RDFL ROUND UP 06/02/22

Roscommon & District League Round Up
With the Saturday evening game between leaders Kilkerrin United and second placed Boyle Celtic postponed Ballinasloe Town moved into second place in the Norio’s Premier Division of the Roscommon and District League following their 4 – 0 win over Moylough 79 at Ballinasloe. The teams were even enough for the first half hour but one minute later Ryan Burke was taken down in the Moylough penalty area and Garry Egan converted the resultant spot kick. Just before half time Liam Lynch added a second to give Ballinasloe Town a 2 – 0 half time lead. Liam Lynch added two more after the break.

St Johns Athletic moved into fourth placed in the Premier Division following a 3 – 2 win Ballaghaderreen at Lecarrow. This was a real thriller that could have been won by either side. Danny Browne gave Ballaghaderreen a 1 -0 advantage after thirty three minutes of play. With just two minutes remaining in the first half David Donoghue levelled the game. For the second successive Sunday young Cian Kelly scored a vital goal for St Johns Athletic. This time he gave his side a 2-1 lead with sixty two minutes played. Eamon Harney added a third before Gavin Conway pulled a second back for Ballaghaderreen with two minutes of normal time remaining.

The Castleplunket side C P Ajax closed the gap on Division 1 leaders Ballinasloe Town to three points with three games less played when they beat the Ballinasloe side 2 – 1 at Ballinasloe. Josh Mc Carthy got on the end of a Dylan Keane cross to give Ballinasloe Town a 1- 0 lead with thirty five played. However within three minutes Dan Connolly levelled the game andEvan Flynn scored the winner the Castleplunket side ten minutes into the second half.

In the Promotion section of Division 2 Ballaghaderreen scored a very late winner away to Dunmore Town. Christopher Dunne for the winners and Thomas Gleeson for Dunmore scored before an injury time winner by Conor Mc Greal secured all three pints for Ballaghaderreen.

At a wet and windy Onagh Park Taughmaconnell Skyvalley Rovers beat near neighbours Cam Celtic 3 – 2 in an entertaining game.Cam had windadvantage in the first half and Keith Dolan gave them a lead with just fifteen played. With thirty two played an excellent pass from Darragh Moore gave David Grehan the opening to level the game. Just before half time a fine run and cross by young John Shaughnessy found Darragh Moore at the far post and he gave Skyvalley Rovers a 2- 1 lead. Darragh Moore created an opening for David Grehan to make it 3 -1 with sixty played. With the game in time added on Diarmuid Colgan scored a fine goal for Cam Celtic and almost at the final whistle Joe Quade was only inches away from snatching an equaliser.

St Johns Athletic beat Cloonfad United 4 – 2at Cloonfad. Jamie Tiernan scored two and Carl Feerick and Derek Doyle one each for the winners with Ryan Merchant and Darren Keadin replying for Cloonfad United.

All the remaining games were victim of the heavy rain

Preview.
Next Sunday will see two teams from the Roscommon and District League in action of the 5th Round of this season FAI Centenary Cup with a place in the last sixteen of this prestigious cup at stake.

Roscommon and District League side Ballinasloe Town have a home against the Mayo Champions Ballyheane AFC with a kick off time of 2.00 pm. Backin October Ballinasloe Town travelled to Sligo and a Ryan Burke strike gave them an impressive 1 – 0 win in their first game in this seasons competition.Their next outing in this competition resulted in a 5 – 0 win over Dunmore Town with Keith Kelly scoring two and Jordan O Leary Ryan Burke and Cameron O Leary getting one each.
At the end of November the Ballinasloe side faced a very talented and experienced Listowel Celtic side at Ballinasloe. The home side showing all their experience and love for the big occasion were comfortable 3 – 2 winners. Mark Duffy Darragh Concannon and LiamLynch were their goal scorers.
Mayo Super League Champions Ballyheane F C were not beaten in the Super League last season and are going to provide stiff opposition on Sunday. However they were well beaten at home by Athenry in the Connacht Cup a few weeks ago and the lack of match practice could give this talented Ballinasloe Town side all the advantage they need to advance to the next round.

Boyle Celtic face a bigger test when they make the long journey to the Waterford side Villa F C. The Club which was founded in 1953 is one of the top sides in Munster and are fourth favourites to win this competition this season.
Boyle Celtic will have other ideas and have already travelled to Waterford where they beat Portlaw United 2 – 0. Louis Garvin and Shane Battles scored their goals in that game. In the Previous rounds the beat Ballymoe F C 2 – 0 before beating MCR F C 4 – 2 away. Mike Corrigan scored two and Brian Mc Crann and Luca Roddy scored one each.
They beat Manorhamilton 4 – 0 in the next round with Michael Corrigan Fintan Cregg Shane Battles and Louis Garvin scoring their goals. They had a good home draw with Ballinasloe Town in their most recent game and despite starting as underdogs they will still be in with a reasonable chance of reaching the last sixteen of the competition.
The Roscommon and District League extend their best wishes to both teams and know they will be great representatives of the League.