Shane Lennon has been playing senior football for Kilkerley for so long now that many people could be forgiven for considering him a veteran, but despite being a regular fixture in the starting team for a number of years, Shane is still very much in the infancy of his career at the age of just 21. However, judging by his performances in 2006 Shane has really come of age with some blistering displays for both club and county. Undoubtedly it has been the most successful of his career having helped Louth to win the National League Division 2 title before a series of sparkling displays helped the Wee County capture the Tommy Murphy Cup at Croke Park. A product of the famous Lennon family that has been the backbone of many Kilkerley teams over the years, Shane really hit form over the summer months and that scoring power could be crucial if both Louth and Kilkerley are to achieve success in the future. This year, Shane played with Louth seniors, juniors, U21s, Kilkerley and UCD. Scored 5-12 in Tommy Murphy Cup matches, 0-9 in county junior campaign, 1-19 in Emmets championship run although he didn't play against Mattock. He was by far and away his club's top scorer in the 2006 Division 1B campaign, and even popped up with the winning goal four minutes into injury time in the decisive league match in Clogherhead in late November - a goal which ensured the Emmets' senior survival for '07 at Dreadnots' expense. Shane won a Dublin SFC medal with UCD in 2006, netting the winning point in the county final win over St Vincents. In 2005 with Kilkerley, over 14 matches he hit 14-87. While Shane will reflect on a magnificent season, the Tommy Murphy Cup win will probably give him most satisfaction as to win a title at Croke Park was a dream come true for the UCD student. Lennon's first half goal was one of the turning points as Louth swept aside the challenge of Leitrim. Naturally he was delighted to have been part of such a memorable occasion. "It really was a brilliant day and great for us to be able to set the record straight after the disappointment of the Meath game and losing the Leinster junior final. "Going into the game we were determined not to leave it behind so we were really geared up to have a good start. Luckily it went that way as Brian White got an early goal and then I was delighted to get a second before half time.' "We didn't expect it to be so comfortable as Leitrim were in good form going into the game, and only lost by a point to Mayo." Although the Tommy Murphy Cup may not compare with Leinster and All-Ireland glory, Shane knows that it has a value and is optimistic that it will be a stepping stone to future success. "It was definitely worth it for us and we were focused on winning it from the word go. We went down to Clare and had a tough game but came through it and then we beat Monaghan and Antrim at home to reach the final. "Winning in Croke Park was brilliant as it is only the second title there since 1957. It gives you a taste of success and hopefully it is the first of many. I believe that if we continue to progress we have the ability to win a Leinster title in the next few years." While the team earned the plaudits, Shane was generous in his praise for the supporters who backed the players all season. "The Louth support was fantastic all year, even when we traveled to Waterford. The players really appreciate it and it was brilliant to have so many behind us in Croke Park for the final." Naturally Shane can't wait to get back into the Louth jersey again and try to continue his impressive form in the top division. "It is great to be preparing for Division 1 as if you want to improve you have to play against the best players. Obviously our first target will be to retain our status and then we will concentrate of making an impression in the championship." On the club front, Shane's form was instrumental in Kilkerley's successful bid to retain their senior status. The club needed a top three place in Division 1B to stay in the top flight and entering the closing stages of the season were in strong contention. They eventually achieved safety with stunning victories over Naomh Mairtin and Dreadnots right at the death. In the championship, Kilkerley emerged from their group only to lose narrowly to St Patricks in the quarter final. "We were unlucky to lose by ten points to eight as we missed a number of chances. It's a pity we didn't get over that hurdle because as St Josephs proved, a win in the knockout stages can really give you confidence. Hopefully we can build on that in the near future and make a real challenge for the title." All in all it has been a very busy year for Shane and the new season just can't come quickly enough as he attempts to make 2007 even more memorable. This season Brendan McArdle took over as senior team manager and opted for Peadar Cassidy and former stalwart Arthur Mulholland as his selectors and Barry Clarke as team trainer. The team got off to a good start in the Sheelan Cup beating Joes away 2-10 to 1-6 and Roche also away 1-10 to 1-8, these wins brought another tie in the quarter-final against Cooley Kickhams under lights at Fr McEvoy Park which the home side came out on top 3-11 to 0-4. Kilkerley made steady progress in the league and entering the closing stages were in strong contention to stay senior, lying third behind Naomh Mairtin and Sean O'Mahonys. One of the highlights of the league campaign was a fixture on Monday September 25 which marked Kilkerley's first home game under the new floodlights. In the senior championship the team was grouped with Mattock Rangers, Glyde Rangers and St Brides. Mattock were first up at Castlebellingham on Saturday June 3 with the Collon team winners by 1-10 to 1-6. Louth village on Sunday evening July 1 saw Emmets come out on top in a great match 2-12 to 1-12 against Glyde with Shane Lennon scoring 1-9. A draw 1-9 to St Brides 0-12 at Dowdallshill on July 13 was enough to secure a quarter-final against St Patricks. This was played at Knockbridge on Sunday evening July 29 and the Lordship team edged it 0-10 to 0-8 with missed chances costing Emmet dearly. The junior 4A side was managed by Donal Lennon with Declan Litchfield and Colin Murphy selectors and were a shade unlucky not to qualify for the semi-finals of the league. In the championship, they went out away to St Marys 2-8 to 2-4 with Adrian Conlon scoring both goals. Kilkerley Malachy U-18 team went out of "B" championship quarter final stage away to Baile Talun on a score of 3-9 to 1-5 while to U-16 team got to their "B" championship semi final but lost away to St Brides 2-10 to 2-6. They had success in the J F Travel Division 3 league when they overcame Mochtas Annaghminnon 1-7 to 2-3 in a thrilling final at Castlebellingham with Conaill McGeogh scoring 1-4 and Kevin Rogers 0-3. Kevin also took over as goalkeeper to face a late penalty and saved it. In their semi final he hit 2-10 in the 3-12 to 3-6 win over St Marys. Cathal Bellew was another who clocked up a big total over the year. The Kilkerley Malachi U-14 team lost their championship quarter-final at home to Stabannon O'Connells however had some good league performances as had the U-15 side. Tweet

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