WICKLOW ROVERS AFC CLUB NOTES WEEK ENDING 5th NOVEMBER 2023

Yet again the weather played havoc with the weekend’s fixtures. The heavy rain late on Friday night and all day Saturday put paid to all home fixtures. The only home match to escape the bad weather was the senior A team’s game against Arklow Town A. This proved to be a tight affair with very little between the sides. Rovers went in front through a Tommy Kelly strike, but Arklow fought back to level. Rovers were to rue some missed chances as the game finished up 1-1. That elusive first victory is only around the corner, they are creating the chances and just need to be a bit more clinical in front of goal. The senior ladies kicked off their league campaign with a comfortable 8-0 away win over Bunclody FC. The girls went about their business in clinical fashion, Niamh O’Brien yet again hit four goals to make it four goals in each of the three games they have played so far to bring her tally to twelve. Molly Sweeney nabbed a brace to make it five goals in three games with Louise Corrigan and Sinead Keogh scoring their firsts of the season in what was an excellent team performance and a great start to their league campaign.

Our under 14A's were in late action in the premier shield final on Sunday evening. They went in search of completing a premier treble of league, cup, and shield, but a determined Aughrim Rangers team stood in their way. It proved to be a tight contest, and at halftime in the contest, there was nothing between the sides as they went into the break scoreless. Aughrim put it up to Rovers and hit the front early in the second period, scoring from a corner. The teams were providing an excellent game of football in a close exciting final. Just when it looked like Aughrim would hold out for the victory, Rovers popped up with the equaliser. With a minute left on the clock, Sean O'Brien got on the end of a Rovers corner to head home and keep alive their hopes of the treble. The game ended all square, and it was straight to penalties, not a nice way to finish a final. Rovers tucked away all five penalties to win the shootout 5-3. A massive thanks to Aughrim Rangers for a great tussle played in the right spirit and making the final an exciting encounter. Well done Aughrim. Congratulations to Mirko, Sean and the lads not just on the night but for a highly successful season and a wonderful treble, well done lads.

Tickets go on sale this week for our Christmas Bumper Raffle which will be held in Fitzpatrick’s Bar on Friday 15th of December. There are prizes galore to be won with numerous house prizes on the night. Tickets are €1 each or book of 6 for €5. Tickets can be purchased from any club member or any committee member. The following is a list of the prizes in the raffle. 1st prize - Turkey, Ham, Christmas Cake, Christmas Pudding, €150 cash, Mince Pies, Box Biscuits, Box Sweets, Box Crisps, Christmas Crackers, Bottle of Whiskey, Gin, Vodka, Tray Heineken. 2nd prize - Turkey, Ham, Bottle of Captain Morgans, Vodka, 1 doz. Heineken. 3rd prize - Turkey, Ham, Bottle of Gin, Whiskey, €30 Dowling's Butchers. 4th prize ⁃ Bottle Gin, Whiskey, Vodka, Baileys, Prosecco, Red & White Wine. 5th prize - Fourball in Powerscourt Golf Club. 6th prize - Ring Video Doorbell t- Sponsor Forkin Property. 7th prize - McShane Academy 121 coaching session, €50 Wicklow Rovers Shop Voucher. 8th prize - €30 The Shoebox voucher, €50 Firehouse Cafe voucher. 9th prize - Ham, Christmas Cake & Pudding, €20 Dunne's Butchers. 10th prize- €150 Pettitt's Supervalu voucher. 11th prize- Finnbees Premium Hamper, €50 voucher Liz Collins Boutique. 12th prize - 32" LG SMART TV - Sponsor CCS Media. 13th prize - 2 Nights B&B Hotel break in any Leonardo's Hotel. 14th prize - Turkey, Ham, Christmas Cake, Christmas Pudding, Box Biscuits, Box Sweets, Box Crisps, Bottle Red Wine, Bottle White Wine. 15th prize - Turkey, Bottle Gin, Bottle Whiskey, €20 Cullen's Butchers. 16th prize - Amazon Echo Dot & 4 x Alexa Smart Plugs - Sponsor ClubZap. 17th prize - €40 Nail Bar Voucher, €20 Nick's Coffee Voucher. 18th prize - €50 Platform Pizza voucher, Bottle of Red Wine, White Wine. 19th prize - 4in1 Home Printer/Scanner/Copier/Fax (Ricoh C180F]. 20th prize - Parkview Hotel - 3 course meal for two. 21st prize - €50 Wicklow Rovers Shop Voucher, 3 x Eclectic Barbers vouchers. 22nd prize - Fourball Blainroe Golf Club, €100 Bridge Tavern voucher. 23rd prize - €50 Martello Hotel voucher, Bottle of Gin. 24th prize- €25 Wicklow Wine Co voucher, €35 Nail Bar Voucher. 25th prize ⁃ Fitbit Inspire 3 Activity Tracker - Sponsor Eurolift.ie. 26th prize - €100 Fatbike Adventures 1/4 Day Family voucher. 27th prize - X Microsoft Xbox Series S - 1TB- Sponsor Fitzpatrick’s Bar. 28th prize - €50 Liz Collins Boutique voucher, Next Door Off License Hamper. 29th prize - €30 Fields Florist voucher, €25 Nail Bar voucher. 30th prize - Bottle of Hendrick's Gin, Captain Morgans, Box of Crisps.

With Christmas fast approaching if anyone is looking to purchase club gear as a present it can be done online by visiting www.wicklowroversclubshop.com So if it’s socks and shorts, a polo shirt, rain jacket, coaches jacket, etc or something small like a beanie hat, water bottle, etc just visit the club shop and order online or contact Corinna at wrafcshop@gmail.com Also, if you want to give someone a present but don’t know what to buy you can purchase a club voucher, all club items will come with the club crest.

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 for 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.