WICKLOW ROVERS AFC CLUB NOTES WEEK ENDING 20th MARCH 2022

The only senior game scheduled for the weekend was our Leinster Senior team’s Lanigan cup game at home to Corduff FC, unfortunately this didn’t go ahead as the opposition couldn’t field a team leaving Rovers with a passage to round two without kicking a ball, not the way they wanted to progress but that was out of their hands.

It was great to see the St Patrick's Day Parade back up and running for the first time in three years, hard to believe it’s nearly three years of covid restrictions. It was fantastic to see the crowds along the streets again. A massive thanks to the St Patrick’s parade committee for organising the event. Once again, a big thanks to all the kids from the club that turned up donning their club colours representing our club on our National holiday. A special thanks to all the managers, coaches and parents that helped out on the day. A massive thanks to Corrina Collins for overseen the arrangements to ensure we got the numbers out to represent the club in the parade. Thanks also to Corrina for sorting the goodie bags, flags and props. Thanks to club chairman Paul Delaney who controlled the comings and goings while helping get everything ready at Whitegates. Thanks to Stephen Clarke and Ross Byrne who ensured the group were organised and moved smoothly through the streets and were on hand at the end to hand out the goodie bags. Once again thanks to all who made the day special.

On Saturday in the junior section the 12A’s travelled to the Newtown Community Grounds to take on Newtown Juniors in a premier league tussle and what a game it proved to be. In what was an exciting encounter the teams shared the points in a six goal thriller. Both sets of supporters went home happy after both sides provided them with a classic game of entertaining exciting football. Richard Carton hit the back of the net on two occasions for Rovers with Milo Malcolmson nabbing the other in what was a good all round team performance. Well done to both teams on an excellent game. The under 12B's recorded an excellent win away to Arklow Town B winning 5-1 at Travers Insurance Park. The team went about their job in clinical fashion as they tucked away their chances when they came along while remaining solid at the back. Both Robbie McCoy and Joseph Morrissey hit the back of the net on two occasions to set Rovers up for an excellent three points. Kuba Cielecki fired home a single to complete the five goal haul in what was an excellent all round team display. The under 14’s made the short journey to Shamrock Park to take on neighbours Rathnew and the two sides served up a humdinger of a game. At the final whistle both teams shared the spoils after a thrilling 3-3 draw. The Rovers goalscorers on the day were Ronan Phelan from the penalty spot, Shane O'Reilly fired home the second with the third coming in the shape of an unfortunate deflection off a home player. Both teams deserve great credit on producing an exciting thrilling local derby. Well done to both sets of players. On Sunday our under 13A's were another one of our teams who made the short journey to Shamrock Park over the weekend to take on local neighbours Rathnew in their first game of the season. Rovers ran out comfortable 9-0 winners but to the home team’s credit they battled throughout out and had chances of their own. Rovers proved clinical in front of goal with Bruno Tejada leading the way with a splendid hat-trick. Both Dan Farrell and Cathal Byrne fired in a brace a piece, Giorgio Morgillo-Fidyk and Cillian Czwalina added singles in what was an excellent all round team performance. It seemed to be a weekend for local derbies, it also applied to our under 15 team as they took on Ashford Rovers at Ballinalea Park. The hosts ran out 2-1 winners in what proved to be a super encounter. Both teams gave it everything in a tight local affair. It was a ding dong tussle that could have went either way. Jack Neville nabbed the Wicklow goal on the day. Well done to both teams on serving up an exciting tussle.

The club’s weekly junior soccer academy continues every Saturday morning [weather permitting] under the watchful eye of senior club coaches Johnny Dunne, Jimmy Nolan and John Kelly. 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.

Anyone with anything for our club notes, Facebook page or our club website can contact me by email at jimmy.nolan09@hotmail.com or by text to 087-9108706. For all news regarding the club, check out our club website at www.wicklowrovers.com or the club facebook page.