The Shamrocks first team lost the opening game of the New CSL Division 1 season 2-1 at home to Zum Schneider at Randall’s Island on Saturday evening.

But new coach Paddy Geraghty, who gave a handful of debuts to new Rocks players, was not disheartened by the result of a game which started out promising after an early Francesco Zanetti penalty was rifled to the roof of the net.

“A good performance from the lads this week,” said Geraghty.

“Considering we’ve only had four sessions together, I thought we worked hard and stuck together very well. We were unlucky not to score a few more and there are definitely more positives than negatives.”

In the curtain raiser, James Whyte scored a late header off a fine cross from new player Colm Kennedy to help share the spoils with the Zum Reserves.

Kennedy, brother of center back Joe, had just arrived in from Dublin the night before to help boost the squad for new gaffer Kevin McPhillips.

“Tough start to the game, but the boys quickly figured things out and in the end I think we were the better side for the majority of the game,“ said McPhillips.

”Good effort from all the players and a draw was the very least we deserved. We’ll take the point and look for the right result next weekend.“

The first win of the Shamrocks season arrived on Sunday afternoon when a two-goal haul from Ger Shivnan inspired the Legends to a 3-1 win over their Greek counterparts.

Shivnan’s overhead opened the scoring midway through the first half and he made it 2-0 with a fine low finish. In the second half, Marcus Nascimento made sure of the points but there were several wasted opportunities which gave the Greeks hope. They struck back with 10 minutes to go but the Rocks regained control and saw it out for the first opening day win in squad history.

“I’m obviously very happy with the win,” said player coach John Riordan. “At times we controlled play brilliantly through Paddy Geraghty and Eddie Gilmartin in center midfield but there were times where we should have been more clinical. That will come with games.”

The Over 30s were not so fortunate in their own game against the Greeks – Matt Moccia and Mike Dineen scoring a goal in either half during a 5-2 loss.

And in the final game of the weekend, Shamrocks 1960 lost 2-0 to Sandzak.

”It was a disappointing start to the season,” said Rob O’Neill.

“It was a tough loss against a good side. I’m proud of the lads – they showed massive heart with 10 men for the whole second half. We should have equalized but we didn’t so we move on to Gotham Argo next Sunday.”