WICKLOW ROVERS
The senior men made their long awaited return back into action on the field of play on Friday night, unfortunately for them it ended in a 3-2 defeat away to Enniskerry YC. In what was a close thrilling game Ricki Quinn and Maurice Dunne fired home the Rovers goals.
The lads had a lot of the possession in this game but were limited to long range efforts. They fell 2-0 behind in the first fifteen minutes but to their credit they battled back to worry the home side. Maurice Dunne scored from the spot before Enniskerry went 3-1 up. Ricki Quinn then pulled another one back but despite their best efforts the lads just couldn’t find an equaliser.
Saturday’s junior action saw our under-14B’s get their league campaign off to a flyer. On a high after making the Premier Shield final last week the lads went into this game with Arklow Town in Lamberton full of confidence and that showed with a good workman like performance to claim all three points in a 4-2 win.
Luke Horan nabbed his first goals of the season when he netted twice, David Lally scored one to bring his tally to ten for the campaign with Lee Hamilton notching a single to move onto eight for the season in what was a good all round team performance.
The 14C’s came up against a very strong Roundwood side and found the going tough losing 8-1, Adam Shepherd nabbed the Rovers goal to claim his third of the season. In fairness to this team they have been placed in the Premier Division due to lack of teams and at this level they have been pitted against ‘A’ teams, which is a little unfair.
But to their credit they turn out week after week despite heavy defeats, they turn out hail, rain or snow and a lot of the credit must go to manager Fred Boxall and his backroom team for encouraging this team week after week, well done to everyone involved.
Sunday’s action saw our 15A’s go down 4-1 to Wicklow Town, the lads put in a battling performance, Dylan Doyle scored his second goal of the season for Rovers.
The under 16A’s kicked off their league campaign with a good 6-4 away win over Arklow Town, Sean Leonard fired in an excellent hat-trick to make it twelve for the season with Nathan Sullivan, Shane Lincoln and Jack Colaluca all registering singles.
The 16B’s kicked off life in the premier grade with a fantastic 5-3 away win over St Anthony’s, Nathan Wynne was another player who notched an excellent hat-trick as he took his total to eleven for the season. Ryan Murphy also moved on to eleven when he nabbed a brace in a good all round team performance.
The club will be running our second Last Man Standing competition of the season starting on the 4th of February 2017. Anyone interested in taking part in our second competition should text their name and contact details to Jimmy Nolan at 087-9108706, also you can register through the same channels as you did in any of our previous Last Man Standing competitions.
The prize fund will be €500 with the same rules applying. Alternatively if anyone wants to register you can contact any committee member with all your details. The registration fee for the competition is €10 and must be paid prior to the start of the competition.
Also it’s advised to have your registration in on or before Friday the 27th of January. Where possible please get your registration in as early as possible, please don’t leave it to the last minute. Week one fixtures will be text out on Monday the 30th of January. See club website at www.wicklowrovers.com for a full list of the rules.
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 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 deepest sympathies to the families and friends of Phyllis McLoughlin [Blackrock], Clodagh Smith [Dublin] and Jack Hamilton [Newtown] who all sadly passed away recently. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time, may they rest in peace.
Anyone with information for the club notes or the club website can contact me at 0879108706 or e-mail me at jimmy.nolan09@hotmail.com
For all news regarding the club, visit the club website at www. wicklowrovers.com or visit the club facebook page.