WICKLOW ROVERS AFC CLUB NOTES WEEK ENDING 6th FEBRUARY 2022
Our Leinster Senior side entertained the league's basement boys in the shape of Drumcondra on Saturday afternoon at Whitegates. The lads dominated the game for large periods and ran out comfortable 4-0 winners. The impressive Ciaran McGettigan led the line in spectacular fashion firing home a clinical hat-trick. David O'Connor popped up with a single in what was a comprehensive victory and an excellent all round team performance. With the title out of reach the lads are still very much in the promotion hunt and if they maintain their recent good form there is no reason why they can't achieve it.
Our Wicklow League premier side travelled to Celtic Park to take on Arklow Celtic on Sunday morning and returned home with all three points in an impressive 7-2 victory. Chris French opened the scoring for Rovers, Luca Rampersaud made it 2-0 followed quickly by a Jensen O'Connor Cox strike to put Rovers into a commanding 3-0 lead. Just before the break the home side found the net to pull it back to 3-1 and give themselves hope of a comeback. That hope was short lived as Jamie Power with his first touch when introduced from the bench made it 4-1. Luca Rampersaud and Jensen O'Connor Cox both nabbed another goal each to make it a brace a piece with Jack Crowley completing the scoring to make it 7-1. A spirited Celtic side were awarded a penalty in the closing stages which they tucked away to make the final result 7-2 to Rovers. It was a dominant performance from the lads in difficult conditions. Chris French, Jensen O'Connor Cox, Aaron Meade and Riain Sweetman all impressed in an all round excellent team display.
Our third team took on our near neighbours Wicklow Town on Sunday afternoon at Whitegates. The Town are hot favourites to win the league this season and showed why with a 6-0 win. The Town were in clinical form in front of goal but to the lad’s credit they battled away right to the end. The Rovers lads show their commitment turning out week after week despite some heavy defeats, well done lads. Also well done to the Town and the best of luck for the rest of the season in your quest for the league title.
Everyone at the club would like to wish Trevor, Ray and the under 15 squad the very best of luck next Saturday in the last 32 of the SFAI cup. The team make the long journey to Youghal in County Cork to take on local side Youghal United in what promises to be a tough and exciting encounter. Once again, the best of luck.
Congratulations to Paddy Flood who was the February winner of our 50/50 draw winning €267.50, unfortunately for Paddy his bonus number 28 failed to appear from the drum in the main lotto draw on the Wednesday night, he was very close with the bonus ball been 27. The bonus ball jackpot now moves onto €2100 for the March draw. Tickets are on sale throughout the month of February right up to midnight on Monday 28th February. The cost of a ticket is only €5, you can subscribe to a monthly payment option, so that you won’t forgot to enter into the draw each month. The Jackpot prize is €2,100 for our March 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 draw will be live on the club facebook page at 8pm on Tuesday 1st of March. Many thanks from the Wicklow Rovers fundraising committee.
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.
Everyone at Wicklow Rovers AFC would like to extend their sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Michael Fitzgerald of Dunbur Glen who sadly passed away recently. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Anne, daughter Jemma, sons Barry and Graham, grandchildren Charlie, Ruby, Oisin, Ella and Eoghan, daughter in law Anne Marie, son in law Darren, his sisters Kathleen, Sheila, Mary and Elizabeth, brothers David, Liam, Tony and Joseph, his extended family and friends. May he rest in peace.
