Week Eight Results – 11.05.2017

NY Shamrock – First

The Shamrock Firsts held current Cosmo League Champions NY Greek Americans to a 1-1 stalemate at St Michaels on Saturday night. Kurt Cameron was on target once again for the Rocks, an early goal adding to his tally of four in two games. However, the goal wasn’t enough to keep his team top of the league as Lansdowne Bhoys leapfrogged the Rocks into first place with a win at NYAC. Cameron struck with just six minutes on the clock after midfielder Giuseppe Barone’s brilliant dribble to the byline allowed him to square to the big center forward. A Shamrock defensive mix-up allowed the Greeks pull level just before half-time, as the two teams could not find anything between them in the second half. “We have a long way to go,” said Kevin Grogan. “We need more from some players. A few are getting complacent which is a mistake, as we have a big squad and everyone needs to fight for their place. When all is said and done though, a point is not a bad result but we are just a bit disappointed in the performance. We have another few gears.”

NY Shamrock – Reserves

NY Shamrock Reserves had the tough task of playing two games in less than 48 hours, but despite the quick turnaround the Rocks remain unbeaten in league play. On Thursday night, the Rocks traveled to Randall’s Island to take on NY Pancyprians. The Rocks defense, who had not allowed a league goal all season, was finally breached after the 30 minute mark. For the second game running, a Sean O’Neill goal was ruled out for a foul on the opposing goalie. The Rocks entered the break in unfamiliar territory after conceding their first league goal, but they responded well when Andrew Scott’s cross found the head of Brendan Lane. With over a third of the game left to play, the visitors pushed for a victory that would never come, eventually settling for a 1-1 draw.
With the NY Greek Americans coming travelling to St. Michael’s, the Rocks had a chance to quickly forget their lackluster midweek performance. They did just so, dominating the possession and the chances as they looked like a team with something to prove. The breakthrough came after 35 minutes, with Darren Coleman applying a fine finish to a move which he had started. The Irishman had the home side ahead at the break, as they looked to deservedly add to their goal tally. The Greeks threw a spanner in the works against the run of play, equalizing with a close range tap in after a defensive mix-up knotted things at 1-1. The Rocks, always the better team on the night, earned their reward with just over 15 minutes left to play, as Chris Burns calmly finished a scramble in the box. Despite always being in control, the Rocks were forced to sweat out the final five minutes, as numerous NYGA free kicks were dealt with well by the defense. A massive, well deserved win over a familiar foe continued the Shamrock Reserves unbeaten start to the season.

NY Shamrock – 1960

After weeks of fighting tooth and nail to earn their first league points of the season, Shamrock 1960’s did so in fine fashion at a soaked St. Michael’s against Ridgewood Romac on NY Marathon Sunday. Always looking dangerous from the first whistle, the Rocks grabbed their lead just before half time, when Isaac Hidalgo’s volley from a corner kick put them a goal to the good. In the second half, Romac clawed their way back into the contest with a goal that struck the wet palms of keeper Eric Doyle and trickled into the back of the net. However, the Rocks wasted no time restoring their advantage, as top scorer Dan Meola raced past two defenders and beat the Romac keeper at his near post. The visitors responded well, and pushed for an equalizer they deserved, after a stunning free kick from 25 yards out hit the back of the net. The see-saw affair saw the home side go in front for the third and final time, as Amar Daved finished a slick one-two with Karl Chaudry to restore the lead. Chaudry scored a goal of his own from a Joe Connolly assist, and Connolly grabbed a goal himself to hand the Rocks an impressive 5-2 win.

NY Shamrock – O-30’s

NY Shamrock O-30’s earned a hard fought point in a 3-3 draw against NY Greek Americans on Sunday night at the Met Oval. The Rocks found themselves 1-0 down after a defensive lapse lead to an opening goal for the Greeks. The always reliable Johnny McGeeney was on hand to level things up for the visitors just ten minutes later with a cool finish. However, the equalizer was short lived as the Rocks fell 2-1 and 3-1 down just before the stroke of half time, with defensive errors playing a key part in all three goals. An interval which saw the Rocks make three changes brought about better fortune, as the Rocks started the second half a completely different team. Pat Kelly scored a great goal set up by Sean Riley, and Shane Moore hit home the leveler with 15 minutes to play. Coach Paddy McCarry said, “The Greeks were holding on at the finish, and I believe if we had five more minutes we would have won it. Our defense has been brilliant all year, but we had a bad half tonight. The Greeks are a very good side so I was very pleased with the way we fought back to get a point.”

NY Shamrock – Legends

The Shamrock Legends made it three wins on the bounce after beating Doxa 6-2 at St. Michael’s. Paddy Geraghty knocked in three goals for a hat trick, Tyrone Kent, returning from an injury had himself a brace, and Andy Connolly rounded off the scoring. Doxa battled all game in soggy conditions, but could not keep pace with the Rocks’ attack. Coach Emmett Harvey explained, “We had a solid game – there were points that were good, and a few areas where we could use some work. The result was very good, and will give us some energy as the first half of the season comes to an end.”

NY Shamrock – Women’s A

The Shamrocks Women’s A team faced Manhattan Celtic for the second time this season after a 0-0 draw in September. Celtic scored early in the game to jump out to a 1-0 advantage. The Rocks equalized when Tara Kiernan played the ball to Mikaela Howell at the top of the box, who placed it in the bottom right corner. The second goal came from Chloe Wheeler, who slid at the back post to finish a ball from Georgia Frost. The 3-1 win was secured with a few minutes remaining when Sharon Odorfin scored off a deflection from a shot by Caroline Carter. Coach Paddy Geraghty commented, “We showed great resolve coming from 1-0 down with 20 minutes to play to win 3-1. We have been below par so far this season but we are slowly starting to get our edge back. The addition of Mikaela Howell has given us more in attack and the return of Allie Cacciotti in goals has made us better defensively. We have a State Cup Quarter Final on Saturday night against NYC United, so hopefully we can get another win and have a Semi Final to look forward to in the Spring.”

NY Shamrock – Women’s B

In the Women’s B Division, Shamrock Women kept their strong start to season going without even kicking a ball – an Appletown FC forfeit handing the Lady Rocks their easiest three points of the season.

Week Seven Results – 10.29.2017

NY Shamrock – First

A Kurt Cameron hat trick helped Division 1 leaders NY Shamrock maintain their winning run on Saturday night as the summer signing inspired a 5-2 victory over CPR Whites at St Michael’s. Cameron scored either side of the break to haul back an early 1-0 deficit to then insure a 3-1 half time lead. James Whyte’s clever dummy from a Zachary Gosse clearance set up the equalizer, allowing Cameron to get in behind the defense to lob the advancing CPR keeper. Whyte was also involved in the second alongside Lerthon Theuma who played Cameron in. The Scot also played provider for Cameron to grab his hat trick. With ten minutes to go, substitute Kwesi Mills-Odoi set up fellow replacement James Zaidan with an incredible through ball which Zaidan took around the keeper and struck high to the back of the net. CPR pulled a goal back as the minutes fell away but Joey Zorbo set up Calvin Moyes for the Scot’s first ever goal for the club. “That was an extremely important win,” said coach Kevin Grogan. “We always looked dangerous in attack. We just need to be a bit more disciplined defensively.”

NY Shamrock – Reserves

NY Shamrock Reserves extended their winning streak in the league to six games as they downed CPR White 1-0 in the opening match on Saturday night. A gritty first half saw both sides go relatively close, with forward Sean O’Neill having a goal ruled out for having been adjudged to foul the opposing keeper. A pair of saves from Kieran McGovern kept the game deadlocked at the break. In the second half, McGovern again came up trumps with a key save on a one on one to deny CPR an opener. With 20 minutes remaining, substitute Andrew Scott played hero has he latched on to a Chris Burns layoff to strike home the winner into the top corner from outside the box. The Rocks back line contributed another clean sheet to seal the three points, and keep themselves at the top of the table.

NY Shamrock – 1960

Despite progressing in the State Cup earlier in the month, the 1960’s are still waiting for their first league points of the season. A trip to Staten Island to face Mr. Dennehy’s proved to be a bridge too far for the nine men in green. Already down two men before the referee had blown for kickoff, the Rocks provided their most comprehensive display of the season, heading into half time just a goal down with the home side having a two man advantage. However, the power in numbers, along with tired Shamrock legs proved too difficult in the second half, with the 1960’s heading back to Queens on the back of a 6-0 defeat.

NY Shamrock – O-30’s

Paddy McCarry’s Shamrock O-30’s earned all three points without breaking a sweat at the weekend, with Brooklyn Gunners handing the Rocks three points through forfeit.

NY Shamrock – Legends

Just as the O-30’s had taken three points without soldiering on in the pouring rain, the Shamrock Legends were afforded the same luxury, as a Barnstonworth Rovers Veterans side forfeited the match.

NY Shamrock – Women’s A

The Shamrocks Women’s A team faced Manhattan Kickers at a rainy St Michaels on Sunday. The Rocks ran up a 9-0 victory with goals from Teresa Ferraro (2), Mikaela Howell (3), Chloe Wheeler (1) and Georgia Frost (3). Assists were provided by Christina Beck, Caroline Carter (2), Teresa Ferraro, Jackie Pounder, Kelci Higgs and Mikaela Howell. Coach Paddy Geraghty commented, “We got back on track this week with a solid win. It was a good training exercise for us and we had good performances from our back four, a better balance in our midfield, and some clinical finishing from Mikaela Howell, Georgia Frost, Teresa Ferraro, and Chloe Wheeler.  This week will be a different game against one of our rivals so we’ll need to play well.  We are missing a few key players but as always it gives others the chance to step up”.

Teresa Ferraro had two goals and an assist

NY Shamrock – Women’s B

A well fought game, but in the end Beyond FC scored the goal and took the game.