Enniskiullen Rangers 1 Strathroy Harps 0.

Enniskillen Rangers made it two cup wins in their last two competitive outings as they added the Kennedy Cup to the Irish Junior Cup.

This, however, was a much more hard fought win for Rangers following a good game that ebbed and flowed throughout before a Jason Keenan penalty in the final ten minutes settled the encounter. Keenan sent Harps goalkeeper Niall McCrory the wrong way as the new signing kept his nerve well after Chris Currie had broken into the box only to be tripped by Simon O’Neill.

This was a good game and both teams will have benefited from this competitive game.

Rangers started at a strong pace as Keenan and Mark Cutler tested Strathroy’s new keeper Niall McCrory. Indeed, Keenan could have scored within 30 seconds of the start but chipped just wide after intercepting a back pass.

Mark Cutler was through one on one twice but pulled one wide and shot at the keeper while Keenan volleyed a good effort into the side-netting.

Indeed, Rangers will have been disappointed not to have led at the break.

In saying that, as the half wore on, Strathroy did settle into the game and they had chances of their own.

Aidy McCaffrey fizzed a shot just wide of the post and Tony Quinn had a shout for a penalty while Jerome Carleton was on hand again to save from McCaffrey.

The second half continued in a similar vein with chances for both teams. Keenan almost scored following a fine crossfield ball from Kerr while captain Burleigh produced a good save from a left footed effort.

Carleton tipped a Nugent effort over the bar that was destined for the top corner while substitute Joachim Smith’s effort was in the top corner only for James Turley to clear off the line. Then the decisive moment came with eight minutes remaining.

Second half substitute Chris Currie beat one man and then broke into the box down the byeline only to be tripped by Simon O’Neill as Harps claimed he made contact with the ball.

Keenan kept his nerve to slot home as Rangers withstood some late pressure to take the spoils to leave Kerr delighted.

“First and foremost it is another trophy and we are delighted. You can do all you want in pre-season but that is the first real competitive game and to come through it and to beat the league and cup winners is pleasing,” said Kerr.

His opposite number Shane Horisk also saw many positives. “We had about eight players out and all the young boys that came in from the Reserves performed really well. I thought we were the team going to win it in the second half before the penalty, but we will take plenty of positives from the game.”