WICKLOW ROVERS AFC CLUB NOTES WEEK ENDING 26th MARCH 2023
Friday night saw our Leinster Senior team welcome Dundrum FC to Whitegates. The lads got off to a bad start when the visitors struck the front in the tenth minute. Missing several players through injury and work commitments the lads showed great character to battle back to level matters four minutes before the break with a good strike from Davy O'Sullivan. The second half started better for Rovers when they were awarded their second penalty of the game. Having missed the first one Rovers changed the taker this time round and Davy O'Sullivan stepped up to blast home to put Rovers in front. Dundrum always looked dangerous on the break, but Rovers put the game to bed when Davy completed his hat-trick. A Nathan Sullivan corner was on the money which saw Davy rise the highest to power home a header five minutes from time. The dual strike force of Davy and Ciaran McGettigan worked hard up front and were a constant thorn in the visitor’s defence. Regards the man of the match you couldn’t look past the experienced striker Davy O'Sullivan, a superbly taken hat-trick, a constant threat to the Dundrum defence with his running across the front line harrowing the defenders into mistakes and combining well with strike partner Ciaran McGettigan saw Davy put in an excellent all round display.
In the junior section on Saturday the 12A’s impressed in their victory over Glencormac. Highlight of the game was a fantastic hat-trick from Mikey O’Neill. Hank Murnane hit an excellent brace with Ronan Byrne, Nadal Kinge and Simon Lynch nabbing singles in what was an excellent all round team display. The 12B's and 12C's came into direct opposition in an inter club derby. In a game that was played in great spirit with a lot of good football on show it was the 12B's who proved stronger on the day. In a lobsided division at under 14 we saw our 14A's recording a comfortable victory over Coolboy Rangers. NJ Sinnott netted a hat-trick, Giorgio Morgillo-Fidyk and Nathan Gough nabbed a brace a piece with Darragh Cullen and Alex Zevastki scoring singles. Keeping with the lobsided theme in this league the B team lost to a strong Rathnew team. The lads kept going right to the final whistle. Best players on the day were James Cummins, Turlough Byrne, Micheal Kennedy and well done to the three subs that came on Ethan Doyle, Conor McVeigh and Semen Vovk. Well done to a very good Rathnew side. Everyone wishes Rovers keeper Davin Kelly a speedy recovery from a knock he received during the game. On Sunday, the under 15's kept their hundred percent start intact with a good win over Rathnew in an exciting local derby. A brace of goals from Jack O'Leary and a single from Naoise O'Dubhslaine ensured the lads claimed all three points in a competitive 3-1 victory over a good Rathnew team. Thanks to Rathnew for a good competitive game. The under 16’s eventually got their league campaign started and they got off to a flyer with an excellent away win against a spirited Avonmore side. Jack Neville led the way with a superb hat-trick, Sean Manning, James Dunne, Joe Culleton and Arthur Curran all added singles in a good all round team performance and an impressive victory. Big thanks to Avonmore for hosting the game.
The club are running two Easter camps, week 1 will take place from Tuesday 4th of April to Thursday 6th of April. Week 2 runs from Tuesday 11th of April to Thursday 13th of April, the camps will run from 10am to 2pm daily and take place at Whitegates. Cost of the camp is €45 with a reduction for families with two or more kids. All kids should bring a packed lunch, drink, football boots, shin guards and rain jacket. To register please use the following link: https://wicklowroversafc.com/categories/camp/products
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.
The club in conjunction with our Saturday morning junior academy run a Superheroes Football section for kids with special needs. It runs every Saturday on the astro pitch at Whitegates and will be overseen by coaches James Quinn and James Macklin. The Superheroes section will run from 11.15 to 12.15 on Saturdays. If you are interested, you should register your child by email to wicklowroverssuperheros@gmail.com or you can contact James Quinn at 086-3989769.
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.wicklowroversafc.com or the club Facebook page.
