Congratulations are extended to Kilkerrin United who sealed the Division 2 Championship following their 2–0 win over St. Johns Athletic at Lecarrow on Sunday.
With 10 wins and just one loss Kilkerrin were worthy winners. The Kilkerrin side got off to a great start and were 1–0 up with just six minutes played.
Enda Keane got on the end of a corner kick and he finished with a neat volley. However, within minutes their keeper Fiachna McEntee was forced into a great save to keep his side in front.
On 20 minutes a fine solo goal from Darragh Nolan gave his side a two goal advantage.
Kilkerrin were forced to defend in numbers for most of the remainder of the game and were helped by another good save from their keeper near the end.
The Norio’s Premier Division is finely balance with just three points separating St. Johns Athletic, Boyle Celtic and Castlerea Celtic.
All three have just four games remaining and that’s not forgetting Moore United who are four points behind the leaders but have a game less played.
It’s going to be a thrilling finish to the Premier Division with all the top teams playing teams from the top section before the end.
The big game of the weekend was the clash between Moore United and St. Johns Athletic at Moore on Friday Night.
The hosts started well and were one-nil after five minutes. A Charles Nevin free kick was stroked home by J P Byrne at the back post.
They had a chance to add another shortly afterwards, but the St. Johns Keeper pulled off a great save to deny Charles Nevin. From then on it was St. Johns Athletic who were the better side.
League in the business stage
St. John’s were awarded a penalty on 35 minutes when Caimin Boland was taken down by the Moore defender. Darragh Keenan converted the penalty.
St. Johns added a second just before half-time, Caimin Bolan dispatched a free-kick to the net.
St. John’s started the second-half in much the same way. Dominating Moore and could have increased their lead only for the Moore keeper to make a few very good saves.
The third goal came mid-way through the second-half when Darragh Keenan was fouled in the penalty area. Keenan picked himself up and converted the resultant penalty kick.
Both teams had chances before the end but it was the undefeated Lecarrow side who claimed there valuable points. Castlerea Celtic travelled to Newbridge where they played a Shiven Rovers side who are just above the relegation area.
Seamus O’Kelly gave the hosts the lead early in the game. They were 2–0 ahead after 60 minutes through Karl Healy.
Castlerea received a lifeline when great work by the experienced Jack Higgins created a chance for Jay McCartney who pulled a goal back. Adam McDermott created an opening for Chris Kelly who levelled the game with 12 minutes remaining.
Substitute Gavin Murray scored the winner with a neat chip over the keeper after receiving a pass from Murillo Bizerra.
Boyle Celtic had a convincing 5-2 win over Ballaghaderreen at Ballaghaderreen. Playing with the strong wind Boyle Celtic were a goal ahead at half-time thanks to Jake Mc Crann.
David Callaghan added a second for Boyle early in the second-half and Michael Corrigan added two more. Adam Dwyer added one with Aaron Dowd and Cathal Horan replying for Ballaghaderreen.
Skyvalley Rovers record big win
Skyvalley Rovers had a valuable 3–0 win over Cloonfad United at Cloonfad. Conal Moore and Mark Richardson came close to opening the score in the first 10 minutes.
Cloonfad had two good chances to score shortly afterwards but the Skyvalley keeper Donnacha Monaghan and Eoin Keogh kept them out.
The breakthrough came after 38 minutes of play when a good cross into the Cloonfad penalty area was turned home by Emmit Kelly.
Only a great save by Monaghan kept Skyvalley ahead at the break. Five minutes into the second-half Conal Moore took advantage of some hesitation in the hosts defence and he made it 2–0 for the Taughmaconnell side.
John Feehily made it 3–0, 10 minutes from time.
Ballinasloe Town were held to a 1–1 draw away at Glenamaddy side Glen Celtic. The visitors took the lead midway through the first-half with a well struck free-kick by Garry Egan.
While the hosts improved as the game progressed it was the visitors who held a lead at half-time.
Glen Celtic dominated the second-half despite being reduce to 10 men for the last 15 minutes. Tom Collins who returned from an injury scored the equaliser.
Roscommon United had an impressive 6-2 win over Moore United’s second side at Falty Park Moore on Sunday.
Moore took the lead with a well struck corner kick and Kavana Donlon levelled the game just before half-time with a volley from outside the penalty area.
The visitors were in front early in the second-half thanks to an own goal and Gustavo Alberto added a third following a header from Marcel Gala.
Jay Donlon added their fourth following a Carlos Alberto cross. While Moore added a second they then conceded their second own goal of the game.
Roscommon United with a big victory
The best goal of the game came by way of a Liam Hannon finish following a brilliant pass from his brother Nathan.
In the preliminary round of the D.K Shield St. Cuans/Ahascragh United edged out Rahara Rovers in a game played at Ahascragh.
This game went all the way to a penalty shootout after the game finished 2–2 at the end of extra-time. St. Cuans Ahascragh winning the shootout 4–3.
Dylan Donnelly and Seamus Lynch came very close to scoring before Shane McCormack gave Rahara a deserved lead just before half-time.
St. Cuans were better in the second-half and scored two quick goals early in the half through Michael Fogarty. Shane McCormack volleyed a second shortly afterwards to level the game and there were no goals in extra-time.
Both Keepers were in great form and each team took eight penalties before the hosts came out on top 4–3.
James and Peter Birch, Ronan Smith and Ryan Fitzpatrick scored from the penalty spot for the winners.
In the Connacht FA Women’s Shield Dunmore Town beat Shiven Rovers 1–0. Siobhan O’Grady scored what turned out to be the winner after just six minutes.
Kilkerrin United were unlucky to be beaten on penalties away to the Mayo side Manulla. Samantha Fahy scored for Kilkerrin in their 1–1 draw but they were beaten 4–3 in the penalty shootout.
