WICKLOW ROVERS AFC CLUB NOTES WEEK ENDING 26th JUNE 2022

On Tuesday night our 12A's took on St Anthonys away in Finn Park. It proved to be a tight match with some excellent football from both teams. Milo Malcolmson and a Richard Carton strike were the Rovers scorers tonight in what proved to be an entertaining tussle and a good 2-0 victory. This win sees the lads close the gap to two points with a game in hand on league leaders Arklow Town. It was a really good match for the lads before their cup final with Coolboy Rangers on Sunday and keeps them unbeaten going into the summer break. On Sunday we had three teams in Premier cup final action, first up were the 12A’s against Coolboy Rangers and they recorded a very impressive 5-0 victory over a gallant Coolboy Rangers team. It was an excellent victory against a spirited Coolboy team who made it tough for Rovers despite the final result. The first twenty minutes proved to be a tight affair with both sides cancelling each other out. Kale Conyard scored with one of the goals of the season to break the deadlock. Luke Connolly got another just before the break to send them in 2-0 up and after the break the lads never looked back adding three more in the second half through Luke Connolly for his second, Milo Malcolmson and Dan Connolly. Tiernan Shorthall commanded the centre of midfield and Kale Conyard got the refs man of the match award, congratulations Kale. This was an excellent and clinical performance from the team with every player playing their part. Well done and congratulations to everyone involved. Our under 14's took on local neighbours Ashford Rovers in the Premier Jako Cup Final. After a tight even contest it was our neighbours who took the cup home after a close 2-1 win. It was the Rovers of Wicklow who hit the front midway through the first half with Josh McCall firing home his sixth goal of the season. Ashford came storming back and were on level terms going in at the half time break. The second half saw both sides cancelling each other out showing each other the respect they deserve. With time running out Ashford were awarded a free kick and the resulting free some how found its way through a packed penalty area and into the net for what proved to be the winning goal. It was a good performance from the lads against a very good Ashford team. Hard luck lads and well done on getting to the final. Congratulations to Ashford on their victory and we look forward to more tight tussles in the second half of the season. The under 16's travelled to Celtic Park in Arklow to take on Arklow Town in the Premier Jako cup final. The lads didn’t get off to a good start which saw Arklow go in at the break two goals to the good and in control of the match. The lads didn’t drop their heads as they came out battling in the second period. Both sides ended up cancelling each other out with both sides finding the net on one occasion each in that second period for Arklow to run out 3-1 winners. Alex Earls with his fourth of the season nabbed the Rovers goal. Well done on reaching the final and hard luck lads. Congratulations to Arklow Town on their success and we look forward to future tussles.

Congratulations to Ronan Gough who picked up a cheque for €257.50 in our June 50/50 draw, proudly sponsored by King's Gala, Wicklow Town, Whitegates. Unfortunately, Ronan's bonus ball was not picked out, so it means the Jackpot for the July draw now stands at €2,500. The next draw will take place on Tuesday 5th July. Tickets for our July draw can be purchased online at www.wicklowroversclubshop.com

Our annual summer camp is open for bookings. Week 1 will run from Monday 25th July to Friday 29th July; Week 2 runs from Monday 15th August to Friday 19th August. The camp will run from 10am to 2pm daily and the cost is €75 per child with discount for 2 or more children from the same family. Every participant will receive a jersey. All children should bring a packed lunch, drink, rain jacket, football boots and shin guards. To book your place use the following link: https://wicklowroversafc.com/products or alternatively you can contact any committee member.

The club in conjunction with our Saturday morning junior academy are running a Super Heroes Football section for kids with special needs. It kicks off on Saturday 25th of June on the all weather pitch at Whitegates and will be overseen by coaches James Quinn and James Macklin. The Super Heroes section will run from 11.15 to 12.15 on Saturdays. If you are interested, you should register your child by email to wicklowroverssuperheros@gmail.com or you can contact James Quinn at 086-3989769.

Anyone with anything for our club notes, Facebook page or our club website 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.