Our under 13B team welcomed neighbours Rathnew to Whitegates this morning in the semi-final of the Bowl competition. This match proved to be an excellent advert for kids football. This game had everything, great attacking football from both sides and the art of finishing was at a high standard. Rovers went into the game short of a few regulars and had to call up a few under 12 players. The away side got into the swing of things early and hit shell shocked Rovers for six by the half time break. Six goals down at the break against a very good Rathnew side, there was certainly no way back or was there. Rovers pulled one back and soon after they got a second and all of a sudden there was a glimmer of hope. The Rovers team were showing great heart and team spirit and the deficit was further reduced and at 6-3 you would be excused if you thought this good Rathnew side would see the game out but the Rovers side had other ideas as they fired home another three unanswered goals to unbelievablely square the game up at 6-6 to send the game to extra time. Extra time was very cagey from both sides with not many chances. Unfortunately for Rovers, Rathnew got the winner with five minutes left on the clock, the lads pushed for the equaliser and gave it everything they had but couldn’t breach the Rathnew defence again. The Rovers goals saw Sam Conyard claim a hat-trick, Kale Conyard netting a brace with Ryan Cox scoring one. The Rovers team can be very proud of themselves for their character and spirit. This game will go down as a contender for game of the season, hard to see it been beaten. Definitely football was the winner here, a cracking game that had everything. Take a bow both teams. Well done Rovers and Rathnew for a stunning game and we would like to wish Rathnew the very best of luck in the final.