With the new season just under three weeks away, the NY Shamrocks Soccer Club gathered for their annual Sunnyside Gardens Six-Aside Tournament at Sunnyside Gardens Park in Queens on Sunday and a highly enjoyable day was had by all.

The victorious Shamrocks First team with the King McCormack Trophy. Back row, left to right, Anthony Tagliaferri, Frankie Tsasse, Teresa Ferraro, Stevie Doyle and Aoife West. Front tow left to right, Sinead Hennessy, Laurie Child, Zach Gosse and Joey Zorbo.         Picture by Eoin Sweeney

The idyllic surroundings of the park were a perfect backdrop for some very exciting games that pitted eight teams against each other in competitive but fun games.

Kids enjoyed a bouncy castle and – the highlight of the day – a race across the field with a very happy medal presentation directly afterwards.

“This is the ideal way to celebrate the start of a new season,” said social secretary Aoife West, the event organizer. “A lot of new players were experiencing this occasion for the first time and they will now have a sense of the community which has built up around this club over the years.

“I want to thank the committee members who volunteered their time and all our sponsors, especially GTI, AJ Interiors and the Courtyard Ale House. I want to also thank all the players who gave up their Sunday to join in the fun and we are very grateful that Flynns, McGuiness and The Dugout sent teams along to take part.”

In the end, the King McCormack Trophy was awarded to tournament winners, the Shamrocks First Team, who won a tense penalty shoot out against the Over 30s/Legends team.

Sean Mc Mullan presents the King McCormack trophy to Laurie Child. Picture: Eoin Sweeney

The Over 30s/Legends team – from left, Colly Madden, Paddy Mc Carry, Tricia Reed, Jarielle Uter, Paddy Geraghty, Ger Shivnan and Jackie Pounder.

The squad representing Flynns.

The Shamrocks Reserves – back row left to right, Paul McDaid, Sharee Goodson, Gil Christenberry, Jessica Kambic and Andrew Scott. Front row, John Riordan, Johnny Hayes and Mike

The GTI Alumni Squad

The Dugout

The 1960 Team

McGuinness