• First game for women’s teams
• Shamrocks Green face Shamrocks White
• Grogan wary of Doxa threat
• Over 30s aiming to sink Celtic

The Shamrocks will make history on Sunday when our two women’s teams face each other for the first time ever in a competitive game.

The newly renamed sides, Shamrocks Green and Shamrocks White, will face each other at St Michaels on Sunday at 11am in the opening game of the new NYMWSL DIVISION A season.

When Keith Perez guided Shamrocks B to title winning promotion back in May, the prospect of two Shamrocks teams in the top flight emerged. And the coaching team of Perez, Paddy and Tricia Geraghty have embraced this success.

“We are looking forward to finally getting started after a good preseason,” said Paddy Geraghty.

“All the ladies are looking forward to it and it’s sure to be a very different game to what they’ve experienced before. We think that both teams will be challenging at the top of the league this season so it’ll be fun to see how it all unfolds.”

Some new signings for both teams should see both sides challenge their title rivals in what will be a fascinating year ahead.

“This is a very proud moment for both the club and the women’s program to have both teams squaring off in the top division,” said Rocks White coach Perez.

“Regardless of the outcome it will be a bonding and growing experience for both teams. I encourage any member of the club to come out and support both the success of the Shamrocks and the women’s program. Up the Rocks!”

Later Sunday, the first team and reserves will take on Doxa at Randall’s 75 at 6pm and 4pm respectively.

After last week’s great win at Lansdowne, the only setback has been a knee injury picked up by late sub Nick Zorbo who will miss eight weeks. First team coach Kevin Grogan added Offaly intercounty Gaelic Football player Luke Kelly who impressed in pre-season with the Shamrocks.

“It’s a massive game for us,” said Grogan. “We have had a good week of training and we are looking forward to the challenge. Consistency is king in football so we need a big performance from our players. Every game in this league is a cup final.”

Reserves boss Dan Meola is hoping his side can get a first win on the board after failing to score at Lansdowne on at the weekend.

“Last week, we did not get the result we deserved but that’s football,” he said.

“If you don’t score, you can only blame yourselves. Doxa are coming off a tough result and that is the worst time to play any team – when their only way to go is up. The lads will have to fight for the three points they were denied last week but I have no doubt the goals will come.”

Brooklyn North host Shamrocks 1960 in Williamsburg at 8am on Sunday with Robbie O’Neill’s men looking to extend last weekend’s perfect start

(Bushwick Inlet, 8am).

“We’re aiming to pick up another three points,” said O’Neill. “It’s a nice early kick-off so I hope the lads stick to day drinking Saturday and are home early!”

The Shamrocks Over 30s take on Manhattan Celtic Bhoys at Randalls 74, also at 8am on Sunday morning, and will be encouraged by last weekend’s 3-1 win over Manhattan Kickers Premier.

“We are looking forward to putting some more points on the board this weekend against Celtic and maybe another hat trick from Johnny,” said Sean Mc Mullan.

The Shamrocks Legends will travel to the Bronx to play Over 39s Division newcomers, Greek Americans, on Sunday evening (Herbert Lehman HS, 6pm). The Greeks have yet to start their campaign while the Rocks come into this one off the back of a 1-1 draw at home to Eintracht.

“It’s a very tough trip for us and they are an unknown quantity as a new team to the league,” said player-coach John Riordan. “But they’ll always be hungry to get one over the Shamrocks and we’ll just have to be patient as we make our way through the opening stages of the game.”