ACTION-PACKED PAGES OF UNRIVALLED WEEKLY COVERAGE GRAND NATIONAL RETURN

Windsor beckons for Junior Cup holders following a tight victory over Homers

ENNISKILLEN RANGERS will return to the National Stadium on Monday, May 7 to defend their Junior Cup crown following their 2-1 triumph over Harryville Homers at Lakeview Park, Loughgall last night.

In a hotly contested semifinal the Fermanagh and Western First Division kingpins had to wait until the 82nd minute to get the better of Robert Duddy’s Harryville who themselves were hoping to get another opportunity to reclaim a trophy they had won for three consecutive years until Rangers’ victory over Hill Street last time out.

Following a cagey first 20 minutes the game burst to life when Enniskillen playermanager Michael Kerr scored a screamer of a goal from all of 30 yards – that effort and his subsequent performance earning him the man-of-thematch award which was presented to him by Jim Jess, vice-chairman of the IFA Junior Committee (right).

However, with five minutes remaining of the first half the Ballymena Saturday Morning outfit were back in the game when a sustained period of pressure saw Gary Baird find space in the box to head home from his side’s fourth corner in quick succession.

Kerr’s men were not to be denied though, and with eight minutes remaining former Ballinamallard United starlet Ciaran Smith scored with a 14-yard shot to set up a meeting with the winners of this Friday night’s second semi between Ahoghill and Greenisland which takes place at Seaview, kick-off 7.30pm.

PICS: Gary Hancock/www.irishfa.com THE GOAL ROUTINE Ciaran Smith and player-manager Michael Kerr celebrate after scoring the goals which won last night’s semi