WICKLOW ROVERS AFC CLUB NOTES WEEK ENDING 27th SEPTEMBER 2020
Two of our junior teams availed of the opportunity to play under lights during the week, first up was our 13B’s as they took on Avonmore on Tuesday night. The Rathdrum side ran out 4-1 winners with Adam O’Brien nabbing his second goal of the season for Rovers. On Friday night our 12B’s came up against a strong Arklow Town A team with the away side claiming all three points in a 6-0 win. In fairness to Rovers they battled right up to the final whistle.
On Saturday our 12A’s retuned to winning ways with a good 5-1 victory away to a spirited Newtown Juniors team. A brace a piece from Sean Patrick Guerin and Ronan Phelan and a single from Aaron Fitzsimons paved the way for a good win. The under 14’s played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with Arklow Town at Whitegates. Arklow raced into a 2-0 lead with Rovers rueing some missed chances in the first half. Rovers came roaring back and Lorcan Sinnott pulled one back and he followed that with an equaliser soon after. The second period was all Rovers with Daniel Kavanagh, Lorcan Sinnott, Ben Doyle, Cian Byrne and Georgie O’Neill all having chances to win it, with a Ben Doyle effort rattling the crossbar after good work from Evan Conyard and Cian Byrne. This was a great comeback from the lads but with the chances they created they could and possibly should have won it. Our under 16’s travelled to the Back Alley in Carnew to take on the local side, unfortunately for the lads they came up against a Carnew side at the top of their game with the home side running out 8-2 winners. James Fagan and Luke Dunne fired home the Rovers consolation goals.
Sunday’s action saw our under 13B’s narrowly edged out by St Anthonys A, losing 2-1 in a closely fought encounter. This was a game that could have went either way with only a kick of the ball between the sides, Adam O’Brien scored the Rovers goal for his third of the season. The under 15’s produced a five star performance to win 5-2 away to Glencormac United. A brace from Ruairi Jenkinson and a single from Alex Sinnott gave Rovers a 3-0 halftime lead. Ryan McConnell had a hand in all three goals with three superb assists. Alex Sinnott nabbed his second of the game to bring his tally to eleven for the campaign to make it 4-0 with Sam Culleton firing home to make it 5-0 before the home side added two late consolation goals. This was the lads fourth win from five shield games and an excellent all round team performance. The under 18 girls recorded a fantastic result when they won 1-0 away to Enniskerry, the girls lost 4-3 to the same opposition at Whitegates last Sunday so they will be very happy with this win. Every girl played their part in an excellent victory. Molly Sweeney scored the all important goal which sees her now netting in all three games to date.
The club are holding our AGM on Tuesday 13th of October in the Pastoral Centre in the old De La Salle. All members welcomed to attend. Please arrive early as the meeting will commence at 7.45pm sharp, thank you.
Membership fees have been halved due to the shortened season caused by Covid 19. Any member who paid their fees in full prior to the Covid 19 lockdown can utilise this overpayment towards their 2021 membership or request a reimbursement. Two registration nights have already been held and a further two are planned as follows: Friday 2nd October and Friday 9th October. Fees can also be paid by bank transfer. The final option is to pay via ClubZap our new club app. We request that all fees are paid by or on the 9th October 2020. Please email wicklowroverssecretary@gmail.com in confidence should you need to arrange an alternative payment plan.
The club’s weekly junior soccer academy continues every Saturday morning [weather permitting] under the watchful eye of senior club coach Johnny Dunne. The academy takes places on the all weather pitch on the club grounds at Whitegates and is open to all kids from the age of 3 years to 8 years. The academy starts at 11 o’clock and finishes at 12. There is no need for registration so you can come along to any week that suits. Come along and learn the skills of football while having fun and enjoyment, it’s a great way of meeting new friends as you learn the skills as you get prepared for the introduction to participate in organised league football in the coming years.
Everyone at Wicklow Rovers AFC would like to extend their sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Paul Davis and James Malone who sadly passed away recently. Paul’s grandson Cameron plays on our 13B team, James’s grandson Milo plays for our under 10 green team while his grandsons Louis and Oscar are past members of the club. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time, may they rest in peace.
Anyone with anything for our club notes, Facebook page, club website or our weekly online newsletter can contact me by email at jimmy.nolan09@hotmail.com or by text to 087-9108706. For all news regarding the club, check out our club website at www.wicklowrovers.com or the club facebook page
