WICKLOW ROVERS AFC CLUB NOTES WEEK ENDING 30th AUGUST 2020
Our Leinster Senior team had two away games in the last week, first up was a tussle with Corduff FC on Thursday night and the lads returned home with three excellent points in a 2-1 win. In truth the lads should have made it a more comfortable win with the amount of chances they created. Tom Smullen put them in front and Ciaran McGettigan made it 2-0 before the break. The lads created several other good chances but failed to capitalise on these chances and the home side pulled one back to make it a nervy end to the game. On the night Tom Smullen stood out putting in an excellent shift in the engine room covering every blade of grass and putting in some timely challenges. On Saturday the lads defeated Newlands/Castle Park winning 6-0 to keep the pressure on at the top of the table. The lads got off to the perfect start when Ciaran McGettigan made it seventeen for the season after four minutes. After twenty minutes Tom Smullen scored directly from a corner to make it 2-0 and eight minutes later Aidan Small brought his tally for the season to nine to send the lads in at the break 3-0 up and in total control. The lads had the elements against them in the second period but they didn’t let up, further goals from David O’Connor, David Rowan and Dylan Orr saw the lads claim another important win in their quest for the title.
Our WDFL side were very unlucky in defeat away to Newtown United in the quarter final of the Wicklow Cup. Newtown won the game 3-2 but the lads will feel they left it behind them. Rovers dictated the opening twenty five minutes but didn’t make it tell. Newtown went in front against the run of play and this seem to spur the home team on as they came more into the game. Rovers hit back to level when Jamie Power finished superbly after a flowing Rovers move but disaster struck when Newtown went back in front just before the break. The young Rovers team showed great character to level things again when Jack Crowley coolly slotted into the top right hand corner of the net. Rovers were on the front foot and had the chances to take the lead. At 2-2 Rovers were denied what looked a stone wall penalty after Alan Power was taken down but the ref waved play on. A defensive mistake cost Rovers dearly as it let Newtown in for what proved to be the winner. The lads put in another good performance against one of the power houses of Wicklow football, but they just need to be more clinical in front of goal. Brian Harrington and Jamie Power stood out for Rovers in a good all round team performance.
Our under 17’s went down 8-2 to a very impressive Wicklow Town team in the semi final of the youths cup. Town went into the game as strong favourites and they showed why. They raced into a first half 5-0 lead but in fairness to the young Rovers side they kept battling. They got their reward in the second period with goals from Adam O’Reilly and Sam Brown. The Town added three further goals to run out 8-2 winners, everyone at Wicklow Rovers would like to congratulate Wicklow Town on winning the league and we wish Anto and his team the best of luck in the youths cup final.
In the junior section on Saturday the 12B’s were unlucky to lose 2-1 away to local rivals Rathnew, it looked to be heading for a draw, but the villagers popped up with a winner in the dying seconds. Kirsten Harte scored the Rovers goal in what was an excellent all round team performance. Our under 14’s resumed with a good 4-2 win over Shillelagh, Daniel Kavanagh led the way with a well taken brace with Charlie Czwalina and Lorcan Sinnott adding one a piece in what was a good team performance. A special mention goes in for Daniel Kavanagh for two good finishes and an all round impressive performance as he worked his socks off for the team. The under 16’s went down 4-1 away to Ashford Rovers with Alex Higgins scoring their consolation goal. On Sunday the 13B’s recorded a good 2-1 home win over Glencormac, Adam O’Brien and Cameron Hughes scored the Rovers goals in a good team display. The under 15’s turned in a very impressive display winning 6-0 away to Coolboy Rangers. Alex Sinnott produced an impressive personal haul of four goals with Adam Byrne and Keelan D’Arcy adding singles in an excellent start back to their season.
Owing to recent revised protocols in the FAI safe return to training and playing protocols and procedures the club have been left with no option but to cancel the upcoming EGM scheduled for Monday 7th of September. In the revised protocols all meetings are limited to six people. The EGM was to discuss the proposed changes to the club constitution and ratify as required. A new date will be rescheduled and posted on all our social media outlets, thank you.
The club’s weekly junior soccer academy continues every Saturday morning [weather permitting] under the watchful eye of senior club coach Johnny Dunne. The academy takes places on the all weather pitch 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.
