Kilanerin's 1996 season which had so many ups-and-downs, finally ended on a high on a freezing December Sunday, with the comfortable retention of their ACFL title against close rivals Castletown.

After reaching the Leinster Club semi-finals and losing the County Final against Glynn/Barntown in a hectic eight weeks, It was generally felt that Kilanerin deserved to come out with some silverware after a year of hard-work had not brought the reward that many had hoped.

A well-executed goal from Nicky D'Arcy on the stroke of half-time was the one memorable moment from this somewhat forgettable tie, with Castletown only scoring twice in the entire game.

Kilanerin took the lead through Matty Forde, which was answered by a Paul Morris point in the tenth minute. John Hegarty flashed a shot narrowly wide before Matty Forde, Nicky D'Arcy, and Hegarty himself added further points. Then Nicky D'Arcy struck on the stroke of half-time.

The former Wexford Senior captain had a clear run on goal after being put through by John Hegarty, and gave Tommy Masterson no chance with a stinging left-footed drive.

The half-time score of 1-4 to 0-1 wasn't changed by either side until the last five minutes of a dreadful second half. In fairness to both sets of defences however, it should be noted that the forward lines were not allowed a lot of space to maneuver, with Seamus Kavanagh of Castletown doing a great job on Kilanerin's danger man John Hegarty.

Paul Morris' pointed a placed ball, was cancelled out by a superb pointed free from the hands of John Hegarty.

The game was played in a great spirit, and there were sporting handshakes all round as Seamus Hughes, received the Advanced Tyre Cup from Bernard Harpur of the sponsors.

The match proved to be a fine swansong for the evergreen Martin Hempenstall who played his last game in the red goalkeeper's jersey of Kilanerin. Barry Hughes had suffered a bad injury in the semi-final, but Martin came in and played his part in the victory which was Kilanerin's second successive league success.

Kilanerin Team: Martin Hempenstall; Pat Murray, Chris Murray, Stephen Kavanagh; Micheal Hughes (Castlelands), Michael Higgins, Michael Hughes (Annagh); Jim D'Arcy, Seamus Hughes (capt.); Pat Forde, Michael D'Arcy, Donal Noonan; Nicky D'Arcy (1-1), John Hegarty (0-2 1 free), Matty Forde (0-2).
Subs: Gordon Hughes for Maty Forde.