RDFL Round-up

The Roscommon and District League had their first game in this seasons Oscar Traynor cup at the Mile Bush Stadium Castlebar on Sunday and came away with a 1-1 draw against the Mayo League. Despite it being a good result for the Roscommon and District League they were devastated to concede an equaliser four minutes into added time at the end of the game. Overall the teams were well matched and while the Roscommon and District League created at least four good chances in the first half they were forced to defend in numbers in the second half when Mayo came looking for an equaliser. With ten minutes played the Skyvalley player Ethan Keogh beat the Mayo off side trap and their keeper before sliding the ball to the net. Fifteen minutes later John Coyne from Dysart was in on goal but while his shot beat the keeper it crept just outside the post. Ethan Keogh came close to getting his second but this time the Mayo keeper saved his shot. The Roscommon and District League keeper Noel Fallon also from Dysart pulled off a good save and Jamie Fallon nearly levelled the game with a header just before half time.

As expected the second half saw the Roscommon and District League on the defensive but with their back four of captain Des Hope from Ballinasloe Town Cormack Clogher from Skyvalley Rovers, Enda Kenny from Moore United and James Horan from Ballaghaderreen in top form they denied the Mayo forwards many clear cut chances. Even when they got past the back four they found the visitors keeper Noel Fallon in top form. With four of the five minutes added on at the end of the game played the home side got an equaliser. Benny Lavell who had come on as a substitute fourteen minutes earlier scored for the Mayo League. The Roscommon and District league now have two home games against the Clare and Galway League to secure a place in the Oscar Traynor Cup knock out stages and must be in with a great chance of advancing. The game between the Galway league and the Clare league played earlier had also finished on a 1–1 scoreline.

With the representative side in action only a small number of games were played in the two lower Divisions. The Brazilian side Brazukas join Shiven Rovers at the top of the Norio’s Division 1 points table after a 4 – 1 win over Rahara Rovers at Roscommon. Both teams have sixteen points from their six league games played. Edimilson, Marcos, Dannis and Vando scored for Brazukas.

Ballinasloe Town kept their hopes of catching the leaders alive when they beat Ballaghaderreen 2-1 at Ballinasloe. Conor Kenny gave Ballinasloe Town a 1-0 lead after ten minutes and Niall Keighery added their second just before half time. Gerry Ward pulled a goal back for Ballaghaderreen with sixteen played in the second half but they failed to get an equaliser.

MD Town remain eight points clear at the top of the Division 2 points table following a 5 – 1 win over St Johns Athletic at Milltown. Calum Manhire and Seamus Culkeen gave the home side an early 2–0 lead before Sean Dervin pulled one back for St. John's Athletic. Stephen Varley and James Maloney added two more before the break and Kevin Varley completed the scoring in the second half.

Lough Harps and Moylough 79 were involved in a five goal thriller at Ballinlough before Lough Harps came out on top on a 3–2 score line. With Rob Cregg in top form the home side took the lead after eighteen minutes of play with a volley from Kevin Lynch. Within six minutes Michael Kelly replied for Moylough with an
equally good strike. Michael Golden restored the Lough Harps lead three minutes before the break. However Marcus Finn converted a penalty to leave the sides level with six minutes played in the second half. Kevin Murphy scored a fine solo goal for Lough Harps with fifty six played and they held out to take all three points. Lough Harps are in joint second place in the points table eight points behind the leaders with four games less played.

The Castleplunket side CP Ajax beat Roscommon United 4–1 at Tarmon to move into joint second place behind M D Town with two games in hand. The home side were 2–0 up at half time and added two more before Roscommon United pulled a goal back. Paul Mee scored two and Darren Boyle and Shane Smith added one each for the winners with Michael Lannon replying for the losers.