WICKLOW ROVERS AFC CLUB NOTES WEEK ENDING 22nd MAY 2022

On the senior front the WDFL division one team travelled to Rooster Park on Wednesday night to take on Avoca. The home side ran out convincing 7-2 winners. Gary O'Connor fired home two consolation goals for Rovers but on the night, they met a team that were clinical in front of goal. The senior ladies made their home debut in the Eastern Women’s Football League last Monday night when they entertained Glencormac United. It was the away side who started the best and by half time they were 3-0 up. The second half was a different story as Rovers piled forward in search of a way back into the game. Eventually they did find a way past a strong Glencormac defence when Jade Manley fired home from close range with ten minutes left. Rovers played well and there's no doubt if they keep up the same level of performances their first win is only around the corner. In a good team display, there were strong performances in the midfield from Sophie Byrne and Deirbhle Geraghty with Niamh O’Brien a constant threat up front. The under 19's welcomed local neighbours Rathnew to Whitegates on Thursday night. After a tight evenly contested encounter it was Rovers who emerged with all three points in a 2-1 win. With time running out on the clock and the teams tied at one a piece it was Ewan Culbert who popped up with the all important goal ten minutes from time to secure a good win. Lorcan Sinnott nabbed the first goal for Rovers in what was a good team effort. On Friday night the under 18’s beat Arklow United 4-0 at Whitegates. Mikey Merrigan set Rovers on their way with two first half goals to see them 2-0 up at the break. They didn’t let up in the second half and Zach Harris and Ben Patterson added a goal a piece to complete the 4-0 win in a very good display from the team. On Sunday the WDFL premier team progressed to the semi-final of the Bishop cup when they travelled to the Coolboy Sports Grounds and recorded a very impressive win against the local side. The lads turned in a superb all round team performance, highlight of the afternoon was a fantastic hat-trick from midfielder Alan Power.

Midweek junior action saw the under 14's come up against a very good Ashford Rovers side on Tuesday night at Ballinalea Park. The home side stunned the Wicklow lads with three goals in the first ten minutes and from that point onwards there was only one winner. Ashford tagged on two more goals to run out convincing 5-0 winners. The lads gave it their all but, on the night, they never recovered from Ashford's whirl wind start. On Saturday the under 11 green team were unlucky to lose 3-2 after extra time against Roundwood in the semi-final of the under 12 Division 2 Jako cup. Twice they fell behind but battled back with a brace of goals from Mikey O’Neill. Roundwood had their keeper to thank as he pulled off a couple of good saves to deny Rovers. A great performance from this young Rovers team playing against older opposition. The 12A’s booked their cup final spot with a fine 3-1 win over St Patricks. Milo Malcolmson netted for the sixth successive game, Kale Conyard found the net for the third time this season with Richard Carton moving onto six in the scoring charts when he fired home. This was a fantastic display from the team. The under 16’s were another team who turned in an impressive display to book their place in the cup final when they saw off Enniskerry winning 4-1. Lorcan Sinnott nabbed a brace, Alex Earls headed home a single with captain Brandon Battams also finding the back of the net in a fine team performance. On Sunday the 13A’s suffered heartbreak in their cup semi-final when they lost narrowly 2-1 to St Anthonys. Anthonys took the lead in the first half, but Rovers were level within a minute when NJ Sinnott fired home a thunderbolt of a free kick from thirty yards. In a tight second half Rovers had a golden chance to hit the front but were denied by the keeper. It proved a turning point as St Anthonys went down the other end to score what proved to be the winner with five minutes left. Try that they did Rovers couldn’t find an equaliser. The 13B’s recorded an excellent 5-2 home win over St Anthonys B, Rovers took the lead through Alex Zevatski but Anthonys hit back with two quick goals to nose in front. Rovers came out all guns blazing in the second half and Alex Zevatski nabbed two to complete his hat-trick to put Rovers 3-2 up. David Quinn and Abdul Alhamad from the spot made it 5-2 to claim three valuable points. Our under 15's took on Aughrim Rangers in the Jako premier cup semi-final in Kilcashel and after a tight tense tussle it was Aughrim who edged it winning 2-1 after extra time. It was tight throughout and no surprise it took extra time to separate the sides. Jack Neville scored the Rovers goal in a good team performance.

The club’s weekly junior soccer academy continues every Saturday morning [weather permitting] under the watchful eye of senior club coaches Johnny Dunne, Jimmy Nolan and John Kelly. The academy takes place 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.