Rovers create history by claiming DDSL crown
WICKLOW Rovers under-12A’s created a piece of history when they became the first team from the club to claim a DDSL league title following hot on the heels of the 13A’s who were the first team to claim a DDSL cup earlier in the season.
They captured the crown when they received a walkover from Mount Merrion.
All the hard work was done earlier in the campaign. They kicked off their life in the DDSL with a very impressive 5-0 away win over Templeogue United with goals from Charlie Czwalina, Josh Butler, Josh Bishop, Lorcan Sinnott and an own goal.
They followed it with a 3-1 home win over Phoenix FC with goals from Josh Bishop and two own goals.
Next up was Cabinteely one of their nearest challengers, a cracking game which the lads went down to a 2-1 defeat with Lee Brown nabbing the goal.
They bounced back in their next game, a 2-0 home victory over Kilnamanagh AFC with goals from Brian McCaul and Liam Burke.
Next was a narrow 1-0 win against Leicester Celtic at Whitegates with Lorcan Sinnott firing home the crucial goal.
A 4-0 away win over Phoenix FC courtesy of goals from Brian McCaul, Charlie Czwalina, Lee Brown and Harri Armstrong kept the lads ticking along.
The next game was away to a very impressive Cabinteely team and the lads recorded what was probably their most impressive win of the season with a 4-1 victory with Lorcan Sinnott firing home a hat-trick and a single from Charlie Czwalina. A scoreless home draw with Templeogue United followed.
Then came another impressive win when they beat one of their main challengers Peamount United in their own backyard, winning 3-2 with a brace from Brian McCaul and one from Charlie Czwalina.
Victories over Kilnamanagh (away 1-0, Liam Burke), Drogheda Boys (home walkover), Leicester Celtic (away 2-1, Jack Macklin, Lorcan Sinnott) and Dalkey United (home 1-0, Josh Butler) set them up for the run-in.
In their next game they suffered a setback when they lost 3-2 at home to title rivals Peamount United, Lorcan Sinnott and Dan Kavanagh notched the goals.
A walkover away to Mount Merrion and a 0-0 draw away to Drogheda Boys kept them in the title mix.
Another impressive display away to Dalkey United saw the lads win 4-1 and put them in the driving seat going into the last game. Liam Burke, Lorcan Sinnott, Brian McCaul and Dan Kavanagh hit the net.
The lads received a walkover from Mount Merrion In their final game of the season.
A highly successful season for a fine bunch of players who have shown great commitment and determination to improve and succeed.
A big congratulations to their coaches James (Dixie) Macklin, Ian Donoghue and Gary Browne who have given a big chunk of their time to the team and have done a fantastic job with the lads.
A massive thank you to Franny Copeland who worked tirelessly on the application to enter the team into the DDSL giving the boys the opportunity to play at a higher level.
The team would also like to thank sponsors Metec Consulting Engineers and County Hooper Dolan Insurance for their generosity throughout the season.
The successful squad is as follows: Adam Doyle, Harri Armstrong, Josh Butler, Lee Brown, Oisin Denver, Charlie Czwalina, Liam Burke, Tom Donoghue, Michael Brennan, Brian McCaul, Jack Macklin, Lorcan Sinnott, Josh Bishop, Danny Kavanagh. Coaches: James (Dixie) Macklin, Ian Donoghue and Gary Browne.