18/02/24 RDFL ROUND UP

Roscommon and District League
Round Up 18th February 2024
The race for the Premier Division Championship is really close with all three teams in contention winning on Sunday. With just four games remaining Ballaghaderreen share the lead with Boyle Celtic but Ballaghaderreen have a game less played. St Johns Athletic are six points further back and they still have an outside chance of catching the leaders.
Ballaghaderreen F C were to play Moore United away at Moore but their pitch was unplayable and so the game was switched to Ballaghaderreen. At the end of the game the home side were 4 – 0 winners. The first fifteen minutes of the game was even enough but when Danny Browne scored a fine opening goal for the home side it settled they nerves and they were much better for the remainder of the game. A few minutes later Moore conceded an own goal and with thirty played Shairoze Akram created a clear opening for Danny Browne to score his second. Just before half time the talented Shairoze Akram added a fourth for the winners and strangely enough that completed the scoring.

Boyle Celtic kept their title challenge going following a 4 – 2 win over Castlerea Celtic at Castlerea. A heavy pitch following the earlier heavy rain made it difficult for both teams and while Boyle Celtic came away with the three points the home side were in contention for most of the game. Castlerea Celtic were 1 – 0 up at half time. A Jarlath Geraghty free kick took a deflection off a defender and finished in the Boyle net. Boyle Celtic started the second half well and Dessie Carlos levelled the game early in the second half and Callum Andrews added a second for Boyle Celtic a few minutes later. Michael Corrigan made it 3 – 1 before Michael Conroy scored for Castlerea Celtic. Both teams had chances before Collum Andrews sealed the points with a late score or Boyle Celtic

St Johns Athletic beat Shiven Rovers 4 – 0 at Lecarrow. The visitors were missing three of their best players and were 3 – 0 down at half time and conceded a forth five minutes into the second half. Jamie Tiernan scored three and Simon Leonard converted a penalty kick for the winners with Sean Lohan replying for the Newbridge side.

While the battle for the top place is close the relegation battle is even closer with just a single point separating the bottom four of C P Ajax, Ballinasloe Town, Moore United and Castlerea Celtic. And while Shiven Rovers are a point better off than the other four they have two games more played.

The Castleplunket side C P Ajax relinquished home advantage and travelled to Ballinasloe on Sunday. They were rewarded with a 2 – 0 win and now have a real chance of avoiding the drop. The visitors got stuck in from the start and Dan Connolly opened the scoring after twenty-five minutes when a corner from James Egan was headed to the top right corner of the Ballinasloe Town net. Ballinasloe caused problems for the C P Defence but they held firm. With twenty left to play Dan Connolly added his second and again James Egan provided the cross. The winners play Galway Hibs away next weekend in the Connacht Shield.

In the only game played in Division 1 Ballinagare / Manor United had an impressive 5 – 1 win over Moylough at Ballinagare. The ever-reliable Gerry Ward scored three and Jay Mc Cartney and Bernie Stokes added one each.

In Division 2 St Cuans / Ahascragh United kept their hopes of winning this Division alive following a hard earned 3 – 1 win over Cam Celtic / Dysart at Dysart. This was a close game with the result in doubt until the last five minutes of the game when the winners got their third. David Cunniffe gave the home side a deserved half time lead and Conor Fitzgerald Liam O Connor and Ryan Fitzpatrick scored for St Cuans / Ahascragh Utd.

In the Reserve league Boyle Celtic beat Roscommon United 6 – 1 at Boyle. Conor Calpin scored two and Abdul, Daniel Hughes Colm Morris and Adam Dwyer added one each.

Shiven Rovers beat Ballinagare / Manor Utd 3 – 0 at Newbridge. Joe Horan scored two and Cian Downy one for the winners.

Congratulations are extended to the Boyle Celtic under 17 Girls who won the Connacht Shield at the Roscommon and District League grounds Lecarrow on Saturday. They beat Maree Oranmore 2 – 0 in a tense final. Shauna Mc Grath in the first half and Aida Conneady in the second half were the goal scorers.

Cam Celtic had a home game in the Women’s Connacht Cup Quarter - Finals but despite a good display they were beaten 2 – 1 by a talented Corrib Celtic side. The Galway side played with the aid of the wind in the first half and were two goals up early in the game. Cam Celtic settled as the half wore on and with their defence and midfield now playing better they created some scoring chances. They were rewarded ten minutes into the second half when Rebecca Collins found Marion Nolan who volleyed to the Corrib Celtic net. Cam Celtic gave it their all until the end of the game but could no break down a resolute Corrib Celtic defence.

In the Quarter – finals of the Women’s Connacht Shield Castlerea Celtic travelled to the Mayo side Gurteen Celtic but after playing reasonably well they were beaten 2 – 1 by the home side. The sides were level at half time with Shannon Dowd getting an equaliser for Castlerea Celtic. Both teams had chances in the second half but it was the home side who scored the winner with five minutes left to play.

In the Roscommon and District League Women’s League Shiven Rovers beat St Cuans / Ahascragh United 4 – 0 at Ahascragh. Sarah Gavin converted a penalty kick for the winners with thirty two played and eight minutes later Leah Heavy added a second. Sarah Gavin and MIRNE Kilcommins added two more after the break.