Boyle Celtic miss chance to go top of Premier Division
The St. John's Athletic squad that edged out Boyle Celtic, 2-1, in last weekend's Roscommon and District League Premier Division contest.
With the Christmas season approaching, only a small number of games were played in the Roscommon and District League last weekend.
Boyle Celtic missed out on the chance to go top of the Premier Division when they were beaten 2-1 away to St. John’s Athletic. Boyle Celtic took the lead after 19 minutes of an excellent contest through their leading goalscorer, Callum Andrews. But the Lecarrow-based side were level ten minutes later when, following a corner kick, the ball broke to Cian Kelly and he volleyed to the roof of the opposition’s net.
The deciding score came 15 minutes into the second half. The visitors were caught in possession when playing out from the back. Cian Kelly played the ball to Daire Keenan who finished to the bottom corner of the Boyle Celtic net.
With the Christmas break now in place, Ballaghaderreen still hold on to top spot. Boyle Celtic have the same number of points but have a game more played. St. John’s Athletic, Ballinasloe Town, Moore United and, possibly, Castlerea Celtic are all still in the title race as the league approach the halfway stage.
In the Division One North section, Glen Celtic and Ballinagare/Manor United drew 2-2 at Glenamaddy.
Ballinagare/Manor United were the better side in the first half and they were rewarded with goals from Cian Gavin and Gerry Ward to give them a 2-0 lead. However, the ever-reliable Willie Comer pulled a goal back for the Glenamaddy-based side just before half time. The home side had the better of the exchanges in the second half and Ryan Duffy scored a deserved equaliser with four minutes of normal time remaining.
In the New Year, three teams from the North section and three teams from the South section will be in situ for a new Division One, with the seventh team coming from the play-off between Glen Celtic and Cam Celtic/Dysart.
The seven remaining teams will play in a newly-created Division Two. Points will not carry over from the previous rounds.
Division One will be made up of Ballymoe FC, Skyvalley Rovers, Ballinagare/Manor United, St. John’s Athletic B, Dunmore Town, Moylough ’79, and the winners of Glen Celtic or Cam Celtic/Dysart.
Division Two will have Kilkerrin United, Cloonfad United, Ballaghaderreen B, Rahara Rovers, Roscommon United, St. Cuan’s/Ahascragh United and the losers of the Glen Celtic versus Cam Celtic/Dysart play-off.
In the Reserve division, holders Moore United drew 1-1 at home to Skyvalley Rovers. Jack Downey put Skyvalley Rovers ahead but they conceded an own goal in the closing stages.
Roscommon United defeated Dunmore Town 4-2 at Roscommon. Marcel Gala gave the home side the lead. Diarmuid Mulry added two more and Kavana Donlon tagged on another to secure a comfortable win. Thomas Gleeson and Raman Saman replied for Dunmore Town.
Shiven Rovers were beaten 4-1 at home by Castleplunkett-based side CP Ajax. Rowan Wagner and Darren Boyle scored two each for the winners. Eoghan Brown scored for the Newbridge-based side.
In the Women’s League, Ballaghaderreen beat Castlerea Celtic 3-2 at Castlerea. Despite the poor conditions, both teams played some great football and there was little between the teams. Amy Doory scored two and Rebecca Finan added one for the winners. Reece Higgins and Abi Flanagan replied for an unlucky Castlerea Celtic side.
