A last gasp injury time goal by Matty Forde gave Kilanerin an unprecedented five-in-a-row Advance Tyres All County Football Premier A titles in a very entertaining final played in Belfield, Enniscorthy on Sunday July 4th.

With time running out and Kilanerin down by 2 points, Forde latched onto a desperate long ball, went by two Gusserane defenders and blasted the ball home to put Kilanerin one point ahead in injury time and Gusserane, who had played the better football for the game, couldn't come back. Captain Micheal Hughes received the new ACFL Premier A Cup on behalf of a delighted if relieved Kilanerin side.

Kilanerin were dealt a blow before the game when wing back Gordon Hughes had to pull out due to an ankle injury. Nicky D'Arcy had resumed training after ankle trouble but wasn't considered for the game. However, Chris Murray was fit to make his first appearance for two months after pulling a hamstring and went straight in at full-back in a re-shuffled defence which saw Michael Higgins play at right corner-back and Michael D'Arcy and Micheal Hughes move out to centre-back and left wing-back respectively.

After the first quarter of the game, the game had been very tight and the scores were level at 0-3 each; Kilanerin's points scored by Matty Forde (2) and Pat Forde. Then Kilanerin increased the pace and notched up 5 unanswered points through Matty Forde (2), Donal Noonan (2), and John Hegarty to lead by 0-8 to 0-3. However a mistake in the Kilanerin defence let Gusserane through for a goal just on the half-time whistle and the game was once again wide open.

Jim D'Arcy ran through to point immediately after the restart and when John Hegarty scored a good goal Kilanerin had a 6 point lead. However, Gusserane then hit a purple patch putting over 4 unanswered points and firing in an excellent goal to put themselves a point ahead. The match was always going to be a dogfight from then on but the South Wexford side held a lead from then on. Kilanerin were always within 2 points though.

When Gusserane made their lead 2 right on full-time, the title seemed theirs until Matty Forde scored that last-gasp goal to a huge Kilanerin cheer and the relief of the team and mentors who knew that the team hadn't played half as well as it could. However, that fact should not take away from an incredible five-in-a-row achievement or from the fact that Kilanerin won playing badly; a promising omen for the Championship.

Kilanerin: Barry Hughes; Pat Murray, Chris Murray, Michael Higgins; Michael Hughes (Annagh), Michael D'Arcy, Micheal Hughes (Castlelands) capt.; Seamus Hughes, Jim D'Arcy (0-2); Matty Forde (1-7), Paul Hughes, Pat Forde (0-1); Donal Noonan (0-2), John Hegarty (1-1), Michael Hegarty. Subs: Stephen Kavanagh for Micheal Hughes (Castlelands); Fintan Kinsella for Donal Noonan.

A weakened Kilanerin finished up their 1999 ACFL Premier A campaign with a disappointing loss at home to Fethard on Saturday June 18^th.

Kilanerin had already secured their place at the top of the table before the game and allowed a number of players chances to recover from injury and go on holidays for the match. New team captain Micheal Hughes (Castlelands) missed the game through a shoulder injury while Gordon Hughes (hamstring), Chris Murray (hamstring), John Hegarty (ankle), Pat Forde (shoulder) Tomas Woodbyrne (knee) and Michael D'Arcy (leg) joined Donal Noonan and Pat Jones (holidays) on the list of players missing for the home team. As a result a number of Junior players who had narrowly lost to Shelmaliers in the crucial ACFL Division 1A game the previous evening had to play. County champions, Fethard, were at full strength and used this to full advantage as they took advantage of the wet and slippery conditions and the strong wind in the first half to pile on a lead. Only Matty Forde (0-2) and Paul Hughes (0-1) scored for Kilanerin in the first half as Fethard scored 2 goals and 6 points to lead by 9 points at the break.

To the home team's credit they came more into the game in the second half and a brilliant goal from Matty Forde left just 6 points between the teams with 10 minutes to go, but a late Fethard goal ended hopes of a comeback.

In the important game of the round Castletown hosted Gusserane to decide which of the two would join Kilanerin in the ACFL Premier A final. Gusserane came out victorious and will provide formidable opposition in the final, finishing with 9 league points after losing both of their opening two games.

Kilanerin Team: Barry Hughes; Pat Murray, Michael Higgins, Raymond Kelly; John Gethings, Jim D'Arcy, Michael Hughes (Annagh); Seamus Hughes, Matty Forde (1-5); Michael Hegarty (0-1), Paul Hughes (0-1), Kevin Hempenstall; Tommy Boland, Eddie O'Sullivan, Fintan Kinsella.
Subs:James Boland for Pat Murray; Enda O'Leary for Eddie O'Sullivan.

A last minute equalising point form Kilanerin's Matty Forde crowned an excellent come-back in this well-contested ACFL Premier A match played in perfect conditions in Kilanerin on Saturday June 6^th.

Kilanerin trailed by 4 points after Glynn Barntown controlled the third quarter of the game, but Gordon Hughes with 1-1 and Matty Forde with 2 points brought Kilanerin a point which they didn't deserve after Glynn played much the better of the two teams. Michael D'Arcy came on for Chris Murray at full-back midway through the half after Murray pulled a hamstring.

Playing into the breeze in the first half Kilanerin were always in contention and opened up a 2 point lead through Matty Forde. However, the Kilanerin defence were giving away a lot of frees and were being punished. Glynn took control of the game midway through the half when they snatched a goal following a lapse in concentration in the Kilanerin defence when Glynn were awarded a free. Donal Noonan did notch up a point before half-time as the home team trailed by a point at the break, 1-2 to 0-4.

The absence of John Hegarty (ankle) and Nicky D'Arcy (knee) meant that Gerry Farrell had to re-shuffle his forward line, putting Fintan Kinsella in the full-forward position vacated by Hegarty, and linking up Donal Noonan and Michael Hegarty alongside him in a very ligthweight full-forward line. However, the Glynn defence were very strong with centre-back Barry Kirwan in superb form, thus limiting Kilanerin to long-range pot-shots which were sporadically successful. Jim D'Arcy put over one of them, but Glynn were piling on the points at the far end notching up 5 points in the third quarter. Tommy Kehoe did much of the damage for the Wexford team.

However, Glynn continued to use the 'Third Midfield man' tactic bringing out a corner-forward and it was to prove their undoing as Kilanerin's half-back Gordon Hughes was allowed to roam forward and it was on 2 of these runs that he put over 1 point and latched onto a Tommy Boland pass to score Kilanerin's crucial goal. Matty Forde then pointed to put the teams level at 1-7 to 1-7.

Veteran Jim McGovern came on as a sub for Glynn Barntown and put over what looked like being the winning point with minutes to go, but Matty Forde finished off a superb move to fire over the equalising point and maintain Kilanerin's unbeaten ACFL Premier A run. Pat Forde will miss the next 6 weeks after dislocating his right shoulder in the game.

Kilanerin Team: Barry Hughes; Micheal Hughes (Castlelands) (capt), Chris Murray, Pat Murray; Michael Hughes (Annagh), Michael Higgins, Gordon Hughes (1-1); Seamus Hughes, Jim D'Arcy(0-1); Paul Hughes, Pat Forde, Matty Forde (0-4); Donal Noonan (0-1), Fintan Kinsella, Michael Hegarty.
Subs: Michael D'Arcy for Chris Murray (injured), Tommy Boland for Donal Noonan, Tomas Woodbyrne for Fintan Kinsella.

A fine exhibition of point-taking from Kilanerin's 3 inter-county forwards, John Hegarty, Matty Forde, and Pat Forde was the highlight of this desperately one-sided ACFL Premier A match played in Enniscorthy on Saturday May 22^nd.

Kilanerin were always in total control of the game, even though they were missing Paul Hughes (knee), Pat Murray (hamstring), Nicky D'Arcy (knee), Jim D'Arcy (ankle) and Fintan Kinsella (work). Seamus Hughes for his first start since the Bunclody match and had no ill-effects from his injured knee.

Playing into the breeze in the first half Kilanerin built up a sizeable lead while the Starlights only got the ball past the Kilanerin '45 on few occasions. John Hegarty was the best player on show as he notched up 0-7 points, while Matty Forde's unerring accuracy helped him match Hegarty's first half total. Kilanerin lead by 0-19 to 0-1 at the break.

Gerry Farrell introduced Pat Jones for Matty Forde early in the second half, and gave young guns Brian Hughes and Enda O'Leary run outs, but rested Pat Murray who has made an excellent recovery from a recent hamstring injury. Kilanerin only need one win from their last 2 games (both at home) to secure their place at the top of the ACFL Premier A.

Kilanerin Team: Barry Hughes; Micheal Hughes (Castlelands), Chris Murray, John Gethings; Michael Hughes (Annagh), Michael Higgins, Gordon Hughes; Seamus Hughes, Michael D'Arcy; Michael Hegarty (0-1), Pat Forde (0-3), Matty Forde (0-8); Donal Noonan (0-2), John Hegarty (0-9), Tommy Boland (1-1).
Subs: Pat Jones for Matty Forde; Enda O'Leary for John Hegarty; Brian Hughes for John Gethings.

Kilanerin maintained their 100% record in the ACFL Premier A after this 3 point win over Castletown in Kilanerin on Tuesday May 11^th.

Both teams were much under-strength with Castletown missing 6 regulars while Kilanerin started the game short 8 themselves. With captain Michael Higgins and goalkeeper Barry Hughes delayed in coming down from Dublin for the game, Nicky D'Arcy played in goal, while Kevin Hempenstall and Brian Hughes came in for starts. Chris Murray started his first Premier A game this year while John Hegarty, Jim D'Arcy and the Forde brothers were preparing for the Wexford-Longford replay of the Leinster Football Championship.

Shooting was abissmal as the usual huff and puff of a North Wexford derby was evident. Castletown led 0-4 to 0-3 at the break. However, when Hughes and Higgins appeared for the second half, the defence was bolstered while Nicky D'Arcy went upfront a scored 0-3 to prove the difference at the end. Pat Murray came off for Michael Higgins after sustaining a hamstring injury.

Kilanerin Team: Nicky D'Arcy (0-3); Pat Murray, Chris Murray, John Gethings; Brian Hughes, Micheal Hughes (Castlelands), Michael Hughes (Annagh); Pat Jones, Michael D'Arcy; Gordon Hughes, Paul Hughes (0-1), Michael Hegarty (0-3); Donal Noonan, Fintan Kinsella (0-2), Kevin Hempenstall (0-1).
Subs: Michael Higgins for Pat Murray (inj.); Barry Hughes for Kevin Hempenstall.

Despite injuries to 3 key players and illness preventing trainer Gerry Farrell attending the game, Kilanerin went one point clear at the top of the ACFL after this excellent all round performance to defeat St. Anne's in Kilanerin on April 17^th.

Jim D'Arcy twisted an ankle during the warm-up and so joined Seamus Hughes and Chris Murray on the Kilanerin injured list. Pat Forde took D'Arcy's place in midfield alongside Pat Jones. St. Anne's were also missing key players with Darragh Ryan, Scott Doran, Seamus Berry and the Simpson brothers absent. They got off to the best start however going into an early 2 point lead before Matty Forde put Kilanerin on the scoreboard with a point.

Kilanerin then picked up the pace and Paul Hughes produced an inspirational first half performance, creating many scores and knocking over 5 points himself. Indeed he was involved in Kilanerin's goal half way through the half as he linked up well with Pat Forde to put Nicky D'Arcy through to rifle the ball home. At half-time, wind-assisted Kilanerin led 1-11 to 0-5.

For the third time in the campaign Kilanerin were less productive in front of goal in the second half but still they out-scored the wind-assisted visitors 0-6 to 0-3.

Kilanerin's defence was superb with Micheal Hughes (Castlelands), Michael Hughes (Annagh), Michael D'Arcy and, in particular, Gordon Hughes giving the St. Anne's forward line no time in front of goal. The Forde brothers and the Hegarty brothers featured well as Paul Hughes continued his recent good form up front.

Now the team can look forward to the local derby with Castletown in Kilanerin in a fortnight's time in the knowledge that a win will put them 3 points clear at the top of the table.

Kilanerin Team: Barry Hughes; Pat Murray, Michael D'Arcy, Micheal Hughes (Castlelands); Michael Hughes (Annagh), Michael Higgins (capt), Gordon Hughes; Pat Jones, Pat Forde (0-1); Donal Noonan (0-2), Paul Hughes (0-5), Matty Forde (0-4, 1 free, 1 '45); Nicky D'Arcy (1-1), John Hegarty (0-3), Michael Hegarty.
Subs: Fintan Kinsella (0-1) for Nicky D'Arcy; Kevin Hempenstall for Pat Forde; Tommy Boland for D. Noonan.

A Matty Forde inspired Kilanerin proved far too much for a disappointing Bunclody side and recorded an 18 point win in Bunclody on March 21^st.

Kilanerin's injury worries had cleared up somewhat as Jim D'Arcy was able to play after a recent ankle injury. Nicky D'Arcy and Chris Murray were the only absentees with Murray still is to recover from a recent knee operation.

Kilanerin started the game at lightening pace and Pat Forde crashed home an early goal after Matty Forde had already put over the first point of the game. Bunclody responded with a point of their own, but Kilanerin started to pile on the scores with Matty Forde in superb form. He added on 1-6 in the first half with further points from John Hegarty, Jim D'Arcy and Paul Hughes. At half-time Kilanerin led 2-10 to 0-3.

Bunclody gradually came more into the game in the second half but still couldn't stop the Kilanerin forward line notching up a further 2-3. Matty and Pat Forde with the two second half goals.

The win puts Kilanerin at the top of the table and now they have a five week break before their next game.

Kilanerin Team: Barry Hughes; Pat Murray, Michael D'Arcy, Micheal Hughes (Castlelands); Michael Hughes (Annagh), Michael Higgins (capt), Gordon Hughes; Jim D'Arcy (0-2), Seamus Hughes; Pat Forde (2-0), Paul Hughes (0-1), Matty Forde (2-8, 3 frees); Donal Noonan, John Hegarty (0-1), Michael Hegarty.
Subs: Fintan Kinsella (0-1) for Donal Noonan; Kevin Hempenstall for Pat Forde; Tommy Boland for J. Hegarty.

Kilanerin began the defence of their All County Premier League title with a facile victory over Gusserane in a match played on March 6^th in Gusserane.

Both sides fielded a number of junior players with Kilanerin fielding 6 of their 1998 Junior B championship winning side. With the four inter-county players on duty with Wexford, Chris Murray having an operation on his knee and Michael Hughes (Annagh) out sick, Kilanerin were grateful to welcome back Gordon Hughes to the ranks after his year with Tipperary county champions, Moyle Rovers.

Kilanerin played with the help of a diagonal wind in the first half and although scoring was difficult a lead was slowly built up. The visitors led by 4 points (Seamus Hughes(2), Michael Hegarty and Brian Hughes) to 1, when Tommy Boland scored two goals in as many minutes. Michael Hegarty crashed a third goal home to leave the half-time score 3-4 to 0-1.

Gusserane used the wind well in the second half to keep Kilanerin kept back in their own half. However, excellent performances by Micheal Hughes, Michael Higgins, Brian Hughes, and Gordon Hughes meant that Gusserane didn't add substantially to their score while Kilanerin tagged on a Donal Noonan goal and 5 points themselves.

Gerry Farrell's intention of regularly playing his entire panel for the campaign was stretched to the limit but he was delighted with the reaction of some younger players to their debuts at this level.

Kilanerin Team: Barry Hughes; Pat Murray, Michael D'Arcy, Micheal Hughes (Castlelands); Brian Hughes (0-1), Michael Higgins (capt), Gordon Hughes; Pat Jones, Seamus Hughes (0-2); Kevin Hempenstall, Paul Hughes, Tommy Boland (2-0); Donal Noonan (1-0); Nicky D'Arcy (0-3), Michael Hegarty (1-2).
Subs: Fintan Kinsella (0-1) for Hegarty.