WICKLOW ROVERS AFC CLUB NOTES WEEK ENDING 9th JUNE 2024
Very quiet on the senior front this week with the senior ladies providing us with the only action on this front and what a game it proved to be. The girls took on Bunclody in their divisional cup final in Ferns. Rovers were the stronger team in a first half as they dictated for large parts. Edwina Sayer put them in front early in play, a lead they held to half time. Rovers went in at the break one up, but it could have been more with Louise Corrigan, Molly Sweeney twice and Edwina Sayer all going close. The second half saw Bunclody come more into the game as an attacking force, but this was partly due to the girls sitting deep and with seven minutes remaining Bunclody levelled matters to send the game to extra time. This seemed to give the girls a wake-up call and they came out in extra time a different team and played to the level we have come to expect. Margaret Doyle took over the role of free taker and in the first minute of extra time she fired home a powerful free to the top left-hand corner of the net to edge Rovers in front. A minute late it was 3-1, Louise Corrigan and Margaret Doyle combined to send Aisling McDonald away and she made no mistake coolly finishing to put Rovers in a commanding position. Bunclody pulled one back in the dying seconds of injury time, but it was too late as the referee blew for full time from the kick off. In what was a good all round team performance there were notable performances from captain Sinead Keogh, Louise Johnson, Margaret Doyle, Molly Sweeney, Aisling McDonald, Aoife Caffrey and player of the match Louise Corrigan. Congratulations Paul, Tom and the ladies. Well done on a fantastic season winning a treble of league, cup and shield.
All roads lead to the Carlisle Grounds next Sunday when our senior A team take on holders St Peters in the Wicklow Cup final. This is the blue-ribbon event of the WDFL season and its nice to see it return to the Carlisle Grounds. The lads have had a good first season back in the Wicklow League finishing fourth in the league after a sluggish start, reaching the semi final of the Jim McLaughlin cup and topping it off with a Wicklow Cup final appearance. St Peters will be a tough nut to crack having done a clean sweep last season and have already secured silverware this season. The lads know if they play to their potential, they are more than a match for the best of teams. The lads will be hoping to bring the cup back to Whitegates and it promises to be an intriguing game. Best of luck to Rikki, Doc, James, Dixie, Greg and the team. Please come along and support the lads.
Junior action started during the week with our under 12C team a little unlucky away to Enniskerry in the semi final of their cup going down 3-1. After a slow start where they found themselves 2-0 down early on, they pushed forward in search of a way back into the game. They got hit on the break as Enniskerry added a third just before half time. Rovers done all the attacking in the second period and were rewarded when Pradyan Pravish pulled one back with a screamer. Unfortunately for Rovers they couldn’t breach a strong home defence and Enniskerry booked their place in the final. We would like to wish Enniskerry the best of luck in the final. An understrength 13C team travelled to the Back Alley to take on Carnew but suffered a 6-1 defeat. They were well in the game at the break with Carnew one up. Rovers got hit on the break for Carnew’s second with Carnew kicking on from there. Ryan Newsome did get a consolation goal for Rovers with a fine finish. On the night best performers were Luke Mulhall, Jamie Noctor and Jamie McGowan.
On Saturday the 12A’s went down 4-0 to a classy Arklow United A side. Rovers were missing several players against the league leaders but had the chances to make it a much closer affair. The only difference between the sides was Arklow proved more clinical in front of goals. Caden O’Brien had another excellent game between the posts with Will McConnell and Ryan Newsome putting in excellent shifts. The 12B’s recorded a good 2-0 away win over St Anthonys, the first half was nip and tuck, but Rovers took control in the second period. Dara Butler with a sweet strike put Rovers one up, Oscar Kikta made it 2-0 in the closing minutes after good work from Charlie Shime and JD Delahunt. Special mentions go to Bogdan Kashcheiev, Marh McCoy and Larry Donnelly.
On Sunday the 13B’s had an excellent home win over Avonmore winning 5-1. The lads were at it from the start with man of the match Alex Philippon setting up Eoghan Quinn for the opening goal. It was Alex who then turned goalscorer as he nabbed Rovers second. Chris Delahunt scored the goal of the game with a rasping twenty-yard thunderbolt. A consolation then came for Avonmore before Eoghan Quinn and Alex Philippon both scored their second goals of the game. The 13C’s had an excellent 3-2 win over neighbours Rathnew in Shamrock Park. It was Rathnew who started the brightest, but it was Rovers who went in front when Fedrico Caruso fired home. Rathnew came at Rovers, but the backline stood firm. Ryan Cassidy made it 2-0 with a fine solo effort. Things got even better for Rovers when Jamie McGowan unleashed an unstoppable effort to give the home keeper no chance. As we know Rathnew never give up and they pulled it back to 3-2 with a couple of goals around the midway point of the second half. Rathnew kept on the front foot and Rovers had to thank Daniel Brennan for a goal line clearance to preserve the Rovers lead. The Rovers rearguard remained solid to see them grab an excellent win. Will McConnell, Luke Mulhall and Ryan Cassidy stood out in a good team performance. Big thanks to Rathnew for a good game.
The dates for our annual club Summer Camps are as follows: Week 1 runs from Monday 1st July to Thursday 4th July with week 2 from 8th July to Thursday 11th July. The camp is open to boys and girls aged 5 years old to 13 years old. All participants will receive a jersey. The camp will run from 10am to 2pm daily and will take place at Whitegates. The cost of the camp is €75. There is a reduction for two or more kids from the same family. All participants should bring a packed lunch, drink, shin guards, football boots and rain jacket. Online registration is now open for the camps and you can register by using the following link: https://wicklowroversafc.com/products
