Wicklow
2012 Elite Group A
Tuesday
WDSL
League Academy 1
Salthill
Devon 0
A
Ben Moran strike saw the east coast side get the better of the home side in one
of the opening games of the tournament.
In a
tense opening game, both sides battled fiercely from the first whistle. The
opening 20 minutes were scrappy even after an early goal from Arklow United’s
Ben Moran. There were very few clear
chances, as defences stood firm. Wicklow found themselves under pressure for
long spells but held their shape, riding their luck on more than one occasion.
The visitors came closest late on, striking the bar with a powerful effort that
had the keeper beaten. Wicklow’s back line, however, scrambled well to clear their
lines and keep them ahead and eventually came away with all three points.
Wednesday
WDSL
1
Cavan/
Monaghan 0
Another
strong defensive display from Wicklow worked well as a Sylvester Pelagic goal
saw them narrowly beat their Northern opponents
This
was a great game of football from start
to finish, played at a lively tempo. The Leinster side struck just before half
time when Arklow United’s Sylvester Pelagic found himself in space from a
corner to head home. Both sides created chances, with the keepers called into
action on several occasions to keep the scoreline tight. The opposition pressed hard for an equaliser, but the
Wicklow defence held firm under
pressure. In the final stages, the leaders managed the game well, keeping
possession and frustrating their opponents.Over the course of the game the
young Wicklow lads showed more composure
in key moments and fully deserved the victory.
Thursday
WDSL
3
Limerick
County White 1
A
Sylvester Pelagic hat-trick proved
pivotal against the side from the
southwest on Thursday.
After
a tough opening few minutes falling behind with an early strike. Sylvester was
the hero of the day, completing a stunning hat-trick. His first came with a
powerful header from the corner to level the score, giving Wicklow belief going
into the break. In the second half, Sylvester struck again, showing composure
to slot home after a quick attacking move. He sealed his treble late on,
finishing off a flowing team sequence of 11 passes that carved open the
defence. Wicklow’s sharpness, patience, and relentless pressing turned the game
around, ensuring all three points. It was a performance full of resilience and
quality, with Pelagic’s clinical finishing the difference between the two
sides.
Friday
Semi
Final
WDSL
2
Carlow
League 0
Wicklow
managed to get the better of their local rivals judging the strong breeze in
the west much better.
With
a strong crowd behind them the WDSL side started stronger with a nice early
goal through Patrick Doyle who finished well from a corner. The side in blue
and yellow created a number of chances before half time but the wind along with
some opposition defending kept them out. Just on the stroke of half time Rex
Verveen managed to judge the wind perfectly as his free kick found the back of
the net.
The
opposition created a couple of chances in the second half but some strong
defensive work from Wicklow managed to keep them at bay. The young Wicklow lads
created a couple of half chances before the full time whistle .
They
still ran out winners meaning they would be playing in one of the main finals
on Saturday against Limerick Desmond.
As
the Wicklow boys sit down for breakfast before the final we get the thoughts of
manager Padraig Moran.” All the lads are in great spirits and they are looking forward to the final. They should be
very proud of themselves and the whole county should be too. They have given
everything this week, played some great football and went out with the right
attitude for every game.”
Saturday
Cup
Final
WDSL
1
Limerick
Desmond 2
In a
final that could have gone the Wicklow side's way a mix of great defending and
a bit of luck was missing for them to come out victorious. On another day it could have been a win for this courageous
side.
Wicklow
started brightly, finding the net inside the opening minute, only for the goal
to be controversially ruled out for offside – a very tight call. The early
momentum was all Wicklow’s, with neat passing moves and a ball across the face
of goal that deserved a finish. A floated free from Rex was cleared off the
line, and Caoimhin’s relentless wing play kept the pressure on. Twice his
deliveries caused chaos, with Limerick scrambling to survive.
Despite
Wicklow’s dominance, Limerick struck first on 20 minutes against the run of
play, a long ball bouncing kindly for their striker. Just as it looked like
Wicklow would stay a goal behind at the break the West Limerick side doubled
their lead.
The
second half was all Wicklow. Crisp passing on the deck carved out chance after
chance, only for the Limerick keeper to produce outstanding saves.Wicklow narrowed the gap with a 12-pass move ending
in Shane fine finish,
Caoimhin drew a foul for a dangerous free, but
it flew just over. The boys kept pushing – shots blocked, efforts cleared off
the line – but fortune wasn’t on their side.
Right
to the final whistle Wicklow pressed for the goal their play deserved, but
Limerick held on. On another day, Wicklow would have been clear winners.
After
the final whistle we hear from Moran he details how he and his management team
are proud of this team and how they
handled themselves on and off the pitch in Salthill all week.” It was a
fantastic week of football for the under 13s. We reached the final , it just wasn’t there day,
the lads represented their County with pride.”
Finally
Moran praises the crowd that supported
Wicklow all week this was even mentioned by the organizers of the tournament.
“A massive thank you to all the parents of players for there commitment and
support, also WDSL for for there hard work to get us there “
WDSL
Squad
1
Luke McCoy (Rathnew AFC)
2
Cian Collins ( Arklow United)
3
Luke O Neill (Rathnew AFC)
4
Shane Lynch( Rathnew AFC)
5
Scott Nicholson( Arklow United)
6
Ronan Merrigan ( Rathnew AFC)
7
Caoimhin Murphy (Arklow United)
8
Callum Brady (Roundwood AFC)
9
Ben Moran (Arklow United )
10
Sylvester Pelagic (Arklow United)
11
Harry Mernagh (Rathnew AFC)
12
Rex Verveen (Ashford AFC )
13
Rian Cahillane (Rathnew AFC)
14
Adain Cronin Kenny (Arklow Town)
15
Shane Carroll (Shillelagh United)
16 (c)Patrick Doyle (Aughrim FC)
17.
Max Kennedy (Ashford AFC)
Manager
Padraig Moran
Coaches
Barry Mernagh, Anthony Murphy
Wicklow
2013 Boys Group D
Tuesday
WDSL
2
Willow
Park 4
Wicklow
looked set for victory after leading 2-1 with just four minutes remaining, with goals from Dan Blanke and Eoghan Coffee,
but a dramatic late comeback from their opponents saw them lose 4-2. Having battled hard and
taken control in the second half, Wicklow appeared in command, defending
resolutely and threatening on the break. However, a defensive lapse allowed the
hosts to equalise, sparking a frantic finish. Two more goals in quick
succession sealed Wicklow’s fate, turning a winning position into a
disappointing defeat in a matter of minutes.
Wednesday
CSSL
Yellow 2
WDSL
2
In
their second game of the tournaments in Galway Wicklow managed to come out with
a point in another high scoring game.
Wicklow
found themselves 2-0 down at half-time after a sluggish opening left them
chasing the game. The first period saw the opposition take their chances
clinically, leaving Wicklow with a mountain to climb.
However,
the second half was a different story as Wicklow came out with renewed energy
and purpose. A well-taken goal early from Ryan Walker after the restart halved the deficit, and
relentless pressure eventually brought a deserved equaliser from Patrick
Merrigan With momentum fully on their
side, Wicklow pushed hard for a winner and created several promising openings.
Time, however, ran out before they could complete the comeback, settling for a
hard-fought draw.
Thursday
WDSL
1
Maree
Oranmore 0
Wicklow
managed to win their first game of this tournament against another one of the
local teams with the goal coming from the boot of Niall Collins
Friday
Semi
Final
WDSL
5
Temple
Villa AFC 1
It
was a five star performance from the
Wicklow boys on Friday afternoon
as they ran out comfortable winners against their Midland opponents.
After
going behind early on in this tie the game changed rapidly when Alex Ward
netted twice in the space of a couple of minutes. This swung the momentum of
the semi final back into the east coast sides favour as they doubled their
advantage when Rowan Fennell swept home.
After
the opposition created a couple of half chances in the second period the final
nails were put in the coffin when
Patrick Merrigan and Eoghan Coffee
rattled the back of the net giving their side a comfortable win in the end.
Saturday
Plate
Final
Newell Academy 5
WDSL
2
Wicklow
faced a strong Newell Academy side – but
never looked overawed. The Northern Irish visitors struck first, then doubled
their lead with a stunning 20-yard top-corner strike that gave the keeper no chance. Wicklow responded superbly,
settling into their rhythm and playing through the thirds, with Eoghan
Coffee slotting home to make it 2-1 at
half-time.
Early
in the second half, Newell scored against the run of play to go 3-1 ahead.
Wicklow kept fighting, hitting the bar twice and forcing changes in formation
as they chased the game. Dan Blake smashed home a penalty to give the boys
hope, but Newell’s quality on the break told, adding two more clinical finishes
to seal a 5-2 win.
The
scoreline didn’t reflect Wicklow’s effort – they matched an elite side for
large spells and showed real heart throughout.
After
the final on Saturday Louise Fogarty gives us her thoughts on the competition
for her young side. “ The week before was filled with excitement, hope, and a
touch of nerves. For the U12s, tournaments like Galway are invaluable — not
just for football, but for the friendships and bonds formed. They went down as
boys and returned as young men, battling for each other on and off the pitch,
learning responsibility for themselves and their county. At this age, football
comes second to being part of a team. Wicklow is finally on the football map —
and for all the right reasons: the way these players carried themselves, on and
off the field.
WDSL
Squad
1
Nathan Quinn (Wicklow Rovers)
2
Rhain Judge (Rathnew AFC)
3
Sam Collins (Shillelagh)
4
Ollie Behan (Wicklow Rovers)
5
Frankie Mernagh (Rathnew)
6
Alex Ward (Aughrim)
7
Issac Kilroy(Arklow United)
8
Niall Collins (Arklow United)
9
Ryan Walker (Arklow Town)
10
Daniel O Halloran (Arklow Town)
11
Patrick Merrigan (Rathnew)
12
Eoghan Coffee (Rathnew)
13
Dylan Smith (Ashford Rovers)
14
Ryan Goucher (Wicklow Town)
15
Rowan Fennell (Roundwood)
16
Henry Doyle (Aughrim)
17
Dan Blake (Coolboy)
18
Scott Hopes (Rathnew)
Manager
Louise Fogarty
Coaches
Keith Hore, Cathel Condren
Kit
Man: Jack Killeen
On a
final note we hear from Wicklow District Schoolboys League chairman Peter
Porter.
“Both
squads shone at the Galway Cup, with both reaching their finals and Sylvester
Pekarcik earning Player of the Tournament — a proud moment for him, his
teammates, and the WDSL. Huge thanks go to the coaches and Brian Kavanagh for
their support. Wicklow football is stronger than ever; once, players left for
the DDSL, but now the county is firmly on the map, linked with several League
of Ireland clubs and the FAI Centre of Excellence, ensuring top talent is
spotted and guided on their pathway.”
