Hoban’s goal sinks Lilywhites

Stephen Hoban’s 46th minute goal edged Mayo to victory over Kildare in Castlebar yesterday.

Hoban flicked a long ball from Keith Higgins to the net which fired the hosts into a three point lead and that killed off the visitors’ challenge.

Prior to the goal, the game had been a shoot-out between both the free takers with Mayo’s Kenny Feeney landing 11 points with 10 from placed balls while Paul Divilly had eight for Kildare with all but one from frees.

Kildare looked to be the stronger side in open play, but persistent fouling was punished time and again by Mayo and the home outfit led 0-12 to 0-11 at half-time.

Kildare had a wonderful chance of a goal moments after Hoban’s strike but Martin Fitzgerald pulled his effort wide.

It was a welcome outcome for the Connacht men after the controversy surrounding their missed flight home from London last weekend.

MAYO: D O’Brien; S Connell, D McTighe, A Brennan; S Markham, A Connolly, S Morley; K Higgins (0-1), D McConn; P O’Grady, C Freeman (0-2), K Feeney (0-11,9f, 1 65’); D McDonnell, S Hoban (1-3), B Hunt (0-3).

Sub: F Lyons for S Markham (27).

KILDARE: C Gallagher; N O’Muineacháin, P Keegan, J Doran; B Cahill, K Divilly, E O’Neill; D Butler (0-1), M Moloney (0-1); C Kenny, P Divilly (0-8,7f), D Smith (0-1); M Fitzgerald (0-4, 1f), T Murphy (0-2), L Quinn (0-1).

Subs: R Kelly (0-1) for D Smith (50), P Reidy for B Cahill (57), B Deay for L Quinn (57), G Tynan for P Divilly (67), N Doolin for C Kenny (67).

Referee: C Brown (Galway)