WICKLOW ROVERS AFC CLUB NOTES WEEK ENDING 14th NOVEMBER 2021

On the senior front our Leinster Senior side recorded a 4-2 away win over Dunboyne AFC on Saturday. The lads lost to the same opposition at Whitegates back in early October, so this was a good three points which puts them firmly back in the promotion picture. Sam Brown put Rovers in front when he headed home an Adam Cox corner on the half hour mark for his sixth of the season. It was 1-0 at the break and ten minutes into the second period Ciaran McGettigan doubled Rovers lead, McGettigan picked the ball up on the halfway line, ran at the home defence skipping past three players before coolly slotting home. Shortly after the home team pulled one back but it wasn’t long before Rovers restored their two goal cushion. Ciaran McGettigan fired home his second of the match after good work from Nathan Sullivan to make it 3-1. On the stroke of full time Dunboyne scored their second to make the last few minutes very nervy for Rovers but the lads were having none of it as deep into injury time Ciaran McGettigan set up David Hennerby who made no mistake to score and ensure all three points were coming back to Wicklow. This was a good team display with every player working their socks off. The WDFL second team played league leaders Shamrock Celtic in Finn Park, the lads went into this game on the back of a heavy defeat away to Newtown but to the lads credit they gave a good account of themselves in defeat against the league leaders. For most of the game this young team put it up to their more experienced opponents before Celtic ran out 3-1 winners. Gavin Caffrey scored the Rovers goal, his second of the season in what was a good all round team performance.

Our under 18’s and 19's came into direct opposition on Saturday afternoon in the youth league at Whitegates and it was a game that was played in great spirit. It was the 18’s who got off to the better start racing into 3-0 lead. The 19's battled back scoring just before the break to send the sides in at the half time break with the 18’s leading 3-1. The second half saw the 19's push forward in search of a second goal but it was the 18’s who nabbed the crucial next goal to complete the scoring on the day to see the 18’s run out 4-1 winners. Conor Leonard scored the goal for the 19's with Luke Dunne firing home an excellent hat-trick for the 18’s with Ben Patterson nabbing their fourth.

Action on the junior front started on Tuesday night when the under 13’s narrowly went down to league leaders Arklow United losing 2-1 in a tight tussle at Whitegates. Rovers came from one behind to level matters with a first of the season from Jack O’Leary, but Arklow were to get a winner to cruelly deny Rovers a share of the spoils. On Saturday the under 11 whites went down to Rathnew in the quarter finals of the Jimmy Hackett shield, this game proved to be a cracker with the sides sharing ten goals in a 5-5 draw after extra time. Rathnew ran out winners on penalties, but it was football that was the big winner on the day with both teams and their respective coaching staff come in for positive and glowing references for their performances on and off the pitch, well done to everyone involved with both teams, a credit to your clubs and your sport. Our 12A’s suffered their first defeat of the season when they went down to a 2-0 defeat to Arklow Town whites, the team conceded two quick fire goals in the first five minutes and try that they did they could never recover from the early setback. The 12 whites continued their good form to make it three wins on the bounce and five wins in six games when they beat Arklow Town black team winning 3-0. Cian Lynch nabbed a brace to bring his tally for the season to three with Martha Lambert continuing her clinical streak in front of goal when she scored for the third successive game to make it six in three games and seven for the campaign. This was another excellent performance from this fast improving team. On Sunday the under 13’s had a good 3-0 away win over Enniskerry, Naoise Delaney netted a single to make it nineteen for the season, Cillian Czwalina nabbed his fourth of the campaign with Ronan Phelan firing home his third of the season to complete the scoring. The under 15’s went down to Arklow Town at Travers Insurance Park losing 3-1, the lads will be disappointed with this result as it puts a massive dent in their league title hopes. Alex Earls netted for Rovers, his second of the season. They will be hoping to get back to winning ways as the games come thick and fast with three games down for decision in seven days.

The club’s weekly junior soccer academy continues every Saturday morning [weather permitting] under the watchful eye of senior club coaches Johnny Dunne, Stephen Clarke 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.