Vincent Brooks looks back on the weekend’s action from the Roscommon and District Football League which saw the League’s Representative side qualify for the knock out stages of the Oscar Traynor Cup.
FAI Oscar Traynor Trophy
The Roscommon and District Football League Team qualified for the knock out stages of the Oscar Traynor Cup the first time since 2012 team following a 1–1 draw away to holders Clare on this afternoon (Sunday).
Having previously beaten the Mayo League at home and drawing with the Galway League at Galway all the Roscommon and District League required was a draw from Sunday’s game away at Ennis to make it through to the last sixteen of the completion. As expected the home side went for an early lead but with Des Hope, Joe Woods and Jack Higgins in top form for the Roscommon and District League they failed to score. As the game went on the Roscommon and District League gained the upper hand and it was no surprise when they took the lead with twenty seven player. A free kick from Des Hope reached Joe Woods who knocked the ball to the Castlerea player Ronan Curran and he gave the Clare keeper no chance with a crisp shot to the keeper’s right. As expected Clare went all out in the second half but with a solid defence and Dominic Bligh and Ronan Curran playing really well it looked like a win for the visitors. However with eighty two played a long ball reached Tommie McKeoghan who scored with a shot off the goal posts amid strong protests from the visiting side for what seemed a clear foul on goal keeper Noel Fallon.
Team; Noel Fallon; Gary Canavan, Jack Higgins, Enda Kenny, Joe Woods; Dominic Bligh, Des Hope, Ronan Curran, Peter Farrell, Darragh Concannon, Andy Nevin.
Subs used; Ethan Keogh for Farrell; Andy Higgins for Nevin.
With the Representative side in action only a small number of games were played in the Roscommon and District Football League itself.
In Norios Take Away sponsored Division 1 of the Roscommon and District Football League Cloonfad United moved to within 3 points of leaders Dysart following a comfortable 5 – 2 win over Ballinasloe Town at Cloonfad. Bobby Douglas and Sean Kearney scored for the winners and Davin Nee and Craig Keighery for Ballinasloe in the first half. After the break Cloonfad United dominated the game and Cian Ruane, Sean Kearney and Nigel Prendergast added three more for the winners.
Dunmore Town kept their hopes of promotion alive when they beat Loughglynn United 4 – 1 at Dunmore. Colm Manhire and Conor Gleeson added one each before Michael Donlon added two more to seal the three points. Barry Nolan replied for Loughglynn United.
In a thrilling local Derby game at Glenamaddy Glen Celtic and old rivals Kilkerrin United drew 1 – 1.Michael Geraghty with a brilliant volley gave Glen Celtic a 1- 0 lead after twenty four minutes. Kilkerrin United scored a deserved equaliser with twenty minutes left to play and despite their best efforts neither team could get a winner.
Roscommon United conceded their game away to Cam Celtic.