WICKLOW ROVERS AFC CLUB NOTES WEEK ENDING 10th SEPTEMBER 2023

Our under 12C team travelled up to Bog Meadow on Tuesday night to take on Enniskerry. The lads came up against a strong Enniskerry side and even though Rovers lost 5-1 the result doesn't tell the full story. Rovers were more than a match for their hosts and at the break they were only 2-1 in arrears and well in the game with Cayden O'Malley firing home the Rovers goal. Enniskerry hit three unanswered second half goals, but Rovers rued some missed opportunities. Despite the result Rovers gave a good team display. Our under 14B's took on Rathnew on Thursday night in a division 1 league game and it produced nine goals of top quality. The watching spectators were treated to some very good attacking football from both sides with the Villagers running out 6-3 winners in the end. Sean O'Keefe, Cian Lynch and Turlough Byrne were the Rovers goal scorers on the night. The team put in a good shift against a very good Rathnew team. Big thanks to Rathnew for a good game. Also, on the same night the under 14A's kept their good form going with an excellent 3-2 away over their nearest rivals Arklow United A in group 2 of the Premier shield. It was a great battle from the very beginning, Rovers went in front after ten minutes with a great goal from Cillian Czwalina who fired home a powerful shot from outside the box into the top corner. Arklow found the equaliser at the end of the half with a counterattack to send the sides in level at the break. Arklow went in front with twelve minutes left on the clock. Rovers regrouped and equalised a couple of minutes later with Cathal Byrne's clinical finish after a great assist from Dan Farrell. Two minutes before the end of the game Cathal Byrne got the winner, this time the assist came from Cillian Czwalina and Cathal finished with a lovely lob over the keeper. Rovers defended well till the end to bring the win home to see them cement their place on top of Group 2 and book their place in the premier shield semi-finals.

On Saturday, the under 11 green team progressed to the final of the Jimmy Hackett Shield when they defeated Carnew 2-1. It was an exciting semi-final played in extreme hot conditions. Will McConnell and Ryan Newsome scored the all-important goals in a very good all round team display. Unfortunately for the under 11 Blues they didn’t make the final as they went down to a very strong Coolboy Rangers side in the other semi-final. To their credit they fought right to the final whistle and showed great team spirit. Our under 12A's travelled to take on Coolboy Rangers and it proved to be a thriller. Will Carey put Rovers in front with a well struck free kick after ten minutes, but Coolboy were level shortly after. Rovers regained the lead before the break when Eoghan Daye squared for Mikey O’Neill to tap in. The lads increased their lead minutes into the second period when Kevin Yan waltzed past two defenders before coolly firing past the keeper. The home team pulled one back with a well-executed counter attack and then disaster struck when the home side levelled in the last minute. Big thanks to Coolboy for a great game and we look forward to our next encounter. On Sunday the under 13A’s were on fire when they defeated their nearest rivals in the title race Arklow United winning 6-0. Daniel Connolly who put in a man of the match performance and Richard Carton both hit braces with Robbie McCoy and Tommy Morrissey hitting singles. This was an excellent all round team performance with every player playing their part on the day. The 13B's made the trip to Ballard Park to take on table toppers Shillelagh and unfortunately came back empty handed following a 3-1 defeat. The team can count themselves a little unlucky on the day as they created some good chances but just couldn’t get that final finish on the day. There was very little between the sides but on the day the home side took their chances. Well done to both teams. If it was goals you were looking for Ballinalea Park home of Ashford Rovers was the place to be where our under 15's took on the home side. After a thrilling eleven goal match between the sides it was the Rovers of Ashford who came out on top winning 6-5. Games between the two sides in the past have always been thrillers and this was no exception. David Johnston hit a superb hat-trick with Ronan Phelan and Colclough Byrne adding singles for the Rovers of Wicklow. Well done to both sides on serving up a great advert for junior football. Big thanks to Ashford for another great competitive tussle.

The fruits of our junior academy showed on Saturday when a team made up from academy players were entered into organised league football for the second half of the season. The team took on local neighbours Wicklow Town in their first ever game together and first ever game in organised league football. A lot of excellent football was on show with both sides playing some lovely football. Well done everyone. A big thanks to Rachel Taglienti who has taken over the reins of the team, we wish you and your team the best of luck going forward. 

Next Saturday sees our junior academy return to our main grounds at Whitegates. Once again, a huge thanks to East Glendalough School for helping us out in our time of need, it was very much appreciated by everyone at the club. The club’s weekly junior football academy will continue every Saturday morning [weather permitting] under the watchful eye of senior club coaches Johnny Dunne and Jimmy Nolan. The academy is open to all kids from the age of 3 years to 8 years. The academy starts at 11 o’clock and finishes at 12. There is no need for registration so you can come along to any week that suits. Come along and learn the skills of football while having fun and enjoyment, it’s a great way of meeting new friends as you learn the skills as you get prepared for the introduction to participate in organised league football in the coming years. It is a very good way for the kids to meet new friends and interact with others, all the kids are put in their relevant age groups and its open to boys and girls. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Everyone at Wicklow Rovers AFC would like to extend their sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Evelyn Lalor (née Murphy), Dunbur Park, and formerly of Rathdrum, County Wicklow who sadly passed away yesterday. Evelyn's grandson Ben is a past member of the club while Harry plays with our under 13's. Her daughter Audrey is a big supporter of the club. Our thoughts and prayers are with her daughters Audrey and Claire, her sisters Peg and Carmel, brothers Dick and John, sons-in-law John and Bertie, brother-in-law Pat, sister-in-law Rosaleen, grandchildren Ben, Daniel, Harry and Grace, nieces, nephews, extended family, relatives and friends. May she rest in peace.