Enniskillen Santos earned the local bragging rights on Tuesday night as they deservedly picked up the points from their derby encounter against Derrychara United at the Lakeland Forum.

The result ended Derrychara’s slim hopes of promotion with St. Patrick’s joining Kesh in being promoted to the top flight for next season.

Santos player-manager Joe Keenan has been left frustrated in recent weeks as his side’s own promotion push disintegrated due to a number of poor performances. However, he was much happier with Tuesday night’s display.

“It was a much better performance than we have managed lately,” he said. “We wanted to win the game and I thought we were better all over the field. We showed passion for the derby game and we needed that after some poor performances. Hopefully, we can go on and finish in third spot.” It was Santos who were on top right from the off and it was not long before they took the lead. The ball fell to Richard Johnston inside the box and hammered a shot through a ruck of players and past Peter Phair in the Derrychara goals for 1-0.

Derrychara did see more of the ball after this but they failed to threaten the Santos goal and midway through the half it was Keenan who struck to double the Santos advantage.

Brendan McDonald’s free kick was pinpoint for Keenan who sent a header into the corner to leave it 2-0 at the interval.

Santos continued to enjoy the better of the exchanges in the second half and they were to further stretch their lead in the 65th minute. In an identical goal to the second, McDonald again picked out Keenan who placed his header into the top corner, giving Phair no chance.

Johnny Reid had a chance to add a fourth for Santos but he shot wide from close range. However, McDonald was to get on the scoresheet when he cut in from the right and slid the ball under the advancing Phair.

Derrychara, to their credit, battled to the end and they pulled a goal back from the penalty spot, Lee Glass converting past Gary Ramsey.

And they made it 4-2 when Ciaran McBrien volleyed home a Robbie Regan cross.

These though were only consolation strikes with Santos good value for the three points on the night.

Derrychara boss Johnny Noble had no complaints about the outcome.

“We didn’t turn up, it is as simple as that. We’ve no excuses and everybody was disappointed with the performance but Santos deserved to win,” he said.