RDFL ROUND UP 15/01/2023

Roscommon And District League Round Up 15th January 23
Last weekend the Connacht FA Cup and shield took centre stage and overall it was a mixed day for teams from the Roscommon and District League.

Ballinasloe Town travelled to Tubbercurry and came away with a 3 -2 win over the local side Real Tubber. Josh Mc Carthy gave the visitors a 1 – 0 lead after eighteen minutes but the Sligo Super League side were level six minutes later Ryan Burke added a second for Ballinasloe with fifty five played and their third came by way of an own goal with two minutes remaining. The home side made 3 – 2 near the end but Ballinasloe Town advanced to round three.

Premier Division leaders Boyle Celtic were beaten at home by the Galway Premier Division side Maree/Oranmore. Boyle Celtic were very good for the first seventy five minutes and were 1- 0 up after twenty minutes of play thanks to Reece Conroy. The Galway side converted a penalty kick to level the game with fifteen minutes left to play and added a second within two minutes. With the home side pressing for an equaliser Maree / Oranmore sealed the win with a third goal near the end.

Division 1 side Cloonfad United advanced to the third round thanks to a 4 - 3 extra time win over the Galway Championship side Colemanstown F C at Cloonfad . The visitors scored after two minutes but Cloonfad fought back to take a 2 – 1 lead with thirty five played. They conceded two goals in two minutes but levelled the game in normal time. Robert Heneghan scored one and Darren Keadin two in normal time while Luke Ruane scored the winner for Cloonfad in the first period of Extra time.

Castlerea Celtic advanced to the third round following a thrilling game of football against the Sligo Super league side Strand Celtic at Lecarrow. The sides were level 1 - 1at half time and 2 – 2 at the end of Extra time. Castlerea Celtic held their nerve to win the penalty shootout on a 4 – 3 score line. Strand Celtic were the better side early in the game and were 1 – 0 up after fifteen minutes. With three played in the second half Peter Farrell created a chance for Ronan Curran and he equalised. a Kevin Byrne gave Castlerea Celtic a 2 – 1 lead but Strand Celtic got an equaliser to send the game to extra time and Penalties with Castlerea Celtic winning the shoot out. scored in normal time for Castlerea Celtic.

Moylough 79 travelled to Gort United and came away with a very impressive 3 – 1 win . Michael Kelly scored all three goalsfor Moylough

Skyvalley Rovers were beaten 4 – 1 at home by the Sligo Super league side Cartron United. A very young Skyvalley Rovers side got off to a bad start and were 2 – 0 down after only fifteen minutes. However they continued to battle on and Danny Lynch pulled a goal back to revive their hopes of a come back.

Premier side C P Ajax had a penalty shootout win away to Mervue United “B” after the game finished 1 – 1 at the end of extra time. Finbar Mc Dermott gave the Castleplunket side a deserved lead after fifty minutes of play but the home side were level within five minutes. In the resultant penalty shootout Dan Connolly David Coyne Ryan Larkin and Gavin Callaghan scored for the winners in a 4 – 3 win.

Division 1 leaders Shiven Rovers played the talented Galway Premier Division side Mervue United at Newbridge. While the Visitors were always the better side Shiven Rovers had a great chance to take the lead in the second half. Mervue United benefited from an own goal Just before half time. Adam Farrell levelled the game when he scored for Shiven Rovers with fifty played. Mervue United added two more in the last seven minutes to secure a place in round 3.

St Johns Athletic were beaten 3 – 1at home by the Mayo Super league side Manulla F C. The sides were level at the break but Manulla scored three before Darragh Keenan pulled a goal back for St Johns Athletic

Premier side Moore United were beaten 4 – 2 away to the Sligo Super league Leaders MCR F C. Moore Utd were missing a couple of players and were slow to settle. The home side went 1 – 0 up after twenty minutes but Kevin Kenny slotted an equaliser before half time following good play by Charles Nevin and Emit Kenny. MCR added two more after the break and while Charles Nevin pulled a goal back for Moore with fifteen left to play but Moore could not break down a very experienced MCR side.
Premier side Ballaghaderreen made the long journey to Oughterard and while the hospitality was excellent and the football equally so they just failed to advance to the third round when beaten 2 – 1 in a really close game. Be Feeley scored for Ballaghaderreen.

In the Connacht Shield Ballinagare Manor United beat Renmore “B” 2 – 1 at Ballinagare. Vando gave them the lead after fifteen minutes and he added a second with forty played. The visitors pulled a goal back after seventy but with Diarmuid Boylan Gavin Murray and Aidan Dowd in fine form the home side held out for a comfortable win

Glen Celtic travelled to Castlebar and were unlucky to be beaten in a penalty shootout by Castlebar Celtic “B”. The game finished 3 – 3 at the end of extra time with the home side winning 4 – 3 in the penalty shootout. Gavin Hegarty scored tow and Ryan Mc Hugh one for the Glenamaddy side.

Cam Celtic had an impressive 2 – 1 win over the Mayo League side Fahey Rovers at their Castlebar venue. Eoghan Derwin opened the scoring for Cam Celtic midway through the first half and Jamie Curley added a second within a couple of minutes. Fahy pulled one back early in the second half but with the Quinn brothers and Eoin Menton and Billy Mc Donnell in top form Cam held on to take a place in the last sixteen of the competition

Ballymoe F C beat the Sligo side Ballygawley Celtic 3 – 2 at Ballymoe to advance to the next round. Ballymoe were in top form and while a goal down early in the game they fully deserved their win. Dan Malone scored two and Damien Goggins one for the winners. Cathal Davey scored both goals for he Ballygawley side.

Dunmore Town made the to the Knockmore side Conn Rangers but were eventually beaten 2= 1 by the home side. Padraig Martyn scored for a Dunmore Town side who were not impressed by some of the decisions made on the day.

Division 2 leaders St Cuans / Ahascragh United were beaten 2 – 0 by the Sligo side Benbulben at Ahascragh.

In the Women’s League Cam Celtic are top of the table following a hard earned 2 – 0 win over Colemanstown at Colemanstown. Two late goals from Marian Nolan and team Captain and player of the match Rebecca Collins won all three points for Cam Celtic

Ballaghaderreen are in fourth place following a 2 – 1 win over third placed Shiven Rovers at Ballaghaderreen. Ciara Lally gave the Newbridge side the lead with fifty two played but Tara Phillips and Rebecca Finan scored for the winners in the last fifteen minutes of the game.

Kilkerrin United beat Boyle Celtic 3 – 0 at Kilkerrin. A very good game with both Keepers in sparkling form. Caitlin Boyle scored two and Sarah Ward one for the winners who are now second in the points table.