The quarter-finals of the Roscommon & District League Challenge Cup took centre stage over the weekend with no real shock results.
In an all Premier Division clash at Taughmaconnell Moore United deservedly advanced to the semi-finals and a meeting with Castlerea Celtic with a 4–2 win over old rivals Skyvalley Rovers.
The hosts were a goal up after six minutes when Michael Garvey was quickest to react when Moore keeper Adam McManus could only parry a good cross into his penalty area.
However, 20 minutes later Charles Nevin turned his marker and planted the ball in the corner of the Skyvalley net.
Moore keeper McManus saw red on 35 minutes after a late challenge on Danny Lynch. Keelan Galvin converted the resultant penalty past replacement keeper James Fortune.
Having already been reduced in numbers due to injuries, Skyvalley Rovers suffered a major blow when their centre-forward Michael Garvey was injured and was replaced.
This was a turning point in the game as within five minutes Moore United struck twice. A great Jack Nevin cross found his brother Charles at the back post who headed powerfully to the Skyvalley net.
Rian Carpenter found Andy Neven in first-half injury time who added a third Moore goal.
Moore added their fourth on the hour mark, when a Jay McPhilbin free-kick reached Shane Dunning who headed to the net.
In an all Division one game played at Cloonfad the hosts beat Ballinahown 1–0 to advance to the semi-finals and a meeting with the Carrick-on-Shannon side Carrick Town.
In inflicting Ballinahown first defeat of their domestic season Cloonfad reached the semi-finals for the third time in four seasons.
Ballinahown suffer first defeat of season
The only goal arrived on 39 minutes when Darragh Flynn's right wing cross found David Hennessy unmarked. The Ballindine native arrived just before the keeper to head to the net.
Whereas, Ballinahown were missing a few players they were very much in contention for most of the game. Only some good play from Conor Ruane, Andy Glennon, Jason Reinhardt and O'Malley kept Cloonfad ahead.
Jarlath Carney and Matthew Frayne were immense in the midfield as Cloonfad held on following six minutes of additional time.
Castlerea Celtic advanced to the semi-finals and a meeting with Moore United thanks to 4–0 win over Boyle Celtic second side at Boyle.
The hosts battled well and kept the Premier side scoreless until the 66th minute when Pedro Jailes scored following good play by Ronan Curran.
Damien Freyne created an opening for Pedro Jailes to add his second with nine minutes remaining. In the closing minutes Kailin Barlow and Christopher Kelly added two more for Castlerea.
Division 2 side Carrick Town are through to the semi–finals following a 3–2 win over last season’s finalists Glen Celtic at Carrick-on-Shannon.
Amas Tobi opened the scoring for the hosts after just six minutes. 15 minutes later Gavin Hegarty had the side’s level.
Paul Mannion restored the Carrick lead 10 minutes into the second-half. Michael Murtagh made it 3–1 with four minutes of normal time remaining.
Conor Raftery reduced the gap to a single goal when he scored for the Glenamaddy side but they failed to get an equaliser.
In the D K Shield Quarter finals there were wins for Cam Celtic/Dysart, Ballinasloe Town, Ballyboro and Castlerea Celtic “B”.
Cam Celtic/Dysart went all the way to a penalty shootout before overcoming a good St Cuans/Ahascragh United side at Dysart.
Cam Celtic/Dysart progress
The game was level, 2–2 at the end of normal time and extra time with Cam Celtic/Dysart winning the resultant penalty shootout, 5–4.
Ethan O’Leary gave the visitors the lead after 22 minutes. David Cummins levelled the game eight minutes before half-time.
David Cunniffe gave the hosts a 2–1 lead on 53 minutes. However, Liam O’Connor sent the game to extra-time and penalties when he scored for the Ahascragh side six minutes later.
Ballinasloe Town travelled to Ballaghaderreen and following a really close game the visitors advanced to the next round, 2-1.
Cathal Horan converted a penalty after 35 minutes to give the hosts the lead. Cameron O’Leary levelled the game just before half-time after a good pass from Darragh Concannon.
Anatolii Vovk gave Ballinasloe a 2–1 lead after 67 minutes and while Ballaghaderreen missed from the penalty spot, Ballinasloe held on for a win.
Ther Lanesboro based Ballyboro are also through to the semi–finals thanks to a 5–2 win over St. Johns Athletic “B” team.
The sides were level 1–1 at the end of normal time and it was only in extra-time that Ballymoe reigned supreme.
Goals from Barry O’Rourke for Ballyboro and Garry Sturgeon scored two late goals for St. John’s to send the game to extra-time.
Michael O’Connor scored first for the St. John’s in extra-time before David Rooney got a hat-trick and Darragh Hussey added one for St. John’s.
Castlerea Celtics second side beat Roscommon United 4–1 to advance to the semi-finals.
Conor Murray scored two, Sean Murray and Gerry Ward added one each for Castlerea with Gustavo Araujo scoring for the Roscommon side.
Women's football round-up
Dunmore Town Women’s team beat Galway side Colga 3–1 at Colga in the FAI Women’s Cup.
Aoife Bowens and Aoife Smyth scored two early goals to settle their side and Aisling Hynes made sure on a win when she added a third in the second-half.
In The Roscommon and District League Women’s League Castlerea Women’s team beat Shiven Rovers 5–2 at Castlerea.
Therese Leahy gave the visitors a 1–0 lead after 21 minutes. However, Sarah Diggins levelled the game just before half-time when she converted a penalty.
Maeve O’Brien restored the Shiven lead when she scored for Shivan Rovers two minutes into the second-half. However, Megan Flanagan then scored three and Clodagh Diggins one for the winners to seal all three points.
In the cup quarter-finals game played earlier in the week Skyvalley Rovers beat Boyle Celtic 5–3 at Lecarrow.
Michael Garvey scored two and Eoin Keogh, Conal Moore and Robby Brooks added one each for the winners with Shane Carroll, Shane Battles and David Callaghan replying for the losers.
