Boyle Celtic had an impressive 2–0 win over Castlerea Celtic at Castlerea on Friday night.
The three valuable points keeps them right in the Premier Division title race. As they approach the halfway stage, Boyle are just three points behind leaders St. Johns Athletic with a game less played.
Castlerea Celtic were the better side early on and Dara Curran came close to giving them the lead.
However, Boyle struck twice just before the interval. While Castlerea Celtic had a player sent-off they could not find a way past a solid Boyle defence.
Michael Corrigan scored his sixth league goal of the season following a John Finnerty pass.
Corrigan turned provider a couple of minutes later as David Duggan curled a right footed effort to the back of the home net.
Shiven Rovers and Skyvalley Rovers were involved in an eight-goal thriller at Newbridge with the game finishing at 4–4.
Three times the visitors came from behind to snatch a deserved point from the game.
Stephen Murray gave the hosts a 1–0 lead on 21 minutes. However, Garry Canavan converted a penalty 11 minutes later.
Just before half-time Keith Murphy restored the Shiven lead when he converted a penalty.
Within a minute of the restart Stephen Murray added his second to give Shiven a 3–1 lead. Robby Brooks scored two to level the game but Stephen Murray completed his hat-trick on 72 minutes.
However, John Fehilly scored a deserved equaliser with 11 minute remaining.
The preliminary round of the Joes Bar sponsored Challenge Cup was played over the weekend with a couple of surprises.
Kilkerrin United beat Ballinasloe Town 3–0 at Ballinasloe. Enda Keane opened the scoring after 25 minutes with a fine solo goal. Kilkerrin went in at half-time a goal up.
Kilkerrin score important win
Both teams were reduced to 10 men halfway through the second-half. However, with 10 minutes remaining, Oisin Keane gave Kilkerrin a 2–0 lead. A few minutes later the same player made it 2–0 for Kilkerrin.
Ballinasloe Town threw everything at the visitors trying to get back in the game but a well-structured visitor’s defence and a fine team effort saw Kilkerrin United deservedly advance to the next round.
Roscommon United first team had an impressive 3–1 win over Cam Celtic/Dysart at Roscommon.
Mark Dwyer was player-of-the-match as he scored all three goals for the winners within 26 minutes David Cummins pulled a goal back for Cam/Dysart on 36 minutes.
Last season’s runner-up Glen Celtic advanced to the next round following a 5–0 win over Cloonfad United second side.
Gavin Hegarty gave the hosts a half-time lead. 10 minutes into the second-half Cloonfad were awarded a penalty but a fine save from Ross Hegarty kept the Glenamaddy side in front.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men before Glen Celtic added four more through Conor Raftery, Ethan O’Down, Darren Hegarty and an own goal.
Moore United “B” beat Roscommon “B” 5–1 at Moore. Malcolm O’Hanlon scored three, Cian McManus and Jason Cunningham added one each with Joao Pedro replying for the losers.
Carrick Town had a comfortable 5–1 win over Castlerea Celtic “B” at Carrick on Shannon.
Fursey Butler scored two in the first-half. Michael Murtagh and Evan Corcoran added one each. Gerard Martin Ward pulled one back for Castlerea before Butler completed his hat-trick.
Division 1 side Moylough 79 had to battle all the way before beating Division 2 side Ballinagare 4–2 at Ballinagare.
Division one round-up
Joseph Looby and Ronnie Whyte scored for the hosts and Michael Foley and Cathal Donnellan for Moylough in the first-half.
Leo Donnellan gave Moylough a 3–2 lead before the hosts missed from the penalty spot. Leo Donnellan added his second to make sure of the win.
In the second round of the Connacht Shield Ballaghaderreen were beaten 2-1 at home by Ballisodare. The hosts left their shooing boots at home and paid the price.
Women's League Round-up
In the first round of the Women’s Challenge Cup Boyle Celtic had a good win over Ballaghaderreen at Boyle.
This was a tight game in terrible conditions, Ballaghaderreen started well but with 23 minutes played Maeve Brogan gave Boyle the lead after a mix up in the Ballaghaderreen defence.
Boyle grew in confidence after this and playing with the help of a strong wind doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time, through Emma Duggan.
Ballaghaderreen playing with the elements in the second-half started to dominate.
However, some great defending from Boyle kept Ballaghaderreen at bay. Indeed, it wasn't until the 83rd minute that Ballaghaderreen got on the score sheet with a long range Robyn Ni Tuathaigh effort.
Ballaghaderreen piled on the pressure, but the equaliser wouldn't come. Boyle deservedly progress to the cup semi-final.
Shiven Rovers made the short journey to Kilkerrin and came away with a 3–0 win.
Captain Ciara Crehan led by example and broke from midfield to give the Shiven a lead after nine minutes. Rachel Farrell added a second on 24 minutes.
Sarah Gavin made sure of the win when she scored with an excellent free-kick after 59 minutes.
Castlerea Celtic beat Roscommon United 3–2 at Castlerea. Megan Flanagan gave the hosts the lead after 21 minutes.
However, Tian Cronin levelled the game 16 minutes later. Tia Cronin added her second before half-time. However, Rachel Gormley and Aoife Silke added two for the Castlerea in the last few minutes.
Dunmore Town beat new side Carrick Town 5–1 at Carrick-on-Shannon.
Ashling Hynes and Aoife Smyth scored two each. Lily Concannon got one for the league leaders with Siobhan Conway replying for Carrick.
