surgeon picked out Hillis at the back post who found Stephen Johnston. His first touch gave Breen the time to race from his goal and collect, the shrewd Johnston, although quite entitled to challenge for the ball, made sure the young keeper was going to have a painful time during the penalty shoot-out.

    Ballinamallard surged forward in injury time, McCabe burst clear to find O’Brien whose cross was directed into the path of Monahan who shot high and wide, a glorious chance missed.

    Matt Holden sent a delightful ball to Bownes which pulled Doherty from his goal, Bownes clipped the ball forward, but Doherty got a hand to the goalbound effort.

    The penalty kicks ensued with H&W winning the toss and taking the first kick, Philip Knell sent his effort high and wide.

    McCabe stepped up to show Knell, anything you can do – I can do better! He too sent his effort over the bar.

    Hillis and Monahan scored while Breen made an excellent attempt to stop Johnston’s strike as the ball crossed the line off the post.

    Clelland and Surgeon finished well as too did Noble and Holden. Bownes stepped up to take the fifth penalty, as Michael Doherty wished him good luck, Bownes struck a weak shot which the big keeper saved easily.

    Afterwards Doherty squashed claims of mind games: “No. I know Gary from the Junior International and he’s a quality player, I just wanted to wish him good luck. Ballinamallard are going to win the league in my opinion, and deservedly so.”

    Manager, George Neill was delighted to have won: “Ballinamallard are a smashing side, they showed that early on when they put us to the sword, but one of the things about our side is they are a great bunch of lads, we settled down and got back into the game, showed great character and fitness after the goal.”

    When asked on his league aspirations George was less favourable: “Our chances are limited, we have to rely on other teams, it’s unfortunate because we are, if not the best team, one of the best sides in the league, we have had too many draws. We’ll celebrate tonight, it’s our first major junior trophy so we’ll party,” said a delighted H&W manager, George Neill.