WICKLOW ROVERS AFC CLUB NOTES WEEK ENDING 15th AUGUST 2021

Our Wicklow League side took on Avonmore in the semi-final of the pre-season tournament in Celtic Park in Arklow last Sunday. The lads got off to a flyer when Alan Power gave them an early lead. Rovers took the game to the Rathdrum side and were in total control of the tie come the half time break after they added further goals from Jamie Power and Sam Brown to send them in at the interval 3-0 to the good. Rovers continued with their high intensity pressing game in the second period and it paid off when they added two more goals from Jack Kelly and Shane Cranny. Avonmore nabbed a consolation goal but Rovers had put the game to bed in the first half. This was an excellent all round team performance from Rovers to run out 5-1 winners and now sets them up for the final next Sunday against St Peters.

Well, if it was goals you were looking for Celtic Park in Arklow last Saturday was the place to be. Our under 18's and 19's came into direct opposition in an all inter club affair in the semi-final of the WDFL pre-season tournament. They didn't disappoint with both teams providing the watching spectators with plenty of good attacking football in a ten goal thriller. At the end of a fantastic advert for the game of football it was the 19's who came out on top winning 7-3. One of the highlights of the game was a superb solo goalscoring feat by 19's player Sam Brown who fired home an excellent five goals without a doubt a tremendous achievement at anytime, never mind in a semi-final. Michael Cassidy and Adam Reilly added a goal a piece to complete the 19's goal tally. The 18's were excellent throughout and scored three good goals of their own with Luke Dunne, Mikey Merrigan and Tomàs Kennedy all hitting the back of the net. All in all, this was an exciting match between two teams from the club and with a final place at stake the game was played in a very sporting manner, a credit to themselves, their management and the club. Well done to both sets of players.

Midweek junior action saw the under 12 green team maintain their one hundred percent record with a comfortable win away to Greystones Utd. Ciaran McCaul, Daragh Cullen, Wolsey Sloan Kelly, NJ Sinnott, Sean O’Brien, Liam Cawley, Rhys Behan, Dan Farrell and Sean O’Keene were all on the mark in what was an excellent all round team performance. The 13A’s won well at home to Greystones Utd on Wednesday night, in a five star performance from the whole team they had eight different goalscorers. Josh McCall, Conor Martin, Cillian Czwalina, Sean Patrick Guerin, Sam Behan, Shane O’Reilly, Cathal Cannon and Naoise Delaney all hit the back of the net. The 14A’s and 14B’s came into direct opposition on Thursday night with the A’s coming out on top in a very sporting game. Jack O’Leary and Jack Neville both hit hat-tricks with Arthur Curran firing home a single. The B’s had their chances on the night and with a bit of luck they might have had a couple of goals.

At the weekend the under 12 whites went down 7-0 to a very strong St Anthonys black side, the team kept going right up to the final whistle and showed great determination which will prove of benefit in future games. The under 12 white team and the club would like to thank NDA Construction for their kind sponsorship of new jerseys. Your kind sponsorship is very much appreciated by us all, once again thank you so much. The 15’s made it four wins from four games with a comfortable victory at home to Avonmore B, Brandon Battams led the goal charge with four superb goals, Charlie Czwalina weighed in with a hat-trick with Evan Conyard firing home a brace and a first of the season for Alex Earls completing the scoring. Jack Macklin, Tom Donoghue and Alex Earls stood out in what was an excellent all round team display.

Tickets are now on sale for our September 50/50 draw, the tickets cost €5 each. The draw runs on a continuous monthly basis with a guaranteed monthly winner who will receive 50% of funds taken in, the winner will also have the opportunity to top up their winnings by predicting the bonus ball in the main National Lottery draw the following night after been drawn out. The September bonus ball jackpot now stands at €1500, to enter the September draw all tickets must be purchased before midnight Tuesday 31st of August with the draw been held on Tuesday 7th of September. Tickets can be purchased online at www.wicklowroversclubshop.com or alternatively you can get your tickets from any committee member or club member. Thank you to everyone for your continuous support, it is very much appreciated by everyone at the club. 

Everyone at Wicklow Rovers AFC would like to extend their congratulations to Jennifer Costello and Mark Delaney on the arrival of their new baby girl Alex. Everyone at the club wish you the very best of everything good in the future. Once again, a big congratulations Jennifer, Mark and big brother Noah.