PREMIER CHAMPS - WILTON UTD A
At the start of the campaign, their first in Murphy’s Stout AUL Premier League, promoted Wilton were hoping to win the home games and see what happened on the road.

They knew it would be tough and that was underlined when they were hammered by Kinsale in the opening match. That forced the group “to take a serious look at ourselves”. Coach Patrick Rocks: “We had a good chat as a group and we went from strength to strength after that. Our manager for the year was John Leonard (also chairman of the club) and he was assisted by Brendan O'Sullivan.”

“Our captain was Anthony Buckley and what a leading role he played this term. As well as leading from the midfield, he also ended up as top goal scorer. Shane O’Neill, Paul O’Mahony and Ritchie Walsh were also well up the scoring charts this year.”

“This team is full of players that are great to work with. Each and everyone has played his part and each has stood up and been counted as the going got tough.”

“Our best performance over the year was Grattan away. Never an easy place to win and though we left it late we got there. After that, I think the team began to believe we could win the league and the 3-3 last game draw with Kinsale was huge.”

“The Premier League is full of quality teams - no matter who you play you are going to get a great game but also every team respects each other and there is always a hand shake at the end which is great.”

“We had some outstanding performers over the year and to single out a couple is tough. Our keeper Alberto Pulimeno, Eric McCarthy, Fergal Giltinan, Anthony Buckley, Shane O Neill, Steve Daily, Paul O’Mahony and Ritchie Walsh won us some tight games.”

“The huge bonus for us this year was the emergence of our youth players - Steve McCarthy and Steve Kenny were excellent all season for us.”

“The squad as a whole deserves every compliment it receives. It is never easy to win this league, never mind our first year up. We were also very proud to have four players on the winning Oscar Traynor Squad: Pakie O’Connor, Paul O’Mahony, Shane O’ Neill and Anthony Buckley.”

“As for next year, who knows? We have a couple of players lined up so we will see but we will enjoy this title first, then regroup and start again in July.”

The Wilton squad consisted of: Alberto Pulimeno, Sean Blake, Brian Kelly, John O Mahony, Phil Haly, Eric McCarthy, Fergal Giltinan, Carroll Daly, Shane O Neill, Steve Daily, Anthony Buckley, Phil Smith, Steve Kenny, Steve McCarthy, Ger O’Connell, Pakie O Connor, Paul O’Mahony, Ritchie Walsh, and Mark Ryan.