The NY Shamrocks Soccer Club is seeking volunteer coaches and assistant coaches to run our men’s reserves team and our women’s reserves team.

Join one of the fastest growing clubs in the New York amateur soccer scene and learn from some of the best coaches in the game.

Ideal candidates would be well organized with access to their own transport and passionate about the game with a keen eye for players that can progress to a higher level.

The commitment will involve Sunday games throughout Fall and Spring.

For further information, contact the club: NYShamrockSC@gmail.com

With less than a week to go until the Shamrocks pre-season begins, Kevin Grogan has received timely boosts from four of his key players each of whom have followed his lead in committing to the club’s second season back in the top flight of New York amateur soccer.

Player of the Year Zach Gosse’s decision to return is an important boost for the Rocks while retaining the young, talented trio of Alejandro Fritz, Nick Zorbo and Dan Giorgi is an indication of Grogan’s bid to build on a foundation of young talent.

Nick Zorbo (left) and Dan Giorgi pictured recently after confirming their decision to stay with the Shamrocks for the Division 1 campaign ahead.

“We did a lot of recruitment last season to build the squad and now player retention is vital,” said Grogan.

“On top of retention, I’m looking very closely at new players. I have 17 players on my radar and I’m looking to sign four to six of them so we can strengthen the squad and build the training culture. Kwesi is a big signing. It’s going to be a very busy summer for recruitment. Detailing potential recruits and identifying the right personalities with the right temperament is very important. It’s a calculated process. We will have a full time pre-season with training, games, nutrition, sports psychology.”

Influential center back Gosse, who was ever present for the Rocks last season, said he was looking forward to his second season at the club.

Zach Gosse played in every game last season.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to have gained a wealth of experience playing at various levels in the NYC metropolitan area, but I must admit the club is top notch,” he said.

“It’s astounding how much effort and sacrifice everyone puts forth in order for all of the teams at the club to succeed. From the players and coaches to the board members and supporters, the desire for ‘The Rocks’ to win has become infectious.

“Moreover, I must admit, having built relationships with my teammates and other club members both on and off the pitch, the club has become a second family for me. With a year of Division 1 football knowledge and maturity under our belts and the addition of several impact players to our talented core, I truly believe we can do extremely well next season.”

Fellow Long Islanders Dan Giorgi and Nick Zorbo settled in very well to the club after joining the Shamrocks in the spring.

“I am very happy with the experiences I have had in my first season,” said Giorgi. “In the past couple of months, I’ve learned a lot, worked hard, got to play in a cup final, and came out a better player. This is a great club that does so much for us and I’m very excited to re-sign and pick up where we left off. Up the Rocks!”

Zorbo was similarly delighted to recommit, adding that he was looking forward to experiencing a full season at the club.

“I’m delighted to re-sign with the Shamrocks for next season,” he said. “I would like to thank Kevin Grogan for bringing me in and introducing me to all the great people involved with the club like Stevie Doyle, John Riordan and Sean Mc Mullan. They have already made me feel so welcome at the Rocks. I have enjoyed being able to gain some experience playing with the older guys on the team. I’m motivated to be a bigger contributor to next season’s goals.”

The Annual General Meeting of the NY Shamrocks Soccer Club heralded some new faces on the committee as well as a seventh team in competition as the curtain was officially brought down on a record-breaking season.

Club president Sean Mc Mullan, who was re-elected to the position for a fourth season, praised the outgoing committee and welcomed the new board members as well as taking the time to compliment the players and coaches for what was a successful year overall.

Two new officers were named to the committee with women’s team captain, player of the year and top scorer Sinead Hennessy taking on the role of secretary while her team mate Aoife West filled the reprised social secretary position, an important job which has been vacant of late.

Vice President Pat Burke and treasurer/PRO John Riordan were both returned while the new look 13-member executive combined returning directors, Braden Ruddy, Brian Wolohan, Kevin McPartland, Neil Mannion and Tricia Reed with a trio of new board members, Kailey Walsh, Teresa Ferraro and long-time Shamrock Teresa Brink, the co-founder of the women’s team.

Departing committee member Glen Wrafter offered a well received ‘State of the Union’ review of the season, recalling events like Sunnyside Gardens, the golf outing, the Stand Up comedy night, the Concern charity run and the End of Season Awards banquet as well as the successes for the Over 30s, Shamrocks 1960 and the women’s team as well as the growth of the Legends squad and the sixth-placed finish of the first team in CSL Division 1.

Coaches Andy Connolly, Emmett Harvey and Paddy Geraghty were all unanimously voted back in as the gaffers of Shamrocks 1960, the Legends and the Women’s team respectively while Stevie Doyle announced he would be focusing solely on his role of first team assistant coach. Sean Mc Mullan will take over the Over 30s team from departing club legend Paddy Mc Carry who bows out on a high note for family reasons but will still be very much involved in the club.

A revamp of the club’s constitution and by-laws was discussed and over 30 motions were passed in order to update the rule book to match the club’s activities today. This will be available to view soon on the club website.

The meeting was adjourned in time for the Euro 2016 final kick-off as the new committee prepared to look ahead to the new season, Sunnyside Gardens on Sunday August 21 and the golf outing on Monday September 12.

Legendary NY Shamrocks Soccer Club administrator Pat Rooney congratulated all members past and present for keeping the “light burning bright” after accepting the title of Honorary Lifetime President at a truly memorable End-of-Season Awards Banquet in Woodside’s Elite Palace on Saturday night.

The Shamrocks honorees pictured at Saturday’s End-of-Season Awards Banquet – from left, Pat Rooney, Billy Barron and Paddy Rooney. (Photo by Jalessa Almonacy)

Mr Rooney was being honored alongside former team manager Billy Barron and former star player, Paddy Rooney. All three men received an emotional standing ovation from the 180-strong crowd before being joined on stage by some of the other key figures of the 1960s for a brilliant rendition of ‘The Shamrocks Song’.

Singing The Shamrocks Song!

It was a fitting end to a historic season in which five trophies were secured thanks to title victories for the Over 30s, Shamrocks 1960 and the Women’s team.

Players on all teams were also honored for their contributions this past season. First team player of the year Zach Gosse was a popular choice while women’s team captain and top scorer Sinead Hennessy earned the nod from her team mates for her 25 goals.

The Shamrocks Players of the Year – Richie Brennan (Legends), Women’s League Defender of the Year Erin Cullen, billy Hole represented by his Over 30s coach Paddy Mc Carry, Ciaran Moloney (1960), Darren Coleman (reserves), Zach Gosse (first team) and Sinead Hennessy (women’s team) alongside club president Sean Mc Mullan. (Photo by Jalessa Almonacy)

The main man for the Over 30s was center back Billy Hole and the Legends selected Richie Brennan, also a staunch defender and popular team mate. Darren Coleman, top scorer for the reserves, was that team’s player of the year while Ciaran Moloney was a unanimous decision for the 1960 lads.

The other top scorers who accepted awards for their goal haul were Santiago Rigby (first team), Dave Harvey (1960), Ger Shivnan (Legends) and the strike partnership of Tayfun Gokmen and Sean Riley who racked up an impressive tally of 21 goals each for the double winning Over 30s.

The top goalscorers for the Shamrocks teams, from left: Dave Harvey (1960), Tayfun Gokmen (Over 30s), Santiago Rigby (first team), Sean Riley (Over 30s), Ger Shivnan (Legends), Sinead Hennessy (women’s team) and Darren Coleman (reserves) alongside Club President Sean Mc Mullan.

“This was a great night for the club,” said club president Sean Mc Mullan. “It was a privilege for us to welcome some of the incredible people who got our club going in the 1960s and they were delighted to see the progress that has been made by us over the last three years.”

Clubman of the Year John Riordan echoed the president’s words.

“The committee has worked hard all year to achieve all this success,” he said. “Clubman of the Year is a lovely honor but it’s all down to the hard work of Sean Mc Mullan, Pat Burke, Braden Ruddy, Keith Buckley, Tricia Reed, Sinead Hennessy, Glen Wrafter, Ducky Kelly, Paddy Mc Carry, Kevin Mc Partland, Neil Mannion, Andy Connolly, Stevie Doyle and all the coaches and players who represent this club so well.

Clubman of the Year John Riordan

“It was a real pleasure to have the honorees and their friends and families involved. It was great for our younger players to meet them and hear about their experiences 50 years ago. This will be a big platform as the club looks to grow further next season.”

It was also announced at the event that this year’s golf outing – the fourth such event – will take place on Monday September 12 at Lido Beach while the hugely popular Sunnyside Gardens 6-aside will be held on Sunday August 20.

The Shamrocks Women’s team celebrating with their league and cup trophies.

The Shamrocks Legends who just enjoyed their first season as a team.

The Shamrocks Over 30s enjoying their league and State Cup trophies.

Shamrocks 1960 with their Metro 2 East Divisional trophy.

ZACH GOSSE – SHAMROCKS FIRST TEAM

SINEAD HENNESSY – SHAMROCKS WOMEN’S TEAM

ERIN CULLEN – WOMEN’S LEAGUE DEFENDER OF THE YEAR

CIARAN MOLONEY – SHAMROCKS 1960

BILLY HOLE – SHAMROCKS OVER 30s

DARREN COLEMAN – SHAMROCKS RESERVES

RICHIE BRENNAN – SHAMROCKS LEGENDS

Pictured below from left, Richie Brennan (Legends), Erin Cullen (Women’s League Defender of the Year), Billy Hole who was represented by Paddy Mc Carry (Over 30s), Ciaran Moloney (1960), Darren Coleman (reserves), Zach Gosse (first team) and Sinead Hennessy (Women’s team) alongside club president Sean Mc Mullan.

SANTIAGO RIGBY – 6 GOALS, FIRST TEAM

SINEAD HENNESSY – 25 GOALS, WOMEN’S TEAM

DAVE HARVEY – 11 GOALS, ROCKS 1960

SEAN RILEY & TAYFUN GOKMEN – 21 GOALS EACH, OVER 30s

DARREN COLEMAN – 14 GOALS, RESERVES

GER SHIVNAN – 9 GOALS, LEGENDS

Pictured from left, Dave Harvey (1960 – 11 goals), Tayfun Gokmen (Over 30s – 21 goals), Santiago Rigby (first team – 6 goals), Sean Riley (Over 30s – 21 goals), Ger Shivnan (Legends – 9 goals), Sinead Hennessy (women’s team – 25 goals) and Darren Coleman (reserves – 14 goals) alongside club president Sean Mc Mullan.