WICKLOW ROVERS AFC CLUB NOTES WEEK ENDING 20th NOVEMBER 2022

The youths got their league campaign off to a winning start with a 5-2 win away win over Ashford Rovers. Against a strong wind the lads played some neat football and created several chances with Georgie O'Neill, Evan Conyard, Charlie Czwalina and Tadgh Lord going close. The lads then conceded two goals against the run of play but showed great character to battle back. Just before the break they halved the deficit with a neat finish from Charlie Czwalina. The Rovers of Wicklow totally controlled the second period and this time they took their chances. Goals from Tadgh Lord, Lee Brown, Sam Christie and Lorcan Sinnott saw the lads running out deserved winners. The whole team put in an impressive display in possession and when they didn’t have the ball to win it back, a good start to the campaign. 

It was a big weekend for four of our junior teams with the National competitions in the spotlight. First up was our under 11's as they took on Aughrim Rangers in an all County Wicklow clash in the third round of the SFAI National cup at Whitegates. Rovers were quickest out of the traps and were in front when Mikie O’Neill set up Hank Murnane to score to give Rovers an early lead. Rovers dictated the early stages of play but couldn’t breach a strong Aughrim defence for a second. The away side slowly got a foothold in the game and came close on a couple of occasions. Both sides came out in the second half all guns blazing but it was Rovers who made their chances count. This time it was Mikie O’Neill who finished when he got on the end of a Daniel Clarke through ball to coolly slot past the advancing keeper. The team held on to their 2-0 lead to book their place in the fourth round with a home tie against Portlaoise. It would be unfair to single out any player as every player put in an excellent shift. The 12A's made the long journey to Athy on Saturday to take on the local side in the third round of the SFAI National cup. An early start for the lads didn't deter them from the job ahead. The team showed a great attitude in training during the week and they brought that onto the field of play from the first whistle to the last recording a very impressive 5-1 victory. Rovers had 12 warriors on Saturday, they were physical in the tackle, mixing it with some very neat play out wide. Athy couldn’t cope with the relentless crosses from Kale Conyard on the left side and Ryan Cox on the right. Every single player displayed a fantastic attitude in what was a great all round team performance. Richard Carton and Ryan Cox both hit the back of the net on two occasions each with Tommy Morrissey firing home the fifth. Well done Rovers and a big thanks to our hosts Athy Town. The lads will be on the road again in round 4 when they take on the winners of Suncroft AFC or Abbeyleix AFC. On Sunday Our under 11 blue team produced a good battling performance away to Newtown Juniors. The lack of recent games showed in the Rovers performance. It was a game where Rovers were always behind a good Newtown side, but the team battled to try keep within touching distance. At 2-0 down Casey Brennan scored a fine goal to make it 2- 1 at half time. Newtown restored their two goal advantage early in the second half but a superb goal by Seb Gould brought us back to 3-2. Try as hard as Rovers could they could not find the equaliser and lost another goal with the last kick of the game. A debut in goal from man of the match Micheal Carroll who pulled off some super saves. Thanks to Newtown for a great game. The 13A’s came up against a very strong Tullamore Town team in the third round of the SFAI National cup. Tullamore went in 2-0 up at the break and were worth their lead. Rovers came more into it in the second period but couldn’t breach a stubborn Tullamore defence. The Offaly based side added a third to run out deserving 3-0 winners. Rovers gave it their all but Tullamore were just too strong on the day. The under 13B team and Rathnew served up a contender for game of the season in the Bowl semi-final at Whitegates. Rathnew raced into a 6-0 lead by the half time break and even the most optimistic person couldn’t see Rovers pulling back this good Rathnew side. Well Rovers had other ideas, they got one back then a second followed quickly by a third. All of a sudden it was 6-3 and there was a glimmer of hope. The comeback was on and unbelievably they nabbed another three unanswered goals to level the game at 6-6 and it was on to extra time. Chances in extra time were limited but just when penalties looked on the cards Rathnew struck with five minutes left to claim their place in the final. Rovers goals saw Sam Conyard nab a hat-trick, Kale Conyard scoring two with Ryan Cox scoring one. This was a great advert for kids football, both teams produced a cracker, take a bow Rovers and Rathnew. Best of luck to Rathnew in the final. The under 15's made their exit from the SFAI National trophy after losing 4-3 in a seven goal thriller to Kilcullen at Whitegates on Sunday. This was a game that could have gone either way, Sean Manning, Arthur Curran and Conor Williams fired home the Rovers goals in what was a good team display from the lads.

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.