Skyvalley Rovers take Moore United’s scalp

The second round of the Joe’s Bar sponsored Challenge Cup took centre stage last weekend.

At Taughmaconnell, Skyvalley Rovers qualified for the next round following a 1-0 win over Premier Division title contenders, Moore United. It was a typical local derby, with few clearcut chances created by either side.

Skyvalley Rovers had appeals for a penalty kick turned down in the opening half, and were hoping that the decision wouldn’t come back to haunt them by the end of the game.

But the home team finally broke the deadlock after 27 minutes of the second half. A long delivery into the Moore United penalty area deceived the visitors’ goalkeeper and Mark Richardson had an easy chance to score, which he took. A great defensive display by the Skyvalley Rovers defence saw them hang on to their advantage until the end.

Boyle Celtic advanced to the next round at the expense of Cloonfad United’s second side. The visitors battled well in the first half and were level at the break. However, Jake McCrann finally made the breakthrough early in the second half and, from then on, there was only going to be one result.

Daniel Hughes, Michael Corrigan, Adam Dwyer, Shane Carroll, and Ronan Garvin added five more before Jake McCrann scored his second to confirm a 7-0 victory.

Division One outfit, Glen Celtic, defeated Premier Division side Shiven Rovers 2-1 at Newbridge. In what was a tough battle with little between the teams, the game was scoreless at the break.

The Glenamaddy-based side took the lead early in the second half. Dylan Joyce was taken down in the penalty area and Michael Heneghan converted the resultant spot kick.

With 68 minutes on the clock, Shiven Rovers were level, thanks to a goal from Darragh Murphy. Just when extra time seemed likely, Gavin Hegarty scored the winner for Glen Celtic with nearly the last kick of the game.

In an all-Premier Division Clash at Ballaghaderreen, the home side, who have been struggling for most of the season, knocked out Castlerea Celtic in a thriller. The game has everything — six goals, extra time, a penalty shootout and a sending off, before Ballaghaderreen won 5-4 after the penalty shootout.

Ronan Curran converted a penalty kick to give Castlerea Celtic a 1-0 lead after ten minutes. But Cathal Horan scored for the home side just before half time. Oisín Farrell executed a stunning volley for Castlerea Celtic early in the second half and Dominic Bligh made it 3-1 for Castlerea Celtic ten minutes later. Ian Frain pulled a goal back for Ballaghaderreen, who had a player sent off for a second yellow card with 15 minutes remaining in normal time.

Just when Castlerea Celtic seemed to have won the game, Cathal Horan poked home an equaliser with only two minutes of normal time remaining. There were no more goals in extra time, with Ballaghaderreen winning the resultant penalty shootout.

Cup holders CP Ajax were beaten 2-1 away to a good Moylough side. James Foley gave the Division One team a 1-0 lead after three minutes, but Charlie Stokes replied for a young CP Ajax side just before half time.

Moylough won a penalty kick with 15 minutes remaining when Dermot Hughes was taken down in the box and he duly picked himself up and converted the resultant spot kick.

St. John’s Athletic have two teams in the third round draw following wins over Cloonfad United and Ballymoe FC respectively. The first team beat Cloonfad United 2-0 at Cloonfad. The home side missed a great chance to take the lead before half time, and it was to prove costly. Simon Leonard gave St. John’s Athletic the lead on the hour mark, and he added a second three minutes later.

St. John’s second side caused the shock of the day when they beat Premier Division side Ballymoe FC 9-1 at Lecarrow. The home side took an early lead but Damien Goggins brought the sides level after 20 minutes. However, it went all downhill for Ballymoe after that.

Camin Boland, Brendan Burke and Conor Murphy scored two each for St. John’s, and Danny O’Brien, Chris Hurley and Ryan Dowling added one each for the winners who no one will want to draw in the next round.

Division One side, Dunmore Town, are safely through to the next round following a 6-2 win over Division Two outfit, Roscommon United, at Dunmore. Shane McGrath gave Dunmore the perfect start when he scored in the first minute. The visitors levelled the game a few minutes later, but Raman Saman scored two, and Padraig Costello and Ben Glynn added one each before Shane McGrath completed the scoring for Dunmore Town.

In the RDFL Women’s League, Kilkerrin United beat Shiven Rovers 5-2 at Kilkerrin. Mya Grogan scored two, and Ellie McDermott, Kate McGann and Karla Cassidy added one each for the winners. Rachel Farrell and Laura Leahy replied for Shiven Rovers.

Castlerea Celtic defeated Ballinasloe Town 3-0 at Castlerea. Megan Flanagan scored two and Clodagh Diggins added another for the winners.

Dunmore drew 0-0 against Ballaghaderreen in a good game of football played at Dunmore.

Meanwhile, Boyle Celtic and St. John’s Athletic have been handed home draws in the quarter-finals of the Connacht FA Men’s Cup Quarter-Finals on March 30th.

Boyle Celtic will host Mervue United, while Westport United will be the visitors to Lecarrow to face St. John’s Athletic.

In the Shield competition, Skyvalley Rovers will play Corofin United at Onagh Park, Taughmaconnell, in their quarter-final.