Academy – Weekend Review August 29th

Four home games brought three wins and a draw for the academy this weekend, including progression in the cup for the U14s and a winning start for the U17 and U19W in their respective Shield campaigns.

Conor Langan scored the only goal of the game as the U14s defeated Galway United 1-0 at the Showgrounds on Saturday lunchtime. Galway came into the match unbeaten in 9 games this season, winning 7 of those, scoring 37 times and conceding just 8. However, they were kept scoreless for just the second time this season as Rovers made it back-to-back wins, adding to the terrific 4-0 win over Cavan/Monaghan last weekend.

Concurrently, at the Sean Fallon Centre, the U17s were starting their Shield campaign with a victory over Athlone Town. Rovers were beaten 3-2 in extra time by the same opposition in the Mark Farren Cup just a week prior so revenge was sought and, 90 minutes later, procured, as the home side ran out 3-0 winners. Adam Nugent scored for the second week running to put us 1-0 up with Darragh Reilly and Niall Holohan ensuring there was no way back for the visitors. Rovers travel to Longford next Saturday hoping to make it two wins out of two.

The regular season ended for the U17W (barring a rearranged Athlone Town fixture) on Saturday evening at home to Bohemians. Rebecca Doddy continued her stunning goal scoring run as she fired her 7th goal in the last 6 games to earn Rovers a 1-1 draw as we await the start of the Shield. Rovers will be among the favourites to win the competition having finished 4th in the league.

Finally, on Sunday afternoon our U19W picked up 3 points in an entertaining game at home to Donegal. Eimear McIntyre and Kate Nugent scored for Rovers and we saw the game out despite a Donegal consolation. We have a fantastic home record this season, winning all but one game (a late 1-0 defeat to DLR after injury left us down to 10 women) and will be confident of topping the league come the end of October. Up next for our women is a trip to Carlow next Sunday for our 2nd of 6 games.

Richard Mullan