St Johns Athletic retain prime position in finely balanced RDFL title race
The RDFL Norio’s Premier Division is finely balanced with just three points separating St Johns Athletic, Boyle Celtic and Castlerea Celtic. All three have just four games left to play and that’s not forgetting Moore United who are four points behind the leaders but have a game less played. Its going to be a thrilling finish to the Premier Division with all the top teams playing teams from the top section before the season concludes.
The big game of the weekend was the clash between Moore United and St Johns Athletic at Moore on Friday Night. The home side started well and were 1 – 0 up with five minutes played, a Charles Nevin free kick stroked home by J P Byrne at the back post. They had a chance to add another shortly afterwards, but the St Johns Keeper pulled off a great save to deny Nevin. From then on it was St Johns Athletic who were the better side.
They were rewarded with a penalty on 35 mins when Caimin Boland was taken down by the Moore defender. The penalty was scored by Darragh Keenan. St Johns added a second just before half time when a free kick was dispatched to net by Caimin Boland. St John’s started the second half in much the same way as the end of the first half when they dominated Moore and could have increased their lead only for the Moore keeper to make a few very good saves. The third goal came midway through the second half when Darragh Keenan was fouled in the Moore penalty area and he picked himself up and converted the resultant penalty kick. Both teams had chances before the end but it was the undefeated Lecarrow side who claimed there valuable points
Castlerea Celtic travelled to Newbridge where they secured a hard fought 3-2 victory over a Shiven Rovers side who are just above the relegation area.
Meanwhile, Boyle Celtic had a convincing 5-2 win over Ballaghaderreen at Ballaghaderreen.
In Division 1 Skyvalley Rovers had a valuable 3–0 win over Cloonfad United at Cloonfad. This game was previously abandoned following a nearby horrific accident and as a result both teams were not in a position to really enjoy the game. Rovers are now competing with Ballinasloe Town and Moylough for the championship title.
Conal Moore and Mark Richardson came close to opening the score in the first ten minutes. Cloonfad had two good chances to score shortly afterwards but the Skyvalley keeper Donnacha Monaghan and Eoin Keogh kept them out. The breakthrough came after thirty eight minutes of play when a good cross into the Cloonfad penalty area was met by Emmet Kelly who scored. Only a great save by Donnacha kept Skyvalley ahead at the break. With just five played in the second half Conal Moore took advantage of some hesitation in the home defence and he made it 2–0 for the Taughmaconnell side. John Feehily completed the scoring with 80 minutes played and the game then ended as a contest.
Also in Division 1, Ballinasloe Town were held to a 1–1 draw away to the Glenamaddy side Glen Celtic.
Kilkerrin United were crowned Division 2 champions following their 2-0 win over St Johns Athletic 'B' in Lecarrow, the victors goals scored by Darragh Nolan and Enda Keane.
In the same division Moore United 'B' succumbed to a heavy defeat at home to Roscommon United.
In the preliminary round of the DK Shield Rahara Rovers were edged out of the competition on penalties by St Cuans Ahascragh.
Weekend Fixtures
Friday, March 7 (8pm)
RDFL Joe’s Bar Challenge Cup Quarter Finals
Skyvalley Rovers V Moylough ‘79; Dunmore Town V Ballaghaderreen
RDFL Dave Kelly Challenge Shield Quarter Finals
Kilkerrin Utd V Cloonfad Utd A
Saturday, March 8 (8pm)
RDFL Dave Kelly Challenge Shield Quarter Finals
Moore Utd B V Roscommon Utd
RDFL Women’s League
Boyle Celtic V Shiven Rovers
Kilkerrin Utd V Dunmore Town
Sunday, March 9
RDFL Joe’s Bar Challenge Cup Quarter Finals
Glen Celtic V St John Athletic B; St John’s Athletic A v Boyle Celtic (2pm)
RDFL Dave Kelly Challenge Shield Quarter Finals
Cuans V Ballinasloe Town; Cam/Dysart V Cloonfad B (11am)