The 55th season of the Roscommon and District League is now underway.
The season will see four men’s Divisions and a Women’s Division. Only the Premier Division and Division 1 were in action last weekend with the remaining three Divisions coming into play over the next two weekends.
Roscommon and district league premier division champions St. Johns Athletic took on newly promoted Dunmore Town at Lecarrow.
Whereas, the champions picked up all three points it was not so easy as Dunmore Town showed they can compete despite it being their Premier Division debut. Jamie Tiernan took up where he left off last season, scoring both goals for St. Johns.
Moore United were pipped for the title last season and they started this season’s campaign with a 7–3 win over Shiven Rovers at the League grounds Lecarrow.
Charles Nevin scored four and Jay McPhilbin added two. Jack Nevin got one for Moore with Franco Lopez, Keith Murphy and Stephen Murray replying for the Newbridge based Shiven Rovers.
Boyle Celtic started their campaign with a 4–1 win over newly promoted Skyvalley Rovers at Boyle.
Michael Corrigan opened the scoring, getting on the end of a Shane Carroll cross after seventeen minutes. Corrigan added a second from the penalty spot early in the second-half.
The Boyle Celtic keeper made two really good saves to deny the Taughmaconnell side. However, on 68 minutes, Shane Battles made it 3–0.
Dean Casey made it four before Eoin Keogh won a penalty for Skyvalley Rovers which was converted by Garry Canavan.
Castlerea Celtic begin season
Castlerea Celtic’s first league game of the season didn’t go to plan at home to a strong Ballymoe side.
The visitors started stronger but didn’t create any clear chances. Castlerea started to dominate possession after half-an-hour, Oisin Farrell and Yani Chiforiuc coming close in scoring.
On 37 minutes, Damien Goggins scored a brilliant goal against the run of play and Jack Donnellan added a second for Ballymoe shortly afterwards.
Castlerea dominated the second-half with Dominic Bligh scoring from 75 meters on the 70th minute. Jack Higgins and Oisin O’Farrell rattled the Ballymoe crossbar but to no avail.
In Division 1, Moylough 79 opened their season at Moylough, but it was to St. Johns Athletic second side who was to secure all three points.
The hosts were short a few regulars and were 2–0 down before Marcus Finn pulled a goal back. Charlie O’Beirne converted a free kick early in the half and his side went in a goal up at half-time.
Conor Murphy scored with a fine volley in the second-half. However, the hosts battled all the way they just could not find an equaliser.
Ballinasloe Town started off on a winning note when they beat Cloonfad United 4–2 at Ballinasloe.
Conor Dowd gave the hosts a 1-0 lead after only two minutes. Cian Naughton added two more and Cameron O’Leary converted a penalty. Calumn Cleary and Frank Ronane replied for Cloonfad United.
Roscommon and district league new comers, Ballinahown travelled all the way to Ballaghaderreen but were rewarded with a 2–0 win. Oisin O’Reilly struck after 37 and 39 minutes to secure all three points for the visitors.
The C.P. Ajax v Kilkerrin United game was postponed.
