KILKENNY CITY won the First Division championship with a nervous 1-0 defeat of St Francis on Saturday night. Afterwards, manager Alfie Hale claimed that he'll have the team in Europe within three years.

Hale holds little fear of his side following the usual pattern of promoted clubs in coming straight back down to the First Division.

"We have the foundation of a very solid club structure and I believe we have many quality young players coming through," said Hale.

John Power got the only goal of a game St Francis will feel they should have had sewn up at halftime. Kilkenny skipper Paul Cashin floated a 54th minute corner to the near post where Power's glancing header was adjudged to have crossed the line before Martin Reid helped it in.

Donal Golden got both goals as Waterford United moved back into third place in the table after they beat Limerick FC 2-0 at Hogan Park yesterday.

Galway United completed their home programme with a disappointing 1-1 draw with Mongahan United before a crowd of scarcely 200 on Saturday night.

In an uneventful game at Strokestown Road, Longford Town and Cobh Ramblers drew 0-0.