All Ireland boxing joy for Enniskerry’s Sean
Double success for talented Wicklow side in DDSL
HOT on the heels of their under-12A counterparts winning the first DDSL league title for Wicklow Rovers, the club’s under-13As captured the DDSL Saturday ‘A’ league title to complete a league and cup double.
In a remarkable first season for the Wicklow Rovers lads, it turned out to be a highly successful one. They kicked off their season with an exciting 3-3 draw away to Portmarnock FC with Louis Malcomson hit a brace and Steven Gormley adding the other.
They had to wait six weeks before their next outing and that was a Gerry Murphy Cup tie away to Peamount Utd.
Here they recorded a comfortable 8-0 win, with Oscar Malcomson hitting a fantastic five goals, while Darragh Heffernan, Jack Noble and Steven Gormley added singles.
Next up was the semi-final of that competition away to Ballyoulster Utd with the Wicklow Rovers lads coming out on top winning 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw with Oscar Malcomson scoring the Rovers goal in regulation time.
Then the Rovers outfit narrowly beat Collinstown in the league with Louis Malcomson netting the all-important goal in a 1-0 victory.
Two weeks later they welcomed Portmarnock to the Whitegates and after drawing 3-3 with the same opponents in the opening game of the season they made no mistake, winning 8-1; Steven Gormley smashed home four excellent goals, Oscar Malcomson nabbed a brace with Sam Christie and Jake Nally scoring one apiece.
Next in line was a local derby away to Greystones Utd which resulted with a fantastic 5-0 victory with Steven Gormley scoring two, Mikey Nolan, Ross McCrea and Louis Malcomson netting one each.
Back to back games against Kinsealy Utd saw the Wicklow Rovers side record two 3-0 wins, one in the league and the other in the Gerry Murphy Cup final. Darragh Heffernan, Louis Malcomson and Oscar Malcomson scored in the league win with Heffernan, Jake Nally and Alex Sinnott scoring in the cup final.
The next game saw them suffer their first defeat when Manortown Utd won 2-0 at Whitegates.
Before the mid-season break they recorded two excellent away wins - beating Castleknock Celtic 7-0 (Jake Nally 3, Oscar Malcomson 2, Darragh Heffernan, Alex Sinnott) and Collinstown 2-1 (Jake Nally, Mikey Nolan).
After the mid-season break the lads had three wins on the bounce. First was a 7-1 win over Kinsealy (Steven Gormley 3, Oscar Malcomson 2, Louis Malcomson, Lewis Stokes), second was a 2-0 home victory over main title rivals Marks Celtic with goals from Oscar Malcomson and Keelan Darcy. Next was a 2-0 win over Ballyoulster with goals from Oscar Malcomson and Steven Gormley.
They then suffered a defeat to main rivals Marks Celtic losing a seven-goal thriller 4-3 (Louis Malcomson, Oscar Malcomson, Steven Gormley).
Wicklow Rovers finished off their season in style, winning their last four games. Victories over Greystones United 4-2 (Oscar Malcomson 2, Jake Nally, Darragh Heffernan), Ballyoulster Utd 6-1 (Louis Malcomson 3, Oscar Malcomson 2, Sam Christie), Manortown Utd 3-2 (Nicholas McAllister 2, Oscar Malcomson) and Castleknock Celtic 3-1 (Lewis Stokes, Oscar Malcomson, Louis Malcomson) saw the lads pip Marks Celtic to claim the league title to add to their cup success.
Add to this the team reached the Lions Club sponsored All-Ireland Under-13 Cup final losing out to Tullamore Town in the decider which was played in Dalymount Park.
In their first season it was more than they could have expected but it turned out to be a very successful season indeed.
The full squad: Rory Hennessy, Mikey Nolan, Ross McCrea, Sam Culleton, Jack Noble, Nicholas McAllister, Louis Malcolmson, Darragh Heffernan, Oscar Malcolmson, Alex Sinnott, Jake Nally, Sam Christie, Keelin Darcy, Stephen Gormley, Evan Burke, Lewis Stokes.
The team was managed by Keith Earls with Stephen Earls and Danny Earls looking after the coaching duties.
Well done lads on a fantastic season.