Enniskillen Town United were crowned winners of the fonaCAB Craig Stanfield Junior Cup with an emphatic four-goal victory over Rosario YC II at the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park.
Having suffered penalty shoot-out heartbreak in last season’s final, the Fermanagh & Western League outfit returned to the showpiece occasion determined to go one step further - and they did so in commanding fashion to lift the trophy for the first time since 2007.
Rosario YC II arrived unbeaten this season and sitting nine points clear at the top of NAFL Amateur League Division 3C, but they were unable to break down a disciplined Enniskillen side who combined clinical finishing with resolute defending.
The opening stages were understandably cagey, with both teams taking time to settle into the occasion.
However, Enniskillen’s experience of last year’s final soon began to show, and they struck the first blow in the eighth minute. Conall Quinn delivered a low ball across the face of goal from the right, and Darren Freeman was on hand at the left post to slide home from close range.
Freeman continued to be a threat and almost turned provider five minutes later, but Frank Wallace could not direct his effort on target from the winger’s delivery.
Rosario responded with a period of possession, though they struggled to test Enniskillen goalkeeper Ben Thompson. Their best opportunity of the half came in the 16th minute, but a scramble in the box ultimately came to nothing as Enniskillen cleared their lines.
At the other end, Enniskillen remained dangerous on the counter-attack. Nicholas Collen was instrumental in several moves, including one in the 31st minute when he released Wallace, only for Rosario keeper Daniel Oates to close down the angle effectively.
As the interval approached, Enniskillen turned their growing pressure into goals. After a series of quick breaks and efforts from Cathal Beacom and Freeman, they doubled their lead in the 45th minute when Haydn Love rose to nod home from a left-sided corner.
There was still time for a third before the break. In first-half stoppage time, a Duwayne McManus free-kick was only partially cleared by Oates, and Beacom returned the ball into the danger area for Freeman to head home his second of the game and give his side a commanding lead at half-time.
Rosario looked to respond early in the second half, with Conal McGarry trying his luck from distance and later delivering a corner that Thompson gathered well under pressure.
However, Enniskillen effectively ended the contest in the 55th minute with a swift counter-attack. Thompson released Ryan Hanna down the right, and the move culminated with Freeman squaring for Collen to slot home from close range.
From that point, Enniskillen controlled proceedings, maintaining their defensive shape while Rosario continued to enjoy possession without finding a way through. A late free-kick from Shea McGarry drifted just wide, summing up a frustrating afternoon for the Belfast side.
Enniskillen Town United: Ben Thompson, Conall Quinn, Brendan Lilley, Michael Simpson, Haydn Love, Ryan Hanna, Frank Wallace, Duwayne McManus, Cathal Beacom, Nicholas Collen, Darren Freeman subs Jake Smith, Thomas Owens, James Harrigan, Barry Goodwin, Daniel O'Connor
Rosario YC II: Daniel Oates, Matthew McCamley, Thomas Cafolla, Jackson Touhey, Dominic McConville, Adam McCamley, Conal McGarry, Sean McGarry, Ryan Campbell, Conor Murray, Ciaran Sherry subs Rory McGinn, Nicholas Christie, Joseph Reilly, Daniel Reilly, Tomas Campbell
