Another close game which Rovers just won through with a great goal from Kevin Lynch from a cross from Aaron Donohue.  Rovers were excellent from start to finish with Daniel Hunt outstanding at centre half.  This win ensured Rovers qualification which will be played at 4pm local time on Sunday 12th April.

 

 

A hotly contested game against a stylish Florence based Italian side.  Rovers played some good football but could not convert their chances.  Virtus goal came a little against the run of play in the last three minutes and Rovers perhaps deserved a draw.  Nevertheless, they are still in a strong position to qualify for the final if they win their last Group game against USD Montaltese.

 

 

 

A well deserved victory for Rovers against strong Belgian opposition.  After playing well in their previous Group matches Rovers finally received the rewards their classy football deserved.  The Irish side dominated the game from start to finish and can look back with pride on their first win in European football.

 

 

A physically superior German team proved too strong against another stylish but unfortunate performance from Rovers.  The Irish side created some openings and might have taken the lead but Bardenberg proved clinical in their finishing and ran out deserved winners in the end.

 

 

Rovers effectively missed out on the knockout stages of the tournament with their third defeat.  However, all of their games were closely fought and in the end the age disadvantage proved crucial, particularly given the heat and timing of the three games.  Rovers can nevertheless be proud of their performances so far in their first European competition.

 

 

 

 

As feared, tiredness told in the end as Rovers came up against a physically strong Dutch opposition.  However, Rovers went very close to clinching a place in the final, creating numerous chances but just unable to put one away that might have sparked a win.  A place in the third and fourth place play off represents a superb performance in the teams first European venture.

 

 

Another fine performance in match three put Rovers in a great position to qualify for the final.  Two brilliantly taken goals from Woods and Timmins saw off a strong local side.  Rovers were made to work right to the end for their victory and afterwards the coaching team were hoping that the scale of effort would not tell against their charges in the final game.  Nevertheless, a great win sets up an exciting finish to the Group.

 

 

 

 

A very close game with Rovers just edged out by a physically strong Dutch side.  Despite a very good performance Rovers just could not add to Gillens well taken goal to force a draw.

 

 

 

 

Rovers remained unbeaten in the under 14 tournament winning a closely fought context with a coolly taken goal from John McCarthy.  Some great football from both teams was matched with well organised and efficient defending and one goal was always going to decide the game.  Rovers win puts them top of their group but two games to play and big tests ahead against USD Montaltese and Virtus Firenze.

 

 

 

Rovers under 15 DDSL side made their debut in European football and pushed an older, more experienced Belgian side all the way in a closely fought encounter.  A little more luck in front of goal may have brought a different result and Rovers take great credit from their performance.  In the end the greater European experience of their Belgian opponents came through.  Rovers are still in the tournament though with at least two more matches to play. 

 

 

Rovers found their second European game to be another tough one as they came up against a physically strong German side.  Nevertheless, Rovers played some good football and for large parts of the game the sides were evenly matched.  In the end the strength of the older German side came through.  Unfortunately, Rovers with another match to play do not look like they will progress to the final stages. 

 

 

                                 Kevin Lynch 2

 

This was the under 14's second European tournament and the experience gained in Barcelona shone through as they clinically disposed of a strong German side.  Rovers dominated the game and both goals, brilliantly taken by Kevin Lynch, were the results of strong pressure and patient passing.  While Schalke came on strong towards the end as you would expect Rovers restricted their chances with some assured defending and fully deserved their win. 

 

 

Another good result for Rovers which leaves them in pole position to progress to the knockout stages.  Both teams played some good football in 20 degrees of heat but chances were at a premium throughout the game.  In the end a draw was a fair result.