RDFL ROUND UP 24/09/23

Roscommon and District League
Round Up 24th September 2023
The first round of the FAI Junior Cup took centre stage on Sunday with teams from the Roscommon and District League doing reasonably well

The Castleplunket side CP came up against Valley Rovers of Sligo on a lovely new Boyle Celtic pitch. A pitch that suited Ajax style of play and right from the off they dominated. Valley defended well for the first 20 minute but Pedro opened the scoring when he cut inside from the left and let off a low shot beating the keeper and into the right bottom corner on the 25th minute. Ajax controlled the game with some fine passing from one side of pitch to the other and there second goal came on 41 minutes from a great passing display to get ball into valley box to the feet of junior who with some skill despite being surround by Valley players managed to find Pedro who got a shot off to be denied by the Valley keeper with the ball landing at the feet of the ever moving Darren Flynn to take it first time and blaze to top right corner. The second half started much the same and on 60 minutes Ryan Larkin scored a superb header from an equally superb cross from Aaron Usher on the right wing. Although Valley Rovers got a few shots off late on it was a comfortable night for cp Ajax.

Moore United had a home game against the Sligo Super League side St Johns F C and Moore and were comfortable 7 – 3 winners. Andy Hussey and Rian Carpenter gave Moore an early lead but the visitors pulled one back a short time later. However from then on it was all Moore United and they were 5 – 1 ahead at half time. Andy Hussey added three more and Jack Nevin and David Griffin added two more to secure a place for the winners in Round 2.

Ballaghaderreen had a home game against the Castlebar side Ballyheane but they were beaten 5 – 1 by a good Mayo Super League side. Shairoze Akram scored for the losers but the goal came a bit late to effect the outcome.

Dunmore Town made the long journey to Iorras Aonthaite but it was the Mayo side who came out on top on a 4 – 1 score line. Savio Olivera scored for Dunmore Town.
Castlerea Celtic conceded their away game to Westport United.

A young Skyvalley Rovers side played Moylough 79 at Onagh Park Taughmaconnell on Sunday but it was a very good Moylough 79 side who came out on top. A tough start for both sides saw few chances and very little sustained possession. However some loose marking allowed Moylough to gain a foothold in the game and despite playing reasonably well for long periods Skyvalley Rovers just couldn’t get back in the game.. Moylough earned a penalty after a slick move down the right wing. The effort was saved by the Skyvalley keeper to keep it level. Joe Whyte kicked off the scoring, putting away a cross from Ian Fahy. Fahy then added a second just before half time to give the visitors a 2-0 lead at the break.
The second half started how the first ended with Moylough controlling the majority of chances with Sean Kelly and Ian Fahy adding two more to the scoresheet. Skyvalley found themselves unable to beat Tommy Shaughnessy in the 79’ net, not from a lack of trying, the keeper making a flurry of saves to defend his clean sheet, his second in as many games.
Alan Conway added a fifth and final goal from the spot after he was brought down just inside the box by a Valley defender.
Moylough adding another 3 points to their tally and have yet to concede a goal in their two games.

St Cuans Ahascragh United beat Roscommon United 4 – 2 at Ahascragh. The sides were level at half time at 1- 1 but in the second half the home side were the better team.
Ethan O Leary scored two and Colin Concannon and Cameron O Leary added one each for the winners with Marcel Gala getting both goals for the Roscommon Town side.

St Johns Athletic beat Cam/ Dysart 3 – 2 at Lecarrow. Jamie Tiernan scored two and Michael Joe Eagan one for the winners and David Cunniffe and Keith Dolan replied for the losers.

In the first game in this seasons RDFL Women’s League Castlerea Celtic and Boyle Celtic drew 1 – 1 at Castlerea. Shannon Dowd gave the home side a 1 -0 lead with a twenty five meter volley but Boyle Celtic scored a deserved equaliser before the end.

Shiven Rovers beat Ballaghaderreen 5 – 0 at Newbridge. The game was even enough until Ballaghaderreen lost their keeper and from then on Shiven dominated. Lucy Dunican scored three and Ciara Lally and Sheenagh Martyn one each for the winners.