WICKLOW ROVERS AFC CLUB NOTES WEEK ENDING 19th FEBRUARY 2023
Our Leinster Senior team entertained Fairview CY at Whitegates on Friday night looking to follow up on their impressive victory over Leicester Celtic the previous week. Even though they weren't as impressive as last week they recorded a hard earned 3-1 victory to keep them very much in the title shake up. They were on top throughout the first period and found themselves two up with goals from Sam Brown and Tommy Smullen. Fairview pulled one back a minute before the break. If it was Rovers on top in the first half it was the opposite in the second period with the away side controlling large periods of the second half. Rovers rear guard held firm and the three points were sealed in injury time when Dylan Orr's cross come shot sailed into the top corner of the net to ensure all three points were staying in Wicklow. It was an excellent win even though the lads didn't reach the high standards they've set themselves. Our WDFL division 3 team took on league leaders and neighbours Rathnew AFC at Whitegates on Sunday. There were plenty of goals in this game with a very good Rathnew side running out 7-3 winners. Rathnew showed why they are title favourites but to the lads credit they kept at it through the whole game and were rewarded with three goals from Shane Lincoln, Fionn Matthews and Dan Fitzsimmons in what was a good team effort.
Our two youth’s teams met on Saturday at Whitegates in the youth’s league. It proved to be a good sporting game between the two teams with the A team running out winners on the day. Both teams gave a hundred percent. Highlight of the game was a Lorcan Sinnott treble which helped the A team maintain their hundred percent start to the season.
Congratulations to our under 12B team from last season on winning the WDSL under 12 plate final yesterday when they defeated a very good Shillelagh side winning 1-0 in a closely fought encounter. Josh Murphy scored the all important goal with Ben Morrissey pulling off a superb save in the dying minutes to ensure the trophy was heading to Whitegates. The full squad is as follows: Aidan Kelly, Alex Birrell, Danny Vickers, Dougie Bowie, Ferdia Lord, Jack Madden, Joseph Morrissey, Josh Murphy, Karl Uhlemann, Kuba Cielecki, Robbie McCoy, Sean Hyland, Seb Phelan, Will O'Callaghan and Ben Morrissey. They are managed and coached by Ian O’Callaghan and David Morrissey. Once again congratulations to everyone involved.
The new junior season is just upon us, and the executive committee would like to wish all our junior teams the very best of luck in the upcoming season. We hope you all have a very successful campaign but most importantly enjoy your football. Best of luck to everyone.
With the club constantly growing we could do with new blood to assist with running the club. We are seeking people to help on the executive committee or with one of our sub-committees. Please don’t assume someone has stepped forward and there is no need for you. We can never have enough people to help with the running of the club so please come forward and help us move the club to the next level. New people with new ideas will help the club progress and therefore benefit all our members. If you think you can help, please contact any executive committee member from the following: Paul Delaney, Stephen Clarke, Johnny Dunne, Corrina Collins, Trevor Conyard, Ross Byrne or Jimmy Nolan. Alternatively, you can email the club at wicklowroverssecretary@gmail.com or pm our Facebook page, thank you.
The club’s weekly junior football academy continues every Saturday morning [weather permitting] under the watchful eye of senior club coaches Johnny Dunne and Jimmy Nolan. 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. It is a very good way for the kids to meet new friends and interact with others, all the kids are put in their relevant age groups and its open to boys and girls. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Everyone at Wicklow Rovers AFC would like to extend their sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Anne Ronan (née Doyle), Seaview Heights, Rathnew, Co. Wicklow who sadly passed away recently. Our thoughts and prayers are with her daughter Joanne, sons Darren and Paul, grandchildren Ronan, Alex, Emmet, Clara, Sean and Chloe, son in law Decky, daughters in law Amelia and Niamh, brothers and sisters Mary, Robert, Deirdre, Beth, Phil, Rita, Essie, Eamon, Jackie, Yvonne, Sean and Earana, nieces, nephews, extended family, relatives and friends. May she rest in peace.
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.