Kilanerin's first Senior Football Championship victory was carved out on October 27, 1974, in Bellefield when they pipped Rathnure by 1-3 to 1-2 after a dour struggle.

Remarkably, that was the club's first year in the senior grade, having beaten Taghmon-Camross in the Intermediate final of '73. And on the big day they completely out-foxed Rathnure, winning far more comfortably than the narrow one point margin suggests.

In the second half the Rathnure forwards drifted so far away from the goal that for long intervals in the second half the Kilanerin goalkeeper, Jim Hughes, remained the only player in the Kilanerin half of the field. It was very obvious that the Kilanerin backs could see what was happening, and they encouraged their men to move away from goal, simply by 'drifting' with them.

In the crowded conditions that developed in the region of the midfield and the Rtahnure half-back line, the Gorey District men excelled. It was in these conditions they brought their high fielding and strength into effect and their single point victory was no indication of their superiority in the closing stages.

At the outset it looked as if Rathnure were going to annihalate the opposition. Pat Flynn crashed home an early goal, and John Quigley added a point in the eight minute.

A minute later Pat 'Blondie' Cullen opened Kilanerin's account with a fine point, but Pat O'Neill stretched Rathnure's lead to 1-2 to 0-1 in the 15th minute.

Remarkably, the Mount Leinster men never scored again and Kilanerin, who seemed to be getting in each other's way in the early stages, settled down and became more methodical.

They appeared to assess the situation and exploit the catch-and-kick brand of football they know best.

A glimpse of their potential was given in the 20th minute when a glorious movement involving 'Blondie' Cullen, Paddy Hughes, and Seamus Boland ended with the latter scoring a point. At the interval there was a goal between the sides (1-2 to 0-2).

Within 30 seconds of the restart, Paddy Hughes had reduced the leeway to two points. Kilanerin gradually got completely on top in the middle of the field, and the decisive goal came with 17 minutes left.

Seamus Boland snatched the ball some 35 yards out from the Rathnure goal, slipped by two tackles, and then, confronted by the burly figure of Dan Quigley unleashed a powerful shot that returned to the field of play from the woodwork at the back of the net.

Three times before the end, Rathnure had good goal chances, but the forwards appeared to be panic-stricken and the opportunities were lost.

John and 'Blondie' Cullen were superb throughout while Aidan Kavanagh, Johnny Cullen, Joe Considine, Seamus Boland, Paddy Hughes, and substitute Pat Noonan were all excellent.

Bonfires blazed around Kilanerin and Ballyfad and on many a crossroads. Later a victory dance in the Shamrock Hall in KIlanerin, where club chairman Paddy Kinsella paid tribute to everyone associated with this historic win.

Incidentally, the panel of about 25 players in training for the final included seven sets of brothers - accounting for 19 of the players.

On the panel were four Cullen brothers - 'Blondie', John, Jimmy and Tom; another set of Cullen brothers, Johnny and Pat, from Ballyfad; Eddie, Pat, and Michael Hughes from Clonsilla; Paddy, Mike, and Jim Hughes from Castlelands; Donal and John Hayden; Bill and Andy Woodbyrne, and Mick, Martin and Gerry Byrne from Craan.

Kilanerin Team: Jim Hughes, Johnny Cullen, Mike Hughes, Donal Hayden; Aidan Kavanagh, Joe Considine, Eddie Hughes; John Cullen, Pat Hughes; Pat 'Blondie' Cullen (0-1), Paddy Hughes (0-1), Mick Byrne; Seamus Boland (1-1), Bill Woodbyrne, Pat Cullen.
Subs: Pat Noonan for Mick Byrne.