Roscommon & District League Round-Up 2nd September 2018

The Roscommon and District League commenced their forty ninth season of football at the weekend with teams from all three divisions in action. In the Raftery’s Oakland Hotel Premier Division, title holders St. Peter’s FC continued where they left off last season when they beat Cloonfad United 7 – 0 at Cloonfad. The winners were 4 – 0 up at the break with Paul Allen, Noel McGee, Brian Caldwell and Niall Scullion scoring. Henry Odia added three more for the winners after the break.

Last season’s runners up Ballinasloe Town eased to a comfortable 4 – 0 win over a very young Moore United side. Mike Lynch and Darrel Finn gave the winners a 2 – 0 half time lead and Finn and Liam Lynch added two more in the closing stages.

Boyle Celtic started their campaign with a thrilling 5 – 3 win over Skyvalley Rovers at Onagh Park, Taughmaconnell. A young Skyvalley Rovers side took a deserved lead after twenty three minutes of play. A well struck corner kick by Garry Patton was headed across goal by David Grehan and Brian Croffey headed to the Boyle Celtic net. The visitors levelled the game after three minutes of the second half thanks to a Danny Browne volley. Daniel Hughes added two more inside the next twelve minutes but David Grehan made it 3 – 2 with twenty six played. Hughes restored the two goal cushion before a long range effort from Shane Hardiman gave the home side a boost. However, Tiernan Henry sealed the three points for Boyle Celtic when he scored near the end.

Last Season’s Division One Champions Kilkerrin United returned to the Premier Division and they beat fellow promoted side Strokestown United 4 – 0 at Kilkerrin. Brian McDermott, Kevin Traynor and a great long range effort from Evan Fahy had the home side 3 – 0 up at the break. Evan Fahy added a fourth in the second half.

Shiven Rovers beat Dysart 2 – 1 in an exciting game at Newbridge. Eoghan Browne gave the home side a 1 – 0 lead after twenty minutes and James Coyne levelled the game eleven minutes later. Just before half time Sean Keating restored the Shiven Rovers lead and despite almost constant pressure from the visitors Shiven held out to take all three points.

The Castlerea Celtic v Ballymoe game was postponed as a mark of respect to the late Pauline Curran.

In the Norio’s Takeaway Division One, Ahascragh United drew 2 – 2 with newly promoted Rahara Rovers at Ahascragh. Cian Loughrey gave the home side a 1 – 0 lead after twenty three minutes with Vando levelling the game fourteen minutes later. Pat Mongan restored the Ahascragh lead with fifty seven played but Marcos headed a corner kick to level the game with sixty nine played.

Ballaghaderreen FC (pictured) and St. John’s Athletic also drew 2 – 2 at Ballaghaderreen with all the goals coming in the first half. Shane Towey and Donald Forest gave the home side a 2 – 0 lead with Alan Murry and a penalty kick from Tommie Hurley winning a point for the visitors.

Dunmore Town and C P Ajax also drew 2 – 2 at Dunmore. Thomas Gleeson and Niall Rattigan gave Dunmore a 2 – 0 lead while Daniel Connolly scored both goals for the Castleplunket side in the second half.

Last season’s Division Two champions Moylough ‘79 beat Ballinasloe Town to go top of the Norio’s Takeaway Division One points table. Aridas took advantage of a keeper mistake to give Moylough an early lead. However, Ballinasloe Town were level five minutes later through Andy McKelvey. With fifteen minutes left to play Leo Donnellan won a penalty kick and the reliable Marcus Finn scored the winner for Moylough.

In the Killeen Sports Grounds Division Two, Glen Celtic were beaten 3 – 2 at home by Cloonfad United. The home side went a goal ahead thanks to Jason Connelly but Kurt Reinhardt, Darren O’Malley and Sean Griffin all scored for the winners before Glen Celtic pulled a goal back through Darragh Murphy.

Roscommon United could be the team to beat in this division as they beat Ballymoe’s second side 7 – 0 at Ballymoe. The ever reliable Jamie Bracken scored four while Colm Noone, Thomas Hanley and Carl Garvin with the aid of a deflection were also on target.

Shiven Rovers beat a young Skyvalley Rovers side 4 – 1 at Newbridge. Karl Healy, Darragh Murphy and two from David Kelly gave the winners an early 4 – 0 lead. The visitors steadied the ship after that and pulled a goal back in the second half.

Manor United made a welcome return to the Roscommon & District Football league as they beat fellow new side St. Cuan’s United 2 – 0 at Roscommon. Tom Wall scored both their goals.