So the run comes to an end. Kilanerin disappointingly went out of the 1999 Leinster Club Football Championship playing no where near their best in this semi-final against Kildare champions Sarsfields on Sunday November 21^st played in Dr. Cullen Park, Carlow.

Kilanerin played much better than the final scoreline suggests, but poor finishing and rash tackling in defence gave Kildare free-taker, Niall Buckley, the chance to put daylight between the sides that ultimately proved decisive. At half-time they led Kilanerin 0-6 to 0-1 with Buckley scoring 4 frees.

The Wexford champions came back into the game in the second half but Sarsfields were able to keep point for point to run out comfortable winners.

Stephen Kavanagh failed to recover from his ankle injury to play, but Paul Hughes made a remarkable recovery from his appendix operation and came on at half-time at centre-forward. Peter Kavanagh missed the game through a finger injury.

Gerry Farrell and his selection team were as disappointed as the rest of the team, not that the game was lost, but more so that the team simply didn't play anything like they could. Credit goes to Sarsfields who dominated midfield, kept the Kilanerin forward line quiet and put the defence under fierce pressure. They will be worthy opponents for Na Fianna in the final and everyone in Kilanerin wishes them well.

As for Kilanerin, the selection team has already been ratified for next season when the team will hope to retain the County Championship, a feat never achieved by the club and, hopefully, get a chance to take on the cream of Leinster again. Down? Yes. Out? don't bet on it!

Team: Barry Hughes; Michael D'Arcy, PJ Gethings, Micheal Hughes (capt); Michael Hughes, Michael Higgins, Gordon Hughes; Seamus Hughes, Jim D'Arcy; Pat Forde, Donal Noonan, Michael Hegarty; Matty Forde (0-1), John Hegarty (0-3), Nicky D'Arcy.
Subs: Paul Hughes for Michael Hegarty, Tommy Boland for Donal Noonan, Pat Murray for Michael D'Arcy.

1999 AIB Leinster Club Football Championship Results

One of the greatest days in club's history? Most clubmen and women would probably agree after Kilanerin defeated Edenderry of Offaly in this AIB Leinster Club Semi-final by 5 points in an exciting game played in Gorey on Sunday November 7^th.

After a despairing fortnight of injury worries and skeleton panels at training sessions, only Stephen Kavanagh (ankle) was missed from the Stabannon game for the Kilanerin. Barry Hughes (knee) and Jim D'Arcy (thigh) again recovered fitness to play while only forwards Paul Hughes (appendix) and Peter Kavanagh (another finger injury) were ruled out in the longer term. PJ Gethings came in at full-back for Stephen Kavanagh.

Edenderry had the best of starts and looked more comfortable in the first 10 minutes. They picked off the simplest of early scores from close-in frees after some rash tackling by the Kilanerin defence. However the accurate free-taking of Matty Forde kept Kilanerin in touch and the teams were level after 15 minutes; 0-3 each.

Michael Hegarty then played a one-two with his brother John to point Kilanerin ahead and further points by Matty Forde (2) and Jim D'Arcy had the Wexford champions ahead 0-7 to 0-3. Then a mistake by the otherwise sound Barry Hughes in the Kilanerin goal gifted a goal-scoring chance to Peter Brady, but the Offaly inter-county star blazed his shot wide. Edenderry put a point on the board before half-time to leave the scores 0-7 to 0-4 at the break.

Edenderry had a lightening start to the second half and after 6 minutes were ahead. An early point was added to by a some-what controversial goal which could have been blown for a square ball but to be fair it was a decision that could have gone either way. In any case Kilanerin were down 1-5 to 0-7 until Matty Forde restored parity and a good finish was in prospect.

However, the Kilanerin defence stood firm handling high balls and fast movements from the Edenderry forward-line; thus providing the basis for attacks for the Kilanerin attack. Seamus Hughes crowned his "man-of-the-match" performance at midfield with a fine point and further points from Matty Forde (4) and Donal Noonan put the game beyond doubt.

The final whistle signalled Kilanerin's first win over one of the so-called 'big four' counties in Leinster and gives them a semi-final tie against Sarsfields (Kildare) on Sunday November 21st probably in Dr. Cullen Park, Carlow.

What the newspapers said about the game......

Team: Barry Hughes; Michael D'Arcy, PJ Gethings, Micheal Hughes (capt); Michael Hughes, Michael Higgins, Gordon Hughes; Seamus Hughes (0-1), Jim D'Arcy (0-1); Pat Forde (0-1), Donal Noonan, Michael Hegarty(0-1); Matty Forde (0-10), John Hegarty, Nicky D'Arcy.

In one of their most impressive wins under Gerry Farrell, Kilanerin produced a superb performance to win through to the AIB Leinster Club Quarter-finals in beating Louth Champions, Stabannon Parnells by 13 points. The match was played in dull but fair conditions at Gorey on Sunday Octber 24^th.

Kilanerin were hit with a huge blow during the week before the game when centre-forward Paul Hughes had to be taken to hospital with appendicitis. He will almost definitely be out of football until the New Year. However, the team only showed 2 changes in personnel from the County final, Michael Hegarty coming in for Hughes, while Stephen Kavangh made his first start of the year at full-back; the unlucky man to lose out was veteran Pat Murray. Injury doubts Barry Hughes (knee) and Jim D'Arcy (thigh) started the game.

Stabannon picked off the first score of the game after 2 minutes but Kilanerin recovered from a shakey first few minutes to respond with points from Matty Forde and John Hegarty. From then on the first half belonged to Kilanerin and, in particular, Matty Forde. The 20 year-old started at left corner-forward with Michael Hegarty on the wing and Donal Noonan on the 40, but the change in position didn't effect Matty's game in any way. He scored an incredible 4-4 in the game - 3-3 of it in the first half.

His first came from a solo run set up by Seamus Hughes and after being tackled Forde slotted the ball home along the ground. He followed up with a pointed free and after Stabannon kicked a second point of their own he scored his second goal - a punched effort from a high ball played in by John Hegarty. Hegarty potted a point of his own and Kilanerin were 7 points up.

Forde completed his hat-trick of goals after a flowing 6 man move put him clear on goal. His brother Pat pointed and Kilanerin went in at half-time 3-6 to 0-3 to the good.

The second half saw Stabannon come a bit more into the game, but their spirits completely faded after John Hegarty pointed and Matty Forde scored his fourth goal, the best of the lot, lobbing the goalkeeper after being put clear. After that Kilanerin tagged on points from John Hegarty (2) and Forde (1) and added a further goal from John Hegarty. However, Stabannon enjoyed greater possession in the second half as Kilanerin lost 3 players to injury.

Full-back Stephen Kavanagh badly twisted an ankle during the first half and had to be substituted while goalkeeper Barry Hughes' knee problems continued and was forced off with 15 minuted to go; PJ Gethings went between the posts. Jim D'Arcy was substituted with 5 minutes to go as a precaution.

However, despite the injuries and the concession of a goal from a late penalty, the day belonged to the Wexford champions who can now look forward to a Quarter-final date with Offaly champions Edenderry on November 7th in Gorey.

Team: Barry Hughes; Michael D'Arcy, Stephen Kavanagh, Micheal Hughes (capt); Michael Hughes, Michael Higgins, Gordon Hughes; Seamus Hughes, Jim D'Arcy; Pat Forde (0-1), Donal Noonan, Michael Hegarty; Matty Forde (4-4); John Hegarty (1-5), Nicky D'Arcy.
Subs: Pat Murray for Stephen Kavanagh; PJ Gethings for Barry Hughes; Chris Murray for Jim D'Arcy.