Council Chair hosts reception for Enniskillen Rangers Football Club
11th February 2025
Recently the Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor John McClaughry, hosted a reception for Enniskillen Rangers Football Club in recognition of winning the Irish FA Junior Cup in 2024 for an historic 5th time.
The following is a copy of the Chair’s speech:
Good evening ladies and gentlemen
As Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, I am delighted to welcome you all here to The Townhall, Enniskillen for this reception in honour of Enniskillen Rangers Football Club, 2024 Irish FA Junior Cup Champions.
I understand that your Junior Cup competition began in the 2nd Round on 07 October 2024 with a match against FC Moylena which you won convincingly with a scoreline of 8-0. This was followed by victory over Camlough Rovers, All Saints OB and Lurgan Reserves.
In the quarter final you took on fellow Fermanagh and Western Club, Lisbellaw United and you triumphed with a 2-1 win. In the semi-final you also took on a Fermanagh and Western team, Tummery, and once again you were victorious with a 3-1 win setting up another Irish FA Junior Cup Final.
On Friday 24 May 2024 you travelled to Stangmore Park, Dungannon to take on Cleary Celtic Football Club from Newry in the Final.
I understand you started off brightly with a shot on target after just 4 minutes by Stuart Rainey. Mark Cutler went close soon after and you enjoyed a good spell of play. In the second half, Cleary Celtic came out determined, however, you stayed strong. The opening goal of the match came after 72 minutes followed by your second on 78 minutes. Another cup was within reach and you held out to win 2-0 and lift an historic 5th Irish FA Junior Cup.
The Irish Junior Cup is Northern Ireland’s premier competition for clubs with Junior status and to win it five times, including three years in a row in 2017, 2018 and 2019, is a fantastic achievement.
You achieved this success alongside competing in the League which you also won last year.
Enniskillen Rangers is the longest established club in the Fermanagh and Western Football Association having been set up in 1953. Since then you have enjoyed much success and made history and this is testament to the Management, Coaches and Players over the years.
I believe this success will continue as you continue to develop young players with four teams in the Mid UIster Youth League and an Under 15 team in the Northern Ireland Boys’ Football Association.
Your success in the Junior Cup, League and other competitions is enjoyed as a team, however, it is also important to recognise the individual contribution that each of you make to this success. I commend you all for your football talents but also your ongoing commitment to training. This can, at times be challenging I am sure as you have work, and personal commitments.
I believe your success and dedication is reflected in a quote by former footballer, Tony Adams, who once said “Play for the badge on the front of the shirt and they will remember the name on the back”. Every time you put on your Enniskillen Rangers kit, you play your best and you play for the club.
On behalf of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, and on my own behalf, I would like to congratulate Enniskillen Rangers Football Club on your success in the 2024 Irish FA Junior Cup and over the years making history along the way. I wish each of you and the Club every success for the future, I am confident you will continue to go from strength to strength.