WICKLOW ROVERS AFC CLUB NOTES WEEK ENDING 23rd OCTOBER 2022

The Leinster Senior side made their exit from the Leinster Junior cup on Saturday when they lost away to Markievicz Celtic. The home side were up for it from the first minute, but Rovers matched them. The first half was even enough and just when it looked like the sides would go in at the break level, Markievicz popped up with a goal which took a deflection to go in at the break one to the good. In fairness It was a bit of an injustice as Rovers played well in the first period. Rovers came out in the second half in search of an equaliser and created several good chances but failed to make them count. Finally with twenty minutes left man of the match Sam Brown fired home a deserved leveller. It was nip and tuck as both sides searched for a winner and unfortunately for Rovers it fell to the home side when they nabbed the winner four minutes from time. This was a game that could have gone either way, Rovers did have their chances but its back to the training ground, dust themselves down and back to the bread and butter of the league. Having only played one league match to date the lads will be hoping to go on a bit of a winning run to get their campaign up and running. The WDFL game featuring our Wicklow League team at home to Rathnew was cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch.

It was SFAI National cup day for four of our teams on Saturday. We had mixed fortunes with three wins and one defeat. Our under 11's made the long journey worthwhile when they impressively defeated Tullamore Rovers 10-1. There were two excellent hat-tricks in the game, Alessio Coppola fired home Rovers first three goals with Mikie O’Neill weighing in with a very impressive hat-trick of his own. Hank Murnane helped himself to brace with Daniel Clarke and Simon Lynch popping up with singles. This proved to be a very impressive clinical performance from the whole team, well done everyone and the best of luck in round three. A big thanks to Tullamore for the game and their hospitality after the match. We wish you all the best of luck in the remainder of your season. Our 12A's entertained Rathangan at Whitegates and they had a fine 4-1 victory to move into the third round. Richard Carton made it twenty goals for the season when he registered a single, Ryan Cox, Sam Conyard, and Tommy Morrissey all added one a piece to see them smoothly through against a tricky spirited Rathangan team. It was another impressive display from the team, well done lads and a big thanks to Rathangan for the match and good luck for the rest of the season. The under 13A team travelled to take on Straffan FC in the second round of the SFAI National cup. The team recorded an excellent 7-1 win over a spirited Straffan side. Rovers were quickest out of the traps and went in front early in play with a Giorgio Morgillo-Fidyk goal. The home team levelled matters more or less straight away with a good goal on the counter attack. This goal seemed to spur Rovers on, and they stepped up the pressure on the home side creating several good chances. A stunning half volley from Sean O'Brien restored the Rovers lead. Rovers kept piling forward and they went in at the break with a two goal cushion when Cathal Byrne fired home to give Rovers a 3-1 lead at the break. The second half saw Rovers completely dominate play adding four more goals. A great strike from Wolsey Sloan Kelly and a neat finish from Dan Farrell made it 5-1. Sean O'Brien then nabbed his second of the game with a fine header before Rhys Behan scored directly from a corner to complete the scoring. This was an excellent team performance from Rovers to see them progress to round three. Big thanks to Straffan for the game and well done Rovers. Our under 14's suffered heartbreak in the under SFAI National cup at Whitegates on Saturday afternoon. They entertained Kinnegad Juniors, and it proved to be a tight tussle between the two sides. Kinnegad took the lead in the first half, but Rovers will rue missed chances. They put in a mighty effort trying to find an equaliser, but the rub of the green didn't go their way on the day. Unlucky for the lads today but it was a great effort by everyone. We would like to wish Kinnegad the very best of luck in the remainder of the competition. All club games on Sunday were cancelled due to the overnight heavy rain.

The executive committee would like to wish all our members, their families and all our friends in sport a happy Halloween, enjoy the Bank Holiday weekend and to all the kids trick and treating stay safe.

Ticket sales for our November 50/50 draw ends at midnight on Monday 31st of October, please remember that this month’s draw acts as a fundraiser for little Alex Dunne [I am Alex]. The draw will operate as normal with 50% of monies taken in going to the winner of the draw with the added chance of winning our bonus ball jackpot. The club will be donating their 50% of the draw takings to the I am Alex fundraising campaign. We ask all members to get their families and friends to support this month’s draw to help Alex, thank you.

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.