Vincent Brooks looks back on the week’s action from the Roscommon and District Football League.
Well done to Roscommon and District league Premier Division side Ballinasloe Town who had a great win over the Connacht Cup holders Mervue United at the Curragh Grounds Ballinasloe on Sunday. As a result they are through to the Connacht Cup Final in a Months time and a meeting with Atherny at Lecarrow. The game went all the way to a penalty shoot out before Ballinasloe Town came out on top on a 3 – 0 score line. Regular keeper Aidan Fallon was injured during the game but stand in keeper Padraig Maloney was the hero of the day as he saved three successive penalty kicks in the shoot out.
Ballinasloe Town were the better side in the first half and Liam Lynch gave them a half time lead with a neat volley after twenty seven minutes of play. Mervue United levelled the game with a simple free kick with sixty five played and there were no more scores in normal or extra time. Peter Keighery Liam Lynch and Shane Tracy converted their penalty kicks for the winners.
Castlerea Celtic are the new leaders of the Herald Premier Division of the Roscommon and District Football League following a hard earned 3–2 win over Dysart at Castlerea. With just three series of games left to play they are one point clear of Ballinasloe Town and four clear of Moore United who have a game less played. Owen Garvin gave Dysart an early lead but Peter Farrell headed a Niall Higgins cross to the Dysart net to level the game at the half time break. Early in the second half David Fitzpatrick was fouled and Ronan Curran converted from the penalty spot. Dysart levelled the game by way of an own goal but Dominic Bligh won all three points for Castlerea Celtic with a fine header.
Congratulations are extended to John Connolly Donald Doherty Michael Daly and the Players of Lough Harps Football Club who were crowned Division 2 Champions following a 1–0 win over Roscommon United at Roscommon. With Michael Flynn and Adrian Cregg in top form the Ballinlough side scored the winner with fourteen minutes left to play. Michael Golden scored the winner for his side that only lost one game all season in their league champions run. Well done
In the third round of the Roscommon and District Football League Challenge Cup Ballymoe beat fellow Premier Division side Ballaghaderreen 3–0 at Ballaghaderreen. Keith Muldoon opened the scoring for Ballymoe with a stunning strike with seventeen minutes played. Ross Timothy added a second nine minutes later after beating a couple of defenders. Ballaghaderreen came well into the game but were cough on the break when Daniel Malone added a third for Ballymoe.
Division 1 Champions Shiven Rovers are through to the Quarter-Finals of the Cup following a 1–0 win over Cloonfad United at Newbridge. The home side remain unbeaten all season in the Roscommon and District League competitions and could pose a real threat in the Cup. Cloonfad United missed a great chance to take the lead before half time when they were awarded a penalty kick. However Damien Lynch made a great stop to deny Ger Fagan. Shiven dominated the closing stages and with ten minutes to go Keith Murphy created an opening for Aidan McInerney and he scored the winner. Shiven Rovers have a home game against Division 2 side Lough Harps in the Quarter–Finals.
Premier side Moore United beat Division 1 side Brazukas 5–1 at Roscommon. Alan Duffy scored two and Shane Mulvey Kevin Kenny and Eric Molloy added one each with Lucas De Paula replying for the Brazilian side. They are at home to Ballymoe FC in the Quarter-Finals.
Skyvalley Rovers received a walk over the Milltown Dunmore side M D Town and Loughglynn United conceded their game to St. Johns Athletic.
In Division 1 Kilkerrin United beat Rahara Rovers 7–1 at Rahara. Aidan Kitt scored four and Jason Ward, Keith Mahon and Damien Mahon added one each for Kilkerrin with Luke Donnelly replying for the losers.
Glen Celtic Beat Ballaghaderreen 5–1 at Ballaghaderreen. Ryan Mc Hugh scored two and Simon Stachurski and Paysar Pong and Willie Comer added one each.
In Division 2 M D Town beat Cloonfad United 2–1 at Milltown. Anton Nimic and Danny Farragher for M D Town and Ryan Merchant for Cloonfad were the goal scorers. All three came in the first half.