Next weekend sees the start of the 55th season of football for the Roscommon and District League.
A record number of teams will compete in the 2025/26 season.
This season will see no less than four divisions and one division of Women’s teams. In all 31 senior men’s teams and eight teams compete in the Women’s league
The League welcome newcomers, Carrick-on-Shannon side Carrick Town, Ballyleague-Lanesboro side Ballyboro, Ballinahown, the Ballinlough side Lough Harps and Ballinagare.
The Ballyleague-Lanesboro side were a founder member of the league, having played back in the early 1970’s as Boro Celtic.
Carrick Town also played in the league in the early years. Whereas, Lough Harps and Ballinagare never cut their ties to the league.
The Premier and First Divisions teams are in action this weekend. Last season’s champions St. Johns Athletic begin their title defence at home to Dunmore Town with a 2pm kick-off on Sunday.
It’s the first time Dunmore played in the Premier Division having come through three play-off matches to gain promotion. The hosts will start favourites.
Moore United slipped up on the very last game of the season and as a result finished as runner-up. Moore will start favourite to beat Shiven Rovers when they play at Lecarrow at the same time.
Boyle Celtic finished third with a defeat away to Moore in their last game costing them dearly. Boyle host last season’s Division 1 Champions Skyvalley Rovers. Boyle will start favourites.
Castlerea Celtic were very inconsistent last season and slipped down the table near the end. They take on neighbours Ballymoe F.C. at Castlerea on Friday evening with an 8pm kick-off. A real local derby game that could go either way.
Division one looking very competitive
Division 1 is by tradition always a very close and hard-fought Division. The team that wins this division will have it well earned. New Side Ballinahown make the really long journey to Ballaghaderreen.
The hosts were league champions the season before last but were relegated last season.
The Castleplunket side C.P Ajax are a bit like Ballaghaderreen but they should beat a newly promoted Kilkerrin United side when they play at Tarmon.
Ballinasloe Town find themselves in Division 1 for the second season and will have to be at their best if they are to beat Cloonfad when they play at Ballinasloe.
Moylough barely missed out on Promotion to the Premier Division last season and they should overcome St. Johns second side when they play at Moylough.
All games in Division 1 kick-off at 2pm on Sunday
Fixtures
Friday 5th September
Premier Division
Castlerea Celtic v Ballymoe FC - 8pm
Sunday 7th September
Premier Division
St Johns Athletic v Dunmore Town – 2pm
Boyle Celtic v Skyvalley Rovers – 2pm
Moor United v Shiven Rovers – Lecarrow – 2pm
Division 1
Ballaghaderreen FC v Ballinahown – 2pm
CP Ajax v Kilkerrin United – 11am
Moylough 79 v St. Johns Athletic – 11am
Ballinasloe Town v Cloonfad Unted – 11am
