There was a false restart to the season last Sunday when the Shamrocks Over 30s were handed a forfeit victory by the Brooklyn Gunners, pushing Paddy Mc Carry’s back to the top of their conference with a game extra played.

And although Friday’s snowfall has threatened another anti-climax for this weekend’s action, four of the club’s teams are ready to spring into action if the weather turns for the better.

Saturday’s Saunders Cup Round of 16 game will serve as ideal Metro 1 preparation for Andy Connolly’s 1960 men as they look to clinch a trophy which was clinched by the club’s reserves two years ago (Randalls 75 – 2pm).

Forming the opposition are Division 2 outfit Manhattan Kickers Reserves who are languishing mid table after five wins and four losses in the league during the Fall.

Connolly is in optimistic mood ahead of the game…

“Big things happening all over with the 1960s. Really great things. You’ll see. Neil Mannion. Great guy! Playing failing Manhattan Kickers on Sunday. Awful guys. Losers. ‘Oh say can you see …’ Frederick Douglass might be at training next week. We will build that wall (if they get a free kick outside the box).”

IRISH DERBY FOR LEGENDS

The other CSL League Cup game of the weekend sees the Legends take part in the Over 30s section of the competition and they will face a major obstacle in Manhattan Celtic Legends (Randalls 91 – 4pm).

The top Celtic Over 30s team are currently going toe to toe with the Shamrocks Over 30s in the league however coach Emmett Harvey is embracing the opportunity to have his players step up for what will be a tense Irish Derby showdown.

“The League Cup is a competition that we look forward to,” noted Harvey.

“Manhattan Celtic Legends will be a challenge – they are favorites and we are the underdogs but we have a very strong squad to choose from and the guys are ready to go.

“We have played well in some of our tougher fixtures throughout the season. It would be nice to go on a little cup run.”

ROCKS WOMEN DOUBLE HEADER

Meanwhile, St Michaels will host a Metro Women’s League double header on Sunday morning with both Rocks sides aiming for important wins as they continue their title chases.

Paddy Geraghty’s A team welcome the reserves of NY Magic for the later kick-off at 12pm while the curtain raiser will see Shamrocks B take on Beyond FC at 10am.

“We are looking forward to the start of the spring season on Sunday,” said Geraghty.

“Both teams have been working very hard over the winter and now we can’t wait to get going.

“Our A team plays NY Magic who are a top team in our league so we know we start with a tough one. We have a few players missing too so it adds to the task. But as always it’s a chance for others to play more time and we have the quality in depth to play well.

“Our B team plays Beyond FC who are the league leaders so we’ll go in as underdogs. We’ve signed some new players with Carly Beyar, Sara Gomez, Shannon Hopkins and Shannon Fitzpatrick coming on board so it’ll increase the depth and quality of both squads.”