WICKLOW ROVERS B ARKLOW TOWN A

Arklow left Whitegates with all three WDSL U13 Division 1 League points as they defeated Wicklow 3-0 on the opening weekend of the 2024 season.

Stepping up from 9-a-side to the 11-a-side on the full side pitch for the first time in a competitive game, the ‘Town adapted better on Sunday morning as they led 2-0 at the break.

Under damp but sunny conditions, the hosts played a high line which was exposed by the visitors. 

Home goalkeeper Matthew Gough raced out after just four minutes to deny the breaking Ronan Pentony. Ten minutes later, Stephen O’Flaherty latched onto a through ball. But dragged his effort wide.

However, in the 21st minute, the striker learnt his lesson.

He burst past the last defender to get on the end of a ball over the top before finding to the far left corner of the net with a low finish on the run from just inside the box.

Away netminder Ethan Diffy was required to push out Daniel Morrissey’s 20 yard drive for a corner in the 27th minute.

But Arklow doubled their lead in the last moments of the opening period.

From an attack down the left channel, O’Flaherty found Pentony who slipped Tyler Klopper clear. He then squared inside for substitute Evan Murphy to side-foot in from 15-yards.

The points were effectively sealed eight minutes into the second period.

Wicklow tried to work their way along the right wing. But the ball was charged down in the Arklow half. It rebounded to set Klopper clear along the left flank. He had time to send over a cross into the penalty area which wasn’t cut-out. It came to Ronan O’Connor who had time to take a touch before scooping to the net from 14-yards.

To their credit, Rovers finished strongly in the closing stages. 

Duffy thwarted Eoghan Quinn with a 53rd minute save at the expense of a corner. 

Then in the 55th minute, Chris Delahunt slipped Quinn through. But Duffy came out to narrow the angle with the winger’s low poked effort rolling wide.

WICKLOW ROVERS B: Matthew Gough; Kyrylo Klinchnyk, Charlie Lawlor, Michael Carroll, Rian Kavanagh; Eoghan Doyle, Eoghan Quinn, Chris Delahunt, Cian Foley, Keefe Lang; Seb Gould; Daniel Morrissey.

SUBS: Lukas Araminas, Casey Brennan, Seb O’Rourke, Alex Philippon.

ARKLOW TOWN A: Ethan Duffy; Harry White, James Byrne, Aidan Forrestial, Ruain Cullen; Ronan O’Connor, Jay Hughes, Rory McDonald, Tyler Klopper; Stephen O’Flaherty; Ronan Pentony.

SUBS: Jay Somers, Evan Murphy, Liam Gager, Enna Nolan, Senan Byrne. 

REFEREE: Tony Doran.

Report by Paul Dowling