WICKLOW ROVERS AFC CLUB NOTES WEEK ENDING 29th OCTOBER 2023

On the senior front our senior B team are still seeking their first win of the season but unfortunately on Saturday they came up against a very good Bray College team. The lads gave it their all, but the Bray side were clinical in front of goal hitting four without reply. This season will be a work in progress season for this young Rovers team and hopefully one they will learn from as it's their first season in senior football.

The third team had a tough assignment when they took on league leaders Avonmore B in Tullylusk. The lads were looking for their first point while the leaders boasted a hundred percent start to the campaign. On the final whistle of what proved to be a thrilling match it was the league leaders who edged it after a titanic effort from the lads. If it was goals you were looking for this was the place to be as Avonmore narrowly won out 5-4 in a cracker. This was the lads third game to lose narrowly, and we can definitely say lady luck isn’t shinning on them but if they keep up this level of performances their first win is only around the corner. Gary O’Connor fired home a brace with Cormac Marnane and Alex Earls adding singles in a good all round team performance. The senior A team’s match away to Avonmore A fell foul of the bad weather for the second weekend running.

The club had three victories from three last week in SFAI cup action and this week we saw the under 11's and 12A's make it two from two to see all five teams progress to round three. The under 11's travelled to Newbridge in a game that was reversed because of storm Babet last week. The lads came up against a physically bigger Newbridge United team, but it didn’t affect the Rovers player's attitude. They went about their business in a clinical manner and when the chances came their way, they tucked them away. Ryan Newsome was the Rovers marksman on the day tucking away two good finishes for a 2-0 victory and a safe passage to round three. This was a really encouraging performance from a really tight team who continue to grow in confidence. Well done lads and a big thanks to Newbridge for a good game.

Aughrim and our U12A's renewed acquaintances in the second round of the National Cup at Whitegates and another exciting tussle unfolded in front of the vibrant supporters. Rovers should have been up at half time and on another day, they would have had at least one on the board at the halfway mark, but it was all square at 0-0 heading into the second half. And what a half it turned out to be. In the 42nd minute, Captain Kevin Yan fed Mikie O'Neill a delightful through ball that O'Neill excellently latched on to, rounded the keeper and put Rovers one up. The lead was short lived when Aughrim broke down the right four minutes later and fired a powerful shot to equalize. Two minutes later Kevin Yan fired an 18-yard left foot rasper past the fully outstretched Aughrim keeper. The lead was again short lived as minutes later Aughrim hit a well-placed free kick over the wall and into the Rovers net. 2-2 at full time and the game went into extra time. Rovers came out pumped for extra time and put the game to bed within the first six minutes. Finn Murphy fed O'Neill who put Rovers 3-2 up after a cooly slotted finish. It was 4-2 minutes later when Will Carey jumped highest and headed home from a Hank Murnane corner. O'Neill soon after completed his hat-trick and a well-placed Murnane back heel put Rovers in a commanding lead. Murnane popped up again in the second half of extra time to complete the scoring after an excellent delivery into the box by Freddie Kavanagh. A great win for our boys and it's on to Round 3 of the National Cup. A huge thanks to Aughrim for the game and the very best of luck in the National Cup Trophy competition.

The under 13A's took on local neighbours Rathnew AFC in the final of the Premier shield at Moneystown, home of Ashford Rovers. This was always going to be a tough close encounter with both sides coming into the game in confident mood. Rathnew defeated the lads in the cup semi-final, but the lads had the upper hand in the league. The two sides gave it everything and traded goals with Sam Conyard hitting a first half penalty. The game was put to bed in the last ten minutes when Daniel Connolly popped up with a brace to finally kill off the challenge of the villagers and give the lads an excellent 3-1 victory. As usual it was a tough encounter with no quarters given and played in good spirit. A big thanks to Rathnew for a great competitive final. Congratulations to Mo, Kevin, and the team on another great success, well done lads.

Following round two of the various SFAI National cup competitions the draw for round three has been made. After an excellent 2-0 win away to Newbridge our under 11’s have been drawn away to the AC Celtic. The 12A’s fresh from their epic 7-2 extra time win over Aughrim Rangers sees them with another home tie against St Francis of Athlone. Our 13A’s saw off Mullingar Athletic in round two and their reward is a home draw against the winners of Mountmellick United or Athy Town. The 14A’s were also drawn at home in round three, after a tough 2-1 away win over St Francis of Athlone they will now take on Rosenails AFC or Athy Town at Whitegates. Finally, our under 15’s after a 5-0 home win over Abbeyleix will be on the road in round three when they travel to the winners of Portlaoise AFC or Killeigh FC. We wish all five teams the very best of luck in round three.

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.