It was a case of two points dropped for the Shamrocks first team this past weekend as a 2-0 lead was squandered late in the second half against FC Gwardia at Roosevelt Island on Saturday night, the 2-2 result little reward for a solid display overall.

This game was a rescheduled clash after both teams had been tying 1-1 earlier in the season before that game was abandoned due to thunder and lightning.

With coach Glen Wrafter away enjoying a vacation in Mexico, his assistant Andy Horan sent out a first XI high on confidence which managed to convert that into a 1-0 half-time lead.

That goal came from a headed goal by Kyler Scheid after Horan’s in-swinging corner was knocked back into danger area by a Rocks player at the back post after a half an hour.

With the Rocks looking comfortable in the early exchanges of the second half, great work from Joey Aronovsky on the right wing set Matt Partain up for his first goal of the season, a fine effort which gave the keeper no chance.

However, Gwardia did not give up and pulled two goals back with 10 minutes to go, the first a penalty which was the result of a poor challenge and the second a good low strike after the home team tried unsuccessfully to play the offside trap.

Five minutes of constant pressure by the Rocks failed to produce a winner in the dying minutes. There were stand out performances from Shane Moore and Ray Coyle while the club welcomed backed Paddy Geraghty after a sabbatical in Australia.

On Sunday in Long Island, the unlucky Over 30s were beaten on penalties by NY Polet in the Marth Cup. A late Mike Bishop made it 1-1 and forced the kicks but it wasn’t to be.

“I’m very happy with the effort from the lads,” said manager Paddy Mc Carry. “We were very unlucky not to win the game in regular time. It was a great team performance from everyone. We totally dominated the second half but once its goes to penalties, it can go either way.”

Meanwhile, the rescheduled Shamrocks race night fundraiser will take place this Friday night (December 7) at the Courtyard Bar (40-18 Queens Boulevard, 40 St on the 7 Subway) at 7.30pm. Please contact the club at NYShamrockSC@gmail.com, check out our website NYShamrockSC.com or find us on Facebook for more details about sponsorship opportunities.

The club’s annual Toys for Tots drive is happening right now and will continue until Sunday December 16.

Given all that’s happened recently in the New York area, the need is greater than normal.

We’re calling on all our players and supporters to drop anything they can spare into the Courtyard Bar on Queens Boulevard.

Email the club at NYShamrockSC@gmail.com