• Kwesi quick off the mark
• Rocks women conjure up the Magic
• Champion 30s outgun Celtic

Victories for the first team, the Rocks Women and the Over 30s were the standout highlights of a busy opening day of the season for the Shamrocks.

Making his club debut on Sunday night, Kwesi Mills-Odoi finished off a brilliant team move to secure all three points for Kevin Grogan’s men on Sunday night in a 1-0 win at Zum Schneider.

Kwesi Mills-Odoi (left) celebrates his first goal for the Shamrocks with team mate Jamie Clarke during the 1-0 win at Zum Schneider on Sunday night. Photo: Dennis Schneider

The Rocks were impressive against the newly promoted Division 2 champions who showed why they will be sure to challenge for a play-off spot in the spring.

The midfield pairing of Rafa Carpes and Giuseppe Barone linked play brilliantly between the forwards and the rock solid central defense pairing of captain Zachary Gosse and powerful former Port Vale defender Charlie O’Loughlin.

Charlie O’Loughlin, who was a rock at the heart of the defense, pictured here putting pressure on in the Zum area. Photo: Dennis Schneider

Meanwhile up front, Jamie Clarke and Alejandro Fritz were a constant threat on the wings while roving playmaker Ibrahim Diaby caused constant headaches for the Zum back four.

Indeed Diaby, O’Loughlin and Barone were all involved in the great move that culminated in Barone’s back heel to Fritz allowing the winger to cross low to Mills-Odoi who finished calmly from close range.

The striker almost made it 2-0 when his superb shot crashed off the Zum cross bar and although the home side rallied in the closing stages, the Rocks held out for a perfect start to the new season.

“I’m very satisfied with the result,” admitted Grogan. “We will get better each week but we showed a discipline and a maturity that very much satisfied.”

The reserves were handed a forfeit in the curtain raiser and will host NYAC in a stern test next Saturday evening at St Michaels.

A moment of silence was observed in honor of those lives lost on Sept 11, 2001 at all CSL and NYMWSL games. Photo: Dennis Schneider

Earlier, the Rocks Women got their league campaign off to the ideal start with a 2-0 victory at Magic Reserves in East River Park.

A first half goal from Sinéad Hennessy settled the nerves of Paddy Geraghty’s newly promoted Division A team and Jade Andrade’s superb effort in added time rounded out the win.

The Shamrocks Women’s team that defeated Magic Reserves 2-0 at East River Park on Sunday. Back row, left to right, Mchaela Newell, Sinead Hennessy, Erin Cullen, Kailey Walsh, Jackie Pounder. Middle row, left to right, Aoife West, Teresa Ferraro, Chloe Wheeler, Jessica Kambic, Jo Belluardo, Anna Spangler. Front row, left to right, Georgia Frost, Jade Andrade, Jarielle Uter, Christina Beck, Jackie Gawne. Photo: John Riordan 

Over in Brooklyn, the newly formed Women’s B team had their first taste of action with a game away to Beyond FC, succumbing 3-1 in spite of a Cassie Esposito goal.

“We had a great start to the season with two solid performances from the A and B teams,” said Paddy Geraghty.

“We had 11 players make their debut for the club with Jade Andrade and Cassie Esposito scoring their first goals. We’ll work at practice this week to improve and look forward to our home games next week.”

The Over 30s won the Irish Derby at Manhattan Celtic 2-0 thanks to a brace from Tayfun Gokmen late on Sunday night at Pier 40.

“I’m very glad to get the first game out of the way,” said coach Paddy Mc Carry.

“We were rusty which was to be expected with quite a few new players added to the squad.

“We stuck in there and played for one another especially when we had to play the last 40 mins with 10 men. Tayfun had two great finishes and he could have had three only for a brilliant save by the keeper.

“I’m very happy with the clean sheet and the battle the boys showed. I thought Nei de Oliveira had a fantastic game for us at right back.

“It’s a clean sheet and three points. The unbeaten run continues and a perfect start to the new season against a good Manhattan Celtic side.”

Elsewhere, the day began with a pair of tough defeats for the Legends and Rocks 1960 at St Michaels.

Missing several key players, the Legends battled well and were unlucky to fall 2-0 down before half-time. Some superb interplay between forwards Tyrone Kent and Stevie Doyle gave the Legends a lifeline with 20 minutes left. Unfortunately Eintracht scored a great long range goal to make it 3-1 and seal all three points.

“Overall, everybody gave 100%,” said assistant coach Eoin Sweeney.

“Tough loss but we will push on to the next game with optimism as this team showed great fight and spirit against a very good Eintracht team.”

Ridgewood Romac were just good enough to overturn Rocks 1960, scoring a goal in either half to secure a 2-0 win.

Impressive debuts from Johnny Hall and Rory O’Leary served as nice consolations during what was a tough start in Metro 1 for Andy Connolly’s men.

The Shamrocks 1960 Squad: Back row, left to right, Club President Sean Mc Mullan, Braden Ruddy, Brian Wolohan, Emeka Ike, Jonny Hall, Robbie O’Neill, Ciaran Moloney, Rory O’Leary, Neil Mannion. Front row, left to right,  Hughie McGowan, Ryan McKinley, Mick McAnea, Andrew Short, Cathal Monaghan, Dave Harvey, Dylan Wallace, Andy Connolly.