Holders Ballinasloe off to good start with victory over Skyvalley Rovers
Roscommon & District League title holders Ballinasloe Town began the defence of their title with a 2-0 win away to Skyvalley Rovers. Veteran Henry Loughnane scored their first half way through the first half and Garry Canavan added a second with two minutes of normal time left. Connacht Cup holders Castlerea Celtic beat Strokestown United 5-0 in their opening game of the season at Castlerea. Newly Promoted Loughglynn United drew 1-1 away to Dysart. The home side had more chances but were rocked when last season's leading goal scorer Mark O'Brien gave Loughglynn the lead after 15 minutes of play. Twenty minutes later, Andy Higgins got on the end of a well-taken free kick by Ronan McDonald and headed an equaliser. Cloonfad United beat Moore United 3-2 at Cloonfad in a bad tempered game. David Keavney struck twice for Cloonfad in the opening half hour but, five minutes later, he foolishly got himself sent off. John Conway and Kevin Kenny scored each side of half-time for Moore but Kevin Cummins scored the winner for ten-man Cloonfad with 59 minutes played. Shiven Rovers took on newly promoted Kilkerrin United and were really flattered with their 2-1 victory. Moylough 79 just missed out on promotion to the Premier Division last season and started in a determined mood away to Shiven Rovers. After a five goal thriller Moylough 79 came out on top on a 3-2 scoreline. Meanwhile, Ballymoe and Rahara Rovers drew 2-2 at Ballymoe. The home side were ahead on two occasions but Rovers fought back to win a point. David Collins and Barry Gaffey for Ballymoe and David Mulkeen and Padraig Glynn for Rahara scored the goals. All the goals came in the first half. St. John's Athletic were relegated to Division 1 at the end of last season. They got off to a flying start in this Division when their young side beat an understrength Ahascragh United 90 at Lecarrow. Gordon O'Connor, Seamus Connaughton, Sean Tully and Conor Coffey scored two each and Kevin Curley added one for the Lecarrow side. Newly promoted Roscommon Town left it very late to beat fellow promoted side Castlerea Celtic at Roscommon (2-1). With only seconds remaining, John Paul O'Gara netted the winner for Roscommon Town. Glen Celtic came from behind to draw 1-1 at home to Ericsson FC at Glenamaddy. Niall Hallahan scored for Ericsson after 35 minutes and Freddie Gannon headed an equaliser for Glen Celtic in injury time. Next weekend all four divisions of the Roscommon & District league will be in action. While the League will be without three of last season's "B" Teams, they are pleased to welcome back the Castleblakney side CB Trotters and new side Dunmore Town. Both teams are playing in Division 2. Division 3 will start without Moore United's second side who were a late withdrawal from the league. However there is still six teams in this Division with three rounds of fixtures.