VIDEO: Homers celebrate Coca-Cola IFA Junior Cup triumph

The Harryville men became the first team from the Ballymena Saturday Morning League to win the biggest prize in Northern Ireland junior football after beating Lisbellaw United 3-1 in Monday’s final at Mill Meadow, Castledawson.

Paul McNeill, who missed last year’s final as he was getting married in Cyprus, scored twice and then set up Alan Rainey for the game-clinching third goal after the Fermanagh side had threatened a comeback by reducing the deficit.

Homers’ triumph came exactly 12 months after they had been taken apart by Strathroy Harps in last year’s final at the same venue.

“We couldn’t hide our disappointment last year but that only spurred us on in the end,” Duddy told Times Sport.

“We were really, really determined to get back to this stage and win it this year.

“I’m glad the way it has ended this year. We’ve had great support all year and the number of people who turned up to the final, with all the colours and banners on display, was fantastic.

“I’m proud for the players, proud for the supporters and especially proud of the town.

“We raced into a two-goal lead but Lisbellaw made it really difficult for us.

“The longer it went on, I thought we would hold on at 2-0 but they started pressing us.

“I thought we would have got a third before they scored their first but we missed a few chances although thankfully it all came good in the end,” said Duddy, who paid tribute to ace marksman McNeill.

“What a talent Paul is. He has pace to burn and a great eye for goal.

“He has been a super player for us and he got a well-deserved man of the match award.

“I’m running out of superlatives for this team .

“There’s no end to what the can achieve over the next few years if they show the same hunger and desire.

“We’ll hopefully be back next year to give it another go,” added Duddy.

McNeill fired Homers in front on 31 minutes, latching onto a Darren Campbell through ball before beating former Ballymena United keeper William McFrederick at his near post.

McNeill again used his explosive pace to score Homers’ second on the stroke of half-time, this time running onto an Alan Rainey pass before slotting past McFrederick.

Rainey missed a gilt-edged chance to seal the game in the second half when he could only divert McNeill’s low cross wide of the post from close range and it looked as though it might haunt Homers when Davy Little pulled one back for Lisbellaw, with a low free kick which Homers keeper Ryan Martin couldn’t prevent from crossing the line.

But with 10 minutes left, from a virtual carbon copy of the earlier attack, McNeill’s low cross was turned in by Rainey to seal victory and prompt scenes of wild celebration among the large Homers support.

Harryville Homers: Martin, Forsythe (sub R Nicholl 77), Wylie, Russell, Gibson, D Nicholl (sub Stewart 70), Campbell, Bonnes, Rainey (sub Logan 83), McNeill, McKay. Subs (not used): Magill, Stevenson.