All five academy teams were in action against this weekend with three games taking place at our Sean Fallon Centre and two games on the road, with our ladies team in Athlone and Under 15 team in Cootehill, Cavan.

Our youngest group got the action underway with a home game against Derry City on Saturday morning. The lads battled well throughout the game and can be proud of their efforts against a good Derry team. Plenty of chances were created by the game finished 3-0 to the visitors.

Later on Saturday, our under 15 team travelled to Cootehill in Cavan to take on Cavan/Monaghan. Rovers were top of the group going into the game, and had a youthful look to the starting eleven. Goals from Michael Clifford, Sam Tuohy, a first of the season for defender Eoin Stinchon and an Owen Elding brace saw Rovers win 5-2.

At the same time, at The Sean Fallon Centre, Rovers Under 17’s hosted Longford Town. Rovers were top of the group ahead of this game and consolidated that position with a big win thanks to a Johnny Kenny hat-trick, as well as goals from Eanna Clancy, Peter Maguire, Oran Groarke and Aidan McHale.

In Athlone Town Stadium our Ladies Under 17 team took on the Midlanders at 3:30pm and were narrowly defeated 2-1, thanks to a late goal by the home side. Aine Gorman scored Rovers only goal. The result sees Rovers on four points from the opening four games, with plenty left to play for in the remaining four fixtures.

Next up for the girls is a trip to Peamount United in a fortnight’s time.

On Sunday, our Under 19 team hosted Longford Town at 2pm. The sides met just 11 days previous and Rovers were clinical in front of goal again and won comprehensively thanks to goals from Tubbercurry natives Aaron Perry and Sean Kerrigan, Cillian Heaney, Johnny Kenny, Rossa McAllister and Ciaran Jennings.

All academy boys teams now enter phase two of their divisions with fixtures released this week.