Rovers under 12A's were away to Shillelagh for their sixth game of the season, on a beautiful morning at Ballard Park. Shillelagh hit the front after 10 minutes, quickly followed by a Ryan Newsome lob over the keeper from outside the box that hit the top of the net, but was deemed to have hit the crossbar. Shillelagh were a big physical side but  well matched in every area of the park, notably by a dominant centre midfield pairing of Jamie McGowan and Will McConnell. Shillelagh hit back with a breakaway goal to go 2-0 up just before the break. Rovers came out swinging in the second half, bringing in Sam Reade and Jamie Noctor to add to the attack. Rovers pummelled the Shillelagh goal for most of the second half, hitting the post and crossbar on several occasions, but just could not hit the back of the net. With most of the Rovers team camped in the Shillelagh half, a clearance from the Shillelagh centre back caught the Rovers defence flat-footed, the Shillelagh number 10 finished well to seal a 3-0 win. A frustrating day for Rovers, but an unbelievable display of physicality, teamwork and dogged determination will give the team plenty to look forward to for the return leg at home. Notable performances from the centre half pairing of MJ Costello and Darren Hennessey, who was excellent in his first game for Rovers this season.🟢⚪️🟢