The Connacht Cup and Shield took centre with teams from the Roscommon and District League doing well in both competitions.
Roscommon and District League Division 1 side Dunmore Town pulled off a brilliant 3–2 win over the Mayo Super League side Ballyheane FC at Ballyheane
Dunmore are now safely through to the last-16 of the Connacht Cup. Shane McGrath was the Dunmore hero as his hat trick helped his side to a 3–2 win.
As expected, the 2021 and 2022 Mayo Champions dominated possession. However, Dunmore showed great resilience and discipline in their shape to keep the home sides attacks at bay.
The hosts converted a penalty 10 minutes before half-time. Dunmore equalised quickly when a ball over the top by Fiachra Manhire reached Shane McGrath who rounded the keeper before scoring.
McGrath scored two excellent goals early in the second-half. With the help of their keeper Shane Geoghegan who saved a penalty Dunmore looked comfortable.
Ballyhale pulled a second back, but its Dunmore Towns name that will be in the hat for the next round.
Boyle Celtic travelled to the Sligo/Leitrim super league side Gurteen Celtic, coming away with a 3–2 win after extra-time.
The hosts were in front for a long period of normal time. However, the ever-reliable Michael Corrigan sent the game to extra time when he scored for Boyle Celtic.
Shane Battles gave Boyle a 2–1 advantage in the first period of extra-time. However, the hosts were soon level.
With time running out and a penalty shootout looming, Ronan Garvin struck the winner for Boyle Celtic.
Moore United faced a difficult game away to the Mayo Super League side Conn Rangers.
The hosts raced into a 3–0 lead at half-time, but Moore were much better after the break. Early in the half Charlie Killeen pulled one back and Charlie Nevin converted a penalty with 10 minutes remaining.
Moore went all out for an equaliser but with time almost up the hosts broke away to add their fourth.
Castlerea Celtic as expected advanced to round three following a 6–3 win over Athenry “B“ at Castlerea.
Johnny Hester headed Chris Kelly’s corner kick to the net early in the first-half. The visitors were soon level. Oisin O’Farrell and Adam McDermott added two more for Castlerea early in the second-half.
McDermott added his second and Gerry Ward and Chris Kelly completed the scoring for Castlerea.
Division 1 side Cloonfad United travelled to Galway where they played Mervue United, the best side in the Galway League.
Cloonfad held their opponents scoreless up to half-time, but they just couldn’t keep it up in the second-half and were eventually beaten 4–0.
Premier side St. Johns Athletic travelled to the Sligo/Leitrim Super League side Strand Celtic and came away with an impressive 3–2 win.
Despite going a goal down early in the game, the Lecarrow side came away with a well-deserved win. Dermott Donnelly headed an equaliser and Darragh Keenan scored with a fine strike to give St. Johns a 2–1 lead.
Strand levelled the game just before the break. St. Johns battled well in the second-half and were rewarded when a fine passing movement was finished by Camin Boland.
Ballinasloe Town are safely through to the last-16 after a 3–1 win over Sligo/Leitrim Premier side Manorhamilton Rangers at Ballinasloe.
Johns Cotter kept the hosts ahead with two good saves after Manor won a penalty early in the game.
Pat Mongan gave the hosts a 1–0 lead just before half-time. Musadique added a second for the Ballinasloe following good work by Cameron O’Leary.
The visitors pulled a goal back before Cameron O’Leary sealed a win with Balinasloe’s third.
Skyvalley Rovers and Glen Celtic advanced to the quarter-finals of the Connacht shield following comfortable wins on Sunday.
Glen Celtic travelled to Ballisodare where they beat the Riverstown based Arrow Harps 2–0. The Glenamaddy side were well on top in the first-half. Dylan Joyce scored after a great pass from Ryan McHugh.
The hosts won a penalty early in the second-half, but Ross Hegarty pulled off a fine save to keep Glen Celtic in front.
A good cross by Conor Chapman was turned into the Arrow Harps net by a defender to seal the victory.
Skyvalley Rovers had a comfortable 5–1 win over the Sligo Premier side Benbulben FC at Onagh Park Taughmaconnell.
The hosts were on top in the first-half they failed to break down a compact defence. Skyvalley took the lead with just five second-half minutes played. John Feehily found Mark Richardson and he scored from close range.
Four minutes later Richardson added a second following excellent play by Conal Moore.
C J Von Ramsburg pulled a goal back for the Sligo side a minute later. However, John Feehily, Padraig Corbett and Mark Richardson added three more before the end.
Kilkerrin were beaten 2–0 at home by Oughterard AFC.
In the Norio’s Premier Division Shiven Rovers had a 5–1 win over Ballaghaderreen at Ballaghaderreen.
Adam Farrell scored two and Rory Cunningham one to give the Newbridge side a 3–0 half-time lead. Rory Cunningham completed his hat-trick after the break with Danny Browne pulling one back for Ballaghaderreen.
Ballymoe FC beat the Castleplunket side CP Ajax 8–0 at Tarmon. Mark Kilcommins scored in an evenly contested the first-half.
Damien Goggins and Mark Kilcommins added two more within five minutes of the restart, ending the game as a contest. James and Gerard Connaughton added two more and Damien Goggins one before the end.
In Division 1, Moylough 79 had a 3–0 win over a young St. Cuans Ahascragh United side at Moylough and are now two points clear at the top of the Division 1 points table.
Both teams had chances to score before Dermott Hughes volleyed to the net from outside the box on 20 minutes. Leo Donnellan made it 2–0 a few minutes later following good work by Dermott Hughes.
Donnellan turned provider just before half-time with Sean Kelly scoring from close range. Ian Fahy created a chance for Leo Donnellan to complete the scoring early in the second-half.
In the only fixture in Division 2, Rahara Rovers are a point clear at the top of a crowded Division two table following a 4–1 win over neighbours Cam Celtic/Dysart at Rahara.
The hosts were slightly flattered by the score-line. Shane McCormack scored direct from a corner on 10 minutes. Rahara held on to the advantage until half-time.
McCormack doubled the lead with a smooth strike from outside the box with 15 minutes played in the second-half. Cam/Dysart were back in the game shortly afterwards thanks to an own goal.
Cathal Crehan and Peter Gillooly wrapped up the points when they added two more. However, Cam/Dysart could feel it was not their day when they saw two volleys come back off the Rahara post. A very entertaining game all round.
In the Women’s Connacht Cup Dunmore Town lost 2–0 at home to Loughrea. In the Under-17 Connacht Cup Glen Celtic girls were beaten by Yeats United at their Sligo venue.
