Strathroy Harps continued their domination of Fermanagh and Western Football when they retained the Kennedy Cup at The Ball Range, the new home of Enniskillen Rangers on Tuesday evening.

The treble winners from last season shaded an entertaining season opener by defeating Lisbellaw United by 4-3 with a number of cracking goals from both teams in the traditional charity curtain raiser of the Fermanagh and Western season.

Strathroy took the lead in the opening 15 seconds and were never behind in the game but at the same time they could never shake off a resilient Lisbellaw. Indeed, it looked like game over midway through the second half when Strathroy bagged two goals in as many minutes to lead 4-2 but Lisbellaw refused to give up, pulled a goal back and were pushing for an equaliser before running out of time.

Both managers were happy with the run out and taking the positives from the game ahead of the big season kick off.

Winning manager Seamus Fanthorpe was delighted with the win.

“To be honest, our pre-season did not go to plan but we always knew when the chips were down and there was more of a competitive edge, the boys would up their game. We are delighted, we have lost a few key men like Ryan Mayse and Benny McElholm, we have freshened it up a bit but the heart of the team is still there and they went out rolled up their sleeves, showed a bit of heart and pride in the jersey. We are delighted, it is after all another trophy,” said the player manager.

Lisbellaw’s Andy Reilly was happy with the resilience shown by his team.

“I thought the character of our team was excellent coming back from conceding a goal after only 13 seconds when other teams may have thrown in the towel, so I was delighted with that. There is a good team spirit and we will look to build on that now. Strathroy remain the team to beat so we have shown we are not far away in a one off game and now we will see who is the best over 22 games,” revealed Reilly.

The game was only 15 seconds old when Strathroy took the lead through captain Darren Teague. Teague intercepted a pass from Lisbellaw goalkeeper Danny Rae and while Rae saved his first effort the ball rebounded back to Teague and he slotted home for 1-0.

Buoyed by the goal, Strathroy had the better of the opening exchanges and Aidy McCaffrey almost doubled their lead when he blocked a Rae clearance but again the netminder got back well to save.

Paul McGrath had the first shot on target for the ‘Law and their second shot on target was to level the game. Davy Little played a slide rule pass through the Harps defence and Lee Glass raced through to slot home and level the game at 1-1.

Parity was only temporary and Strathroy were back in front before half time when Jamie Coulter bundled over Tommy Murphy in the box and Jerome McElroy pointed to the spot.

Martin Flanagan slotted home and Strathroy led 2-1 at half time.

If Strathroy started the first half well, it was Lisbellaw who got off to a flyer in the second when Little fired over a superb cross which McGrath volleyed brilliantly into the net to level the game again at 2-2.

It was nip and tuck then for a few minutes before two excellent strikes were ultimately to decide the game in favour of Strathroy.

First of all Teague played in Murphy and he gave Rae no chance with a curling shot into the corner. Then Teague picked up a poor clearance and rifled a superb shot into the corner to put Strathroy into a 4-2 lead.

Lisbellaw refused to give up and mounted a comeback in the final 15 minutes. Raymie Carroll pulled a goal back from the penalty spot after substitute Ryan O’Keefe was upended in the box.

O’Keefe then went close on a couple of occasions to levelling the game and forcing extra-time, dragging one shot just wide and having another saved while a McGrath shot flew just over.

The final whistle sounded soon after as Darren Teague and Strathroy Harps lifted the Kennedy Cup for the second year in a row.