WICKLOW ROVERS

The senior men welcomed league leaders Doddervale/Orwell Utd FC to Whitegates last Friday night.

The lads were hoping to follow up last week’s impressive away draw with second placed Castleknock Celtic with a win against the table toppers.

The game didn’t start off too well for Rovers with the away side making the early running.

On the quarter-hour mark Doddervale/Orwell Utd FC went in front when Rovers got caught in possession and they duly dispatched the ball to the back of the net.

This seemed to be the wake up call Rovers needed as from this point onwards the lads took total control of the game.

Rovers netted goals in the 20th, 28th and 37th minutes from Gareth Murphy, Ciaran McGettigan and Maurice Dunne to leave them 3-1 up at the break.

The early part of the second period was going to be crucial as the lads were playing against a stiff breeze so they were hoping to weather the expected onslaught.

Five minutes into the half, Rovers scored the all important next goal as they would say, Ciaran McGettigan made a terrific run down the right before squaring the ball to Gareth Murphy who slammed the ball to the net for his second to make it 4-1.

Rovers continued to manage the game well with the defence holding firm and keeper Shane Doyle acting as an extra sweeper reading the game well to come and capture any balls over the top.

Doyle made an excellent save midway through the half to turn the ball around the post evading serious injury when he collided with the upright.

Rovers were in control around the middle of the part with Tommy Kelly doing the simple things effectively for his team.

With twenty minutes remaining, Rovers put the icing on the cake and it couldn’t have fell to a better recipient.

The hard-working Ciaran McGettigan did all his own work for this goal, he chased down the away defender before getting his body in the way to charge down the clearance, he then raced away and coolly and neatly placed the ball in the bottom corner of the net for his second of the match.

This was a very impressive display from the squad, the whole squad worked hard through out the game with every player playing his part.

Sometimes it’s hard to select a man of the match but when push comes to shove we have to make the selection.

From my point of view and l don’t think there could be many arguments against my selection for man of the match as l would go with Ciaran McGettigan.

Ciaran led the line well, his willingness to run and close down for his team could never be questioned.

For such a young man his strength and pace caused problems all night for the away defence. His hold up play was excellent, add to this he provided two well taken goals and also provided the assist for the fourth goal, a worthy recipient of man of the match.

All in all it was an outstanding result and an excellent all round squad performance, well done lads.

The club’s weekly junior soccer academy continues every Saturday morning (weather permitting0 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 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.

For all your club gear you must contact Mandy O’Neill who is running our club shop, everything regards club gear goes through Mandy and no one else. You can contact Mandy at 087-7924649 and she will only be too glad to discuss all details with you.

It is hoped to start our second Last Man Standing competition very soon, dates for the start of the competition will be posted on the club facebook page, club website and printed here in the club notes as soon as the start date has been decided.

All enquires regarding the club should be done at a respectable time of the day, please remember that all club committee members are also volunteers the same as coaches, managers and players. The committee members are giving their spare time to the club to try help its progression so please remember most of us have our day jobs to attend to as well, many thanks.

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.