WICKLOW ROVERS AFC CLUB NOTES WEEK ENDING 5th DECEMBER 2021

It was a quiet weekend again on the senior front with no games for our Leinster Senior side or the two youth teams. On the field of play the WDFL Premier team entertained Aughrim Rangers at Whitegates on Friday night. The lads suffered a disappointing defeat, but the writing was on the wall as early as the third minute when the visitors went one up with what proved to be a soft goal. Rovers went close to scoring when a fantastic run and cross from Alan Power saw no one get on the end of the delightful through ball. Rovers did draw level with a well taken header to square the game up at 1-1. After twenty one minutes Aughrim restored their lead with a coolly dispatched penalty kick. Rovers dictated the play in the second period without creating much in the way of clear cut openings but it was Aughrim who always looked the more dangerous when they hit Rovers on the break. The warning signs were there and from one of those breakaways on sixty five minutes Ian Murphy came to Rovers rescue with an excellent save. Rovers piled forward in search of an equaliser but they were leaving themselves very thin at the back and they were made to pay when Aughrim broke down field to fire home to seal the three points in a 3-1 win. The division one team lost out in a five goal thriller with Carnew at Whitegates on Sunday afternoon. The lads gave it a hundred percent and were unlucky not to take something from the game. Sean Leonard nabbed his third of the season with Schola Daloi getting his first of the campaign in a good all round team performance.

The under 18 girls recorded an excellent 2-1 home victory over Lakelands, it was the visitors who hit the front in the first half and Rovers had Abi Smith between the posts to thank for keeping them in the game with several good saves and a wonder save from a penalty just before the interval. In saying that Rovers had their chances too. Rovers picked up the pace in the second half and dictated possession. It was only a matter of time before Rovers levelled and Molly Sweeney duly obliged with a neat finish. Soon after Rovers were in front when Molly Sweeney fired home her second of the game and her twenty sixth of the season. It was a game between two evenly matched sides but on the day Rovers probably deserved their win as they shaded things in the possession stakes.

On the junior front we only had the two games and they both involved our under 11 green team who first took on Newtown Juniors at Finn Park on Saturday in the semi-final of the Jimmy Hackett cup. In very windy conditions both sides produced some excellent football. The team put in a great performance against a very good Newtown side keeping the ball on the ground so the wind wouldn't be a factor and playing some neat football. At the final whistle Rovers had booked their place in the final with Luke Connolly been nominated as the man of match in a good all round team performance. Later in the afternoon they came up against Coolboy Rangers in the final at the same venue. The first half proved to be a tight tense affair with very little between the teams. Rovers took the game to Coolboy in the second half and put their opponents under pressure. The team took their chances when they came their way to run out deserving winners on the day. In the final Richard Carton was the nominated man of the match for his impressive display in what was another fine team performance. A big congratulations to Maurice, Kevin and the team on two impressive displays in freezing cold conditions and congrats on picking up your first piece of silerware. Also well done to Newtown Juniors, Coolboy Rangers and Arklow Town on contributing to an entertaining day of football.

The club’s weekly junior soccer academy will take place this coming Saturday morning the 11th of December [weather permitting] under the watchful eyes of senior club coaches Johnny Dunne, Stephen Clarke and Jimmy Nolan. This will be the last Saturday of the academy until the new year so kids, parents and coaches can recharge their batteries and come back raring to go in 2022. 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.

With Christmas fast approaching the executive committee of Wicklow Rovers AFC would like to wish the managers, assistant managers, coaches, players, our academy participants, parents, supporters of the club and our friends in sport a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. We would also like to wish a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to all the clubs, WDSL committee, WDFL committee, LSL committee, MGL committee, referees, Brendan Lawrence and all the staff of the Wicklow People. Without all these people we could not provide football and media coverage week in week out for all the members of our clubs. Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to one and all.