Record number of teams for new RDFL season
The Skyvalley Rovers U-18 squad that defeated Moore United in the Roscommon and District Schoolboys/girls League Challenge Cup final in Newbridge on Saturday evening.
Next weekend sees the start of the 55th season of the Roscommon and District Football League (RDFL).
It’s a measure of the league’s standing that it will have a record number of teams competing in the 2025/2026 season. The upcoming season will see no less than four divisions and one division of women’s teams. Overall, 31 senior men’s teams will take part, while eight teams will compete in the Women’s League The RDFL welcomes newcomers Carrick Town from Carrick-on-Shannon, Ballyboro, based in Ballyleague/Lanesboro, Ballinahown, Ballinlough outfit Lough Harps and Ballinagare.
The Ballyleague/Lanesboro side was one of the founding members of the league, having played back in the early seventies as Boro Celtic. Carrick Town also played in the league in the early years while Lough Harps and Ballinagare have never cut their ties with the RDFL over the years.
The RDFL wishes the new clubs all the best for the season.
Just the Premier and First Divisions teams will be in action this weekend. Last season’s champions, St. John’s Athletic begin the defence of their title at home to Dunmore Town next Sunday. It will be the first time for Dunmore to play in the Premier Division, having come through three play-off matches to gain promotion last season. The home side will start favourites, but it will not be an easy game for them.
Moore United slipped up in the last game of the season and, as a result, finished as runners-up. They will start favourites to beat Shiven Rovers when they play at Lecarrow on Sunday.
Boyle Celtic finished third, with a defeat away to Moore in their last game costing them dearly. They have a home game against last season’s Division One champions Skyvalley Rovers.
Castlerea Celtic were very inconsistent last season, slipping back the table near the end. They take on neighbours Ballymoe FC in Castlerea on Friday evening at 8 p.m. in a local derby that could go either way.
Division One is, by tradition, always a very close and hard-fought competition. The team that win this division will have earned it. New side Ballinahown make the long journey to Ballaghaderreen. The home side were Premier Division champions the season before last but were relegated last year. It promises to be a very interesting game.
Castleplunkett-based side CP Ajax are a little like Ballaghaderreen, but they should beat newly-promoted Kilkerrin United when they play at Tarmon.
Ballinasloe Town find themselves in Division One for the second season and will have to be at their best if they are to beat Cloonfad United when they play at Ballinasloe.
Moylough just missed out on promotion to the Premier Division last season and they should overcome St. John’s Athletic’s second side when they play at Moylough.
