WICKLOW ROVERS AFC CLUB NOTES WEEK ENDING 17th OCTOBER 2021

On the senior front our WDFL premier team had a comfortable 4-1 win at home to Roundwood on Friday night. The lads came out of the traps fast and were one up after ten minutes when Jack Fox fired home a twenty five yard free kick. On the half hour mark it was 2-0 when Jamie Power netted and then in a three minute spell just before the break they added two more goals. First James Lang cut in from the right and blasted home and then right of the stroke of half time Jamie Power delightfully lobbed the keeper for his sixth of the season to put the game beyond Roundwood. To be fair Roundwood never gave up and got their reward after sixty five minutes when they nabbed a consolation goal. This was a good solid performance from the team to see them return to winning ways. The WDFL B team came up against a very strong Greystones United side at Woodlands on Sunday. Greystones ran out 5-0 winners but to the lads credit they battled right to the end, it will just have to be put down as a bad day at the office and come back stronger next week.

The under 18’s received a walkover from Arlington FC in the first round of the Leinster Youths cup. Our under 19 team recorded a fantastic 6-1 win away to Arklow United on Friday night, Sean Murphy led the way with a superbly taken hat-trick with Conor Leonard, Jamie Murphy and Tom Flood scoring one a piece in what was an excellent all round team display. The under 18 girls turned on the style when they defeated St Itas 7-2 in the first round of the Lee Brothers cup on Sunday, Molly Sweeney was on fire in front of goal with six clinically taken goals to bring her tally for the season to twenty one and this is only early in the season. Aoife Caffrey added a stunning strike of her own to complete the scoring in an excellent performance from all the girls. A special mention goes to Abbie Smith who pulled off three excellent saves when the game was all square, Molly Sweeney who fired in that clinical double hat-trick and Aoife Connolly who played a captain’s part with her performance and also driving the team on.

Junior action started early in the week with the under 14A’s entertaining Avonmore at Whitegates on Tuesday night, they made it back to back wins with a 3-1 success. Leading goalscorer Jack Neville blasted home a brace and Steven Kavanagh added a superb single to earn them a good three points in a fine team effort against a good Avonmore side. On Saturday the under 12 Green team had a resounding 7-0 success over Aughrim Rangers, Darragh Cullen hit a brace with Liam Cawley, Ciaran McCaul, Wolsey Sloan Kelly, Rhys Behan and Giorgio Morgillo all adding a goal each. The under 12 White team made it three wins and a draw from their last four games with a 5-0 home victory over Arklow United Stripes. Bruno Tejada scored his first goals of the season and done it in style with a brilliant hat-trick, Aiden Kelly and Max Sado added singles to complete the scoring in a fine team display. On Sunday the under 13’s drew 1-1 away to Newtown Juniors in a tight encounter, Josh McCall brought his tally to twelve for the season to earn his team a share of the spoils. Our under 15’s drew 2-2 with Arklow Town and were left to rue missed chances when 2-0 up, credit to Arklow for battling back. Harri Armstrong and Charlie Czwalina netted the Rovers goals.

The under 15 team and everyone at Wicklow Rovers AFC would like to wish the Armstrong family, Ben, Aimee, Harri, Max and Fiana the very best for the future as they move back to Australia next week. Harri played with the under 15's this season and was part of the first team to win a DDSL title in the club. He is an integral part of the under 15 team scoring plenty of goals this season and he will be sorely missed by the players and management. After Sunday’s match the team made a presentation of a signed jersey and framed picture to Harri. Once again, we wish Harri and his family the very best of luck and happiness in their new adventure and remember if you are ever back call in on us, we would be very happy to see you. Best of luck

Tickets are now on sale for our 50/50 draw on a continuous basis, every draw will be streamed live on the club Facebook page. The draw has a guaranteed monthly winner, who will also have the chance to win a Jackpot prize by predicting the Bonus Ball Number in the main Irish Lottery draw that will take place the day after the winner is announced. It’s a 50/50 draw, where 50% of the revenue from ticket purchases will go to the winner and the other 50% will go back into the club to support the upkeep, maintenance and enhance the facilities for everyone. The cost of a ticket is only €5 and you can buy as many tickets as you like. You can also subscribe to a monthly payment option, so that you won’t forget to enter into the draw each month!!. The bonus ball Jackpot prize is €1,700 for our November draw and will go up by a minimum of €100 per month if not won. Tickets will be available to purchase online via our club shop website www.wicklowroversclubshop.com on an ongoing basis, you can also purchase your tickets by contacting any committee member or any club member. The next draw will be live on the club facebook page at 8pm on Tuesday 2nd of November.  Many thanks from the Wicklow Rovers fundraising committee.