CLUB CALL
BRAY BOWLS
Last Saturday saw the last games in the group stages of the Winter League take place. Both Bray teams were in action and experienced contrasting fortunes.
Bray ‘B’ were at home to Kenilworth ‘A’ and found them too hot to handle. Bray ‘A’ were away to Greenhills in a winner take all contest and a place in the quarter-final at stake.
In a tremendous match Bray took the honours by 4.5 to 0.5 to secure a quarter-final place. The victory was hard earned and went down to the final bowl of the match where Eoghan Brady saved his best until ends 13 and 14.
Sean Keegan made his debut as stand in skipper and proved his worth and Phylls Brett helped her rink sharer the spoils by getting him at the very end to claim a draw.
Onwards and upwards now where Bray face Dun Laoghaire ‘A’ in the quarter-final. The venues had been pre-selected and this mouth watering game takes place this coming Saturday in Skerries at 11am. A pity a venue on the southside could not be found to accommodate the game.
WICKLOW ROVERS
Our seniors were in action on Friday night away to Drogheda Town, in what was a very uneventful match the lads lost out 2-1. Jim Foley had the best chance for Rovers in the first period but hit a shot straight at the keeper from the edge of the box.
The two Drogheda goals came from set pieces with Maurice Dunne heading home the Rovers goal. Apart from the goals there wasn’t a lot to report on in this game with both teams disappointing.
Saturday’s junior action saw our under-11As return to league action when they entertained local neighbours Wicklow Town under-12s.
In a feisty opening period Rovers took a deserved lead. Charlie Czwalina reacted quickest to a loose ball just outside the box and finished superbly under pressure to make it 1-0 and bring his tally in competitive football to 18.
Liam Burke quickly made it 2-0 with a fantastic finish for his 11th of the season. Things got even better for Rovers with six minutes to go to the half-time break.
A training ground corner made it 3-0. Josh Butler played a neat short corner to Jack Macklin who dribbled across the box and found the top corner to bring his tally to five for the campaign. This was a fantastic team performance from the lads.
Our under-13 ‘B’ entertained Ashford Rovers at the Rocky Road in what proved to be a very exciting encounter. Ashford came into the game with two wins from two games so a tough game was on the cards for the lads.
At the final whistle the game ended all square at 2-2, a point a piece for two good sides. Top scorer Tim Hastie hit his ninth of the season with Ruadhri Kelly nabbing his second of the campaign to earn the lads a well deserved point in an all round good team performance.
Our under-14 Cs lost 5-0 away to Greystones United, even in defeat the lads battled right up to the final whistle, as its been said before this little side are competing in the premier grade as a ‘C’ team and they have to be given a lot of credit as they fulfill their fixtures week after week even though results are not going their way.
If any team needs a slice of luck or good fortune, it is this group of players. Yet again they showed great spirit and battling qualities, keep it going lads, your day will come.
The under-15A’s took on Roundwood at the Whitegates in the under-15/16 Challenge Cup, the game ended up all square at one a piece.
It was a tight encounter, which could have went either way. Paul Marah scored his fourth of the season when he fired home from the penalty spot.
On Sunday the under-13 girls made it seven wins from eight games when they defeated Terenure Rangers 7-2, the highlight of the game was an excellent individual scoring feat from Molly Sweeney who fired home a double hat-trick to take her tally for the season to 21.
Aoife Caffrey nabbed a single to make it seven for the campaign in what was an excellent all round team performance.
The under-14 As drew 1-1 with Arklow Town in a tight game, Samuel Bishop notched his third goal of the season to give the lads a well earned point.
Our under-14 Bs had a bad day at the office when they went down 7-0 to Coolboy Rangers, the lads never reached their normal standards in this game and will just have to put it down as an off day.
The under-16 Bs lost out by the odd goal in five when they lost 3-2 to Coolboy Rangers, Tom O’Shea hit a brace of goals in an exciting game of football in which the lads were a little unlucky not to get something from.
There is no Last Man Standing competition this coming weekend due to the EFL Cup final and a reduced premiership programme. The competition resumes the weekend of March 4.
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.
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.
AVONMORE FC
Wicklow Rovers under-11 v Avonmore under-11s Green - Avonmore FC under-11s green team visited Wicklow Rovers blue team at the old hockey pitch this afternoon. The game was very close at first with both teams defending well.
Joseph played out of his skin all match except for Wicklow’s first goal that he spilled and the spin of the ball crept in underneath him.
That was the start of Wicklow’s first half scoring spree as within five minutes we conceded another two that hit the post and in.
Three-nil down, we dug deep and Oisín sprang down the right to pull one back, quickly followed by another similar goal five minutes later, half-time came too early as we were pushing for an equaliser.
After the start of the second half Jake Hudson found space with a nice pass from Keelan and rocketed into the top corner for the equaliser.
Sean set up Caden’s first to put us into the lead for the first time. Cadens scored his second with 10 minutes to go.
Oisín wasnt going to be denied his hat-trick and took it fantastically just before full-time.
A great performance to come from three down to win 3-6 from a team that never let their heads drop.
Avonmore under-15s v Greystones under-15s - Back with a bang today, the boys had a superb win at home to Greystones in Tullylusk, winning 5-2 with goals by Cian Ward (2) Kealan Busher (2) and Cody Reid. A very good team performance hopefully this will get us back on track.well done lads.
BRAY WANDERERS
Lotto - There was no jackpot winner on February 19. Numbers drawn were 3, 11, 25, and 29. €30 lucky dip winners Aidan O’Toole c/o D. Crinion, Breda Mulhall c/o Supporters club, Michelle Curran c/o Woodbrook Rovers, John Keating c/o J. Keating , Tony Jones c/o Supporters club.
Next week’s jackpot is €8,650. You can play the Bray Wandereres Lotto on line at our web site www. braywanderersfc.ie
Fixture - Bray wanderers begin their 2017 SSE Airtricity Premier division campaign away to St. Patrick’s Athletic on Friday, February 24. Kick off at Richmond Park is 7.45pm.
Season Tickets - Bray Wanderers 2017 season tickets are now on sale from the Carlisle grounds. Adults €200, Senior citizen/Student €120. Child €50 (includes free home or away jersey and membership to the Young Gulls Club). Season tickets can also be purchased online through the club website.
You can also purchase match by match tickets on line from our club web site. Save time on match night and avoid queuing up for match tickets by printing off your ticket in advance. Tickets for our first home game of the season against Finn Harps on March 3rd can now be purchased on line at www.braywanderersfc.ie
Sponsorship Packages - There are numerous Bray Wanderers Sponsorship packages available for the 2017 season. You can sponsor a Bray Wanderers player for the 2017 season for just €250.
Get your name or company name on the clubs website (with a link to your company web site) and also in all home match programmes for 2017 season.
You will also get the players signed jersey at the end of the season. Please see first team squad page on teams page of web site for player availability.
Matchball Sponsorship is €100. You will receive the match ball after the game signed by the Bray Wanderers squad. Pitch side Advertising Boards available in single boards or double boards. Match Day programme: Various rates for full page and half page for full season or match by match basis.
Please contact carlislegrounds@eircom.net for full sponsorship details.
NEWTOWN JUNIORS
Unfortunately last weekend both our under-13s and under-15s received walkovers, as their opposition couldn’t field a teams.
Both the under-10s and under-11s had both their games postponed due to an unplayable pitch.
The only teams that saw action were the under-8s and under-9s. The under-8s travelled to Enniskerry and on a lovely sunny Sunday morning they played out a series of games in Bogmeadow.
Among the scorers on the day were Ryan McDonald, Lily Murphy, Leon O’Connor and Leighton Byrne.
The under-9s played away to Greystones and they too played their series of games out in beautiful weather.
Among the scorers on the day for the under-9s were Luke Turley, Aidan Heffernan and William Valentine, while among the players who starred were Sebastian Anton and Pat Carey.
The following are the fixtures for the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, February 25 and 26:
Under-8s at home to St. Patricks ko Sunday at 10.15am; Under-9s at home to Wolfe Tone ko Sunday at 11.15am; Under-10s at home to Rathnew F.C. ko Saturday at 11am; Under-11s away to Enniskerry Red ko to be confirmed; Under-13s at home to Wolfe Tone ko Saturday at 10.30am; Under-15s at home to Greystones ‘B’ ko Saturday at 12pm (Cup Q.F.).
The Development Squad is back in action and they practise every Saturday morning 10-11am indoors in the Community Centre (Sports Hall).
Cost per player each week is €3. Regards the Indoor Hall all players must wear indoor/astro runners and also must adhere to all rules governing goalpost safety etc.
The teams have confirmed their training times for the week beginning Monday, February 20.
Development Squad no training this coming weekend:
Under-8s on Wednesdays 6-7pm ( February 22); Under-9s Thursdays at 6-7pm (February 23); Under-10s on Tuesdays 6-7pm (February 21); Under-11s Wednesdays at 7-8pm (February 22); Under-13s no training this week; Under-15s Thursdays at 2pm-3.30pm (February 23).
All members are reminded that the remainder of membership fees for the season 2016/17 are now due. Please organise any outstanding payment with your child’s respective coach or any committee member. Thank you.
We will be starting our next Last Man Standing competition on the weekend of Saturday to Monday, March 4 to 6.
€10 per player and 50 per cent of the monies taken in go to the Last Man Standing.
Please support as all monies collected go towards the youth of the area. You can put your name forward to any of the team coaches or to any committee member.
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.
ARKLOW TOWN FC
Our Leinster first team welcomed St. John Bosco to our grass pitch in Bridgewater Centre Park on Friday night and secured a one all draw. Scorer for Town on the night was Paddy Kibbler.
Our LSL second team hosted Verona in Bridgewater Centre Park on Saturday evening and won the game with a 1-0 scoreline.
A number of our away games were called off at the weekend due to waterlogged pitches however the teams that travelled did very well for themselves.
Our under-16 ‘A’ WDSL team travelled to Allen Park to face Aughrim on Saturday in a Challenge Cup game. Walking away winners with a scoreline of 5-4 with Dean McCarry, Danny Bradshaw and Chris Furlong with a hat-trick scoring for Town.
Our under-9 White team travelled to Bray on Saturday morning to face a good Wolfe Tone side.
The boys dug in and finished very impressively. These boys never give up and they got their reward in the end. A great bunch of lads on this team who are really enjoying their football and always play with great team comradeship. Well done to you all!
Our under-8 squad were in action on Sunday in Bridgewater Centre park against Roundwood F.C.
They played some great football once again, quick on the counter attack, excellant ball control and an outright great squad performance. All their hard work at training is paying great rewards to these young kids - once again a credit to them .
Congratulations to our two under-14 players, twins Holly and Ella Jenkinson, on making the Wexford under-14 county squad. Well done girls we are delighted for you.
A great performance from our under-14 girls team on Saturday afternoon in Bridgewater Centre Park saw them walk out comfortable winners against Bree United by 4-1.
The town girls should be very proud of their performance on the pitch - well done!
Our under-17 DDSL team continue to train twice weekly - Last week they were brought over to TRX to work on their fitness levels for the upcoming season.
A very beneficial session for them all - and one which they thoroughly enjoyed.
This team, having won their DDSL friendly tournament game against Shankill FC ‘B’ on Sunday, have now won Group A of the tournament. They now go on to face the winners of Group B, Shankill FC ‘A’ to determine who will win the DDSL friendly tournament. Best of luck boys and very well done to you all for doing so well to date.
Our under-12 DDSL team travelled to Enniscorthy on Sunday for a match against the Wexford under-12 county team.
The lads put in a fantastic performance to go 3-0 before half-time with goals from Aaron O’Brien, Ollie Purser and Jack Murray.
Lots of changes in the second half saw Wexford come back into the match and scored three very good goals, but the team held on with the game finishing 4-3 with another well taken goal from Jack Murray.
Our Little Astros Club continues every Saturday morning at 10am until 11am.
This is a great introduction to football in a very safe and secure environment overlooked by fully qualified coaches and it is aimed at children aged between four and seven years old. It is free of charge and newcomers are always welcome.
Our weekly Bingo takes place every Thursday night at 8.30pm in our main clubhouse in Lamberton. A great night is guaranteed. Do drop up to take part.
Check out our Facebook page at The Town-Arklow Town FC for lots of pictures, match reports and events happening within our club.