It took to the last match of the season – and the sizeable Enniscorthy support endured a few nerve-jangling minutes to make sure victory was secured – but Donal Doyle’s men’s first eleven secured Division Four honours at the Astro Active Centre on Saturday.

Two first half goals from Jake English and Seb Rynhart – products of the club’s burgeoning underage system – proved crucial on a day where Enniscorthy knew that a win would secure the title over Dublin 4 side Pembroke Wanderers.

English’s goal on fifteen minutes was the crucial breakthrough for the home side following sustained pressure. Indeed it was his first touch of the game, having started as an interchange player and his finish to the roof of the net perhaps played a role in settling his side. 

Daithí Medcalf’s precise delivery helped set up Enniscorthy’s second goal of the afternoon

Six minutes later Seb Rynhart doubled Enniscorthy’s advantage. The home side were awarded a penalty corner; Daithi Medcalf’s precise delivery found Roy Chapman, and he slipped the ball through to Rynhart, who made no mistake from close range.

Two goals to the good, Enniscorthy needed a further goal to be sure of all three points. Opportunities for Rynhart, English, Medcalf and Chapman – hoping for a deflection from a long ball into the circle – all went a-begging.

Perhaps it was this which gave Weston some hope, for the Lucan side put in a much improved second half performance. Within six minutes of the restart Enniscorthy conceeded two penalty corners. Fortunately for the hosts Weston provided little threat up front, with Enniscorthy’s goalkeeper and captain only being forced into his first save on 59 minutes, booting the ball to safety.

William Durnan attacks for Enniscorthy

Luikimas forced an excellent one-handed save from the Weston goalkeeper two minutes later as Enniscorthy finally found their gear, earning two penalty corners of their own over the following three minutes. However it was Weston who found the net on 68 minutes, scoring after Hill made a spectacular diving penalty corner save. It made for a nervous last two minutes for Enniscorthy, but once again, they are champions.

Squad: Graham Hill, Daithi Medcalf, Roy Chapman, Glen Chapman, Cori Cooke, David Simmons, Clive Rothwell, Ivan Rothwell, Edmundas Luikimas, William Durnan, Jake English, Charlie Dunne, Seb Rynhart, Andrew Rothwell, James O’Sullivan. Coach Donal Doyle. Manager Fraser Rothwell.