We are currently at the latter stages of the RDFL Masters league and the race for a place in competing for the League Title has already reached its climax for gaffer Barry Forde and his charges.
At the start of the season, it was made clear that the top four in the Masters League would qualify for the League title and the bottom half would compete for the Trophy a bit like the Champions League structure for these lads ! thus ensuring that all teams had something to play for. The top 4 teams, Moore Utd, Colemanstown, Roscommon Utd and Glen Celtic have now earned the right to battle for the League Title and the bottom 3: Castlerea Celtic, Skyvalley and Cam Celtic (Strokestown have withdrawn) are now pitted to play for the Trophy. Playing for the League title means more cash for the club, the attraction of more foreign masters stars for next season, far weirder kick-off times and a couple of changed hair -dos for a few lads, that is – those who have hair – the combover now seems outdated !
Colemanstown kicked off their campaign on May 14th with a home win over Roscommon Utd thanks to a late goal from Kerrill Hardiman to win 1-0 and grab all 3 points & get the lads off to that perfect start.
Next up were Moore Utd away on May 20th with the lads played out a 2-2 draw. It was a long way from Croke Park for Cyril Donnellan as he netted his first goal in a long time for the club & Paul O’Connor scored the 2nd.
A tough task away to Castlerea on June 3rd saw the lads on the end of their first defeat losing 3-1 with Paul O’Connor the provider of our solitary goal.
The following week we received a walkover from Strokestown who have since pulled out of the league.
June 18th saw us win on the slenderest of margins at home to Glen Celtic with the ever versatile Mark Kirby getting the vital goal.
We claimed our 4th win of the league campaign on June 27th with a 3-1 win at home to Cam Celtic. Kegs was on fire as he claimed his hatrick to cap off an almost perfect performance for him.
On July 2nd, Skyvalley Rovers inflicted our 2nd defeat of the season with a 1-0 away loss in a hard fought battle.
On Monday evening July 11th, the lads played Glen Celtic away in the first round of the top four following the league split. A 2 -2 draw was hard earned in a tough encounter. Gary O’Grady & Padraig Quirke were the goal scorers. With Moore Utd & Roscommon Utd still to play, at this stage, we may look for favours elsewhere to be in with a chance of claiming league honours but the Cup competition yet to play for.