WICKLOW ROVERS AFC CLUB NOTES WEEK ENDING 1st OCTOBER 2023

Well mother nature reared her head again at the weekend with the continuous rain on Friday night and all day Saturday putting paid to a lot of matches around the county. The Hockey Pitch, St Patricks NS, Rocky Road and Whitegates pitches were all closed on Sunday. Both our senior men's matches away to Newtown United A and at home to Coolboy Rangers were both victims of the bad weather. 

The under 12A’s and 14A's were disappointed at the weekend, both teams were scheduled for National cup games against St Josephs of Athlone and Mullingar Athletic respectively. Both teams progressed to round two without kicking a ball with the lads receiving walkovers. It wasn't the way the teams wanted to progress, they would have preferred to do the business on the pitch, but it was totally out of their hands. It means the 12A’s have now set up a round two tie away to fellow WDSL side Aughrim Rangers. The 14A's will be on the road in round two when they take on St Francis FC in Athlone.

On Saturday morning the 12C's entertained local neighbours Rathnew AFC. On a miserable morning for football both teams played out a highly entertaining match. Despite the conditions the teams served up an excellent tussle and at the end there was only the bare minimum between the two sides with the Villagers scoring the only goal of the game to win 1-0. Both sides had chances to tag a few more goals but only the one goal was registered. Well done to both teams for battling the elements, well done to the coaches of both teams for having their sides well prepared and thanks to the parents of both teams for coming out in bad conditions to support the kids. It’s all this that makes it worthwhile at grassroots level. Well done everyone. 

A lot of work has been carried out in the clubhouse over the last few weeks, renovations have been carried out throughout the whole clubhouse. New toilets, sinks, shower heads, new tiling in all four dressing rooms and in the shower room, new seating with individual backings for each player, a new storage area for academy equipment. All we ask when the clubhouse is been used that it is looked after and the dressing rooms are cleaned out after use and where possible boots should be removed before entering after games, thank you. Also, a lot of money was spent on the main pitch to get it back in good condition. New hybrid surfaces were installed in the six-yard areas with a complete overhaul of the whole pitch with it been spiked, sanded and seeded.

With the club constantly growing we could do with new blood to assist with running the club. We are seeking people to help on the executive committee or with one of our sub-committees. Please don’t assume someone has stepped forward and there is no need for you. We can never have enough people to help with the running of the club so please come forward and help us move the club to the next level. New people with new ideas will help the club progress and therefore benefit all our members. At present we have a development committee who are doing great work behind the scenes. If you think you can help, please contact any executive committee member from the following: Paul Delaney, Stephen Clarke, Johnny Dunne, Corrina Collins, Trevor Conyard, Ross Byrne, or Jimmy Nolan. Alternatively, you can email the club at wicklowroverssecretary@gmail.com or pm our Facebook page, thank you.

Our junior academy continues all year round, it takes place at Whitegates every Saturday morning weather permitting under the guidance of Johnny Dunne and Jimmy Nolan. It runs from 11 to 12 and is for girls and boys from 3 years old to 8 years old. The cost got the hour is €2 and no registration is required so you can come to whatever Saturdays suit you. The academy prepares the kids for the step up to organised league football while having fun and making friends. All kids are welcome to attend.

Anyone with anything for our club notes, Facebook page or our club website can contact me by email at jimmy.nolan09@hotmail.com or by text to 087-9108706. For all news regarding the club, check out our club website at www.wicklowrovers.com or the club Facebook page.