When the history of Louth football is updated in years to come, the season 2001 is sure to get more than a few paragraphs, writes Eunan Whyte. Kilkerley Emmets had a big part to play in formulating the new-look senior championship. In what is seen to be one of the most dramatic changes in club football structures, for the first time ever the Louth senior championship was played on a league basis. Kilkerley Emmets may not have won the Joe Ward Cup, but their name will be strongly linked to this season's competition, as it was they who proposed the new format at the annual Convention in December. It was at the first County Board meeting of the year at Cluskey Park that the issue came up for debate, and there was some voices of dissent - most notably from those with the responsibility of making the fixtures. However, most of the clubs were in favour of the change on a trial basis and the motion was carried. Just before the championship draw was made on the following Monday night, it was decided that two teams would qualify from each of the four groups, rather than the one as proposed, and the knock-out stages would start with quarter-finals. In hindsight, the experiment seems to have been a success, with every team getting at least three games, all of which were competitive. Kilkerley will certainly take a lot of credit, and Club Chairman Harry Reilly outlines what the thinking was behind the proposal to change the format. "We felt that counties such as Meath play their championship on a league basis and it seems to work because we all know how successful they are at intercounty level. "As a result we decided it was worth putting this motion forward and, in fact, we proposed it the previous year and it was thrown out. We thought we would give it another go, and this time it was passed," said Harry. The Chairman felt that the change had been vindicated because it has already proved to be a success, not only in financial terms, but more importantly it has helped football. "Our aim was to improve the standard of football and I think that was achieved. Although there were some poor games, overall there were a lot of good games. Any team can have an off day, and in previous years if they had done so in the championship they were gone. This year you had a chance to redeem yourself, which is great for everyone involved." In terms of his own club's fortunes, Harry felt they benefited from the new format, despite the fact that they didn't make the knock-out stages. "We were very happy to get more games, as it is certainly better than playing league football. Unfortunately we didn't make the quarter-finals, but we came back well in the group stages to force a play-off before being defeated by Gaels", said the Chairman. Having been behind such a dramatic change, there was more than a passing interest in how the club would fare themselves. Emmets went into the championship hoping for a change of fortune after their two most recent outings. Following the disappointment of defeat in the 1999 final, it was little surprise that Emmets were unable to lift themselves last year, making a first round exit to Lannleire. This year's new structure was certainly one that could benefit the club as a run of games could only help restore their confidence. As it turned out, they certainly were glad of the extra matches as, despite at times playing well against Naomh Mairtin in the first round, the Monasterboice side were deserving winners after a lively game at Castlebellingham, but Kilkerley did have their chance to snatch something. Naomh Mairtin were leading 0-6 to 0-4 after a tight first half and looked to be cruising when they stretched the advantage to five points. Fifteen-year-old Shane Lennon then announced his entrance to senior football with a well taken goal. However, with Paul Sharkey being sent-off, their hopes faded and Mairtin's held out for a 0-12 to 1-6 win. Scorers: Shane Lennon (1-2), David McGeough (0-2), Kevin Donagh and Donal McElroy 0-1 each. Kilkerley: Frank Noonan, Vincent Litchfield, John Mulholland, Brian Gernon, Hugh Kirk, Fintan Clarke, Alan McGeough, Paul Sharkey, Donal McElroy, Kevin Donagh, David McGeough, Barry Clarke, Shane Lennon, Paul McElroy, Paul Litchfield. Subs: James Fegan for P. McElroy (40 mins), Declan Ltichfield for V. Litchfield (49 mins) and Colm McGuinness for P. Litchfield (52 mins). As a result, Kilkerley needed something from their next game against Roche, and they picked up a point in controversial circumstances. Up against neighbours, Roche Emmets, at Courtbane, there was little between the sides throughout. David McGeough gave his side the edge early in the second half with an excellent goal, but Roche hit back to level going into the closing stages. They then looked certain to clinch victory when Derek McKeown had a shot, but before the ball went over the bar, the referee blew the whistle and the score was disallowed, leaving the sides to share the points on a scoreline of 1-5 to 0-8. Kilkerley Emmets: Frank Noonan, Vincent Litchfield, John Mulholland, Brian Gernon, Fintan Clarke, Hugh Kirk, Paul McElroy, Barry Clarke, Donal McElroy, Kevin Donaghy, David McGeough (1-0), James Fagan, Shane Lennon (0-5), Aidan Crimmon, Declan Litchfield. Subs: Noel Litchfield for Crimmon (22 mins.); Paul Litchfield for Declan Litchfield (48 mins.); Peter Kirk for Fagan (48 mins.) That draw left Kilkerley needing to defeat Gaels in their final match to force a play-off, and that is just what they achieved in an incident-packed game. The game started badly for Gaels with Alan McGeough being sent-off, and early in the second half they trailed by six points. Paul McElroy was also dismissed in a game that saw both teams finish with 13 players, but his side were inspired by two-goal Shane Lennon and they went on to win by 2-9 to 3-5. Scorers: S. Lennon 2-1, N. Litchfield 0-2, D. McElroy, P. McElroy, P. Kirk, K. Donaghy, K. McGeough, C. McGuinness, J. Fagan 0-1 each. Kilkerley Emmets: Frank Noonan, Vincent Litchfield, John Mulholland, Brian Gernon, Paul McElroy, Hugh Kirk, Alan McGeough, Barry Clarke, Donal McElroy, Kevin Donaghy, David McGeough, James Fagan, Shane Lennon, Noel Litchfield, Peter Kirk. Subs: Colm McGuinnness for D. McElroy. The sides then had to meet again in the play-off to decide who made it to the quarter-final, but this time Gaels proved too strong as they went on to win by 1-12 to 1-8. Kilkerley looked to be on course for victory when they led 0-6 to 0-3 at the break, while a David McGeough goal in the second half helped keep them in front. However, it was Gaels turn to produce the comeback this time as David Coleman inspired victory. Scorers: D. McGeough 1-4, S. Lennon 0-2, K. Donaghy, J. Fagan 0-1each. Kilkerley Emmets: Frank Noonan, Vincent Litchfield, John Mulholland, Brian Gernon, Paul McElroy, Hugh Kirk, Alan McGeough, Barry Clarke, Donal McElroy, Kevin Donaghy, David McGeough, James Fagan, Shane Lennon, Noel Litchfield, Peter Kirk. Sub: Aidan Crimmon for Donaghy, Colm McGuinness for Fagan. Disaster struck in the league. Playing out of Division 1B, Kilkerley never got going and ended up being relegated back to the intermediate grade for the first time since 1978. This is a massive disappointment for the club, only two years after contesting the senior county final. In their final Division 1B outing, Kilkerley took on Naomh Mairtin knowing that victory would force a relegation play-off against the Monasterboice men. The win was duly recorded but the Emmets couldn't repeat the dose and lost the play-off against the Monasterboice men. The win was duly recorded but the Emmets couldn't repeat the dose and lost the play-off, thereby biting the bullet and slipping down to Division 2A. But they have enough young talent at their disposal to turn the corner quickly. One of the most exciting prospects is 15-year-old Shane Lennon who has scored ten goals and countless points at senior level and if he continues to progress will have a very important role to play for the club for years to come. Tweet

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