Although blitzed by Dunshaughlin in the Senior Football Final, Kilmainhamwood can look back on their achievements in 2000 with pride and a large degree of optimism for the future. Royal County reviews an eventful year for the North Meath Club. Having captured the Keegan Cup in 1996 it was a widely held view, that the club would feature prominently in the Senior Football Championships for the latter stages of the nineties. Quite the reverse happened. In three successive years the 'Wood failed to get past the group stages and in 1999 they suffered the indignation of a relegation play-off appearance. It took all the guile and experience of veteran attacker Brian Stafford who notched a personal tally of 1-8 to see off Slane in that particular encounter. The genial attacker thought it would be his swansong! After three years in a Senior Football wilderness, the 'Wood had almost reached the point of no return. The talent and ability was still there in abundance. The question was had the players the mental toughness and the dedication required to fight their way back up the slippery slope? The appointment of Eamonn McEnaney as coach proved to be a master stroke by the 'Wood's back room team. The tough and respected task master had a proven track record with Castleblayney Faughs and the Monaghan Under 21's. He also knew the core of the team having watched the class of '96 joust with Faughs on numerous occasions. Likewise the players knew and respected the former Monaghan great. At a meeting in January McEneaney was introduced to the players. From the outset he set out his stall. He explained that he would leave "no stone unturned" and felt that if the players were serious they could return to the dizzy heights of 1996. As he addressed the players that night "you could here a pin drop." McEneaney designed a tough and rigorous training schedule and the players responded well. Buoyed by early victories in Div. 2 of the All County "A" league the 'Wood looked in good shape for the SFC opener against Summerhill. Disaster struck! The 'Wood went under 0-9 to 2-5 at Dunderry. Larry McCormack and Francis Owens carried nagging injuries into the game which greatly reduced the 'Wood's firepower. They were also forced to field without versatile defender Paul Shankey, who broke a bone in his foot in Meath's N.F.L. semi-final victory over Kerry. Brian Stafford had decided at the start of the season to "bow out" and concentrate his efforts on coaching Curraha in the JFC. He did however tog out for the "B" League team and made a number of starring appearances in the Junior Championship. Many felt his services would be required if the 'Wood were to advance to the knockout stages. He did return for the next game when the goal poacher turned game keeper. He deputised between the posts for Ronan Finnegan in the 0-11 to 0-9 victory over Moynalvey. It was an uninspiring victory, but a victory nevertheless which put them back on course for a place in the quarter finals. Beaten finalists in 1996, Seneschalstown were the 'Wood's third round opposition. Played at Pairc Tailteann the 'Wood ground out a creditable 1-13 to 1-10 victory. Paul Shankey was given the task of shackling county star Graham Geraghty. The victory set the 'Wood up for an intriguing final group game with Walterstown, while Seneschalstown were plunged into the relegation zone. Shankey was to play a prominent role in the 2-5 to 0-6 victory over the "Blacks" which guaranteed the 'Wood and quarter final berth. Picked at corner forward he was deployed between the full back and half back lines as an extra defender and mopped up a lions share of possession. Walterstown's decision to adopt a similar defensive policy with their "free man" lead to a dour encounter. Nevertheless the 'Wood advanced to the quarter final for the first time in four years. Dunderry who beat the 'Wood in the 1995 decider were red hot favourites to repeat the dose in the quarter-final. In the run up to the match former coach Paddy Clarke deputised for McEnaney who was holidaying in the U.S. at the time. Entering the final quarter Dunderry led by six points with the finishing post in site. The 'Wood's selectors played their final ace and what an ace it proved to be. Stafford was sprung from the bench, scored a vital goal and inspired an unlikely recovery. In the end Dunderry were the happier to escape with a draw. In the replay the 'Wood notched up a 3-8 to 1-9 victory. Once again Stafford came off the bench to play a vital role, but their task was made easier by the first half dismissal of Dunderry attacker Barry Callaghan. If the 'Wood's victory over Dunderry sent ripples throughout the county, their sensational disposal of reigning champions Skryne in the semi final caused a minor earthquake. One prominent G.A.A. reporter in his match preview said the 'Wood would need a "millennium miracle" to overcome the Trevor Giles / John Mc Dermott led kingpins. Little did he know that the 'Wood had miracle workers in Ray Magee, Francie Owens and Larry McCormack who grabbed the goals in this famous 3-12 to 1-13 victory. Stafford made his now customary entrance late in the second half, played an important part in Magee's killer goal and tacked on a trade mark free from the hands for good measure. When the group draws were made the 'Wood were virtually written off as championship contenders. They were quoted at odds of 16-1 for outright victory and drifted to 25-1 after the first round defeat at the hands of Summerhill. Against all the odds the 'Wood made it to the final, a fine achievement in itself. However, the bitter memories of going under to a superior Dunshaughlin side will still be fresh in the memories of the players next spring. They will be acutely aware that they under achieved that day and that they have the potential to go one better in 2001. It might just be the ammunition that Eamonn McEneaney and his fellow mentors require to spur them on to even greater heights. Tweet

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