Pride of place this week goes to the Ballaghaderreen Women’s team who won the Connacht Shield competition on Sunday.
They pulled off an impressive 2–0 win over Ballisodare at the Ray McSharry Park, Sligo.
Having already beaten Aughanagh F.C and Moyne Villa in the previous rounds, Ballaghaderreen were apprehensive going into the game.
This showed in the first-half and they never really got into their stride. The second-half was completely different. Player of the match Rebecca Finan gave Ballaghaderreen a 1–0 lead after 55 minutes.
With Tori Duffy stretching the Ballisodare defence every time she gained possession it was only a matter of time before the Ballaghaderreen added a second.
This score came from a well taken corner kick and while the ball took a deflection off a Ballisodare defender all the credit must go to the winners.
In the Connacht Men’s shield final, Cloonfad United failed to make it a double for the Roscommon and District League when beaten by Ballymote Celtic.
Cloonfad had previously beaten Loughrea, Swinford, Moyne Villa, Ballisodare and Galway Hibs to reach the final at Umbro Park Castlebar.
The winners were the better team in the first-half and were a goal up after 19 minutes through Jack Hever. Cloonfad improved in the second-half and equalised through Jack Madden two minutes into the second-half.
However, two quick goals for the Ballymote side after 64 and 66 minutes swung the game in their favour.
While Darragh Flynn pulled one back near the end of normal time, Cloonfad just could not get an equaliser and Ballymote added their fourth near the final whistle.
Elsewhere, St. Johns Athletic added the Premier Division Cup to the Premier Division Championship, beating Ballymoe F.C 3–1 at Lecarrow.
St. John's Athletic seal Premier Division Cup
Simon Leonard gave St. John’s a 1–0 lead after nine minutes. Daire Keenan added a second after 24 minutes and Damien Goggins pulled one back for Ballymoe after 68 minutes.
Leonard struck his second for St. John’s after 72 minutes and they defended well to hold on to the lead until the end.
Cloonfad United had some consolation for their Connacht Shield loss when they won the Division 3 Cup following a 2–0 win over Roscommon United at Lecarrow on Sunday.
Bernie McDonagh gave Cloonfad a 1–0 lead after only four minutes and Carlos Kirrane added a second eight minutes later. They defended in numbers for the remainder of the game and secured the win.
In the Division 2 Cup semi-finals Glen Celtic beat Carrick Town 5–1 at Glenamaddy.
Michael Heneghan scored three, Conor Raftery and Sean Mannion one each with Jack Burke pulling a goal back for the Carrick-on-Shannon side.
Boyle Celtic beat Cam Celtic Dysart 3–2 at Boyle. Darragh Hensey scored two and Alfonsos Barrios one for Boyle with Ben Moran and David McDonnell scoring for Cam Celtic Dysart.
The Final was postponed due to a bereavement.
Ballinasloe Town are through to the Division 1 Cup Final following a 4–0 win over Ballinahown at Ballinahown.
Cameron O’Leary scored two and Ryan McCombe and Cian Campbell added one each for the Ballinasloe. They will play either Moylough or Cloonfad United in the final.
In the Women’s division 1 Cup Semi Final Roscommon United beat Shiven Rovers 3–2 at Newbridge.
Tia Cronin scored two and Rabela Cordoso added a third for the winners with Rachel Farrell and Rosin McCauley replying for Shiven Rovers.
