Our under 13's great National cup run came to a heartbreaking end today when they went down narrowly to Killarney Athletic losing 1-0. It was the longest journey the lads could have encountered in the remainder of the competition and they put in a gallant effort, they were a credit to themselves, their families and their club. The first half saw both sides cancelling each other out as they showed each other the respect they deserved, a cagey affair indeed. On twenty two minutes Sam Conyard went close with a powerful free which just went over. Two minutes before the break the home team went close when they struck the woodwork. The home side just edged the first half but the second half saw Rovers on the front foot as they pushed the home side back. But in fairness the game was tight and always looked like one goal would win it. Ten minutes into the second period Kale Conyard caused havoc in the home rearguard only to be denied by the keeper. Five minutes later the same player was denied again but this time Kale saw his well struck effort come back off the upright. The home side went up the other end from the breaking ball and Sam Czwalina in the Rovers goal came to Rovers rescue with a good save. That one goal we all thought would win the game came with twelve minutes remaining and unfortunately for Rovers it fell to the home team. The Killarney striker won the ball out on the left, cut in and fired a powerful shot into the bottom right hand corner to give them the lead. Rovers pushed forward looking for an equaliser and created a couple of decent chances but the home keeper mopped up. On the final whistle Rovers had given it everything, every player gave it a hundred percent in a game that could have went either way. We would like to wish Killarney the very best of luck in the remainder of the competition. A big thanks to all the parents for making the long journey to support the team and finally once again to all the players, Mo and Swazy, you done yourselves proud, it was a great achievement. SQUAD: Sam Czwalina, Ben O’Leary, Reece Behan, Kale Conyard, Harry Bowen, Harry Kavanagh, Tommy Morrissey, Tiernan Shortall, Sam Conyard Richard Carton, Daniel Connolly, Ryan Cox and Luke Connolly.

Managers: Maurice Dunne and Kevin Czwalina