However, in August 2000, Fintan O'Neill took the first step in entering a Team into the Roscommon & District Football League for the first time.  This probably came about as a result of the building of an Asto-pitch in the Shannon Oaks Hotel in Portumna which in turn caused an increase in the number of locals playing football.

 

Portumnas first ever game in Division 3 of the Roscommon League was played three days after the team was entered into the league against Kiltormer.  They eventually lost on a scoreline of 3-2.  After a bad start to the League, Portumna improved in the latter stages and narrowly missed out on a promotion place on the last day of the season to St Johns Athletic.

 

Portumnas second season in the League (2001-02) proved alot more successful. With a new manager on board and plenty of new faces involved, the team progressed to the semi-final of the division 3 cup losing on penaltys to Ballinasloe Town, as well as reaching the quarter final of the Roscommon Challenge Cup, beating Premier division Rahara Rovers along the way and finally losing out to Shiven Rovers also of the Premier division.  But Portumna Towns first trophy arrived via the promotion play-off final in May 2002, coming back from 1-0 down, to beat Glen Celtic on a scoreline of 3-1. This allowed Portumna promotion to the Roscommon League Division 2 for the 2002-03 Season

The team was: J Larkin, J Nevin, D Hogan, C Ryan, C Flaherty, T Moran, B O'Rourke (capt), S Flaherty, M Keane, J Gibbs, M Quigley.

Subs Used: C Pele, S Guilfoyle

Scorers: C Pele, M Keane, B O'Rourke

 

The trend followed suit in division 2 the following season, with Portumna finishing third and reaching the Division one promotion play-offs, losing out to Strokestown by the narrowest of margins.  But this was seemingly irrelevent, as seven days previous Portumna easily beat Ahascragh United in the Division 2 Cup Final on a scoreline of 2-0.  This was Portumnas finest hour, as they outclassed and outplayed their oponents for long periods of the game.  The margin of victory could easily have been far greater. Efforts from Joe Gibbs and Eugene McEntee killed off a listless Ahascragh team.

The team was: J Larkin, D Hogan, T Hoary, C Flaherty, D Quigley, R McEntee, N Guilfoyle, S Flaherty, O Keane (capt), J Gibbs, M Quigley

Subs Used:  E McEntee, M Keane, B O'Rourke

Scorers: J Gibbs, E McEntee