CLUB CALL
INDOOR BOWLS
Kildare West Wicklow Indoor Bowling Association (KWWIBA)
Coill Dubh Back On Track With Victory Over Blessington - Coill Dubh had the privilege of home advantage in this Division 2 bowling league game Rd.12 against Blessington played on February 19 in the Coill Dubh Community Hall.
Having been surprisingly beaten by Rathcoffey in their last home game they would be very anxious to get back to winning ways especially in their own back yard.
They certainly will have learned a lesson not to be caught napping again as they did on that previous occasion.
Dropping the five points caused them to slip from the top three down the scale a couple of notches, so a backlash is expected. Five points here would bring them right back into contention again
Blessington coming into this game are at the other end of the spectrum, now lying second from the bottom of the table.
Five points would lift them a couple of places upwards, but one feels if they succeed in securing a couple of points at this venue they would be doing very well. This is a big task indeed, as the feeling is that the hosts won’t be in a generous mood.
All So Easy - Mat 1 on the first couple of ends it was ‘nip and tuck’ as both sides started off well, but it all changed from thereon as Coill Dubh completely dominated the exchanges and scored at will.
Even though on the seventh end the scoreboard read 8-3 in favour of the hosts, not an unsurmountable lead by any means, but the visitors were just not playing good enough to trouble their opponents.
It was all so easy for the home team as they just strolled through the game, and by the eleventh end their lead had increased to a whopping score line of 20-3.
In fairness to Blessington, they made a mini revival on the next three ends to reduce the score and make it a little more respectable at 20/11.
Whether it was the visitors that found their touch, or the hosts eased off the throttle it is hard to say. Coill Dubh put paid to that revival by recording a score of one on the last end. Final score: Coill Dubh 21, Blessington 11.
Coill Dubh: Michael Hogan, Tomas Baker, Joe Butler, Joss Gordon and sub John Moran.
Blessington: Tom O’Neill, John Bohan and Willie Donoghue.
Much Better - This was a much better display from Blessington on Mat 2 as they made Coill Dubh fight for three quarters of the game. The home team led from the beginning and were always holding a lead of four or five scores and looked comfortable at all times.
Blessington were always playing catch up and never looked like they could close the gap to threaten their opponents. But they were still in with a chance if the home team were to make any mistakes, Coill Dubh were not accommodating in that regard and in the last three ends put the game to bed with a flurry of scores to coast to victory on a finishing score line of 21-9. This victory brings Coill Dubh back into the top three while Blessington remain in the same position.
Coill Dubh: Mary Hogan, Albert Perris, Jody Gordon and Thomas Hogan.
Blessington: Liam Houston, Rita Nugent, Tony Campbell and Donie McEvoy.
Mary Hogan and Albert Perris were to the fore for the home team while for the visitors Donie McEvoy had an outstanding game.
Recent League Results (home team first):
Division 1: Brownstown 0, Hollywood 5; Castlemitchell 3, Caragh 2; Caragh 5, Rathmore 0; Kildangan 5, Ardclough 0.
Division 2: Balyna 5, Coill Dubh 0; Blessington 0, Baltinglass/ Kiltegan 5; Rathmore 5 Athy 0; Prosperous 3, Rathcoffey 2.
Division 3: Caragh 5, Straffan 0; Kilcullen 3, Naas 2. Division 4: Kilcullen 0, Kill 5. Division 5: Balyna 3, Abbey Bowls 2.
WICKLOW ROVERS
Well the weather was the big winner at the weekend with the heavy overnight rain on Friday putting paid to the majority of our fixtures. Only three games survived the weather and out of the three games we recorded one win, one draw and one defeat.
Our under-17As suffered a disappointing heavy 8-1 defeat at home to Arklow United last Friday night at Whitegates. Going into the game without four regulars the lads never got going in the game as the Arklow side clinically put the lads to the sword. Its back to the drawing board now as the lads will look to get back on the winning track next week. Dylan Frazer scored the lone Rovers goal on the night.
On Sunday, the under-14Bs started their league campaign with a share of the spoils at home to Coolboy Rangers in a 1-1 draw. The lads will be a little disappointed not to win this game but to Coolboy’s credit they battled to earn themselves a point. Zach Harris registered his second goal of the season when he netted for Rovers.
The 15Bs had an excellent 3-2 home win over Arklow Celtic in the first leg of their interim final to leave the tie finely poised going into the second leg.
In what was a good advert for football Adam Shepherd fired home a brace to bring his tally to eight for the season with Javier Perez Dirube nabbing a single to double his tally to two for the campaign. This was a fantastic game, well done to both teams on providing exciting entertainment to the watching public.
The club are running an Easter Camp from Tuesday, April 3, to Friday, April 6, at Whitegates. The camp will run from 10am to 2pm daily and is open to kids from three years old to 13 years old. Every participant will receive a ball at the start of the camp and a medal on the final day. The cost of the camp is €50 with a discount for more than one child from the same family.
Further details can be viewed on our club website and Facebook page. Also, further details can be obtained by contacting Johnny Dunne at 087 7802098 or Robbie Dover at 087 1768264 or any committee member. Registration forms can be downloaded from our club website at www.wicklowrovers.com or you can register by private messaging us on our Facebook page.
At the time of going to print we had 39 players safely through to round 5 of our Last Man Standing competition. Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Watford saw 17 players progress, Chelsea’s narrow 2-1 victory over London neighbours Crystal Palace meant a further 10 players went through. Victories for Everton (5), Leicester (4), Newcastle (2) and Tottenham (1) over Brighton, West Brom, Southampton and Bournemouth respectively saw 12 more players safely through to the next stage.
As it stands, another nine players will be hoping to join them when their selection Manchester City travel to take on Stoke in the Monday night game.
Two players made their exit from the competition at the weekend when their selections West Ham and Huddersfield failed to win, the Hammers losing 3-0 at home to Burnley and Huddersfield only managing a scoreless draw at home to Swansea. There is no Last Man Standing selections required next week due to FA Cup action.
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 the Whitegates and is open to all kids from the age of three years to eight years. The academy starts at 11am 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 congratulate Jennifer Costello and Mark Delaney on the arrival of baby Noah Jacob early on Sunday, we wish you a life full of love, happiness, fun and good health. May the future be good to you. Once again, a massive congratulations Jennifer and Mark.
Anyone with information for the club notes or the club website can contact me at 087 9108706 or e-mail me at jimmy.nolan09@ hotmail.com.
For all news regarding the club, check out the club website at www. wicklowrovers.com or the club Facebook page.
NEWTOWN JUNIORS
Last weekend it was the snow, and this week it was the thaw and heavy rain that fell through Friday evening an overnight into Saturday morning put paid to a number of fixtures around the county.
Two of our teams did play and both recorded good wins. The under-9s travelled to play Ashford Rovers and thankfully they played on the Astro pitch as it rained for nearly the entire game.
Among the players who played well and were among the goals were Oisin Duffy, Lucas Dowdall, John Turley, Nathan McMahon, JV Kelly, Albie Chance and Aaron Nolan.
The under-10s travelled to Finlay Park to take on Wicklow Town and goals from Daniel Eager (2), Max Roche (2), David Mackey, Ryan Collins and Mikey Synnott edged the game for our team on the day. Best for Newtown on the day were Aaron Roy, Pat Carey and Luke Turley.
There will be no WDSL fixtures for the Easter weekend but we will be entering teams in the annual Soccer Blitz in aid of Wicklow Cancer Support.
The Blitz is run by Tony Doran and his many supporters along with the Wicklow Town and Wicklow Rovers clubs. Each team that plays in the blitz makes a donation to this worthy cause and everybody has a great day of football. Coaches will be sending out messages to all players so if you wish or intend playing please reply. Thank you.
Alex Mackey from the under-8s is our only player from the club who will celebrate a birthday in the coming week. Happy birthday Alex from everyone in Newtown Juniors F.C.
Well done to our under-9 Red team who have made it to the finals of the WDSL Futsal which will be held in Arklow on Sunday, March 18. Well done everyone involved.
All our teams are back in training. There are also a couple of slots on all our teams at the moment so if there are any girls or boys who would like to join the club please contact our secretary Hughie at 087 6987653 and he will provide you with all the information you will need.
Also in a new venture by the WDSL they have started a Girls Academy for all girls playing in the league that will also cater for girls who may not be a member of a club or a team.
Training takes place for all age groups under-10, under-12 and under-14 at East Glendalough School from 4.30pm until 6pm every Sunday evening. For further information please contact our secretary Hughie at 087 6987653/ hughienolan@gmail.com.
We had 30 players still standing going into Week 6 but that number dropped by one going into the Monday Night Football between Stoke City and Manchester City.
Week six fixtures will be for the weekend of Saturday, March 31/ Sunday, April 1 due to FA Cup and International fixtures.
Many thanks everyone for your continued support. You can follow the progress of the competition on our Facebook and Twitter pages.
The WDSL fundraiser ‘The Kube’ will take place in the Parkview Hotel on Saturday, April 7.
We have two participants namely John Dunleavy and Stephen Nolan who will both be raising funds for our club through this event. If you can sponsor either John or Stephen for any amount no matter how small please contact any committee member for further information.
It’s that time of the year again folks where we all don the green and get ready for the march in the Paddy’s Day Parade.
As usual the parade will start from Gregory’s Garage and will depart at 11am sharp. All players etc intending to march in the parade with the club need to be over at the stat line for no later than 10.45am. Everybody to wear either club colours or green and bring whistles etc to make loads of noise.
For further information on all matters Newtown Juniors F.C. please contact the Secretary at 087 6987653 or by email to hughienolan@gmail.com and you can also follow the club on our Facebook and Twitter pages.
BRAY WANDERERS
Lotto draw - There was no jackpot winner on March 11. Numbers drawn were 1, 7, 8 and 19. €30 lucky dip winners were Michael Caulfield c/o M. Caulfield,Sophie and Ava Stephens c/o Bray Lakers, Sam Fagan c/o Bray Lakers, Wil- liam Duffin c/o Charlie Kavanagh, Derek Kinlan c/o Bray Lakers. Next jackpot is €8,650.
Lotto tickets are on sale in the club shop at all home games and you can also play the Bray Wanders lotto online through our website.
Fixtures - Bray Wanderers are away to Derry City on Friday, March 16. Kick off at the Brandywell is 7.45pm. Wanderers are at home to Waterford FC on Monday, March 19. Kick off at the Carlisle Grounds is 3.00pm. Please note the earlier kick off time.
Match Tickets - Supporters can now purchase Bray Wanderers match tickets in advance online. Simply print off your match ticket at home and avoid queues on match night. Tickets can also be purchased online by using any mobile/tablet devices and can be presented directly at the turnstiles on your mobile/tablet device with no printing of tickets required.
Ticket prices for the 2018 season are adults €15, students/ OAPs €10, children under-14 €5. Students should note that proof of student ID will be requested upon entry at the stiles.
Season Tickets – Bray Wanderers 2018 season tickets are now on sale from our website.
This season will see the introduction of excellent value family season tickets alongside regular season tickets.
Those under the age of 14 will now come under the child category. Prices for the 2018 season are: Adults €210, student/concession €130, family season tickets are one adult and two children €210, one senior citizen and two children €130, two adults and four children €420. Season tickets are valid for all home league games. Tickets can be ordered on line at www. braywanderersfc.ie/tickets.
Underage teams - The SJ.B Academy under-19s will begin their season in the Elite Southern division away to Limerick FC on Sunday, March 25. Kick off in Hogan Park is 2.00pm. On Sunday, April 8, they will host U.C.D. in their first home game of the season.
The SJ.B under-17s will begin their season in the Elite Southern division away to Cork City on Saturday, March 17. Kick off in Bishopstown is 2.00pm. They will host Waterford FC in their first home game of the season on Saturday, March 24. Kick off in the Academy Grounds in Carrickmines is 2.00pm.
The SJ.B under-15s took part in the Linfield Academy under-15 tournament at the New Midgley Park in Belfast last Sunday.
They defeated St.Kevins/Bohemians 1-0 with a goal from Regan Lennon in their first game. Their next game was a 1-0 win over Linfield with a goal from Leigh Kavanagh. Their third game resulted in a 0-1 defeat to Dundalk.
Seagulls Club - The next trip is to Derry on Friday, March 16. The Seagulls club will run a bus to this game subject to demand. To book a seat please call or text 087 9968969.
Merchandise - 2018 season jerseys are now in stock. They are available in adult sizes small, medium, large, Xlarge and XXlarge. Price is €45.
A new range of items are now available from the club shop and our on line shop. Black training tops (€30), black rain jackets (€40) and crew tops (€40) are available in adult sizes: small, medium, large and extra large.
Merchandise can also be purchased from our online store on the club website.
All the latest club news is on our website www.braywanderersfc.ie.