CSL OVER 36s DIVISION
Shamrocks Legends 7 Doxa Legends 1

Shamrocks Legends recorded their biggest victory of the season, hitting Doxa for seven goals at St Michaels on Sunday.

After the Legends went in front via an own goal, the floodgates opened.

Ger Shivnan, returning from injury, made it 2-0 before Donal ‘Ducky’ Kelly fired a rocket to the top corner.

Karol Hughes then moved the Rocks four goals to the good before Richie Brennan’s third in four games put the game beyond Doxa’s reach.

Hughes and Shivnan were on target either side of a Doxa consolation goal.

“It shows what we’re capable of as a team,” said player/assistant manager Ducky Kelly. “We’ve had some tough games and sometimes we haven’t got what we deserved. So we were able to enjoy this one.”

With the rest of our players enjoying a weekend off, here are the results that affected our other teams:

In the First Division, a very surprising 5-2 win for Polonia at the Greek Americans has set up what should be a thrilling showdown at McCarren Park in Williamsburg on Sunday (kick-off 2pm). The Rocks must either tie or beat the Polish side in order to avoid relegation. And a win will also keep their play-off hopes alive after losses suffered by Manhattan Celtic and NYAC.

The Greek reserves closed to within two points of fourth-placed Shamrocks with the top four advancing to the play-offs. Stevie Doyle’s men are just a point behind Rovers with a game in hand so they will be confident of securing a June 5 semi-final.

In Metro 2, Gotham City beat New York United 2-1 to keep their divisional title and promotion hopes alive, narrowing the gap to Shamrocks 1960 to four points. But Andy Connolly’s men can finish off the job this coming Sunday at St Michael’s and New York United will be the opponents for that game also.

Meanwhile, in the Over 30s Division, the Shamrocks came extremely close to winning the league without playing after CPR Old Boys were held 2-2 by the Greek Americans, taking away their remote chance of winning out. Later Sunday, Central Park Rangers Gray left it late against Nieuw Amsterdam, scoring with ten minutes to to win 1-0.

If they fail to beat Manhattan Kickers Premier on Sunday morning, the Rocks will be crowned champions with two games still remaining (Thursday May 19 v Barstonworth and Wednesday May 25 at Hoboken).

• Club President Mc Mullan congratulates Geraghty’s league champions
• Nine-goal rout of United earns 12th win in a row, promotion to top level
• First team battle well as Eagles quality shines through
• Over 30s and 1960 move a step closer to silverware

Some of the Shamrocks Women’s team pictured outside the Courtyard Ale House on Sunday after they won the Women’s Metropolitan Soccer League Division B championship with a 9-0 win over NYC United B. Back row left to right, Teresa Ferraro, Olivia Nadon, Jackie Pounder, Christina Beck, Paige Osborne, Amber Waery, Donna Lydon, Sharee Goodson. Front row, left to right, Coleen Cavanagh, Alexis Lilly, Sinead Hennessy, Erin Cullen, Kailey Walsh, Becky Torres. Picture John Riordan

The Shamrocks Women are champions!

For the first time since Pete McLean’s dream team of the 1980s, a women’s team representing the New York Shamrock Soccer Club brought a trophy back to Queens, sparking joyous celebrations at the Courtyard.

A 9-0 victory over NYC United B in New Utrecht on Sunday was their 12th league win in a row, securing the title and promotion to the top division of women’s soccer in New York.

Paddy Geraghty and Tricia Reed led their charges to yet another dominant performance in what is just the second season of this team and they can now look forward to their League Cup final on Sunday May 22 at Pier 40 (kick-off 9pm).

Last weekend’s goalscorer Becky Torres was on target again and there was an even spread of goals from her team mates: Amber Waery, Sharee Goodson, Coleen Kavanagh (two), Christina Beck, Jackie Pounder, Jarielle Uter and Teresa Ferraro.

“I’m very proud of our team,” said Geraghty. “To win 12 league games in a row is a real achievement. We have a chance to win the double on May 22nd so we’ll focus on that now.”

Club President Sean Mc Mullan congratulated the coaches and players on behalf of the NY Shamrock Soccer Club.

“They have come a long way since the idea was first put forward by Teresa Brink,” said Mc Mullan. “The work put in by Paddy and Tricia has been incredible and I want to pay tribute as well to Erin Cullen and captain Sinead Hennessy. All the players who have pulled on the jersey over the last two seasons have contributed to this success and we are very proud as a club.”

Meanwhile at St Michaels, the first team performed well against a talented Everton Westchester Eagles outfit in a back-and-forth battle that ended in a 5-3 reverse.

Tom Manz had the Rocks ahead early after a brilliant assist from Alejandro Fritz but the Eagles replied in kind soon after. Chuong Tran edged the home side in front again only for the visitors to take a 3-2 lead into the half, a Laurie Child own goal and a penalty handing the Eagles the advantage.

Tom Manz opened the scoring for the Shamrocks. Picture: Dennis Schneider

Introduced as a sub in the second half, Joe Connolly made an immediate impact, seizing on a loose ball to tap home and level the game but the 3-3 scoreline was shortlived, Zach Gosse’s unfortunate own goal lobbing over Franck Tsasse. With time running out, the Rocks pressed but we’re caught on the counter by a good finish from an Eagles opponent.

Polonia’s 1-1 draw with Manhattan Celtic now means they are three points behind the Shamrocks meaning their May 15 showdown becomes all the more critical.

“Another day in the history of the Shamrocks,” remarked Kevin Grogan after the game. “As Alex Ferguson famously said, it’s squeaky bum time now.

“But today should be about the great success of the women’s team. They have lifted the whole club with what they have achieved.”

Joe Connolly scored his first goal of the season on Sunday in the 5-3 defeat to Everton FC Westchester. Picture: Dennis Schneider

The reserves battled back from 3-0 down to tie 4-4 in a dramatic curtain raiser. Dan Meola, Sean Doran (penalty), Brendan Lane and Marc Vilson secured an important point for the Rocks ahead of a bye week.

Earlier in the day, a 9-0 win for the Over 30s against Manhattan Kickers at Randall’s Island moved Paddy Mc Carry’s men a step closer to retaining the league.

Sean Riley returned to action with a hat trick and there was a goal each for John Crowley, Tayfun Gokmen, Alex Berne, Peter Hatzer and Domnick McCartan as well as a Kickers own goal.

“Very happy with the performance,” said Mc Carry. “We were patient in the first half and eventually we took our chances. We go to Hoboken next weekend full of confidence. We’e aiming to wrap it up there and then focus on the State Cup.”

Shamrocks 1960 have are now well within reach of promotion to Metro 1 after their 4-1 win against SC Eintracht, also at Randall’s Island.

Michael Kumarsen scored twice while man of the match Cathal Monaghan and Ruairi Lavery also netted.

“It was very important to set things right after last week’s defeat,” said coach Andy Connolly. “We have a weekend off now and in two weeks we’ll be aiming to lift the divisional trophy.”

• One win from glory for Paddy Geraghty’s charges
• Lansdowne come from behind to deny Rocks
• Late Legends drama in 4-4 thriller
• 1960 falter against title rivals

Becky Torres was the goal hero for the Shamrocks Women at St Michaels on Sunday in a vital 1-0 victory over title rivals Sirens.

And the win-at-all-costs spirit was personified by Brittany Meade who took an overnight bus from Pittsburgh to make the game, the much needed victory putting the Rocks five points clear at the top of the table with two games to go.

Meade’s assist for Torres’ first half goal set up a perfect finish by the midfielder but Sirens rallied and pushed the Rocks all the way.

“We had a solid performance,” said coach Paddy Geraghty.

“We did what we needed to do. I’m very happy we kept another clean sheet. A win next Sunday seals it for us but we’ll take it just as seriously as we did today.”

On Saturday night, the Irish Derby ended in a 2-1 defeat for the Shamrocks.

On what was a very proud night for both clubs – the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising was handled with great dignity by all those in attendance, including the players – the Rocks took an early lead through Alejandro Fritz that put the hosts on the back foot.

However, the Bhoys leveled just before half-time and took the lead early in the second half to secure all three points.

“We worked very hard against the champions,” said Kevin Grogan. “We are playing all the top teams and thats a great learning curve for our players and this will stand to them.

“We move on quickly now to play the Eagles who are another big team. As always we are building for the future. We have come a long way. Thank you to the great support Up there on Saturday.”

The reserves were beaten 5-0 in the opener.

Meanwhile, Rocks 1960 were overturned by their divisional rivals, Gotham City at Randall’s Island, losing 4-1 to their second placed opponents.

Dave Harvey’s second half goal canceled out a 1-0 half-time deficit but Gotham City immediately went 2-1 ahead and pushed on from there, narrowing the points gap to seven points.

“We experienced a real blow and now our character is really going to be tested,” said Andy Connolly.

“But I’ve played football with many teams in places like Navan, Dublin, Galway, Edinburgh, Okayama (in Japan), and New York, and I’ve yet to come across a squad of players that have a better mindset and who have more guts than Shamrocks 1960.

“These lads are outstanding and they’re going to come out roaring like lions next week. There’s nothing I’m more certain of.”

In the final game of the weekend, Paddy Geraghty wrapped up a perfect Sunday for him personally with a dramatic last-minute goal that helped the Legends share the spoils with Hoboken in an exciting 4-4 draw at St Michaels.

Eoghan McParland opened the scoring for the Legends after Hoboken grabbed an early lead. John Riordan slotted home to make it 2-1 after good build-up play from Ducky Kelly and Karol Hughes.

Hughes himself then made it 3-2 in the second half with a great lob from just inside the box. But Hoboken came back and took a 4-3 lead that would be ultimately negated by Geraghty’s late header, set up by Emmet Murphy.

“A battling performance by the guys today in tough conditions,” said player assistant coach Kelly.

“We fought until the end and were well deserving of the point. The whole squad played their part. We’ll be happy to carry that spirit into the remaining games.”

• Grogan ‘focused’ on challenge ahead
• Rocks Women bidding to silence Sirens
• 1960 aiming to clinch promotion and championship berth
• Doyle calls on reserves to bounce back from tough loss

April will end on a high note for the Rocks this weekend with an Irish derby and not one but two potential divisional deciders.

The Shamrocks will visit CSL Division 1 champions Lansdowne on Saturday evening for a vital league game with so much at stake for both sides (Tibbetts Brook Park, 8pm).

The game will be preceded by a brief ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising and by the end of the 90 minutes, the second annual Irish Consulate Cup will be awarded to the winners.

Purely a ceremonial trophy, the league points will be the primary concern as the Shamrocks bid to stay in touch with the tight bunch of teams hovering around mid-table. Polonia’s loss last week means they can stay ahead of the Greenpoint outfit no matter what happens this weekend. But with the final post in sight, coach Kevin Grogan is targeting every possible point.

Meanwhile, Lansdowne will be aiming to stay level with Pancyprians who have played a game more than the Yonkers outfit.

“There are many other clubs that want us to fail in our mission to achieve our goal of staying up,” noted Grogan.

“But as always we are very focused on our job and we are a very tight knit group. We are giving ourselves the best chance of achieving our goal and although the new format of the league is very unfair and has punished us for our great start to the season we are still very much on track to achieve our mission.

“Every game now is a cup final and we need to use all our experience on and off the pitch to get over the line. Anything can happen on any given day in football. Concentration and discipline are king now.”

The reserves are under equal pressure to get a result – their dramatic loss last week to Pancyprians allowed the Lansdowne reserves pull level with the Rocks and Lansdowne also have the edge in the head-to-head battle following December’s win at Tibbetts.

“This weekend promises to be a very special one on so many levels,” said Stevie Doyle.

“The commemoration of the 100-year anniversary of the Easter Rising and a trip to Tibbetts to take on our Irish compatriots Lansdowne. With both teams level on points, it promises to be tight and tense game. I’m looking for a big response from my team after the defeat last week and I have a full squad to choose from. A win will push us into second place and it will give us confidence going into the last few games.”

Meanwhile, St Michaels will be the place to be on Sunday with the Shamrocks Women facing a season-defining clash with their title rivals, Sirens.

The Rocks have scored 33 goals without reply in the four league games since the winter break but Sirens have been equally flawless and in fact both teams share a similar goal difference, both 49 goals to the good.

“We have our biggest game of the year on Sunday,” said coach Paddy Geraghty. “A win would put us five points clear with two games left so it’s a big incentive for us. We play Sirens who have only lost once all season. They have qualified for the State Cup final as well as the League Cup final so we know it’s going to be a massive task for us. We look forward to the challenge.”

Elsewhere in Metro 2, Shamrocks 1960 can wrap up their division and a June 12 league final if they beat second placed Gotham City at Randall’s Island 74 on Sunday (kick-off 12pm).

Gotham City’s league campaign could effectively end with a loss as a Rocks win would also lock up promotion to Metro 1.

“This is without doubt our biggest game of the season so far,” said assistant-coach and center back Neil Mannion. “It’s in our own hands but we need to be ready to repel the challenge of a team who are in survival mode. The horse is at the water, it’s time for him to drink it!”

The second game at St Michael’s on Sunday is the 3pm kick-off between the Shamrocks Legends and Hoboken’s Over 36 side. A couple of injuries have interfered with Emmett Harvey’s preparations but with the Over 30s enjoying a weekend off, he has some opportunities to shore up the gaps.

“It was a tough loss last weekend and it didn’t help that it included injuries to some key players,”

“We play a Hoboken side who have strengthened over the winter break. So we are expecting a tough match, but we have put together a team which is more than capable of getting the right result.”