26th August 2003 , League - Kilbride 0-7 , Ratoath 0-12

Ratoath enjoyed an unusually easy win over Kilbride in a decidedly lacklustre league match. This was probably due to the fact that Ratoath had already made it to the final of the championship and Kilbride were virtually out of contention for promotion. There was a big difference in fitness levels, which is to be expected with Kilbride's season virtually over a long time ago. Ratoath's large panel of 30-40 is helping them, especially as Kilbride were missing 6-7 players who started the last match against Ratoath.

Nonetheless Kilbride will be disapointed to lose their unbeaten home record of over a year without putting up a better fight of it against their local rivals. Ratoath made much better use of possession and also converting their frees. In contrast Kilbride did not look fluent in possession, giving the ball away easily and having to work very hard to get it back. Ratoath went in at half time 3 points to the good and by the end of thte match had stretched it to 5 points.

Overall Kilbride will be disapointed at how the season has panned out after such a promising start.

Team :

O.Nolan, J.Sheehy, C. Rennicks, J. Bruton, B. White, R. Bruton, A. Rennicks, P. McDonagh, R. Bruton, N. Keoghan, D. Harford, D. White, R. Rooney, J. Smith,

Sub: J. Sheridan

15th July 2003, League - Kilbride 2-5 , St. Vincents 1-10

St. Vincents got off to a flyer against Kilbride on their home patch in Ardcath. Kilbride finally got on the scoreboard through Brian White after 10-15 minutes. However Vincents pressed on and grabbed an opportunist goal to go into the break 1-5 to 0-3 up. On the restart, St. Vincents yet again started the better notching up 2 points within 2 minutes of the restart. Again it took Kilbride until the midway point before they registered their first score of the half from a Brian White free. The referee had a big bearing on the match, not letting the match flow in the second half, which would have suited Kilbride chasing the game. Kilbride have now lost 2 matches in two weeks with this referee, who angered and frustrated the Kilbride players and supporters. Amazingly Kilbride got to within two points, through excellent goals from Brian White and David Harford. St. Vincents got some easy frees in the second half, and when Kilbride did get a free, the Vincents players did not give the ball back. Despite this, the ref never punished them or moved the free up. Overall despite the Referee, St. Vincents were up for the match, played very well, and took their scores when it mattered. The game also marked the comeback from injury of Eamonn Clarke after 2 years. Kilbride never really got into their stride and probably are now out of the shake up for promotion.

Team :

E.Farrell,J.Sheehy,C.Rennicks,N.Keoghan,J.Bruton,B.White,J.Smith,

R.Bruton,P.McDonagh,O.Nolan,D.Harford,J.Sheridan,R.Rooney,K.Quinn,D.White.

Subs: E.Clarke , M. Ryan ,

1st July 2003 , League - Kilbride 2-10 , Drumbaragh 0-7 .

Kilbride continue to make life uncomfortable for their supporters, in beating Drumbaragh on a wet home pitch. Kilbride started well, with points from Brian White, Robbie Rooney and Dermot White. Two rather fortunate goals followed to send Kilbride in at the break well ahead. However, Drumbaragh came back and notched some fine scores in the second half. Drumbaragh started to dominate midfield and with some more accurate shooting might have closed the gap. After some woeful attacking , in the last ten minutes the Kilbride forwards got back in the groove and scored some nice points to make the game safe and keep alive the dream of promotion. Further injuries to Robbie Bruton and David Harford have now stretched the squad to breaking point.

Team :

E.Farrell,J.Sheehy,C.Rennicks,N.Keoghan,J.Bruton,B.White,R.Bruton,

A.Rennicks,P.McDonagh,O.Nolan,D.Harford,J.Sheridan,R.Rooney,K.Quinn,D.White.

Subs: R.McGrady , J.Smith, M. Ryan

22nd June 2003 , League -, Kilbride 1-08 , Meath Hill 0-7

Kilbride gave a slightly laboured performance in beating a poor Meath Hill side in Kilbride. Although never really in danger, Kilbride did not take their chances and never managed to pull away from Meath Hill who kept going till the end. Luckily Kilbride's backs were very tight on the day, with good performances from Neil Keoghan, Robert Bruton and Conor Rennicks. Up front Kevin Quinn proved a handful for the Meath Hill defence, creating a lot of room for the other forwards, who didn't make it count.

Team :

E.Farrell,J.Sheehy,C.Rennicks,N.Keoghan,J.Bruton,B.White,R.Bruton,

A.Rennicks,P.McDonagh,O.Nolan,D.White,J.Sheridan,R.Rooney,K.Quinn,S.Walsh

Subs: R.McGrady , D.Harford

5th June 2003 , League - Bective 0-12, Kilbride 1-10

This match was not helped by one of the worst refereeing displays likely to be seen in Meath this year. The conditions were also very blustery. Aided by a strong wind, Bective took an early lead. Kilbride played very well against the wind, in contrast to the Ratoath game and went into the half, only three points down. Poinst were added in the second half from Pat McDonagh, Brian White, Dermot White and David Harford. The turning point was an excellent goal scored by Robbie Rooney after a great flick on by Sean Walsh. Kilbride then hung on for a deserved victory and welcome league points.

Team :

E.Farrell,J.Sheehy,C.Rennicks,K.Gavin,J.Bruton,B.White,R.Bruton,

A.Rennicks,P.McDonagh,O.Nolan,D.Harford,R.Bruton,R.Rooney,D.White,S.Walsh

Subs:

18th May 2003 , Championship, Ballinabrackey 0-13, Kilbride 0-12

A top quality match was served up by the two teams in Summerhill in yet another crucial match for both sides. The quality of football from both sides made for a highly entertaining game. Ballinabrackey were first out of the blocks, leading by three points after five minutes. Kilbride suffered another blow when David Cully had to retire, with a suspected broken wrist and was replaced by Kevin Gavin. Kilbride edged back into the game with some great play from the backs up, with scores from Ollie Nolan, David Harford and Dermot White. Sean Walsh had one goal disallowed and another shot cleared off the line after beating the keeper. Kilbride had most of the possession, but when Ballinabrackey had possession, they made it count by putting scores on the board. In contrast, Kilbride could not convert from good positions. However, with five minutes to go, Kilbride had hauled themselves back into the match, leading by three points and in control. It was these misses, which were to prove costly at the end of the match. Every player played well and it was a cruel way to exit the championship for another year. Kilbride will rue not playing well until the second last match in the championship group.

Team :

E.Farrell,J.Sheehy,C.Rennicks,D.Cully,J.Bruton,B.White,R.Bruton,

A.Rennicks,P.McDonagh,O.Nolan,D.Harford,R.Bruton,R.Rooney,D.White,S.Walsh

Subs: K.Gavin, E.McKeever

18th May 2003 , Championship - Ratoath 1-10, Kilbride 0-11

This was really a game of two halves, dictated by a gale force wind. Ratoath used the wind to better effect going in at the break 9 points to the good. In the first half Ratoath were shooting from anywhere, and scoring from anywhere. Kilbride made some fatal errors in the first half giving possession away and by the end of the game, these were to prove crucial. After the break, Kilbride set about eating into the Ratoath lead with the help of the wind. Although the second half score was 8 points to 1 , it was not enough for Kilbride. Kilbride never really got going, with the game there to be won. Kevin Quinn had a goal chance at the end, but it wasn't to be and Ratoath hung on. Kilbride still have not played well in this championship, but amazingly are still in it.

Team :

E.Farrell,J.Sheehy,C.Rennicks,K.Gavin,D.Cully,J.Bruton,R.Bruton,

A.Rennicks,P.McDonagh,B.White,D.Harford, J.Sheridan,R.Rooney,D.White,E.McKeever

Subs: K.Quinn, C.Sheridan

11th May 2003 , Championship - Kilbride 1-07, Moylagh 0-09

This was a crucial tie for both teams with the loser effectively out of the championship. Moylagh started strongly putting three points on the board without reply, Kilbride finally responding through Robbie Rooney frees. It rained heavily throughout the match and both teams never really got going and at half time, the score was 0-6 to 0-4 to Moylagh. David Harford was brought on and gave Kilbride a new dimension. Fifteen minutes into the second half, a long ball was pumped in, Dermot White flicked on and Craig Sheridan reacted quickest to finish to the net. Further points added from David Harford, Robbie Rooney and Brian White gave Kilbride a four point lead with 5 minutes to go. Moylagh rallied and pulled it back to a one point game. In the dying minutes, Moylagh had a goal disallowed for a square ball. Despite some fierce protesting from Moylagh players and supporters, the umpire refused to raise the flag and the referee blew soon after for full time. Moylagh were unlucky to get something from the game, but Kilbride will take any luck they can get to remain in the championship.

Team :

E.Farrell,J.Sheehy,C.Rennicks,K.Gavin,D.Cully,J.Bruton,R.Bruton,

A.Rennicks,P.McDonagh,C.Sheridan,B.White, J.Sheridan,R.Rooney,D.White,O.Nolan.

Subs: K.Quinn, D.Harford

20th April 2003 , Championship - Kilbride 1-10, Kilmainham 2-8

Kilbride started like a whirlwind, leading 1-4 to 0-0 with about 15 minutes gone. This spell included a fine goal from Ollie Nolan and points from Kevin Quinn, Robbie Rooney and David Harford. However, Kilbride then took the foot off the gas and let Kilmainham back into the game. To their credit Kilmainham seized the initiative and scored 2 goals before half time to go in leading at the break. In this period, Kilmainham registered 2-5 without reply. Indeed Kilbride did not register a score until 15 minutes into the second half and in a championship match, over 30 mins without a score can be fatal. Kilbride did rally towards the end with Eugene McKeever unlucky to hit the post after a great run. Both teams had a man sent off as the pressure mounted. Kilbride added further points through Brian White and David Harford, but it was too little, too late as Kilmainham held on for a deserved win.

Team :

E.Farrell,J.Sheehy,C.Rennicks,D.Cully,B.White,J.Bruton,R.Bruton,A.Rennicks,

R.Bruton,D.Harford,O.Nolan,P.McDonagh,S.Walsh,R.Rooney K.Quinn.

Subs: E. McKeever, K. Gavin,