Our U13's tasted Shield glory in Kilcashel yesterday afternoon when they defeated St.Pats of Avoca U14's in the spring sunshine. And the sun wasn't the only thing shining as both sides contributed to a thrilling encounter. This hard-fought win, against a team from an older age group, adds another trophy to Wicklow Rovers' impressive haul from last season.
St.Pats started the stronger and had Rovers struggling to get out of their own half for the first 20 minutes. But the Rovers rearguard held firm and in the 25th minute AJ Long broke down the left and threaded a lovely pass to the onrushing Chris Delahunt. Delahunt pipped the keeper to the ball and squared it to Daniel Clarke who cooly slotted it home.
The goal settled Rovers and turned the tide in this fixture. The lead was doubled minutes later when Long burst down the wing and found Eoghan Quinn with the outside of his right boot. Quinn rounded the keeper and found the back of the net.
2-0 at halftime but the job was far from done. St.Pats almost scored at the start of the second half but some resolute defending from Jack Collins, James Carroll, Eoghan Daye and Finn Murphy and keeper Ben Morrissey retained the two goal cushion. Rovers then began to retake control of the match with Simon Lynch and Will Carey leading the charge in midfield. Cian Foley, Jamie McGowan and Kyrylo Kliuchnyk added much needed energy to the team when they entered the frey.
Rovers had chances to increase the lead and were given a late scare when St.Pats scored from the penalty spot in injury time. But 2-1 it finished with Rovers taking the honours.
The coaches couldn't be prouder of these bunch of young men winning a competition against teams from an older age group and are looking forward to the season ahead.
The goal settled Rovers and turned the tide in this fixture. The lead was doubled minutes later when Long burst down the wing and found Eoghan Quinn with the outside of his right boot. Quinn rounded the keeper and found the back of the net.
2-0 at halftime but the job was far from done. St.Pats almost scored at the start of the second half but some resolute defending from Jack Collins, James Carroll, Eoghan Daye and Finn Murphy and keeper Ben Morrissey retained the two goal cushion. Rovers then began to retake control of the match with Simon Lynch and Will Carey leading the charge in midfield. Cian Foley, Jamie McGowan and Kyrylo Kliuchnyk added much needed energy to the team when they entered the frey.
Rovers had chances to increase the lead and were given a late scare when St.Pats scored from the penalty spot in injury time. But 2-1 it finished with Rovers taking the honours.
The coaches couldn't be prouder of these bunch of young men winning a competition against teams from an older age group and are looking forward to the season ahead.
