St. Johns Athletic advanced to the Connacht F.A Cup semi-final with a 3-2 win over Westport United on Sunday.
Both teams were very cagey in the opening period of the game with Cian Kelly coming closest for the home side but his volley came back off the Westport crossbar.
However, with just two minutes remaining in the first-half; Camin Boland cut the ball back from the end line and Darragh Keenan gave St Johns Athletic a 1–0 lead.
The young and talented Westport side were level within a few minutes of the second-half restart but Ronan Morris headed a second for the hosts to give them a 2–1 lead on 70 minutes.
Five minutes later, Westport were level again. However, with eight minutes remaining a long delivery from the St. Johns defence reached Jamie Tiernan who headed past his marker before scoring what turned out to be the winner.
Boyle Celtic just failed to make the semi-finals when beaten 1–0 at home by Galway Premier side Mervue United.
While the Galway side were the slightly better side throughout. Boyle Celtic had a few good chances to take the lead before Jason Molloy scored the winner with seven minutes remaining.
Skyvalley Rovers failed to reach the Connacht Shield semi-finals when beaten at home by the Galway League side Corofin United.
The hosts were on top for the first half-hour but from then on the sides were well matched. While, home keeper Donnacha Monaghan made two good saves, the visitor’s keeper Alan Molloy was kept busy throughout.
Skyvalley Rovers make Connacht shielf semi-final
The deciding goal came after 17 minutes of the second-half. A quick break down the right wing by Corofin resulted in a good cross from Barry O’Donavan who found Darragh Silke, who had a simple tap in at the back post.
Mark Richardson, Keelan Galvin, Danny Lynch and David Grehan all came close to getting an equaliser but a combination of good saves and deflections off a resolute defence kept the hosts from getting a deserved equaliser.
The race for the Division 1 title is really close with just a few rounds of matches remaining. Ballinasloe Town, Moylough 79, Skyvalley Rovers are still very much in contention.
Cloonfad United’s hopes all but ended when they were beaten away to Dunmore Town.
Shane McGrath converted a penalty for Dunmore following a hand ball just before half-time. McGrath then, volleyed a second goal home, six minutes into the second-half.
In Division 2, Rahara Rovers welcomed divisional champions Kilkerrin United to Clover Park on Sunday. The visitors scored in the last minute of injury time to take the three points.
Kilkerrin were marginally the better team in the first-half. They were rewarded in the 45th minute with a sublime header to the top corner by Luke Walsh.
Rahara played some cute football to conjure an equaliser through Paul Flaherty with 25 minutes remaining.
It looked like the outcome was heading for stalemate until Oisín Hynes shot, at the death crept in past John Murray in the Rahara goals.
Cloonfad United’s second side drew 3–3 at home to Roscommon United.
The visitors were 2–0 up at half-time thanks to goals from Daz Mainwaring and Gustavo Araujo but Carlos Kirrane, Kealan Flynn and Sean Keadin had Cloonfad ahead with eight minutes remaining.
Castlerea Women's miss out on Connacht cup semi-final
However, Daz Mainwaring scored his second for Roscommon United to draw the game.
Castlerea Celtic women’s side failed to advance to the semi-finals of the Connacht Cup when beaten 5–0 at home by a very good Gurteen Celtic side.
In the Connacht Women’s Shield quarter-finals both Dunmore Town and Boyke Celtic were beaten despite good displays.
Meanwhile, Boyle lost away to Ballisodare. Despite having a player sent-off Boyle battled on with Sinead O’Donoghue scoring a fine goal to keep their side in contention until near the end of the game.
Dunmore Town were beaten by a very talented Manulla United side. While Nicola Kilgarriff scored with a stunning free-kick they lost out 5–1.
In the Roscommon & District league Women’s Division Kilkerrin United and Ballinasloe Town drew 3–3 at Kilkerrin. The hosts were 3–0 up thanks to goals from Caitlin Boyle, Caoimhe Boyle and Myra Grogan.
However, Ballinasloe Town were far from finished and Amy Louise Dempsey scored two and Lorraine Pardy one to get a deserved point from the game.
Ballaghaderreen are top of the Women’s League Points table with just three games remaining. They ran out comfortable winners over a very young Shiven Rovers side at Newbridge.
Rebecca Finan scored four, Caoimhe Feeney three, Alannah McGreal two, Ava McGreal and Grace Mc Dermott added one each for Ballaghaderreen.
Leah Heavey scored for Shiven Rovers.
