Kilmainhamwood's footballers will look back on 1999 with mixed emotions - regret and relief. Many people's ante-post favourites for championship glory, they found themselves in the unenviable position of being in a relegation dog fight to stay in the top flight at the end of the season. Long time selector Denis Farrelly reviewed an eventful year with Royal County. Before a ball was kicked in anger the 'Wood were dealt a massive blow with the defections of Martin Crosbie and Ray Cunningham to St Oliver's Drogheda and Kingscourt respectively. Despite the loss of such high profile, high calibre players, Denis and his co-selectors Sean McCormack and Percy McKeever were in upbeat mood. He explained "The loss of the two boys was a big blow to us but we felt we were still good enough to be in the shake up." Lady luck deserted the 'Wood last year when they were dumped out of the '98 championship by ultimate winners Dunboyne in the final group match. A freak goal with virtually the last kick of the ball robbed the North County Meath side of a place in the quarter final. Again this year the Gods conspired against the 'Wood and they were beaten by Simonstown and Cortown by a single point on both occasions. In both of these matches the 'Wood deserved at least a share of the spoils. Denis added "In our first championship game we played Simonstown and we lost by a single point having played very well. We beat Slane in the second match and lost by a single point to Cortown. We lost those two games by a kick of the ball. We could have easily been in the quarter final as opposed to being involved in the relegation end of things." He went on "only for a late goal against Dunboyne last year we would have went on to win the senior championship and there isn't any doubt in my mind about that. If that had happened we might not have lost the players we did. There is a very fine line between success and failure especially in a club where the pick is quite small." In what proved to be a very tight group the 'Wood still had a mathematical chance of making the knock out stages although it would have taken a minor miracle. They needed to beat Navan O'Mahonys in their final group game and hope that Slane could beat Simonstown. This would have forced a three way play off between Slane, the 'Wood and Simonstown for the runners up spot in the group behind Cortown. The 'Wood put in an abysmal showing while Slane faired worse, with both Navan teams chalking up comprehensive victories. O'Mahonys victory pushed them into the comfort zone in the group. Kilmainhamwood and Slane were left propping up the group on two points each. To determine which of the teams finished bottom of the group Slane and the 'Wood were forced to meet a second time. In arguably their best performance of the year the North County Meath team ran out four point winners and thus avoided the relegation play offs. Brian Stafford rolled back the years that day with a vintage performance notching a personal tally of 1-08. Based on this performance the veteran attacker has lost little of the guile, class and accuracy which made him one of the most lethal forwards in the modern game and proved he still has what it takes to compete at this level for another year at least. Despite the aforementioned defections and the lack of lady luck the 'Wood still had twelve of the '96 championship winning team in this year's squad. So why did they fair so badly? Denis admitted that the defections had hit hard and that luck had not been with them but he also pointed out that. "It is basically up to the individuals themselves and in fairness you couldn't say that the players put the effort in. We hadn't a full turn out and a full commitment to training. Too many players were living on past achievements." Neutrals amongst the sizeable attendance at the 'Woods last group match against O'Mahonys would bear out Denis assertion. In too many departments the 'Wood were found wanting and the superior fitness and hunger of the opposition proved too much for the kingpins of '96. The dejected faces of the players leaving the Kilberry venue told its own tale. Many eyebrows were raised when the 'Wood seemingly decided to adopt an 'in house' policy towards coaching. Under the stewardship of now Louth manager, Paddy Clarke the 'Wood had garnered unprecendented success. Many felt it would take a 'power name' to re-ignite the spark that had ben missing since '96. Denis explained "It was always our intention to get an outside coach. I personally contacted ten big name coaches within the game. For one reason or another they weren't available. It wasn't for the want of trying I can tell you. Terrier like when Denis gets the bit between his teeth he rarely lets go until the job is done. On this occasion his best efforts didn't bear fruit. The core of this team are still in their mid 20s and many would contend that they have yet to reach their peak. So what does the future hold for the club? The Farrelly philosophy is quite simple - you only reap what you sow. "The players have a lot of deep thinking to do as to what they want to achieve in football. It is only by deciding what they want to take out of the game, will they decide what they are going to put in to it. They haven't become bad footballers overnight. They just have to re-focus their attitude towards the game." Denis is optimistic for the future and feels that the present senior squad can reach the dizzy heights of '96 again, but only through dedication and application. Meanwhile another bunch of highly talented and eager youngsters are waiting in the wings for their time to shine at senior level. Denis concluded: "There is a very good under 17 team coming through at the moment. There are guys like Mark Kiernan, Michael Shankey, Mark Shields, Noel Smith, Patrick Carolan and Shane Clarke who are bonding well together. They have a lot of football ability, and if they stick at it they definitely will make it at senior with out any bother. And they will make it sooner rather than later." Tweet

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