The FAI junior cup continued with round two this weekend with four Roscommon and District League teams in action.
Ballinasloe Town took on the fancied Mayo Super League side Ballyheane AFC at Ballinasloe and after a real battle the hosts came through 3–2; reports Vincent Brooks.
Conor Dowd opened the scoring on 25 minutes. Josh McCarthy extended their lead with a fine strike seven minutes later. Ballyheane pulled one back with a well struck free-kick on the half-time whistle.
A great volley from Dylan Keane made 3-1 for Ballinasloe Town on 55 minutes.The Mayo side added a second with 18 minutes remaining. However, the hosts held out for a win and a place in Round three of the FAI Junior Cup.
Premier Division side Moore United are through to Round 3 following a 4–0 win over Division 1 side Cloonfad United at Cloonfad. It really was a day for the Nevin family as brothers Jack and Charles scored two each for Moore.
Jack Nevin gave Moore United a 1–0 half-time lead, having received the ball Charles with 15 minutes on the clock. In the second-half Frank Ruane came close to equalising, but his volley came back off the Moore cross bar.
On 71 minutes, Alan Duffy won a penalty kick, which Charles Nevin converted. Josh Lennon created an opening for Jack Nevin to make it 3–0 and Charles Nevin made it 4–0 after being put in on goals by Jason Ryan.
The Castleplunket side C P Ajax were beaten 4-1 by Strand Celtic, who are challenging for the Sligo Leitrim Super League title.
The visitors went in front after 20 minutes but the hosts were level 10 minutes later. James Beattie, Darren Flynn and Vando combined before releasing Junior who found the Strand Celtic net. The visitors scored either side of half-time and added a fourth near the end to secure a deserved win.
Roscommon & District league
In the only game played in the Premier Division, Shiven Rovers picked up three valuable points from their away game against Castlerea Celtic.
The hosts started strongly and were one up with eight minutes played. Keith Murphy equalised with 15 minutes remaining.
Mike Doyle added a second for Shiven, giving the Castlerea Celtic keeper no chance with a well struck volley. On 90 minutes, Cathal Dineen equalised, heading a corner-kick to the Shiven net.
In the second minute of injury time, Fionn O’Connor picked out Rory Cunningham with a well-placed corner-kick and found the winner after slipping past two defenders.
In Division 1 Northern section, Glen Celtic and Kilkerrin United Drew 1–1 at Glenamaddy. Kevin Traynor gave Kilkerrin the lead with a well struck free kick after ten minutes. Willie Comer equalised before half-time.
In Division 1 South, Brideswell was the setting for the local derby game Cam/Dysart v Rahara Rovers.
A seven goal thriller ended with Rahara Rovers holding out for a 4–3 win. Ben Morgan gave the hosts an early lead. Rahara equalised when Cathal Crehan chipped the advancing keeper.
Cam/Dysart were quick to recover; David Cunniffe and Ben Morgan moving the hosts 3-1 ahead.
However, Brendan Quinn kept Rahara Rovers in touch, making it 3–2 just before half-time. Early in the second half the sides were level when Mark Miley headed home a corner-kick.
Cormack Lavin gave Rahara Rovers the lead for the first time with 15 minutes remaining, heading a corner-kick to the net. Cam/Dysart came very close to getting an equaliser in the closing stages but John Murray made some fine saves to keep Rahara ahead until the final whistle.
Whereas, Skyvalley Rovers picked up three valuable points, beating St Johns Athletic at Lecarrow. A late Jack Moore penalty was all that separated the sides.
Roscommon United and Moylough 79 drew 1-1 at Roscommon. Kavana Donlon gave the hosts a 1–0 lead with just six minutes played. Joe Whyte secured a point for the visitors, equalising 12 minutes into the second-half.
Women’s League
In the Women’s League, Cam Celtic snatched a 3–1 win at home to Shiven Rovers with a late surge. Niamh Cormican scored for the Newbridge side.
Kilkerrin United beat Castlerea Celtic 2–0 at Castlerea. Regina Kelly and Siobhan Fahy with the goals. While, Ballinasloe Town beat a very young St Cuans/Ahascragh United side 6–0 at Ahascragh.
