After an early break from their Division 1 schedule, the newly promoted Shamrocks are back in action on Sunday afternoon with a tough home game against United FC (St Michael’s – 1pm).

Kevin Grogan will have new signing Laurie Child available for selection after he missed the opening day 1-0 victory over the Greeks but captain Sean Steed (injury) and vice-captain Lee Toland (away) must both wait a little longer before they make their season starts.

United FC were turned over badly last Sunday by 2014-15 runners-up Pancyprians, their ten men falling 9-1 in a result which was watched by Grogan. They did however take a 1-0 victory away from their opening day game at home to Division 2 champions Polonia.

“It’s the biggest game of the season for us because its the next game,” said the Rocks boss.

“United FC are a very good football team and are hurting from their defeat last week so they will be doing everything in there power to rectify that.”

The curtain-raiser will see Stevie Doyle’s reserves look to build on their impressive 5-3 week one victory (St Michael’s – 11am).

United reserves are coming into this one on the back of a pair of 2-2 draws against Polonia and Pancyprians.

“We’re looking forward to the game this week after having a small break,” said Doyle..”It’s going to be a very difficult game against United FC but we’ll look to play our way and try to replicate the good football we produced two weeks ago.”

With a perfect record going into week three of Metro 2, Shamrocks 1960 will face unknown quantity NYC Afghanistan later on Sunday (Randalls Island 74 – 2pm).

Afghanistan have lost both their opening games, losing 4-1 at Eintracht and 2-1 at Gotham City.

Andy Connolly’s men emerged from another tough tussle with the narrowest of victories last Sunday, downing Eintracht 1-0, and Connolly said he is keen to keep the winning streak going.

“We had a good session on Tuesday night and we have a few players coming back after missing the game against Eintracht,” said Connolly.

“The lads are getting used to each other but we’re not looking past Afghanistan and we really have to focus on getting a result against them.”

In the earliest kick-off of the day, Paddy Mc Carry’s Over 30s champions will host Everton FC Westchester Dinamo at Randalls Island 75 with an 8am kick-off.

Dinamo have merged with Westchester having succumbed to the Rocks in last season’s league final and drew their one and only game of the new season against Manhattan Kickers Over 30s.

“I expect a very very tough game against these boys,” said Mc Carry. “We beat them on penalties in the final in June so I expect rhere will be nothing in it again. We will have to be at our best to get a result – they are an excellent team.”

The Shamrocks Legends will follow up the Over 30s game on adjacent Field 74 where they will take on Banatul at 10am.

Coach Emmett Harvey is hoping to bounce back after two bruising defeats.

“We are building a really good squad at the moment,” said Harvey. “We are getting stronger every week and have signed some good players within the last few weeks. We played very well last week and we look forward to this Sunday’s game hopefully getting some points on the board.”

Meanwhile in the Metro Women’s League, the Shamrocks have an 11am kick-off against Phoenix (East 6th St).

“We are looking to build on last week’s win,” said coach Paddy Geraghty. “We are missing a few players but hopefully we can keep another clean sheet and take our chances when they come.”