The Connacht Cup and Shield competitions took centre stage on Sunday but unfortunately it was not a good day for three of the four teams Roscommon and District League teams.
In the Connacht Cup, Division 1 side Ballinahown were pipped for a place in the semi–finals when beaten 5-4 by Mervue United. Mervue are currently one of the top sides in Galway.
Overall, there was little between the sides with Ballinahown leading for long periods of the game. However, they lost out to a winning goal scored with two minutes of normal time remaining.
Terry Byrne, David Harrington, Oisin O’Reilly and an own goal made up the Ballinahown total. David Tarmey, Oisin Coyne, Jason Molloy (two) and Kody McCann accounting for the Mervue total.
Castlerea Celtic travelled to the Galway City side Salthill Devon. Despite the 3–0 score line Castlerea can be happy with how they played against the Galway Premier Division leaders.
Michael Gallagher gave the hosts a 1–0 lead at half-time. Enda Curran and Alex Murphy added two more in the closing minutes of the game.
Cloonfad United are through to the Connacht shield semi-finals following an impressive 5–1 win over the Sligo\Leitrim side Ballisodare at Cloonfad.
It was not as easy as the scoreline would suggest. It was only in the closing stages of the game that Cloonfad gained control and secured the win.
Jack Madden gave Cloonfad the lead after nine minutes, Niall Hahessy had the side’s level on the half-hour.
However, Matthew Frayne scored a second for Cloonfad three minutes later. Jack Madded, David Hennessy and Conor Flynn from the penalty spot added three more for Cloonfad in the last 15 minutes.
Also in the Connacht shield, the Ballinlough side Lough Harps made the long journey to Kinvara. However, despite playing well for long periods they were eventually beaten 3–0.
In the Roscommon and District League Premier Division, title holders St. Johns Athletic are within touching distance of retaining their title following an impressive 5–0 win over Ballymoe FC at Lecarrow.
With just two league games remaining they are six points clear of nearest challengers Boyle Celtic. While Castlerea Celtic are 10 points behind the leaders, they have two games less played.
Two goals from Kevin Brennan and one each from Tommy Hurley and Conor Devaney gave St. Johns a 4–0 half-time cushion. Tommy Hurley added a fifth.
Moore United drew 3–3 away to bottom side Dunmore Town and their chances of becoming champions are ended.
Dunmore look like being relegated and while they are in the top three for scoring goals this season they have conceded the highest number in the Premier Division.
Jason McPhilbin and Jack Nevin had Moore 2–0 up after 25 minutes. Ramann Saman pulled one back for the hosts 12 minutes later. Declan Forde levelled the game just before half-time.
Shane Dunning restored the Moore lead, 15 minuntes into the second-half. However, Thomas Byrne created an opening for Ramann Saman to get an equaliser in injury time.
Skyvalley Rovers and Shiven Rovers drew 2-2 in a very exciting and hard-fought game at Onagh Park Taughmaconnell.
Both teams created a huge number of chance but keepers Donnacha Monaghan and Daragh Murphy were in excellent form.
Emmett Kelly gave the hosts an early lead after good work by Conal Moore, Danny Lynch and Michael Garvey.
The visitors levelled the game on 21 minutes through Sean Keating. Following good work from Stephen Murray and Keith Murphy.
Keith Murphy scored a fine second seven minutes into the second-half. However, the hosts scored a deserved equalised after 72 minutes. While both teams had chances to win the game overall a draw was a fair result.
In the only game played in Division 1, Ballinasloe Town kept their hopes of promotion alive with a 3-1 win away at Kilkerrin.
Three early goals from Daragh Concannon, Cian Campbell and Mark Kilkenny sealed all three points Ballinasloe.
In the Killeen’s Sports Fields, Division 2 Carrick Town had a comfortable 5–0 win over Cloonfad United’s second side. Carrick remain very much in contention for promotion at the end of the season.
Niall Bambrick broke the deadlock on 27 minutes. Amas Tobi, Zorar Ahmadi, Michael Murtagh and Brandon Boyce added four more for the Carrick-on-Shannon side in the second-half.
Cam Celtic/Dysart beat Roscommon “B” 4–1 at Dysart. Carlos Araujo gave Roscommon an early lead. However, Ben Moran had the side’s level at half-time.
David McDonnell added a second for Celtic\Dysart before Gareth Mulligan scored two more in the closing minutes of the game.
In an entertaining game St. Cuans/Ahascragh United drew 3–3 at Ahascragh. Moore went 2–0 up. However, the hosts pulled a goal back through Ross Coen.
Moore struck again to make it 3–1 with Conor Fitzgerald and Peter Birch levelling the game just before the end.
In the Women’s League, Ballaghaderreen beat Boyle Celtic 2–0 at Ballaghaderreen.
Ballaghaderreen are now two points better off than nearest challengers Dunmore Town. However, Dunmore have a game less played.
The hosts took the lead on 20 minutes through Leanne Foley. Ava Hanley added a second on 35 minutes. Despite some fine football by both teams in the second-half no goals were scored.
Dunmore Town were beaten away to Castlerea Celtic. A single goal from Clodagh Diggins secured all three points for the hosts.
Kilkerrin United beat new side Roscommon United 6–0 at Lecarrow. Caoimhe Boyle and Ali O’Toole scored two each. Catlin Boyle and Aoife Collins added one each for the winners.
