WICKLOW ROVERS
We have just reached the mid-summer break for the majority of our teams, but we did have some action on the playing field last week.
Monday night saw our under-17Bs win the Wicklow District Youth Shield B when they narrowly defeated Arklow Town by 1-0. Rovers started the game on the front foot pushing the ‘‘Town’ back. The lads created numerous chances, but they found the Arklow keeper in inspired form.
The only goal of the game came on the half hour mark when Nicky Kearney pounced on a mistake in the Arklow defence to head home what proved to be the winning goal. Arklow did have chances to draw level but Rovers were also creating the chances to put the game to bed, as it proved neither team could find the back of the net in the remaining hour, so Rovers lifted the shield. Congratulations to Mark and the players on their success.
Also, on Monday night the senior ladies A team had an excellent 4-1 home win over Balbriggan to give them seven points from their first three games. Rachel Bolger fired home an astonishing four goals to claim three important points.
In what was a good all-round team performance Amy O’Neill, Clarrise Broughan, Alannah Melia and Rachel Bolger stood out.
The senior ladies ‘B’ team played out a thrilling 4-4 home draw with Castletown, trailing 2-1 at the break the girls came flying back in the second half in a game they could and probably should have won, Saoirse O’Reilly hit the back of the net twice while Holly Norman and Charmaine Higgins scored one a piece in a fine allround team display.
On Wednesday night the senior ladies’ ‘A’ team exited the DWSL cup when they were defeated by Cabinteely in a seven-goal thriller. Rachel Bolger hit a brace with Niamh O’Brien adding the other in what was a humdinger of a game.
The game was end to end and there could easily have been a lot more goals.
Unfortunately for the girls they conceded in the last minute what proved to be the winning goal. The girls will be encouraged by this excellent performance against a team two divisions higher than them.
Junior action was confined to our 13Bs, they recorded a fantastic 5-0 away win over Arklow Town on Thursday night in the league, two goals from Peter Dunne and one a piece from Ruairi Jenkinson, Harry Tobin Kelly and Kacper Lepek earned three very impressive points.
The 13Bs were in action again on Saturday when they took on Rathnew in the A1 Jako cup final, this was a brilliant game decided by a brilliant goal but unfortunately for Rovers, it was Rathnew who were victorious on a 4-3 score line.
In a pulsating end-to-end tussle, Rathnew went ahead early before Ruairi Jenkinson levelled with a thirty-yard screamer. Rathnew went ahead again from the penalty spot before Ben Bowen equalised from an Adam Byrne cross to send the teams in level at 2-2 at the break.
The game that had it all continued in the same manner into the second half when Rathnew took the lead for the third time.
Rovers came roaring back and had a Cormac Waldron goal disallowed before Peter Dunne instantly scored to level the game at 3-3. Charlie Phelan then danced through the Rathnew defence only to see a cruel bobble help his effort from six yards rise over the crossbar. Into the last five minutes and Ruairi Jenkinson thought he had won it for Rovers when he met another good Adam Byrne cross, but his header flew agonisingly wide of the post. In a fantastic final, Rathnew responded with a header of their own which was expertly saved by Aaron Nolan.
With little left on the clock, it took an absolute wonder-strike to separate the sides. Both teams should be very proud of their efforts in a game played in great spirit throughout. Well done to Robbie and the lads on a great first half of the season.
The club’s annual summer camp started this week, the second week runs from Monday, July 9, to Friday, July 13,. Places are still available; the camp will take place in Whitegates and will run daily from 10am to 3pm. The camp is for children from four years old to 13 years old, the cost is €70 per child and €120 for two children from the same family. For early booking its €65. For registration forms or further information please contact Johnny Dunne 087-7802098, Robbie Dover 087-1768264 or any committee member. Registration forms can also be downloaded from club website at www.wicklowrovers.com Every participant will receive a ball, jersey and medal. All participants should bring a packed lunch, drink, rain jacket, football boots and shin guards. son 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.
Underage teams - The National League underage teams returned to action last week-end after the summer break.
The under-19s were defeated 5-2 by Cabinteely last Sunday, They host Limerick FC on Sunday, July 8. Kick off at the Academy Grounds in Carrickmines is 2.00pm.
The under-17s next game is away to Limerick FC on Saturday, July 7. Kick off at Hogan Park is 2.00pm.
The under-15s defeated Cabinteely 1-0 last Sunday. Goal scorer was Darragh Lynch.
Bray Wanderers can confirm that SJB Academy players Shane Flynn, Roland Idowu and Festy Ebosele have signed for Leicester City, Southampton and Derby County respectively and that their transfers were completed when the transfer window reopened on July 1, 2018.
Lotto draw - There was no jackpot winner on July 1. Numbers drawn were 6, 7, 20, and 21. €30 lucky dip winners were Kim McCormack c/o V. Walsh, M. G. Keating c/o John Keating, Patrick Kinsella c/o Hibo. Next jackpot is €9,675.
Lotto tickets are on sale in the club shop at all home games and you can also play the Bray Wanderers lotto online through our website.
Bobby Smith RIP - Former Bray Wanderers coach Bobby Smith passed away last week. Bobby played and coached with St. Joseph’s Boys before joining Bray Wanderers in the mid 1990s.
Bobby was a First team coach with Bray Wanderers for the 1995/96 First Division title team, 1995/96 Shield winners, 1999 FAI Cup winners and 1999/2000 First division title teams.
Bray Wanderers would like to extend our deepest sympathy to all his family and friends. RIP Bobby.
All the latest club news is on our website www.braywanderersfc.ie.