CP Ajax hit form against Valley Rovers

Teams from the Roscommon and District League did reasonably well in the first round of the FAI Junior Cup on Sunday last.

Castleplunkett-based side CP Ajax came up against Valley Rovers from Sligo on Boyle Celtic’s lovely new pitch. The surface suited Ajax’s style of play and they dominated. Valley defended well for the first 20 minute but Pedro opened the scoring when he cut inside from the left and sent a low shot into the bottom corner of the net in the 25th minute.

CP Ajax controlled the game with some fine passing. Their second goal arrived in the 41st minute when Junior, despite being surrounded by Valley Rovers players, fed Pedro whose shot was parried by the ‘keeper. But Darren Flynn reacted quickest to find the top corner of the net.

Ryan Larkin scored a superb header from an equally superb cross from Aaron Usher on the right wing in the 60th minute. Although Valley Rovers got a few shots off late on, it was a straightforward victory for CP Ajax.

Moore United were comfortable 7-3 winners against Sligo Super League side, St. John’s FC.

Andy Hussey and Rian Carpenter gave Moore an early lead but the visitors pulled one back a short time later. However, it was all Moore United after that and they were 5-1 ahead at half time. Andy Hussey added three more, while Jack Nevin and David Griffin scored two more to secure a place in the second round for the winners.

Ballaghaderreen were beaten 5-1 at home by Castlebar side Ballyheane. Shairoze Akram scored for Ballaghaderreen but the visitors were home and hosed by that stage.

Dunmore Town made the long journey to Iorras Aonthaite but it was the Mayo side who came out on top on a 4-1 scoreline. Savio Olivera scored for Dunmore Town.

Castlerea Celtic conceded their away game to Westport United.

A young Skyvalley Rovers side played a very good Moylough ‘79 side who came out on top at Onagh Park, Taughmaconnell, on Sunday. A tough start for both sides saw few chances and very little sustained possession. However some loose marking allowed Moylough to gain a foothold in the game. Despite playing reasonably well for long periods, Skyvalley Rovers just couldn’t get back into the contest.

Moylough ’79 earned a penalty after a slick move down the right wing. But the spot kick was saved by the Skyvalley goalkeeper. Joe Whyte kicked off the scoring, putting away a cross from Ian Fahy who then added a second just before half time to give the visitors a 2-0 lead at the break.

The second half started in the same way the first half ended with Moylough controlling the majority of chances. Seán Kelly and Ian Fahy added two more to the scoresheet.

Skyvalley found themselves unable to beat Moylough ’79 goalkeeper Tommy Shaughnessy who kept his second clean sheet in as many games. Alan Conway added a fifth goal from the spot after he was brought down just inside the box.

St. Cuan’s/Ahascragh United saw off Roscommon United 4-2 at Ahascragh. The sides were level, 1-1, at half time, but the home side were the better team in the second half.

Ethan O’Leary scored two goals, while Colin Concannon and Cameron O’Leary added one each for the winners. Marcel Gala grabbed both goals for the Roscommon Town side.

St. John’s Athletic beat Cam/Dysart 3-2 at Lecarrow. Jamie Tiernan scored two goals and Michael Joe Egan added one for the winners. David Cunniffe and Keith Dolan replied for Cam/Dysart.

In the first game in this season’s RDFL Women’s League, Castlerea Celtic and Boyle Celtic drew 1-1 at Castlerea. Shannon Dowd gave the home side a 1-0 lead with a 25-metre volley, but Boyle Celtic scored a deserved equaliser before the end.

Shiven Rovers beat Ballaghaderreen 5-0 at Newbridge. The game was even enough until Ballaghaderreen lost their ‘keeper. From then on, Shiven dominated. Lucy Dunican scored three goals, while and Ciara Lally and Sheenagh Martyn added one each for the winners.