Published: Thursday, 17th December, 2009 6:22pm

Skyvalley and Ballinasloe advance in Connacht Cup

The third Round of the Connacht Cup took centre stage on Sunday and it was a day of mixed fortunes for teams from the Roscommon & District League.

Roscommon & District League Premier Division side Ballinasloe Town beat the Galway league side Gort 4-0 away. Henry Loughnane broke the deadlock just before half-time and added a second early in the second half. Darragh Concannon added the third before Henry Loughnane completed his hat-trick.

Roscommon & District League Premier Division side Skyvalley Rovers beat the Sligo Super League side Ballisodare 4-1 in a penalty shoot-out after their game finished 3-3 at the end of extra-time. Dave Burns gave the visitors a 1-0 lead before Damien Caulfield replied for Rovers. John McGlinchey restored the visitors' lead before Nigel Brooks created a chance for Ollie Brooks who levelled the game. In extra-time, David Grehan gave Skyvalley the lead for the first time before Joseph Healy sent the game to penalties when he scored in the last minute. Skyvalley won the penalty shoot-out and are now through to round four.

Premier Division leaders Shiven Rovers were beaten 5-4 on penalties away to Mayo side Straid & Foxford Utd, while Cloonfad Utd were beaten 3-2 at home by Sligo side Merville Utd. Division 1 side Glen Celtic were beaten 1-0 away to the Sligo side Gurteen Celtic

Loughglynn United beat the Sligo side Chaffpool Utd 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out after their game finished level at 1-1 at the end of extra-time. Premier Division side Castlerea Celtic were beaten 7-3 away to Ballina Town.

In an all Roscommon clash, Strokestown Utd beat fellow Premier Division side Moore Utd 7-1. David Parker gave the home side a 1-0 lead after just two minutes of play and David Lennon replied for Moore thirteen minutes later. Conor Silke struck twice for the winners before half-time and in the second half John Rodgers scored two and Mark McEvoy and John Hagan one each to see Strokestown into round five.

Dysart put up a brave performance away to Galway Hibernians before loosing 3-1. Paul Higgins scored their goal. Division 1 side Roscommon Town were beaten 5-0 at home by the Galway City side Mervue Utd.

Meanwhile, Ballymoe are the new leaders of the Athlone Nissan Division 1 following a seven goal thriller at Rahara. Kevin Cassidy gave Rahara the lead after 22 minutes but Ger Grogan and Pat Flynn scored for Ballymoe before half-time. In the second half, James Connaughton made it 3-1 for Ballymoe before Kevin Cassidy pulled a goal back for Rahara in the closing minutes of the game. Ger Grogan scored again for Ballymoe and Gerry Lohan also scored for Rahara to leave the final score 4-3 in favour of Ballymoe.

Ahascragh Utd were surprise 3-1 winners over Moylough. St John's Athletic and Ericsson drew 2-2 at Lecarrow. Peter Keogh scored early for St John's and John McIntyre replied for Ericsson from the penalty spot. Ultan Kelly scored a wonder goal for St John's Athletic before Mick Fitzgerald levelled the game with 20 minutes left to play.

In Division 2, Ballaghaderreen beat Dunmore Town 3-1. Leaders Manor Utd beat the Ballinlough side Lough Harps 1-0 away.

In the Casey Ford Division 3, Cloonfad Utd beat Ballinagare 4-0 and are the new leaders of this Division.