It was a truly unforgettable day as Wicklow Rovers AFC proudly celebrated its 50th Anniversary at the Wicklow Golf Club on 05-07-2025! The event was a jovial, heartwarming occasion where generations of the club came together under one roof, weaving a tapestry of shared memories, current triumphs, and boundless hope for the future. Founding members and their families, countless past players who have brought immeasurable joy to our town through the beautiful game, dedicated past and present committee members, the history-making U14s team of 2024, our incredible quadruple-winning Senior Men's team of 2024-25, and so many other current players and supporters gathered to mark this magnificent milestone. The air was thick with camaraderie, pride, and the unmistakable spirit of Wicklow Rovers.
The evening began with a heartfelt introduction by Ross Byrne, who eloquently traced the club's journey from its humble beginnings. He spoke of how, through the unwavering support and tireless efforts of its members over the years, Wicklow Rovers blossomed into the pride of Wicklow, culminating in the Senior Men's first team's historic quadruple win – a testament to decades of dedication.
The spotlight then shone on our inspiring youth. The Under 14’s team of 2024 received a well-deserved presentation, celebrating their historic SFAI South Leinster title in 2024 – the first Wicklow schoolboy team ever to win a Leinster title! Manager Maurice Dunne was celebrated, and Charlie Czwalina proudly represented Head Coach Kevin Czwalina. We cheered for the talented young men who made history: Ryan Cox, Ben O’Leary, Harry Bowen, Richard Carton, Sam Conyard, Kale Conyard, Daniel Connolly, Luke Connolly, and Tiernan Shortall.
The evening also paid tribute to the growing strength of our Ladies Senior Team. Louise Johnson was deservedly presented with the prestigious Sheila Loughlin Player of the Year award, while Senior Ladies coaches Tom Doyle and Paul Sweeney proudly presented the Top Scorer award to Molly Sweeney.
A truly moving part of the evening was the presentation to our Honorary Members – the pillars upon which this club stands. We honoured the incredible contributions of Keith Earls, Kevin Byrne, John Fraser, Decky Murphy, Denis O'Brien, Donal Vickers, Gerry Scully, Dave Earls, Billy Alexander, John Finnegan, Matt Lincoln, Eugene O'Neill, Pat ‘Nobby’ Clarke, Tommy Kelly, Brendan Porter, and Colin Daly. Their legacy is etched into the very fabric of Wicklow Rovers.
The achievements of our senior men's teams were celebrated with immense pride. Declan Earls, manager of the 3rd Team, outlined their impressive growth and achievements, with Referee Keith Neville presenting the Top Scorer award to Gary O’Connor. Donal Vickers had the honour of presenting the Rory Attley Perpetual Cup to the 3rd Team Player of the Year, Cormac Waldron. For the 2nd Team, Keith Neville presented the Top Scorer award to Alex Sinnott, and Eddie Kavanagh presented the Pat "Sting" Kavanagh Perpetual Cup to the 2nd Team Player of the Year, James Fagan.
The highlight of the night, for many, was the celebration of our 1st Team. Keith Neville presented the Top Scorer award to the prolific Davy O'Sullivan. Brian Doyle was announced as the well-deserved First Team Players' Player of the Year. In a poignant moment, First Team coaches Greg Dunne, James Macklin, James Quinn, and Ricky Quinn, along with Edward Dunne, presented the Teddy Dunne Perpetual Cup for First Team Player of the Year to Tommy Kelly. Player-manager Ricki Quinn then passionately discussed the immense hard work and meticulous preparations that propelled the team to their historic quadruple, outlining their ambitious intentions to continue this incredible wave of success.
Looking to the future, Chairman Garry Collins delivered an inspiring presentation on the exciting plans for Whitegates. He spoke of the committee's vision to put in place the required infrastructure to ensure the club's continued success, with a key focus area being the development of an all-weather pitch at Whitegates – a vital step for nurturing talent year-round.
A deeply touching moment was the presentation of awards to our Founding Members, acknowledging those who bravely started this incredible journey. Edward Dunne, Teddy Dunne's son, graciously accepted on behalf of his late father. We celebrated Michael Loughlin, John ‘Spud’ Murphy, Noel McVeigh, Jimmy Culbert, Anthony Earls, Jim Crofton, and Billy Dunne.
We also extended our gratitude to the outgoing committee members – Stephen Clarke, Jimmy Nolan, Paul Delaney, and Corrinna Collins – for their invaluable contributions.
The night culminated with the well-deserved Volunteer of the Year 2025 award being presented to Johnny Dunne, affectionately referred to by Gary Collins as "Mr. Wicklow Rovers" – a true testament to his unwavering dedication. Finally, Wicklow League committee member Liam Kilbride presented Chairman Gary Collins with a special memento, marking Wicklow Rovers' incredible 50-year anniversary.
It was an evening that truly captured the heart and soul of Wicklow Rovers AFC. As we reflect on 50 years of passion, community, and football excellence, we are filled with immense pride in our past, joy in our present achievements, and incredible hope for an even brighter future. Here's to the next 50 years!
