RDFL ROUND UP 12/05/24

Roscommon and District league
Round up 12th May 2024
With the winners of Premier Division, Division 1 and Division 2 of the Roscommon and District League already decided the main focus over the next few weeks will be on the Relegation / Promotion battles and the completion of the outstanding Cup competitions.
Last Sunday the bottom four teams in the Premier Division were battling to avoid relegation and while it looked likely to be decided at the end of the day the postponement of the Ballinasloe v Castlerea Celtic due to a very sad incident which cost the live of one of the Ballinasloe Town players caused this game to be postponed.
The two teams will now play at Ballinasloe next Sunday with one of the teams being relegated.
Last seasons Champions Moore United and Shiven Rovers played at Moore and as a result of their 1 – 1 draw both teams are not out of the woods. Keith Murphy gave Shiven Rovers the lead with fifteen played and they had a great chance to increase their lead a few minutes later but missed. Moore were awarded a penalty with twenty-eight played and Charles Nevin converted.

Champions Ballaghaderreen beat C P Ajax 6 – 0 at Ballaghaderreen but as C P Ajax are safely in mid table the result had no real significance. Tom Ward scored two and Peter Horan one in the first half and Conor Mc Grael Danny Browne and Aaron Smyth added three more in the second half.
Runners up Boyle Celtic finished 0 – 0 against third placed St Johns Athletic.

Congratulations are extended to Dunmore Town who won the Division 1 Cup following an extra time 1 – 0 win over Skyvalley Rovers. It was a game where the defences were on top through out and there were few real scoring opportunities created. The first real chance came to the winners when Declan Forde shot wide when well placed.
Michael Garvey came closest to scoring for Skyvalley Rovers but his shot following a corner kick was too high. With fifteen played in the second half Skyvalley created their best chance of the game. Shane Downey created an opening for Cormack Moore and his perfect cross reached Danny Lynch but his header was just over. Raman Saman did open up the Skyvalley Rvs defence before the end of normal time but the reliable Keelan Galvin was quickest to react and make a vital clearance. With the teams tiring in extra time it looked like a penalty shoot out was on the cards but with five minutes remaining in extra time Padraig Martin got free on the left wing and his perfect cross was turned into the Skyvalley Rovers net by Raman Saman
Afterwards the League Secretary presented the Cup to the Dunmore Captain Dylan Fallon.

In the outstanding game in Division 2 Roscommon United beat Ballaghaderreen second side 9 – 2 at Ballaghaderreen. Kavana Donlon scored three and Owen Hoare and Marcel Gala added two each. Shane Doolin and Jay Donlon added one each for the winers and Kgothatso Mathole and Kyle Lowry replied for the losers.
In the Masters league Rahara Rovers beat C P Ajax 2 – 0 at Rahara. Gareth Mulligan and Padraig Carney scored their goals.
Colemanstown beat Roscommon United 2 – 1 at Colemanstown.
The Roscommon and District League extend their sincere sympathy to the Campbell Loughnane and extended families on the death of young Brian Campbell from the Ballinasloe Club. Sad times for all concerned. May Brian rest in peace.

Preview.

Next Sunday the two Semi-Finals of the Joes Bar Roscommon and District League Challenge Cup are being played at the Roscommon and District League Grounds Lecarrow. The first game sees Premier Division side Moore United play Division 2 side Cloonfad United with a kick off time of 11.00 am. Moore United were beaten 1 – 0 in last seasons final by Castlerea Celtic and they will be hoping for a better outcome this season. Cloonfad United were more than a bit unlucky not to reach last seasons final and while their Division 2 status might indicate otherwise they have already beaten Premier side St Johns Athletic in the previous round.

The other Semi- Final features Premier sides Shiven Rovers and the Castleplunket side C P Ajax with a kick off time of 3.00 PM. The Newbridge based Shiven Rovers beat Ballinasloe Town and Moylough 79 to reach the Semi-Final while C P Ajax beat Skyvalley Rovers and Castlerea Celtic to reach the Semi-Finals.
Shiven Rovers won the Cup two years ago and won one and drew one of their last two games against Sundays opposition.
Two really good games are expected and who ever reaches the final they will have it i well earned