Hobson heroics steal a late victory for Kiltegan

KILTEGAN 1-12 STRATFORD-GRANGECON 1-09

JOHN STONES can hardly be too happy with the start up day in his Winter Football League. Of the four match programme he got only one match played.

The match between Valleymount and Blessington could not be played as Valleymount were involved in a Division 2 relegation play off.

Matches between Dunlavin and Lacken and Kilbride and Hollywood were both postponed because of family berievements.

However this match at Kiltegan went ahead despite clashing with an important hurling meeting in the village. This was a one-sided match in the first half with the home side leading by 0-8 to 0-2 at half time.

Early in the second half Stratford-Grangecon won a penalty when Mattie was down and Mikie Carroll gave Ned Doyle no chance with a well taken spot kick.

That score lifted the Slaneysiders and they went on to level the scores late in the game. In the closing minutes Darren Hobson cut through the Stratford defence, played a one-two with Niall Foley before planting the ball in the net for the winner.

Scorers - Kiltegan - Darren Hobson 1-2; Shane Lennon and Johnny Boy Keogh 0-3 each Stephen Farrell 0-2; Darren Nolan and Dan Kearney 0-1 each.

Stratford - Mikie Carroll 1-4; Keith Daly 02; Alan Norton, James Barrett and Matt Manley 0-1 each;

Kiltegan - Ned Doyle; John O'Keeffe, Niall Foley, Wayne Nolan; Padraig Farrell, Eoghan Fitzgerald, Darren Nolan; Dan Kearney, Stephen Farrell; Luke Byrne, Darren Hobson, Shane Lennon; Johnny Boy Keogh, Mark Pierce, Eoin Coogan. Others Ciaran O'Toole and Ciaran Doyle.

Stratford-Grangecon - Dave Nolan; Declan Bollard, Brian Byrne, Pat Dunne; Phillip Landon, James Norton, John Landon; James Barrett, Alan Norton; Matt Manley, Keith Daly, Niall Moore; Nigal 0'Neill, Mikie Carroll, Chris Hanbidge and Mark Landan.