WICKLOW ROVERS AFC CLUB NOTES WEEK ENDING 12th NOVEMBER 2023

The first team welcomed Glencormac United to Whitegates on Friday night for a match that was reversed from Ryders Field. Rovers got off to a bad start when Glencormac took a sixth minute lead. Rovers pressed forward and Tommy Smullen levelled things on fifteen minutes. Twenty minutes gone and Rovers found themselves behind again and two minutes later it was worse when the away side nabbed their third with a screamer. Even though Rovers weren't playing well you still thought they could get something from the game. Ten minutes before the break Oussama Kemouche pulled one back and a minute later Mark O'Sullivan squared things up at 3-3. The away side went in front four minutes before the break from a free kick after Rovers were reduced to ten men for the foul which led to the free, but it did look a bit harsh. The second half saw Rovers even though down to ten men dictate play. They were awarded two penalties during the half and both spot kicks were coolly dispatched by Ben Algera to see Rovers run out 5-4 victors in a crazy game. On the night, Bryan Doyle, Tommy Smullen and Ben Algera played well for Rovers. The second team took on high flying Arklow Celtic and what a game it proved to be. Rovers going in search of their first point didn’t look anywhere near getting it as they fell 3-0 down to unbeaten Arklow. Jordan Sinnott pulled one back when he got on the end of a Charlie Czwalina corner and before the break James Fagan put Tadgh Lord through and he made no mistake to reduce the deficit and send them in at the break 3-2 behind. Five minutes into the second period it was 3-3 with a lovely, lobbed effort from Cormac Doyle. Rovers were pushing looking for a winner and a brilliant finish from Sam Brown put them 4-3 up. Unfortunately for the lads Arklow levelled matters with five minutes left on the clock. It was an excellent team performance and a very good result for this young side. One negative aspect to the game was a bad arm injury to James Fagan, all at the club would like to wish James a speedy recovery from his injury and hope to see him back on the playing field very soon. The third team are still searching for their first points, today they entertained promotion chasing Ballywaltrim and even though the lads were well in the game throughout it was the Bray based side that emerged with all three points after a 2-0 victory.

On Saturday our under 11 greens made the long journey to Athlone to take on DC Celtic in the National cup. After an epic effort the lads lost out to two very late goals. The sides went in at the break locked at 0-0 and in the second half it was Rovers who were on the front foot pushing DC Celtic back. Unfortunately, the lads were hit with two counter attacks in the last ten minutes with the home running out 2-0 winners. The lads did themselves and everyone associated with them proud, well-done lads. Best of luck to DC Celtic in the next round. The 12A's made their exit from the SFAI cup when they went down 5-0 to a very good St Francis side at Whitegates. The lads started well and created a couple of half chances but as soon as the away side went in front they never looked back. Rovers to their credit never dropped their heads battling right up to the final whistle. In the end St Francis proved too strong as they ran out 5-0 winners. We would like to wish St Francis the best of luck in the next round. The 12B's finished off their season with a fantastic 2-1 victory away to Newtown Juniors. After a scoreless first half it was Newtown who hit the front early in the second period, but Rovers showed great spirit to battle back to draw level with a Daniel Morrissey goal. With time running out Casey Brennan got on the end of a breaking ball to fire into the roof of the net to claim all three points. Big thanks to Newtown for a good competitive game. Our 12C's completed their season with an entertaining clash with Ashford Rovers. Even though they lost 3-1 they had chances with Cian Collins and Cayden O'Malley going close. Kai Jameson nabbed the Rovers goal, but Loukas Karamanlis stole the show with some top class saves. Thanks to Ashford for a good game. The 14A's put on a superb display winning 4-1 at home to Athy Town at Whitegates to progress to the quarter finals of the South Leinster Regional Area of the SFAI cup. After a close opening quarter, the lads went into overdrive to blitz the away side with goals from Tom Donnellan, Sean O'Brien, Giorgio Morgillo-Fidyk and Cillian Czwalina. The away team notched a consolation, but Rovers were in control for the majority of the match and after achieving a domestic treble they are now impressing on the National stage. The under 14B's came up against a very good Enniskerry team at Ballyman and despite their best efforts they went down 6-2. In fairness they had chances to make the contest a lot closer, but it was the home team who proved more clinical in front of goal. James Cummins and Conor McVeigh fired home the Rovers goals. Jack Barry, Kian Copeland, Steven Doyle, Ryan Quinn, and James Gurrie all came in for a special mention.

Tickets for our Christmas Bumper Raffle which will be held in Fitzpatrick’s Bar on Friday 15th of December are on sale now. 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. There are 30 fabulous prizes to be won so get your tickets before they are all gone. The following are the list of prizes: 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. 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.

The under 12’s are running a Christmas jumper sale in aid of their trip to the Blackpool cup, anyone with old Christmas jumpers they don’t want could donate them for the sale. Anyone wishing to donate a Christmas jumper, they can do so by contacting Christina Kavanagh 083-1529544, Claire Foley 087-7544820 and Corinna Collins 086-8045608, thank you.