WICKLOW ROVERS AFC CLUB NOTES WEEK ENDING 16th OCTOBER 2022

The Leinster Senior side kicked off their league campaign with a 2-2 home draw with Larkview last Friday night. This was a game on the balance of play they should have won but also the way things panned out could so easily have lost. Rovers went one up after seventeen minutes from the boot of JT Moorehouse. Rovers controlled the first period but couldn’t add to the goal to go in at the break at 1-0. The second half was more of the same with Rovers on the front foot, Ian Brannigan hit an effort wide of the far post, Ross O'Brien had a header cleared off the line plus the away keeper pulled off a couple of excellent saves. With ten minutes remaining Larkview equalised. Rovers then had a goal ruled out for offside when it clearly looked onside. With four minutes left on the clock the away side hit the front. Rovers showed great character to level matters in injury time with a powerful Jamie Snell header which was well deserved. This was a good solid performance from the lads in a game they controlled for large periods. 

In junior action our under 12A’s lost their unbeaten run when they were defeated 2-1 on Tuesday night by a good Newtown Juniors side. Newtown were the hungrier on the night and were deserving of the win, but Rovers will be hoping to bounce back in their next game as they go in search of a treble with the league and cup already under their belts, Tommy Morrissey nabbed the Rovers goal on the night. On Saturday the under 11 green team took on Aughrim Rangers in a top of the table clash. After a close entertaining encounter these two fine sides shared the spoils in a scoreless draw. Well done Rovers and Aughrim. The under 11 Whites leapfrogged league leaders Avonmore following a fine 2-0 win over the Rathdrum side. It was a very exciting encounter between two evenly matched teams with two moments of clinical finishing from Simon Lynch separating the sides. It was an excellent team display and a big thanks to Avonmore for a great sporting contest. Our under 11 blue team travelled to Finn Park to take on St Anthonys and they impressed in a 6-1 victory over a spirited Anthonys team. A brace a piece from Kai Jameson and Finn Murphy and singles from Cayden O'Malley and Casey Brennan laid the foundations in what was a very impressive team performance. The 12C's saw their hopes of securing runners up spot in the league dashed as they lost 5-2 away to Roundwood. Rovers started off well going in front but from that point onwards Roundwood took control to run out winners on the day. Lukas and Matas Araminas were the Rovers goalscorers on the day. Our under 14's were involved in a seven goal thriller with a very good Ashford Rovers side at Whitegates. It was another exciting clash between the Rovers of Wicklow and Ashford. On the final whistle it was the Rovers of Ashford who emerged victorious winning 4-3 after a titanic tussle. Naoise O'Dubhslaine netted a brace with the third goal coming in the form of an own goal. Well done to both sides on producing a good advert for junior football and played in a sporting manner.

On Sunday the 13A’s had a good win over St Anthonys A in the shield. Rovers fell behind early in the second half but battled back with goal from Giorgio Morgillo-Fidyk and a successful spot kick from NJ Sinnott to claim all three points in a narrow 2-1 victory. Well done to both sides on a close exciting encounter. The 13B’s were at home to St Anthonys B in the under 13 bowl competition and unfortunately for Rovers they lost a high scoring game 7-3. They got off to a nightmare start and couldn’t get a foothold in the game which resulted in them going in at the break 4-0 down. To their credit the lads dug in and came out in the second half a different team. They showed great determination and character to put in a really good second half. They hit three excellent goals to show the potential is there if they can stop leaking early goals. Their goalscorers on the day were Sean O'Keefe, Abdul Alhamad and Darragh Reddin.

Congratulations to Catriona Nolan who was the winner of our October 50/50 draw picking up a cheque for €240.00, unluckily for Catriona she missed out on the bonus ball jackpot to top up her winnings when her bonus ball number 17 failed to emerge from the drum. It means our bonus ball jackpot now increases to €2,900 for the November draw. Tickets are on sale for our 50/50 draw on a continuous basis. The draw will have a guaranteed monthly winner, who will also have the chance to win a Jackpot prize by predicting the Bonus Ball Number in the main Irish Lottery draw that will take place the day after the winner is announced. The cost of a ticket is only €5 and you can buy as many tickets as you like. You can also subscribe to a monthly payment option, so that you won’t forgot to enter into the draw each month. The Jackpot prize is €2,900 for our November draw and will go up by a minimum of €100 per month if not won. The next draw will take place on Tuesday 1st November, it will be streamed live at 8pm on the club Facebook page. Our November draw will act as a fundraiser for Alex Dunne so the club will be donating their 50% profit to this worthy cause. We urge all club members, family and friends to please support this worthy cause, thank you. Tickets will be available to purchase online via our club shop website at www.wicklowroversclubshop.com on an ongoing basis, you can also purchase your tickets by contacting any committee member or any club member. Any questions, please contact us at wrafcshop@gmail.com Many thanks from the Wicklow Rovers fundraising committee.