Fallon the hero as Roscommon League advance to semi-final

Goalkeeper Aidan Fallon was the hero as the Roscommon & District League advanced to the semi-final of the Oscar Traynor Cup for only the second time following a penalty shoot-out win over the Limerick League in Lecarrow on Sunday afternoon. Fallon, from the local St John's Athletic club, saved a first-half spot kick and kept the Roscommon team in contention throughout with a string of fine saves before crucially stopping the visitor's third penalty in a dramatic finale. The visitors had a number of former League of Ireland players in their ranks and while heading in to the game as favourites were rocked when the home side took the lead after just five minutes play. Full back Martin Lennon floated in a corner kick and when goalkeeper Gary Neville failed to gather the ball, Colm Killackey drilled the ball to the net from the edge of the six-yard box. It was the perfect start for the hosts but Fallon had to be alert to the Limerick danger as he parried a shot which threatened to sneak in at the near post after 10 minutes. The home keeper was fortunate soon after when the ball landed into his arms after Mike O'Gorman's shot from close range struck the underside of the crossbar as Limerick's dominance of the opening half gathered momentum. The visitors then forced two corner kicks in succession while Conor Kavanagh, who had a spell with Athlone Town in 2011, fired wide midway through the half. The visitors were handed a chance to get back on level terms after half an hour when Martin Killilea fouled Shane Waters in the penalty area but Fallon guessed correctly to dive to his right and block Kavanagh's spot kick with the ball then cleared to safety. Limerick still enjoyed lots of possession as half time approached with Brian Buckley's free-kick hitting off the home defensive wall behind for a corner kick and O'Gorman flashing a shot just wide. The inevitable equaliser arrived five minutes from the break when O'Gorman's cross from the end line was pushed into the air by Fallon but Alan Barry was well placed at the far post to head home from close range. Limerick might even had enjoyed a half-time lead but a strike from substitute Jonathon Grant following a long ball forward was somehow blocked down as the half ended all square. Roscommon were much improved on the resumption of play and had an early chance when Aidan Dooney tested the keeper with a long-range free-kick which Neville was glad to push behind. A similar effort from the home midfielder shortly after the hour mark just cleared the bar while Liam Lynch was then out of luck when his effort from the right was narrowly wide. The Ballinasloe striker's effort proved to be one of the last chances for the home side as thereafter Limerick took control with Fallon keeping Roscommon in contention with a series of fine saves. Jake Mulcahy shot over after a free kick had been blocked while Grant somehow failed to hit the target firing wide of an open goal after the keeper advanced. The final five minutes of normal time saw Limerick pound the home goal but were unable to get past an inspired Fallon as Roscommon held out to force extra time. Grant almost made up for his earlier miss but saw Fallon block his goal-bound effort while another former Athlone Town player Wayne Colbert was also denied as the Lecarrow Garda stretched to push behind the full back's strike which would surely have proved a winner at that late stage. Limerick edged the two periods of extra time but again were unable to get past Fallon. An early visiting corner was cleared while Fallon was alert to the danger from a quickly taken free kick by Shane Waters to push the ball behind. The home side ended the first period on a high when Lynch earned a corner kick and followed up with another corner on the resumption of play which was scrambled clear with John Tierney then hitting the loose ball wide. Tired limbs were tested as Limerick launched a final attack and while Fallon's block from Waters strike was good the follow up effort to deny Grant was even better as the visitors shook their heads in dismay following a frustrating afternoon in front of goal. It was appropriate then that Fallon crowned a fine display by saving Keith Harnett's spot kick in the penalty lottery after both sides had missed their opening efforts. Kavanagh and Lynch were successful with the next two but when Fallon denied Harnett the advantage swung Roscommon's way as the pressure began to tell on Limerick. Killackey followed up his opening goal with a successful penalty as the home side went ahead after three kicks each had been taken. Grant levelled matters for Limerick but what proved to be the winner arrived when Dooney found the net with an expertly dispatched effort and there was no need for any further brave men to step forward when Pat Boyle hit the post with Limerick's fifth penalty. 3-2 then for the home side on penalties with the goalkeeper smothered under jubilant Roscommon team mates and mentors as they acknowledged his man-of-the-match display. It was hard luck on Limerick who had enough chances to win on another day but full credit to the home side who showed great self belief when the odds were stacked against them and failed to panic at any stage even under severe pressure. Their reward is a place in the semi final where they will face the Kerry League with the game scheduled to take place in Tralee. Roscommon: Aidan Fallon, David Fitzpatrick, Martin Lennon, John Tierney (David Grehan 75m), Martin Killilea, Aidan Dooney, David Keegan (Carl Galvin 68), David Cullan, Liam Lynch, Colm Killackey, Ronan Curran. Limerick: Gary Neville, Wayne Colbert, Jake Mulcahy, Pat Mullins, Brian Buckley, Conor Kavanagh, Shane Waters, Mike O'Gorman (Keith Harnett 100), Shane Clarke (Jonathon Grant 24), Alan Barry, Pat Boyle. Referee: Paul Murphy (Athlone)