• Geraghty not taking opponents lightly
• Grogan: players ready for Everton challenge
• Over 30s two wins from glory
• 1960 and reserves bidding to bounce back

As first team coach Kevin Grogan put it, “another big weekend for the club”.

The first piece of silverware of the season could well be secured on Sunday. But Paddy Geraghty won’t be taking NYC United lightly at New Utrecht in Brooklyn as the Shamrocks Women bid to wrap up the league title with the victory they need for promotion to Division A (kick-off 3.30pm).

After last weekend’s hard fought 1-0 victory over second-placed Sirens, the Rocks only need one win from their final two games but United are enjoying a five-game winning streak and will prove worthy opponents for the Girls in Green.

“We have put ourselves in a good position with the win last week,” said coach Geraghty.

“Another win on Sunday would give us a league title and give us great confidence for our cup final at the end of May. We face a team that has won all their games so far in the spring so we’ll have to show the same determination as last week.”

Grogan will lead his charges into an equally important task when the Shamrocks host Everton FC Westchester at St Michael’s at 3pm, needing a a positive result to both stave off the struggling teams behind them but also to keep their play-offs hopes alive.

Third-placed Everton won 3-0 at the same venue back in October and have been in great form since the winter break, winning three times and only tying once, last Sunday’s surprise 1-1 draw at United.

“It’s another big challenge for us,” admitted Grogan. “But the players are ready. Its a big weekend for the whole club.”

The Shamrocks Reserves were badly beaten last week by Lansdowne and must overcome their Everton counterparts in the 1pm game if they are to keep control of third place.

“We have three games left to try and secure a play-off spot,” noted coach Stevie Doyle. “If we play like we did last week, we’ll struggle but this is a perfect chance to get the confidence back up. We owe them after the Fall game and I’m sure the lads will relish the opportunity to get back to winning ways.”

Meanwhile, it’ll be a Randall’s Island double header for the club on Sunday morning with the Over 30s and the 1960 teams facing important league games at 8am and 10am, both on Field 74.

The Shamrocks Over 30s are two wins away from the league title and first up of their last three opponents will be Manhattan Kickers O30 who currently lie seventh having won only once since the winter break.

Paddy Mc Carry’s men come into this one refreshed after a much needed weekend off and will be hoping to maintain their seven-point gap over both CPR teams who both face struggling teams this weekend and should be assured of a win each: Old Boys v Brooklyn Gunners and Grays v Barnstonworth.

“I’m expecting a very tough game,” said coach Paddy Mc Carry.

“They are a good side and they always give us a tough game but our leading goalscorer is back – Sean Riley – and that will help us a lot.

“We need five points to win the league from our last three games so a win Sunday would be a big help towards our goal of retaining our title. I have a very good squad Sunday so if the boys play well, hopefully we get the win. But I’m expecting a battle, for sure.”

After that clash, Shamrocks 1960 will step up to take on SC Eintracht who have slipped since the winter break, winning only once in four games.

Andy Connolly’s men have just two games left in their league campaign and must effectively win both having slipped last week to divisional rivals Gotham City.

“It’s obviously a must-win,” said Connolly. “We welcome back Ciaran Moloney who has been outstanding all season at center midfield so that will give the whole team a much-needed boost. It’s good to know that we must win both games and that’s what our players are focused on.”