The Shamrocks are Saunders Cup champions!!

A 2-0 win over Mola secured honors for Stevie Doyle’s men with Daniel Cano and Cathal Monaghan scoring second half goals to kill off a talented Mola outfit.

The victorious Shamrocks team with their Saunders Cup. Back row, left to right, Sean Mc Mullan (club president), Nick Meola, Colum Mc Comish, Emeka Ike, Daniel Cano, Anthony Carrabotta, Neil Mannion, Dan Meola, Mike Murphy, Stevie Doyle (coach), Eddie Gilmartin (assistant coach). Front row, left to right, Michael Kumaresan, Cathal Monaghan, Paul McDaid, Kevin Farrell, Ryan McKinley, Isaac Hidalgo, Eoin Lynagh, John Riordan. Picture courtesy of Keith Buckley

Mola were the better team in the first half and were unlucky to be scoreless at the break.

The fitness of the Rocks shone through in the second half however and a great team move from left to right after 60 mins set up Cano for a brilliant strike high to the roof of the net.

The Shamrocks goalscorers Daniel Cano (left) and Cathal Monaghan. Picture courtesy of Keith Buckley

Ten minutes later, Monaghan took possession on the left and sent an excellent right footed low drive to the near post, giving the keeper no chance.

Mola rallied but the Rocks were always in control until the full time whistle which sparked great celebrations.

Said coach Stevie Doyle: “I’m delighted with the win. Very proud of the lads.

“We didn’t play particularly well to be honest but the hard work done all season paid off in the second half and we deserved to finish off the season on a high note.”

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The Saunders Cup success wraps up a successful season for the Shamrocks soccer club.

The first team was promoted to the top division in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League – returning to the top flight after a ten-year absence.

The Over 30s were a dominant force on the way to the league title – the second such success in the space of three years for coach Paddy Mc Carry and his assistant Sean Mc Mullan.

The reserves barely missed out on a league title, finishing level on points with NYPD and only losing out on their head-to-head record against the police.

And this past year marked the inaugural season of the women’s team which will go from strength to strength in the Fall.

Our club’s Annual General Meeting will take place this coming Sunday at the Courtyard Ale House at 2pm. All members and new members welcome to attend. The meeting will be proceeded by the awards for our players of the year.