SFL Div 4, Kildangan 1:19 Straffan 1:05

Our senior team got the year off to a flying start with a comprehensive win at a windswept Straffan on Monday evening. Kildangan raced into an early lead with some fine scores from half forwards Alan Courtney and Shane Stafford. We were then dealt a major blow midway through the half when Courtney was forced to leave the field with a hamstring strain. Ironically, Straffan lost their centre forward and main talisman, Kenny Byrne, shortly afterwards with a similar injury.

Despite the setback, Kildangan kicked on and a well worked move culminated in a Tom Moran goal but this was quickly cancelled out by a similar score at the other end. Eric O’Hara kept Kildangan in front with a fine point from the wing and John Miller pointed a late free following a foul on Declan McGrath. The half time whistle sounded with Kildangan 1.8 to 1.3 infront.

With Padraig Casey and Stephen Quigley dominating at midfield, Kildangan took a firm grip on the game in the second half and the scores followed. Quigley, Brendan Abbey, Tom Moran and Shane Stafford all tagged on points to build a commanding lead. At the back, Colin Christie had an outstanding game at number three and read every delivery aimed in his direction. Anything that he didn’t collect around the square was quickly swept up by Billy Stevenson and Tom Deveraux who were both in top form.

It’s early days and we won’t get carried away, but nevertheless, it was a good performance and there were many positives to take away from this game. We all look forward to Monday evening next when Leixlip make the long trip to Kildangan where we will hopefully have plenty of home support.