WICKLOW ROVERS AFC CLUB NOTES WEEK ENDING 10th APRIL 2022

Our Leinster Senior side went into Saturday's home game with Leixlip United level on points with their opponents. The last time the sides met the Dublin based side ran out comfortable winners on a 5-0 score line. The result ended up the same with Leixlip running out winners but this time it was a much closer affair with Leixlip winning by three goals to two. It was a game that could have went either way. In the end it wasn’t to be, Jim Foley netted from the spot for his second goal of the campaign. Mick Delaney also popped up with his second of the season when he nabbed Rovers second. The lads deserved at worst a share of the spoils. Our WDFL Premier team welcomed Avonmore to Whitegates on Friday night for a Bishop cup game. The game was starved of any real openings from either side in the first thirty five minutes with neither keeper having to make a save. Rovers did seem however that little more dangerous going forward and something was bubbling under the surface. It proved to be the case after thirty nine minutes, Luca Rampersaud got on the end of a ball into the area to powerfully head against the foot of the post and then looked on as the rebound struck the leg of an Avonmore defender and back into the net to put Rovers one up. Four minutes later Rampersaud used his pace to get on to a through ball only to be taken down for what was a definite penalty. Rovers didn’t take advantage as Simon Phillips spot kick was saved. The second half followed much the same pattern as the first. If there was a moment in this game which was a turning point it had to be that moment on seventy one minutes, goals normally change a game but this time it was a save. Avonmore broke down field and it was on one of the rare occasions they got behind the home rear guard that Rovers had Ian Murphy in the home goal to thank with an excellent save with an outstretched leg when a certain goal looked on the cards. It proved to be a game changer alright as four minutes later Rovers were awarded their second penalty of the match, this time Karl Earls stepped up and coolly dispatched the ball to the back of the net to double their lead. The icing on the cake came six minutes from time when Jack Fox found the net to bring his tally for the season to eight. Rovers saw out the remainder of the game to book their place in the quarter finals with a deserved 3-0 victory. This was very impressive win against a tough Avonmore side, it proved to be an excellent all round team performance with every player playing his part.

In our junior section the under 13A’s went down 2-1 away to St Patricks on Tuesday night. This was a game in which the team thought they should have got something from. On the night the team gave everything with Rhys Behan registering his first goal of the season. On the same night the 14’s ran out 4-0 winners at home to Aughrim Rangers, the lads were full value for their victory against a spirited Aughrim side. Naoise Dubhslaine hit a brace with Sean Patrick Guerin and David Johnston adding one a piece in a good all round team performance. Our under 15’s welcomed unbeaten Shillelagh to Whitegates on Thursday night and after a titanic tussle Shillelagh edged out Rovers in a five goal thriller winning 3-2. In a good team performance Jack Byrne and Jack Neville were the Rovers goalscorers.

On Saturday the 12B's made the short journey to Shamrock Park where they suffered their first defeat of the season losing 5-0 to a very good Rathnew side. The team gave it everything but found the villagers in clinical form in front of goal. Our under 14's were involved in an eight goal thriller away to Arklow United, on the full time whistle the sides shared the points after an exciting 4-4 draw. Naoise O'Dubhslaine scored his fourth of the season and netted for the third consecutive game, David Johnston, Sean Patrick Guerin and Josh McCall all found the net in a good all round team display. On Sunday the under 13A's bounced back from their midweek defeat with a resounding 8-1 home victory over Enniskerry at Whitegates. The lads proved too strong for a spirited Enniskerry side and when their chances came along they finished them in clinical fashion. Wolsey Sloan Kelly Kelly scored his first goals of the season and he did it in style firing home a personal tally of four goals. Cathal Byrne nabbed a brace to bring his tally to four for the season, Dan Farrell and Rhys Behan notched singles to make it three and two respectively for the campaign. This was an excellent performance from the whole squad. The under 16’s were involved in a tense tussle with Mullingar Athletic in the semi-final of the South East Region cup. Mullingar were the better team in the first half and went in at the break leading 2-0. Rovers picked up the pace in the second half and pulled one back early in play from the very impressive Brandon Battams. Rovers controlled the second half and deservingly drew level in the dying minutes through a first goal of the season from Evan Conyard. The game went into extra time and Rovers had a couple of good chances to win it but didn’t take them, so it was on to the dreaded penalty shootout. After a nervous penalty shootout it was Rovers who came out on top winning the shootout 4-2 to progress to the final. Well done to Trevor, Ray and the team and good luck in the final. Hard luck to Mullingar and the best of luck for the remainder of your season.

The winner of our 50/50 draw for April was Elaine Harte, she scooped the cheque for €250 when her name was pulled from the drum. Unfortunately for Elaine her bonus ball number 7 didn’t emerge as the bonus ball in the main lotto draw the following night. What this means is our bonus ball jackpot now raises to €2,300 for the May draw. Tickets for the May draw can be purchased online at www.wicklowroversclubshop.com anytime from now till midnight on Saturday 30th April. The May draw will take place on Tuesday 3rd May and will be screened live on the club facebook page at 8pm. Many thanks to all who support our draw.