All to play for between Boyle Celtic and Ballaghaderreen FC

Ballaghaderreen FC continue to lead the Premier Division of the Roscommon and District League following a comfortable 5-1 win against Ballinasloe Town at Ballaghaderreen.

Oisín Horan scored from close range in the 33rd minute. Ballaghaderreen added a second just before half time through Tom Ward. Mark Richardson pulled one back for Ballinasloe five minutes into the second half but Leon Sinnott restored Ballaghaderreen’s two-goal advantage after 78 minutes. Shairoze Akram added two more near the end following good work by Peter Horan.

Having reached the halfway stage, Boyle Celtic share the lead with Ballaghaderreen but they have a game more played. They edged out Shiven Rovers 1-0 at Celtic Park, Boyle. The Newbridge-based side were under a lot of pressure throughout the game, but they defended really well. Indeed they looked to have secured an away point as the game went into injury time. But Callum Andrews scored for Boyle Celtic with almost the last kick of the game.

St. John’s Athletic are still in the title race following a 3-1 win over C P Ajax. Pedro gave the Castleplunkett-based side a 1-0 lead after 15 minutes. But Jamie Tiernan levelled the game after 32 minutes. Dan Connolly came close to restoring the CP Ajax lead early in the second half but the St. John’s ‘keeper pulled off a good save to deny him.

Daniel O’Brien gave St. John’s Athletic a 2-1 lead after good work by Cian Kelly. As CP Ajax pushed for an equaliser, Jamie Tiernan sealed the three points for his side. Having reached the halfway stage, St. John’s are four points behind the leaders with a game more played.

Title holders Moore United are seven points behind the leaders and they have a lot to do if they are to retain their title. They were held to a 3-3 draw at home to Castlerea Celtic.

Moore started well, pinning Castlerea inside their own half. After a few early half chances, Moore looked the more likely to score but a lack of concentration in their defence after ten minutes allowed Castlerea Celtic striker, Oisín O’Farrell, to turn and shoot past the helpless Moore ‘keeper.

However, Moore didn't panic and went searching for an equaliser. The chance did come after great work and persistent pressure from Charles and Jack Nevin. That pressure resulted in a Castlerea defender badly timing a challenge in his own box, giving the referee no option but to point to the spot. Up stepped Charles Nevin to send the ‘keeper the wrong way and give Moore a deserved equaliser after 20 minutes.

Moore took the lead on the stroke of half time. A superb corner kick was delivered into the Castlerea box by Shane Pettit, only for a Castlerea defender, under massive pressure, to deflect the ball into his own net.

Moore started the second half brightly and should have stretched their lead, but poor finishing cost them. Castlerea never stopped trying and were rewarded when a badly-timed challenge in the Moore box resulted in the referee pointing to the spot. Jarlath Geraghty made no mistake by sending the Moore ‘keeper the wrong way.

Moore changed personnel and formation in an effort to regain the lead. But Castlerea thought they had won all three points when Thomas Regan gave them a 3-2 lead with five minutes left to play. A ball into the Moore box wasn't cleared and the winger tapped into an empty net.

Moore threw caution to the wind and pushed for the equaliser. Great work and persistence from Charles Nevin squared a ball for Emmet Kenny to fire home and give Moore a share of the spoils.

Due to frozen pitches, no game was played in Division One and only two games were played in Division Two.

St. Cuan’s/Ahascragh United beat Ballaghaderreen’s second side 5-1 at Ahascragh. Liam O’Connor scored two goals, while Colin Concannon, Nathan Horan and Jordan O’Leary added one each for the winners.

Rahara Rovers and Kilkerrin United drew 2-2 at Rahara. Cormac Lavin scored for Rahara after 20 minutes and it remained that way until half time. Kilkerrin equalised five minutes into the second half through Oisín Hynes. Cormac Lavin scored his second for Rahara on the hour mark, but Martin Fahy secured a point for the visitors with ten minutes remaining. Both teams came close to winning it at the end, but the general consensus was that a draw was the fairest result.

In the play-off game between Cam Celtic/Dysart and Glen Celtic to decide who will play in the newly-formed Division One and Division Two, Glenamaddy-based side Glen Celtic prevailed and they will now play in Division One. David Cunniffe gave Cam/Dysart an early lead but Gavin Hegarty soon brought the sides level. In the second half, Ryan McHugh added two more and Gavin Hegarty grabbed one. An own goal made up the total for Glen Celtic’s 5-1 triumph.

In the Women’s League, Kilkerrin United beat Shiven Rovers 4-0 at Kilkerrin. Caitlin Boyle scored three and Kate McGann added one for the winners.

Ballinasloe Town drew 1-1 with St. Cuan’s/Ahascragh United in a good game at Ballinasloe. Joyce Kelly scored for the visitors in the first half. Ballinasloe replied near the end of the game.

Boyle Celtic beat Castlerea Celtic 5-1 at Boyle. Sinead O’Donohoe scored two for the winners, and Ciara Byrne, Niamh McNamara and Emma Duggan added one each.

Cam Celtic WFC beat Ballaghaderreen 4-1 in a top of the table clash at League headquarters in Lecarrow on Saturday evening. Ballaghaderreen were quickest to settle and were one goal to the good after 26 minutes. However, Cam levelled through Karen Carty before half time.

Cam came out much stronger in the second half and were two up just 16 minutes after the restart following goals from Marion Nolan and Katie McDonnell. The winners continued to dominate with excellent play around the middle of the park by the aforementioned Marion Nolan and Katie McDonnell, who were ably assisted by Karen O’Boyle alongside a significant impact off the bench. Elaine Morris netted her side’s fourth goal before the final whistle.

In the only game played in the Reserve League, Dunmore Town beat Shiven Rovers 4-2 at Dunmore. Ben Glynn scored two and Patrick Cosgrove and Barry Murphy added one each for the winners. Seamus O’Kelly and Darragh Murphy replied for the Newbridge-based side.