WICKLOW ROVERS AFC CLUB NOTES WEEK ENDING 8th OCTOBER 2023

On Friday night our senior A team travelled to Arklow Credit Union Park to take on Arklow United. There was very little between the sides in the first half with both sides having chances. The difference was that the home side were more clinical in front of goal firing home two unanswered goals to go in at the break 2-0 up. Rovers pushed forward in the second period but couldn’t breach a stubborn Arklow rearguard. Arklow ran out 2-0 winners on the night. The B team making their debut in senior football with most of the team made up of last year’s youth team were unlucky to lose 3-2 to Arklow Town B. Rovers led twice, first at 1-0 and then at 2-1 with Jamie Gunning firing home a brace. Arklow hit two goals in the last ten minutes to deny Rovers something from the game which their performance richly deserved. Keep up the good work lads and the results will come.

The senior ladies recorded a comfortable home win in the shield when they defeated Camolin Celtic 10-1 at Whitegates on Sunday morning. It was the away side that went in front which seem to kick start the Rovers girls. They went into overdrive hitting ten goals without reply. Niamh O’Brien fired home four goals with Molly Sweeney netting a hat-trick. Sophie Byrne, Aoife Caffrey and Louise Johnson all nabbed singles in what was a good all round team performance.

On the junior front our three under 12 teams were in action on Saturday. The 12A's took on a good Aughrim Rangers team and ran out 2-0 winners after a highly competitive encounter. Daniel Clarke put Rovers in front when he ghosted in at the back to volley home to the roof of the net. On twenty one minutes Will Carey fired home a spectacular goal to double the Rovers lead. In a tight second half the combination of the defence and midfield kept Aughrim at bay for Rovers to record an excellent 2-0 victory. Thanks to Aughrim for another good tussle. Our under 12B's welcomed table toppers Arklow United to Rocky Road in what turned out to be a good contest. Arklow started the better of the two with some early chances, but Matthew Gough in goal, was in fine form. Rovers got hit for two goals before half time with Arklow playing some nice interplay football. The second half was much better, and Rovers battled well, Eoghan Quinn had a great shot saved, and Rovers held their own. Captain Charlie Lawlor led the defence well with Davi Loboshi and Rian Kavanagh. Rovers held Arklow in the second half right to the end but conceded a sucker punch from a last-minute corner, and the game finished 3-0 to Arklow. Well done to all our lads today who battled to the end and well played Arklow United. The 12C's entertained St Anthonys B at Rocky Road in a Division 2 league game. Rovers started the game fast and could have scored directly from the kick off when Kyrylo Kliuchnyk burst through the St Anthonys defence. With only the keeper to beat he took an early shot but couldn't keep it down. Rovers kept up the pressure and had several half chances but couldn't convert. The good play eventually paid off when Kai Jameson hit a powerful volley past the Kilcoole keeper. St Anthonys then went in search of an equaliser but couldn't break past the Rovers defence of Aaron Lynn, captain Michael Carroll and Locky Matthews. St Anthonys then got a free kick, which escaped the defenders and somehow found the net. Rovers had further chances but couldn't breach a solid Anthonys rearguard. As the game entered the final minute, Rovers got a corner which was defended well but the ball eventually fell to Michael Carroll on the edge of the box. He hit a sweet curling shot which looked destined for the top corner only to clatter off the angle. 1-1 it finished. Thanks to St Anthonys for an entertaining encounter. Notable performances from Michael Carroll, Paddy Donnelly, and Kyrylo Kliuchnyk in what was a great team performance.

On Sunday the 13B's entertained Arklow United B and they recorded a comfortable victory. Will O'Callaghan, Darragh Reddin, Josh Murphy and Leon Lawless all hit the back of the net as the lads put in a clinical display. Rovers controlled the game from start to finish in what was an excellent all round team performance. The under 15's travelled to Ballyman to take on Enniskerry and returned home with all three points in a ruthless performance. Everything the lads touched turned to gold as Josh McCall, Colclough Byrne, Josh McCann, Ronan Phelan, Sean Guerin, and Sam Behan all got on the scoreboard in a very impressive team performance.

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.