Forde returns with a bang

Wexford sharpshooter Matty Forde fired Kilanerin to their sixth successive ACFL Premier Football Championship in this close-fought encounter with neighbours Castletown in a final played in good conditions in Gorey on Sunday evening July 2^nd.

Forde returned after serving his 2 month suspension to score 2-7 of Kilanerin's total - including 2 well-taken second half goals which proved the difference. However, Kilanerin did not perform to their best and will have to improve greatly for the championship clash with Sarsfields (to be played in Belfield on the weekend of July 15-16) if they are to progress in the championship.

Kilanerin started without John Hegarty and PJ Gethings' recent injury kept him out of the action, but Castletown had to do without both Wexford full-back Sean O'Shaughnessy and Martin Hempenstall through injury.

Kilanerin got off to a good start and points from Matty Forde and Jim D'Arcy put them ahead. However, Castletown got level through the free-taking of Diarmuid Kinsella and would have scored a goal after 10 minutes but for a great save from keeper Barry Hughes.

Castletown stepped up the pace and had the Kilanerin defence in trouble. They surged ahead 8 points to 4 after 25 minutes and alarm bells were ringing among the Kilanerin contingent. However, 3 Matty Forde frees brought them back to within a point at half-time and the team could re-group.

Noel Morris pointed for Castletown after the restart, but Castletown would then go 20 minutes without scoring as the Matty Forde scoring machine really got going. He latched onto a superb Paul Hughes pass to race in and score a fine individual goal after 10 minutes of the half, and after pointing another free, the second goal came. A high centre from Donal Noonan created havoc when Forde jumped with keeper Nigel Kavanagh and a Castletown defender. The ball broke loose only for Forde to stick out a leg to guide the ball into the empty net.

Castletown rallied in the last 10 minutes and Kinsella's frees almost brought a draw at the end, but Kilanerin were not to be denied.

Team: Barry Hughes; Micheál Hughes, Michael Higgins, Stephen Kavanagh; Michael D'Arcy, Pat Forde, Michael Hughes; Jim D'Arcy (0-1), Seamus Hughes; Gordon Hughes, Paul Hughes, Tommy Boland; Donal Noonan, Nicky D'Arcy, Matty Forde (2-7, 0-6 frees). Subs: Peter Kavanagh for Micheál Hughes (inj).

Kilanerin confirmed their status at the top of the ACFL Premier A table with this comfprtable win in Fethard on Saturday June 17^th.

Having already qualified for the League final and with the first round of the Championship just around the corner both teams fielded strong teams - but it was the return of the midfield pairing of Jim D'Arcy and Seamus Hughes for Kilanerin that proved the main difference between the sides. Both were instrumental in helping the defence and setting up good ball for the lively Kilanerin forward line to latch onto for scores. In all, the visitors scored 1-10 in an excellent wind-assisted first-half performance - Tommy Boland with the goal.

Fethard were proving dangerous on the break and full-forward Phillip Tubritt was asking questions up front, but Fethard found creating and converting scoring chances difficult against the Kilanerin defence well marshalled at centre-back by Wexford's Pat Forde. They could only muster 3 points in the second half while Kilanerin tagged on 2-2. Both second half goals scored by Gordon Hughes.

Kilanerin were missing 5 players for the game with Michael Higgins, PJ Gethings, Donal Noonan, Matty Forde all unable to play through work, injury and suspension. Wexford Senior captain John Hegarty is spending the summer months in the USA and will return home on the 13th of August.

Team: Barry Hughes; Micheál Hughes, Chris Murray, Stephen Kavanagh; Michael D'Arcy, Pat Forde, Michael Hughes; Jim D'Arcy (0-2), Seamus Hughes (0-1); Gordon Hughes (2-0), Paul Hughes (0-1), Michael Hegarty (0-2); Niall Kavanagh (0-1), Nicky D'Arcy (0-4), Tommy Boland (1-1). Subs: Kevin Stevens for Nicky D'Arcy

Kilanerin qualified for the ACFL Premier A final after this comfortable win away to Glynn-Barntown in a match played in good conditions Sunday June 4^th.

With Castletown winning the previous evening, Kilanerin knew that they had to beat Glynn who were also in contention for a final place. However, this win coupled with a loss for Fethard (the only other team in contention) ensured that the old firm of Kilanerin and Castletown will contest this year's final - even though there is still a round of league matches to be played. Kilanerin's last game in the series is away to Fethard on saturday June 18th.

Both Kilanerin and Glynn started off short a number of their inter-county players, though Wexford footballer Gordon Hughes was able to play as was Glynn-Barntown's Wexford hurler Shane Carley. Hughes - lining out at midfield - as the real star of the first half though as he kicked 5 points from play to help Kilanerin to a half-time lead, 0-6 to 0-2.

Glynn brought on the experienced Jim McGovern at full-forward and he temporarily added some impetus to the forward line. Midfielder Ian Wickham put over 3 points from frees and Glynn forced a good save from Kilanerin netminder Barry Hughes. However, Kilanerin broke away regularly throughout the half and a Nicky D'Arcy goal 5 minutes from time settled the issue. Unfortunately, the visitors lost corner-back PJ Gethings with what looked like a serious knee injury shortly after D'Arcy's goal. The extent of the injury is not yet known and the team face an anxious wait to see if he will return to action soon.

Team: Barry Hughes; PJ Gethings, Chris Murray, Stephen Kavanagh; Micheál Hughes, Michael Higgins, Michael Hughes; Michael D'Arcy (0-1), Gordon Hughes (0-5); Pat Jones (0-1), Donal Noonan, Michael Hegarty; Niall Kavanagh, Nicky D'Arcy (1-2), Tommy Boland (0-1). Subs: Brian Hughes for PJ Gethings (inj)

Kilanerin kept the pace going at the top of the ACFL Premier A table after this comfortable win over Naomh Eanna, Gorey in a match played in good conditions in Kilanerin on Tuesday May 16^th.

Kilanerin were short 5 of their inter-county players, with only Gordon Hughes given permission to play by Wexford boss Ger Halligan. However, Kilanerin benefitted from his extra running power in the half forward line and the forward line were able to make and take their scoring chances. But, the champions didn't have it all their own way as Gorey fared well in the first half and went into the break only 1 point down, 0-9 to 1-5. The Gorey goal scored by the impressive Billy Byrne.

However, Kilanerin changed the course of the game with a salvo of 2-3 in the first 6 minutes of the second half and pulled away. The goals came from a superb solo effort from Gordon Hughes and a flowing passing movement that put midfielder Pat Jones in for the second. The defence coped a lot better in the second half restricting Gorey to just 2 points and the home side ran out winners by 11 points.

Kilanerin now face 2 away games, at Fethard and Glynn-Barntown and 2 wims will put them into the final. Castletown and Glynn-Barntown have kept the pace with Kilanerin at the top of the table and will cash in if the champions slip up.

On a footnote, the game saw the introduction to senior football action of two young players who have shone in the under-age ranks, Kevin Stevens and Jim Hughes.

Team: Barry Hughes; PJ Gethings, Chris Murray, Stephen Kavanagh; Micheál Hughes (0-1), Michael Higgins, Michael Hughes; Michael D'Arcy (0-1), Pat Jones (1-1); Gordon Hughes (1-2), Donal Noonan, Paul Hughes (0-1); Michael Hegarty (0-2); Nicky D'Arcy (0-4), Tommy Boland (0-3). Subs: Kevin Stevens for Nicky Darcy; Kevin Hempenstall for Michael Darcy (inj); Jim Hughes for Chris Murray.

Kilanerin put themselves firmly in the hunt for a place in the ACFL Prmier A final afetr this good win away over Gusserane in beautiful weather on Bank Holiday, May 1st.

Kilanerin were short 4 of their inter-county players, with only Matty Forde and Seamus Hughes given permission to play by Wexford boss Ger Halligan. But Kilanerin have really got stuck into their physical and stamina training and the extra fitness told, though their standard of play sometimes wasn't up to the normal high standard.

Indeed, Gusserane were coming out on top at midfield and generally looking the more dangerous in the opening quarter. However, they missed a host of chances and after Barry Hughes pulled off a great save and Nicky D'Arcy goaled superbly from what was really only a half-chance, the game and the points were Kilanerin's.

Team: Barry Hughes; PJ Gethings, Stephen Kavanagh, Chris Murray; Micheál Hughes, Michael Higgins, Michael Hughes; Michael D'Arcy (0-1), Seamus Hughes (0-1); Paul Hughes (0-2); Matty Forde (0-3), Michael Hegarty; Donal Noonan (0-1), Nicky D'Arcy (1-4), Tommy Boland (0-1).

Kilanerin Senior Football team got their sixth defence of the ACFL Premier A title off to a good start with this hard-won victory over St. Anne's on April 9^th in Kilanerin.

With the Wexford Senior Hurlers and Footballers in League action earlier in the day, both teams lined-out minus key personnel. St. Anne's had almost a full strength team though Darragh Ryan played in goal. Kilanerin started with only 7 of the team that started the Leinster Club semi-final last year. Pat Forde, John Hegarty and Stephen Kavanagh were subs, while Jim D'Arcy (inj) missed the game as did Seamus Hughes, Michael Hughes, Michael D'Arcy who were all at Peter Bushe's wedding.

St. Anne's started much the better and lead 1-3 to a Gordon Hughes point after 12 minutes. However, Kilanerin started to come back inot the game more and with Tommy Boland, Pater Kavanagh and Fintan Kinsella doing well upfront they clawed their way back. Donal Noonan goaled and the home side went in 2 points down at half-time.

Stephen Kavanagh came on for PJ Gethings (injured) at half-time, but St. Anne's kept point-for-point with Kilanerin. The real turning point was the introduction of Pat Forde to the forward line. The county man inspired his charges to grab the lead. A Peter Kavanagh goal put Kilanerin 7 points ahead, and the game looked over.

The visitors rallied at the end and scored 1-2 to leave a nervous finish for the champions, but they held on for the win.

Team: Barry Hughes; PJ Gethings, Chris Murray, Eddie Fanning; Micheál Hughes, Michael Higgins, Gordon Hughes (0-2); Pat Jones (0-3), Paul Hughes (0-1); Michael Hegarty (0-3), Peter Kavanagh (1-0), Donal Noonan (1-0); Tommy Boland (0-1), Nicky D'Arcy, Fintan Kinsella.
Subs: Stephen Kavanagh for PJ Gethings (inj); Pat Forde (0-2) for Michael Hegarty; John Hegarty (0-1) for Peter Kavanagh.

Kilanerin overcame the challenge of Taghmon-Camross by 8 points in this ACFL fixture played in very wet and slippery conditions on Wednesday April 19th in Kilanerin.

Kilanerin welcomed back Seamus Hughes for his first start of the campaign after a hamstring injury. However, with the Wexford county members of the panel not playing full games, it was a chance for the rst of the panel to press for places in Gerry Farrell's plans for the year. Matty Forde's suspension is up on Friday May 21st, and while Michael Hughes and PJ Gethings will soon return to training from injury, Pat Jones will miss the next few games after tearing ankle ligaments.

Kilanerin played with whatever wind there was in the first half and while they missed some chances, county star John Hegarty (0-6) and Paul Hughes (0-3) helped give the home side an advantage. However, Taghmon played well in the wet conditions and put over 4 points of their own. Indeed, Bernard O'Gorman produced a fine save from Barry Hughes midway through the half.

The Kilanerin netminder was the busier of the two goalkeepers in the second half and his defence was breached for 2 goals and 6 points in the second half. However, John Hegarty (1-0) and Nicky D'Arcy (1-1) added the scores that ensured that Kilanerin stayed with the leaders in the race for the ACFL Premier A title.

Team: Barry Hughes; Eddie Fanning, Stephen Kavanagh, Chris Murray; Micheál Hughes, Michael D'Arcy, Gordon Hughes; Seamus Hughes (0-1), Paul Hughes (0-4); Michael Hegarty (0-1), John Hegarty (1-6), Donal Noonan; Tommy Boland, Nicky D'Arcy (1-2), Niall Kavanagh.
Subs: Michael Higgins for Gordon Hughes; Jim D'Arcy for John Hegarty.

Castletown proved victorious in the derby match on Thursday April 13th in Castletown, but Kilanerin will be very disappointed with their first half performance which effectively meant that the game was lost at half-time.

Barry Hughes, Michael Higgins and Jim D'Arcy were all delayed in coming down from Dublin for the 7pm throw-in and were all introduced and added some stability to the side but the deficit was too much to make up.

The Kilanerin starting line-up ws short 8 players from the team that faced Sarsfields in the Leinster Club Championship. Matty Forde's suspension ends on April 30th while John Hegarty, PJ Gethings, Michael Hughes and Seamus Hughes all missed the game through injury.

Team: Nicky D'Arcy (1-1); Chris Murray, Stephen Kavanagh, Micheál Hughes; Brian Hughes, Michael D'Arcy, Gordon Hughes; Pat Jones, Paul Hughes; Michael Hegarty (0-3), Peter Kavanagh (0-1), Pat Forde; Tommy Boland, Niall Kavanagh, Donal Noonan.
Subs: Jim D'Arcy (0-1) for Peter Kavanagh; Michael Higgins for Stephen Kavanagh; Barry Hughes for Niall Kavanagh.