Enniskillen Santos crashed out of the Irish Junior Cup on Saturday or did they?

On the field of play the Santos lost out 3-1 to Ardmore FC but it is believed that the club have not one but two protests being lodged with the IFA at the time of going to press over what they believe to be ineligible players.

Time will tell on that but on the field, the Ennisikillen side will be disappointed to have not won the game, enjoying lots of possession but either the final ball let them down or chances were spurned.

Manager Joe Keenan confirmed that the club was protesting: “I think there are two protests away over two players, we have photographic evidence so we will see what happens. Overall, it was a great performance and as good a cup tie as I have been involved in for a few years. Missed chances in the second half proved costly and they were a strong team. I really felt for the boys who put in a great effrot and we were all gutted by the decisions of the referee over the penalty in the first half and then a foul on Richard Johnston for the second goal.” The opening 10 minutes was good from both teams with the defences on top while Ciaran Beacom breaking out from the back was the Santos’ main threat but he shot straight at Ardmore keeper Steven Brady following a strong surge from the back.

At the other end, Gary Ramsey had nothing of real note to deal with although winger Paul Brown was looking dangerous on the right wing.

Santos did though break the deadlock soon after when Stephen Clarke was fouled and Conor Tummon shot at goal deflected off the header of an Ardmore player in the wall and flew into the top corner.

Santos did not kick on from this and a physically strong home forced a number of corners and it was from one of these that they were to equalise.

Influential midfielder Eddie McIntyre crossed over and the ball was flicked on by Mark McLaughlin to Conor Brown who bundled the ball over the line at the back post to make it 1-1 after 17 minutes.

Ardmore were probably edging midfield at this stage but both teams were lacking the killer touch in an even encounter.

In the 37th minute, Santos were left aggrieved when they felt Clarke was brought down in the box for a clear penalty but the referee waved play on.

Santos started the second half well on top and were unlucky not to score on more than one occasion especially when Duane Beacom somehow fired over from close range while Brady in the Ardmore goals also made a couple of decent saves. Santos were made to pay for that lack of killer touch in the 65th minute when a silly free kick right in the corner was crossed and in the midst of a goal mouth scramble and with Santos appealing for a foul on Richie Johnston, Conor Brown scored at the back post, Santos were back on top and chasing an eqauliser but were caught on the break as substitute Damian McGee played in Brown and he slotted past Ramsey for 3-1 and game over to all intents and purposes.