RDFL ROUND UP 21/04/24

Roscommon and District League
Round up 21st April 2024
Congratulations are extended to Ballaghaderreen F C who the new Roscommon and District League Champions following a 3 – 0 win over runners up Boyle Celtic at Ballaghaderreen on Sunday. It was their first even Premier League title although they have won many other trophies over their long history in the Roscommon and District League. This season they lost just two of their thirteen league games played but needed a win from this home game to secure the title. The first half was very entertaining with both teams creating many chances, but the sides went in at half time scoreless. The turning point of the game came with fifty played. Cormac Rushe won a free kick jst outside the left corner of the Boyle penalty area. The talented Danny Browne curled a superb free kick into the top corner of the Boyle Celtic net. Callum Andrews came very close to levelling the game six minutes later but with sixty-one played Ballaghaderreen added their second. This time it was Shiroze Akram who won a free kick on the right wing and Danny Browne’s free kick came off the head of a Boyle Celtic defender before ending up in the net Boyle net.
Two minutes later the game as a contest ended when Ballaghaderreen added their third again from a free kick. Dany Browne’s free kick reached Cathal Horan who scored from close range. The losers had the ball in the Ballaghaderreen net on two occasions, but they were pulled up for off side and any slight chance of a comeback ended when they had a player sent off near the end of the game.

The Castleplunket side C P Ajax picked up three valuable points from their away game against Moore United and moved into fourth place in the Premier Division points table. They started well and with Dan Connolly in top form they were 2 - 0 up at half time. Dan Connolly’s shot was parried by the Moore keeper and Sam French was quickest to react and slammed the ball to the Moore net. Rowan Wagner added a second just before half time. Moore United were much better alter the break and Alan Duffy pulled a goal back early in the second half. The teams were level with three minutes left to play. Moore won a penalty kick and Charles Nevin made no mistake from the penalty spot. With four of the five minutes of time added on at the end of the game played C P Ajax won a free kick. Dan Connolly’s free kick resulted in a penalty kick and Connolly stepped up to convert and win all three points for the Castleplunket side.

Ballinasloe Town kept their hopes of avoiding relegation alive when they beat St Johns Athletic 1 – 0 at Ballinasloe. The only goal of the game was scored by Mark Richardson after four minutes of play.

Congratulations to Ballymoe F C who were crowned Division 1 Champions and gained promotion to next seasons Preier Division following a 3 -2 win over nearest challengers Skyvalley Rovers at Onagh Park Taughmaconnell on Friday evening. It was a game Ballymoe needed to win and after coming from behind on two occasions the snatched a win mainly thanks to their ever reliable goal scorer Damien Goggins who scored their three goals. Skyvalley Rovers went in front after six minutes. Ethan Nkololo won possession on the right wing and his cross reached Mike Garvey who won a penalty kick for Skyvalley Rovers. Elhan Nkololo converted the spot kick. The lead lasted just two minutes before Damien Goggins took advantage of slack marking and slotted the ball to the corner of the net. Skyvalley Rovers were back in front with twenty-two played. A corner kick was headed on at the front post and Keelan Galvin was in the right place to head to the Ballymoe net. The turning point came when Damien Goggins reacted quickly to a cross into the Skyvalley Rovers penalty area and was taken down. He completed his hat trick from the penalty spot.
The Division 2 Cup Final featuring St Cuans / Ahascragh United and Cam Celtic Dysart was abandoned early in the second half when a Cam Dysart player sustained a leg injury following an accident clash. The score was 1 – 1 at the time and the teams will meet again in the near future.
In the Women’s Division 1 Semi-Final Castlerea Celtic beat Ballinasloe Town 6 – 2 at Castlerea. The game was much closer than the score suggested but is Castlerea Celtic who will play Ballaghaderreen in the final. Rachel Gormley scored three and Aoife Smyth Holly Hopkins and Sarah Diggins added one each for the winners with Sarah Smyth and Emer Porter replying for Ballinasloe Town.