Ballaghaderreen in the box seat for Premier Division title

Ballaghaderreen FC recorded a vital win away to Ballinasloe Town in the Premier Division of the Roscommon and District League to move three points ahead of Boyle Celtic with just two games remaining.

Ballinasloe Town were ahead at the break, thanks to Ryan Burke’s successful penalty. Ballaghaderreen were reduced to ten men and it didn’t look good for the visitors, but Shairoze Akram won a penalty kick after 65 minutes, which was converted by Danny Browne.

Then, with 15 minutes remaining, Shairoze Akram crossed to the far post and Cormac Rushe headed to the Ballinasloe net via the goal post. The winners were reduced to nine men, but they held on to win all three points.

Castlerea Celtic and Moore United will contest this season’s Premier Division Cup final following victories over Boyle Celtic and Shiven Rovers respectively.

Castlerea Celtic beat Boyle Celtic 2-1 after extra time at Castlerea. Jarlath Geraghty converted a penalty kick for Castlerea Celtic with eight minutes played following a handball. Boyle Celtic had wind advantage in the second half and Michael Corrigan levelled the match.

There were no further goals and the game went to extra time. With five minutes remaining, David Fitzpatrick scored a stunning goal to win the match for Castlerea Celtic.

Moore United and Shiven Rovers were involved in an eight-goal thriller at Newbridge before the game went to a penalty shootout, which was won by Moore United on a 4-2 scoreline.

Moore were 2-0 ahead at half time, thanks to goals from Charles Nevin and an own goal. Josh Lennon added two more goals for Moore United and, with 15 minutes left to play, it looked all over for Shiven Rovers.

However, Gabrial Costa and his brother Lucas scored two brilliant goals before brothers Darragh and Keith Murphy added two more quality goals to send the game to extra time. Moore United were visibly rattled but they held on for a penalty shootout where Adam McManus saved two spot kicks to see his side into the final.

Skyvalley Rovers will play Moylough ‘79 in the Division One Cup semi-final following a 2-0 win for the Moylough-based side over Ballinagare/Manor at Moylough. A Michael Foley strike and an own goal secured Moylough their place in the last four. The winners will face Dunmore Town in the final.

In the Division Two Cup, Cam Celtic/Dysart are through to the final and a meeting with either St. Cuan’s/Ahascragh or Roscommon United after they beat Division Two champions Cloonfad United 2-1 at Cloonfad.

The home side dominated the opening half hour, but they squandered numerous chances to take the lead. But they went 1-0 ahead thanks to an own goal after 22 minutes.

Ben Moran levelled the game after 36 minutes. The winners tightened up their defence and Gareth Mulligan gave them a 2-1 lead after 51 minutes. Try as they might, Cloonfad couldn’t find a way past a resolute defence and Cam/Dysart duly held on for the win and a place in the final.

In the quarter-final, Roscommon United defeated Kilkerrin United 5-3 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw after extra time in a very competitive game. Oisín Hynes scored for Kilkerrin United direct from corner kick after 30 minutes. Daz Mainwaring created the chance for Diarmuid Mulry to level the game midway through the second half. In the resultant penalty shootout, Darren Coyle saved the second penalty kick from Kilkerrin to help his side to a 5-3 win.

In the Reserve Division, Moore United kept their title hopes alive with a 3-0 win over leaders Dunmore Town. Ray Griffin headed a Liam Johnston cross to the net to give Moore the lead after 15 minutes. Cian Duffy added a second after 30 minutes, following good work by Tommy Naughton. Jack Sommer added a third with 14 minutes remaining.

With just a game left to play in the Women’s Premier Division, Cam Celtic are a point clear of Kilkerrin United, following their 3-1 win over Boyle Celtic at Cam. Boyle Celtic were in front after only three minutes, thanks to Andrea Hogan. But two second-half goals from Grace Hannon and Marian Nolan secured all three points for Cam Celtic.

Castlerea Celtic drew 0-0 with Shiven Rovers at Castlerea. Shiven missed from the penalty spot but, overall, a draw was a fair outcome from a very competitive game.