RDFL 17/04/24

Roscommon and District League
Round up 14th April 2024
Two teams from the Roscommon and District League are through to the Semi-Finals of the Connacht Shield following excellent results on Sunday. Cloonfad United had a home game against the Galway Championship side Dynamo Blues. Cloonfad United played with the wind in the first half but had a lucky break in the first minute when the Tuam side missed the easiest of chances. With seven played Conor Flynn picked up from a long throw and turned his marker before scoring for Cloonfad. With forty-one played Reece Ryan levelled the game when he scored for Dynamo Blues. Within a minute Conor Ruane restored the Cloonfad United lead.
Playing against the wind Cloonfad were better and Neil Morris made it 3 – 1 with sixty-three played and Conor Flynn added his second with seventy-one played. Any hope of a come back by the Tuam side were dashed when the had two players sent off near the end.

Ballinagare / Manor United travelled to the Sligo / Leitrim Premier Division side Dromahair F C and after an exciting game that went to extra time the Roscommon and District League Division 1 side came out on top on a 4 – 3 scoreline. It was the first time in the history of the Club to make a Connacht Semi- Final. The winners raced into a 3 – 0 lead but the home side never gave up and levelled the game with twelve minutes remaining in normal time. Both teams had chances to win the game in extra time before a stunning free kick from Jay Mc Cartney with two minutes remaining won the game for Ballinagare / Manor Utd. Jay Mc Cartney opened the scoring for the Roscommon side with twenty played. Aaron Dowd added a second to give the visitors a 2 – 0 halftime lead. Prolific scorer Gerry Ward made it 3 – 0 with fifty played with a neat flick over the keeper. Dromahair never let up and scored three goals in the next twenty-eight minutes to level the game. However, Jay Mc Cartney was the man of the moment when he got the decider. The visitors were very impressed with the Dromahair hospitality after the game.

Moore United faced the very good Galway Premier Division side Colga F C at Moore with a place in the Connacht Cup Semi-Finals at stake. The home side started well and Josh Lennon gave them a 2 – 0 lead. However, Joe Gaughan and Calum Browne had the sides level at the break. In the second half Tom Daly scored three for Colga F C before Graham Petit added a third for Moore United.

Congratulations are extended to the Cam Celtic who were crowned Women’s League Champions following a 2 – 0 win over nearest challengers Kilkerrin United at Cam.
Playing with the wind in the first half the title holders were quick to score. Rebecca Collins headed home an Aine O Connor’s cross with just five on the clock. Their second came fifteen minutes later when Karen O Boyle ran on to an Aishling O Byrne cross and scored. Cam Celtic were under a lot of pressure in the second half but they defended in numbers and kept a good Kilkerrin United side scoreless.

Castlerea Celtic and Ballinasloe Town drew 2 – 2 in their Premier Division game. The fixture was moved to Boyle due to weather conditions, but it was Ballinasloe Town who were quickest to adapt to the changed venue. Dylan Keane and Garry Egan gave them a 2 – 0 lead with just fifteen played and they were unlucky not to score a third with the ball coming back off the Castlerea Cross bar. Castlerea gradually improved but it was not until the second half when they looked like getting back into the game. With seventy played Calum Pacey pulled a goal back and ten minutes later Frank Hester volleyed over the Ballinasloe Town keeper to level the scoring. The teams will meet again in a couple of week’s time with the winners of that game likely to avoid relegation to Division 1.

Ballymoe F C had an impressive 3 – 1 in over Dunmore Town on Sunday in their Division 1 battle at Ballymoe. It was a must win game for both teams but with the ever-reliable Damien Goggins in scoring form it was Ballymoe who kept their title hopes very much on track. Paddy Rowsome opened the scoring for Ballymoe with thirteen played when he scored from close range following a corner kick. Five minutes before half time Damien Goggins made it 2 – 0 for Ballymoe. Thomas Gleeson pulled a goal back for Dunmore Town early in the second half but with twenty left to play Damien Goggins sealed a win for Ballymoe when he got his second.
Ballymoe F C will play Skyvalley Rovers in their last league match of the season on Friday night at Taughmaconnell with the winners automatically gaining Promotion to the Premier League next season and they will also be crowned Division 1 Champions.

St Cuans / Ahascragh United are through to the Division 2 Cup Final and a meeting with Cam Celtic / Dysart next weekend following a hard earned 2 – 1 win over Roscommon United at Ahascragh. Roscommon United scored early through Kavana Donlon but Michelin Fogarty had the sides level at half time. Cameron O Leary gave the winners a 2 – 1 win with fifty-five played and only some desperate defending kept them in front until the final whistle.

Castlerea Celtic ended their Women’s League campaign with a 6 – 1 win over St Cuans / Ahascragh United. Aoife Smyth and Holly Hopkins scored three each with Lyn Cullaghan replying for the losers.

Ballinasloe Town and Ballaghaderreen FC drew 0 – 0 at Ballinasloe.

In the Men’s Reserve Division Moore United are looking good to retain their crown following a 3- 1 win over Roscommon Town at Roscommon. Tommy Naughton Liam Johnston and Jason Cunningham scored for Moore with Jay Donlon replying for the losers.
Shiven Rovers and Dunmore Town drew 0 – 0 at Newbridge.