CLUB CALL
WICKLOW ROVERS
The senior men resumed action on Saturday when they entertained Ayrfield United at Whitegates.
In a feisty affair Rovers went in front through a Ciaran McGettigan goal to give them a deserved lead.
Rovers carved out the better chances with Luke Byrne, Ciaran McGettigan and Gareth Murphy all been denied by the away keeper.
The away side always looked dangerous on the break and with fifteen minutes remaining they drew level.
Rovers piled forward in search of a winner and just when it looked like they were going to rue a hat full of missed chances, Ciaran McGettigan popped up with his second to give Rovers all three points.
This win moves the lads level with Ayrfield in fifth spot and with games in hand on most of the teams above them they will be hoping to string a bit of a winning run to push themselves into the title race.
A little bit of history was made this week as the 12A’s clinched the DDSL U12A League title.
This was the first DDSL league title for Wicklow Rovers.
The group of players enjoyed a fantastic campaign in what was a very competitive league.
A combination of dedication, hard work and team spirit succeeded as the winning formula.
The team would also like to thank sponsors Metec Consulting Engineers and County Hooper Dolan Insurance for their generosity throughout the season.
A massive thanks goes to Dixie, Ian and Gary for their time and commitment to the team and club.
Also thanks to the parents for all their support throughout the season.
Finally a huge thanks to Franny Copeland who did trojan work in the application process with all our DDSL teams.
The 13A’s guaranteed themselves at least runners up spot in their DDSL Saturday A league with a 3-1 home win over Castleknock Celtic.
Lewis Stokes, Oscar Malcomson and Louis Malcomson netted the goals to claim all three points in a fine team display.
They now wait to see if Marks Celtic can win their last two games.
Our 14A’s had a big 10-2 victory over Greystones United in the premier shield.
Jordan Younger led the way with a solo haul of four goals with Tom Hodgkinson, Mark Hodgkinson, Sean O’Meara, Callum Gibney, Harry Broxson and Adam Keirns all hitting one a piece in a clinical performance from the team.
The 14B’s recorded a good 6-1 win over a gallant Newtown Juniors side, Robert Cherry fired home a brace, Zach Harris, Luke Dunne, Tom Farrelly and Ruadhrai Kelly all added singles in a good all round team performance.
After round 7 of our Last Man Standing competition we are now left with three players going into the next round.
Newcastle, Liverpool and Tottenham helped one player each progress when they saw off Bournemouth [2-1], Fulham [2-0] and Crystal Palace [1-0] respectively.
There was a massive cull of players in round 7 with 46 players making their exit, Leicester’s 0-0 draw with Burnley saw 14 players exit from the competition and they were followed by 14 more players after their selection Arsenal failed to beat Wolves only managing a 1-1 draw.
Bournemouth lost 2-1 away to Newcastle which saw six players go out, Chelsea were held to a scoreless draw by Everton which resulted in five players losing their place in the competition, another four players went through the exit trapdoor when West Ham could only draw 1-1 with Huddersfield.
Brighton’s 2-1 defeat away to Cardiff meant two players were left disappointed with one player joining the casualties when Watford failed to beat Southampton drawing 1-1.
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 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.
Anyone with anything for our club notes, Facebook page, club website or our weekly online newsletter can contact me by email at jimmy.nolan09@hotmail.com or by text to 087-9108706.
For all news regarding the club, check out our club website at www. wicklowrovers.com or the club facebook page.
BRAY WANDERERS
Lotto draw - There was no jackpot winner on 11/11/18. Numbers drawn were 9, 10, 23 and 30. €30 lucky dip winners were John Kavanagh c/o Charlie Kavanagh, Aoife, Emily & Dylan Kelly c/o Charlie Kavanagh, John Keating c/o John Keating. Next jackpot is €10,625. You can play the Bray Wanderers Lotto on line through our website.
2019 Season - The 2019 SSE Airtricity League Premier Division will begin on Friday, February 15, while Bray Wanderers will kick off their First Division campaign a week later on Friday, February 22. The mid-season break will take place from Saturday, June 15 through to Thursday, June 27.
The EA SPORTS Cup Final will be played on Saturday, September 14 with the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup Final on Sunday, November 3.
The official Fixture List for the 2019 season will be released on Wednesday, December 19.
For the latest club news visit our web site at http://braywanderersfc.ie
NEWTOWN JUNIORS
Yet again last weekend the weather and in particular the heavy rain severely affected our team’s fixtures.
Early morning decisions had to made to stop team’s travelling in the midst of the downpour and what preceded was the conditions to improve but much too late to get the games played.
Owing to this our Academy, U10 and U11 teams didn’t get their respective games played.
Two teams did get action however.
Our 9’s travelled to play Ashford Rovers and after an excellent series of games it was the home side who shaded affairs.
On the day among the players who starred for the 9’s were Ryan McDonald, Felix Geoghegan, Lucas Dowdall, Jack Barlow and JV Kelly.
Our 14’s played their final game of this season away to Wicklow Rovers B and after a season that has had its fair share of ups and downs this game was no different.
Lining out with just ten players and sustaining a couple of early injuries this was a game that was never going to go our way.
There was couple of highlights to take from the game and they were Charlie Sullivan’s goal in the first half and a penalty save from stand in keeper Jason Carthy.
The final score was 5-1 to the home side and on the day among those who tried hard for Newtown were Laragh Davies, Marcel Kocajda, Luke Breen and Martin Kelly.
With only a couple of weekends to the end of the season some of our teams have entered the WDSL Futsal competitions which will take place over the weekends of 8th/9th and 15th/16th December 2018. There will also be Futsal days in January and February 2019. The following are the details on the Futsal we have at present....
Session/Slots will take no more than two hours -
U8s/U9s - Sunday, 2nd December in Aughrim/Sunday 9th December in Newtown/Sunday 16th December in Newtown (Other dates in January/February).
U-10s (Players Born 2008): Saturday 8th December in Aughrim and Newtown/Saturday 15th December in Newtown (Other dates in January/February).
U-11s (Players Born 2007): Sunday 9th December in Aughrim/Sunday 16th December in Aughrim (Other daates in January/ February).