• State Cup begins on busy weekend
• Rocks ready for Kickers & Harps
• First team welcome Long Island’s Polet
• Tough first round challenge for reserves
• Over 30s travel to Oceanside
• Historic first Over 40s cup game for Shamrocks

It’s State Cup fever this weekend for the Shamrocks with all seven teams embarking on what will hopefully be successful runs towards the Verrazzano Soccer Complex finals next June.

That was where just over a year ago, the Shamrocks Women’s team won a famous penalty shoot out against Rovers to secure their first ever Ann Rapaglia Cup and on Sunday the newly renamed Shamrocks Green will take on Manhattan Kickers at East 6th St (kick-off, 3pm) while Shamrocks White host Harps at St Michaels at 11am.

“Manhattan Kickers are a bit unknown to us,” said coach Paddy Geraghty whose team is unbeaten this season after four league encounters.

“But we’ll treat this game like any other and be ready to go. Our squad is getting better and everyone is contributing so we expect to keep the high level we’ve started the season with.”

When the Shamrocks Women first entered the league in 2014, we had the Harps women’s soccer club to thank for giving us the core of our new team.

Since then, the Harps themselves have been added to the New York Metropolitan Women’s Soccer League and on Sunday, they will face Shamrocks White in a first ever Irish Derby for women’s soccer.

“This is a game we shouldn’t take lightly.,” said coach Keith Perez. “We have been improving every game and I hope that our hard work will result in a win on Sunday.”

Meanwhile in the Manning Cup for men’s first teams, the Shamrocks will look to build on a solid win at Hoboken when they host NY Polet at Randalls Island 75 at 4pm on Sunday.

“Long Island teams have great tradition and some excellent players,” said Kevin Grogan. “We look forward to the challenge this weekend in what will be a tough game.

“Winning is a habit so we always try to win as many games as possible. One game at a time has always been our mentality.”

Up after the first team will be the reserves taking on their counterparts at CPR White at 6pm, also at Randalls 75.

“This will be a tough game against a young team who were runners up a year ago,” said Dan Meola.

“Last season, we lost to CPR on penalties in the league semi-final after a grueling 90 minutes. Hopefully, this time around, we won’t leave it up to the chance of a shootout. The lads are buzzing for this one and so am I. A very good test for us as a unit.”

There will be one Saturday game for the club with Shamrocks 1960 facing newly formed Laberia FC at Randalls 74 in the Strumpf Cup (kick-off 6pm).

“It’s always fun to play knockout tournaments,” said Robbie O’Neill. “We’ve a strong side and have high hopes to have a great run in the cup.”

Former Marth Cup champions, Shamrocks Over 30s will travel to Oceanside United for an 11am kick-off.

“With the draw last week and the return of Bingo to the team this weekend, we are looking forward to the game and to hopefully moving on to the next round,” said Sean Mc Mullan.

Elsewhere, the Shamrocks will launch their first ever Over 40s State Cup game in Brooklyn’s Calvert Vaux Park where the Legends will play SC Gjoa at 4pm.

“This is new territory for us and of course it will be difficult since a half dozen of the squad is ineligible to play,” said coach John Riordan.

“But the decision to enter the Vargas Cup was an easy one. It is an absolute honor to be able to coach this team in what will be a unique first. If we get through Sunday, missing so many players, then we have a very good chance of making a run. Above all, we’ll aim to go out and enjoy the occasion!”