Kilanerin won their fourth All County Premier League title after this impressive victory over old rivals Castletown in the final played on January 23rd in Ferns.

An opening salvo of 3 goals in the first 20 minutes ended the game as a contest as Kilanerin were far more direct in their play than Castletown who couldn't break down a resolute Kilanerin defence.

With Wicklow man, Gerry Farrell, secure in the knowledge that he will be in charge for another 2 years if he chooses, Kilanerin began this game at an electric pace. Matty Forde opening the scoring with a point before Donal Noonan was put through to crash the ball to the net after nine minutes.

Almost immediately afterwards Matty Forde was put through by Paul Hughes and after rounding the Castletown goalkeeper Nigel Kavanagh, he calmly prodded the ball home to put Kilanerin 2-1 to 0-0 ahead.

Eamonn Scallan and Martin Hempenstall put Castletown on the scoreboard with a point apiece but the brief comeback ended after Pat Forde latched onto a John Heagrty pass and crashed home Kilanerin's third goal. The game was all over. At half-time the score was 3-1 to 0-4, with Martin Hempenstall putting over two more points before half-time.

The second half saw the Castletown defence start to shore up many of their leaks but the Kilanerin defence also dominated in their tussles with the Murray brothers, Michael Hughes (Annagh) and Micheal Hughes (Castlelands) doing particularly well.

Martin Hempenstall's frees kept Castletown's score respectable whilst Kilanerin outscored them 0-7 to 0-3 in the second half. John Hegarty and Matty Forde doing the most of the damage.

The final whistle blew on a 10 point victory for Kilanerin, which was thoroughly deserved and Michael Higgins stepped forward to accept the league cup on behalf of the Kilanerin team, their fourth in as many years.

Kilanerin Team: Barry Hughes; Pat Murray, Chris Murray, Michael D'Arcyy; Micheal Hughes (Castlelands), Michael Higgins(capt), Michael Hughes (Annagh); Jim Darcy, Seamus Hughes; Pat Forde(1-0), Matty Forde (1-4), Donal Noonan(1-0); Patrick Jones, Paul Hughes, John Hegarty (1-4). Subs: Nicky D'Arcy for Pat Jones; Michael Hegarty for Pat Forde;

Kilanerin qualified for their fifth ACFL Final in a row after overpowering Glynn Barntown and recording a massive 17 point win in Kilanerin on Sunday November 22nd.

However, the contest was far tougher and more entertaining than the scoreline suggests as Glynn Barntown played their part and had a lot of first half possession. Kilanerin's firepower upfront was the major difference in the first half as Glynn Barntown opened up a two point lead only to see Kilanerin respond with three goals.

John Hegarty hammered in the first after a Matty Forde pass, and then Matty slotted home the second after an incisive run. Pat Forde scored the third five minutes later and the score was 3-0 to 0-3.

Glynn Barntown then upped their game and forced two saves from Barry Hughes, one a superb full-stretch save from a Willie Carley piledriver. Glynn Barntown's pressure didn't lead to any goals and Kilanerin ended the half with an excellent goal from Pat Forde.

Two points from Paul Hughes and John Hegarty were responded to by a Willie Carley point, but Kilanerin gradually wore down the Glynn Barntown defence. further goals were added by Matty Forde (2) and John Hegarty while Glynn's two majors in the last minutes were just scant consolation for a team who although never quite outplayed, were outthought, outran and outscored in the heavy conditions.

Kilanerin Team: Barry Hughes; Pat Murray, Chris Murray, Donnchadha Lucey; Micheal Hughes (Castlelands) (0-1), Michael Higgins(capt), Michael Hughes (Annagh); Jim Darcy, Pat Jones; Pat Forde(2-2), Matty Forde (3-4), Donal Noonan; Michael Murphy, Paul Hughes (0-2), John Hegarty (2-3). Subs: Michael D'Arcy for Lucey; Michael Hegarty for Pat Forde; Peter Kavanagh for Pat Jones.

Kilanerin's extra firepower upfront and disciplined defence held the key to this impressive 18 point win in their last league match of the year on Tuesday July 7th in Kilanerin.

Sarsfields played their best football in the first ten minutes and were level at a point each when Barry Hughes had to make a save from Billy Dodd. However a salvo of four goals and two points gave Kilanerin a 14 point half-time lead which effectively ended the game as a contest.

With the exception of Michael D'Arcy, who still carries a knee injury, it was the first time this year that Kilanerin had a full squad to choose from and all eighteen players featured with the championship clash against Gusserane firmly in Gerry Farrell's mind.

Kilanerin matched Sarsfields score for score in the second half without the presence of Matty Forde who picked up a slight knock early in the second half, and although Barry Hughes had to make two more important stops, a John Hegarty penalty ten minutes from time put a more impressive look to the scoreboard.

The win confirms Kilanerin's passage to the league semi-finals and more importantly, gives the side an excellent boost for the championship.

Kilanerin Team: Barry Hughes, PJ Gethings, Chris Murray, Donnchadha Lucey; Micheal Hughes (Castlelands), Michael Higgins(capt), Michael Hughes (Annagh); Jim Darcy(0-2), Seamus Hughes; Pat Forde(0-1), Matty Forde (1-4), Paul Hughes (0-1); Donal Noonan(1-0), John Hegarty (2-0), Nicky D'Arcy(1-2). Subs: Michael Murphy for Michael Hughes (Annagh), Pat Jones for Matty Forde, Tommy Boland for Donal Noonan.

A tremendous second half comeback brought Kilanerin back from a seven point defict to beat Fethard by two in this ACFL tie played in Fethard on Saturday June 13th at Fethard.

An excellent pitch and perfect conditions for football meant that the game was played at a furious pace and provided great entertainment and it was Fethard who dominated all of the early play. They opened up a 1-3 to 0-1 lead after ten minutes before Jim D'Arcy scored a brilliant individual goal to keep Kilanerin in the hunt.

However, with the aid of the breeze, Fethard pulled further away with Jim Byrne and Greg Waters scoring points to leave the half-time score at 1-8 to 1-4 in favour of the home side.

The home side scored three more points on the resumption to leave Kilanerin trailing by 7 points, but like St. Anne's on the previous wednesday, they were only to score one more point for the rest of the game as Kilanerin dominated the last 25 minutes.

John Hegarty spearheaded the Kilanerin attack with his usual dominance as the Kilanerin midfield and defence gained control. The introduction of Michael D'Arcy, who came back from a knee injury, at centre back was a key stroke in turning the game around.

Coach Gerry Farrell was delighted with the second half performance and the win in what was Kilanerin's third away league victory in a week. The win also virtually guarantees a League semi-final spot for Kilanerin for the seventh season running.

Kilanerin Team: Barry Hughes, PJ Gethings, Chris Murray, Micheal Hughes (Castlelands); Michael Higgins(capt), Pat Forde, Michael Hughes (Annagh); Jim Darcy(1-0), Pat Jones; Donal Noonan, Matty Forde (1-6), Paul Hughes (0-1); Michael Murphy (0-1), John Hegarty (0-3), Nigel Sheridan. Subs: Donnchadha Lucey for Gethings, Michael D'Arcy for Noonan, Tommy Boland for Sheridan.

Kilanerin were quite relieved to come away with a six point win against a St. Annes side who gave them real problems in this All County Football League tie played on Wednesday June 10th at Rathangan.

Kilanerin started well and points by Jim D'Arcy, Nigel Sheridan, and Nicky D'Arcy were followed by a well taken Matty Forde goal midway through the first half. However, poor defending by Kilanerin allowed St. Annes back into the game in the second quarter. With the aid of a strong wind the home team came back to lead at half time by one point (1-07 to 1-06).

Kilanerin backs were firmly against the wall when St. Annes scored a second goal after the resumption, but the south county side only scored one more point after that as Kilanerin used the conditions to their advantage for the remainder of the match. A penalty by Kilanerin's best player, John Hegarty, confirmed the win which at half-time looked somewhat unlikely.

Notable absentees on the Kilanerin side were Donal Noonan (exams) and Seamus Hughes who continues duty with the Wexford Senior Hurlers.

Kilanerin Team: Barry Hughes, Donnchadha Lucey, Chris Murray, Michael Higgins(capt); Micheal Hughes (Castlelands), Pat Forde, Michael Hughes (Annagh); Jim Darcy(0-1), Pat Jones; Nigel Sheridan (0-1), Matty Forde (1-6), Paul Hughes; Michael Murphy, John Hegarty (1-4), Nicky D'Arcy (0-2). Subs: Tommy Boland for Nigel Sheridan.

Clinical first half finishing by the Kilanerin forward line totally demoralised a poor Duffry Rovers side in this acfl tie played in Ballindaggin on June 4th.

Kilanerin were also short a number of regulars in John Hegarty (finger injury), Michael D'Arcy (knee), Paul Hughes (holidays), and Seamus Hughes who continues duty with the Wexford Senior Hurling team.

An opening salvo of points from Nigel Sheridan, Matty Forde, Nicky D'Arcy and Pat Jones were followed up by goals from Matty Forde and Tommy Boland. At half time Kilanerin led by 11 points (2-07 to 0-02).

In the end the only reponse by the home side came in the form of pointed frees and an Eddie Doyle goal, but by that stage the game was well and truly won.

The victory not only puts pressure on the rest of the league leaders, but also gives the side a great boost as they face a further two away league games against St. Annes and Fethard over the next ten days.

Kilanerin Team: Barry Hughes, Donnchadha Lucey, Chris Murray, PJ Gethings; Micheal Hughes (Castlelands), Pat Forde, Michael Hughes (Annagh); Jim Darcy, Pat Jones (0-2); Nigel Sheridan (1-3), Matty Forde (2-6), Donal Noonan; Michael Murphy, Nicky D'Arcy (2-1), Tommy Boland (2-3). Subs: Michael Higgins for Donal Noonan; Raymond Kelly for Barry Hughes, Niall Furlong for Tommy Boland(inj).

An excellent display in the second half of a good quality but hard fought match, saw Kilanerin see off the challenge of Gusserane on May 14th in Kilanerin.

This excellent result along with Bunclody's win over St. Anne's, has left Kilanerin in second place in the table; just two points behind arch rivals Castletown.

John Hegarty and Nicky D'Arcy were the goal scorers in the crucial win. However, the real significance of this result, is that it gives the red and white army a huge mental advantage before the two teams meet in the Senior Football Championship in July.

The win was also achieved with out the presence of Barry Hughes(exams), Michael Higgins(work), and Michael D'Arcy who has worryingly picked up a knee ligament injury. Matty Forde's injury should not keep him out for any significant time.

Kilanerin Team: Peter Bushe, Micheal Hughes, Chris Murray (capt), Donnchadha Lucey; Michael Murphy, Jim D'Arcy, Michael Hughes; Patrick Jones, Seamus Hughes; Paul Hughes(0-2), Pat Forde(0-1), Nigel Sheridan(0-2); Nicky D'Arcy(1-2), John Hegarty(1-5), Matty Forde (0-2). Subs: Donal Noonan for Matty Forde (inj).

Two expertly taken points by man of the match Paul Hughes in the last five minutes of a scrappy tense affair, gave Kilanerin a crucial one point home win over Bunclody on April 13th.

A Bunclody win would have left Kilanerin stranded, 4 points behind the Premier A pace setters, and in effect out of the competition. This threat loomed ever larger after a first half in which the Kilanerin forward line were wasteful with possession, while their Bunclody counterparts efficiently used their chances playing into the breeze, and led at half-time by a point (0-5 to 0-4).

However, the home side raised the pace of the game considerably in the second half. Seamus Hughes and Jim D'Arcy continued to dominate the midfield exchanges and the forward line moved the ball with more purpose and found that extra space they needed to take their chances.

In the end, it was left to Paul Hughes to slot over the winning points to raise the team's morale after the Castletown defeat, and to beat a Bunclody side who, although more efficient in their use of the ball, couldn't get enough possession to beat the champions.

Kilanerin Team: Barry Hughes, Micheal Hughes, Chris Murray (capt), Donnchadh Lucey; Michael Murphy, Michael D'Arcy, Michael Hughes; Jim Darcy, Seamus Hughes; Paul Hughes (0-3), Pat Forde, Pat Jones; Nicky D'Arcy, John Hegarty (0-1), Matty Forde (0-5, 4 frees). Subs: Nigel Sheridan for Jones, Pat Jones for Jim D'Arcy(inj).

Castletown avenged last year's league final defeat with some ease over their arch rivals, Kilanerin, in a sporting tie at Castletown, on Sunday 25nd March 1998.

Both Goalkeepers Nigel Kavanagh and Barry Hughes were called into action in a lively but surprisingly low-scoring first half. At half-time Castletown only led by a point (0-3 to 0-2).

It was Castletown's greater hunger and improved play under new management, which put the Kilanerin defence under a lot of pressure in the second half and goals from Eamonn Scallan and Colin Sunderland secured the points. Kilanerin only managed a solitary point from play for the full hour.

Coach Gerry Farrell, although disappointed, could point out that the team was missing Seamus Hughes, and a number of players were coming back from injury. He knows that better will be expected if the team are to top the table, as they have done for each of the last 5 years.

Kilanerin Team: Barry Hughes, Micheal Hughes, Chris Murray (capt), PJ Gethings; Pat Forde (0-1), Michael Higgins, Michael Murphy; Jim Darcy, Nicky Darcy; Michael D'Arcy, John Hegarty, Donal Noonan; Pat Jones, Paul Hughes, Matty Forde (0-5 frees). Subs: Donnacha Lucey for Gethings.