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Cano and Monaghan seal Saunders Cup glory

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The Shamrocks are Saunders Cup champions!!

A 2-0 win over Mola secured honors for Stevie Doyle’s men with Daniel Cano and Cathal Monaghan scoring second half goals to kill off a talented Mola outfit.

IMG_0658The victorious Shamrocks team with their Saunders Cup. Back row, left to right, Sean Mc Mullan (club president), Nick Meola, Colum Mc Comish, Emeka Ike, Daniel Cano, Anthony Carrabotta, Neil Mannion, Dan Meola, Mike Murphy, Stevie Doyle (coach), Eddie Gilmartin (assistant coach). Front row, left to right, Michael Kumaresan, Cathal Monaghan, Paul McDaid, Kevin Farrell, Ryan McKinley, Isaac Hidalgo, Eoin Lynagh, John Riordan. Picture courtesy of Keith Buckley

Mola were the better team in the first half and were unlucky to be scoreless at the break.

The fitness of the Rocks shone through in the second half however and a great team move from left to right after 60 mins set up Cano for a brilliant strike high to the roof of the net.

IMG_0657The Shamrocks goalscorers Daniel Cano (left) and Cathal Monaghan. Picture courtesy of Keith Buckley

Ten minutes later, Monaghan took possession on the left and sent an excellent right footed low drive to the near post, giving the keeper no chance.

Mola rallied but the Rocks were always in control until the full time whistle which sparked great celebrations.

Said coach Stevie Doyle: “I’m delighted with the win. Very proud of the lads.

“We didn’t play particularly well to be honest but the hard work done all season paid off in the second half and we deserved to finish off the season on a high note.”

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The Saunders Cup success wraps up a successful season for the Shamrocks soccer club.

The first team was promoted to the top division in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League – returning to the top flight after a ten-year absence.

The Over 30s were a dominant force on the way to the league title – the second such success in the space of three years for coach Paddy Mc Carry and his assistant Sean Mc Mullan.

The reserves barely missed out on a league title, finishing level on points with NYPD and only losing out on their head-to-head record against the police.

And this past year marked the inaugural season of the women’s team which will go from strength to strength in the Fall.

Our club’s Annual General Meeting will take place this coming Sunday at the Courtyard Ale House at 2pm. All members and new members welcome to attend. The meeting will be proceeded by the awards for our players of the year.

Reserves look to end season on the right note in Saunders Cup final

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Stevie Doyle has backed his Shamrocks reserves to lift the Saunders Cup at Randall’s Island 70 on Sunday morning (kick off 10am).

Having finished the league equal on points with champions NYPD – the Rocks missed out on the title by head-to-head – coach Doyle is now looking to the showdown with Mola as an opportunity for a just reward after a long season.  

The victorious Shamrocks reserves pictured after last Sunday’s dramatic penalty shoot-out semi-final victory over the Ukrainians at McCarren Park.  

Promoted from the Metro 2 league this season, Mola will be no pushovers and the Italian team have enjoyed a successful year which included two wins over Metro Stars, the team the Rocks knocked out in the quarter-finals back in April.

Unfortunately, one of the top reserves players of the season, Braden Ruddy, will miss the big game due to his honeymoon but aside from him, Doyle will have a full squad to choose from with skipper Ryan McKinley returning after a concussion.

“We’re excited for the game on Sunday,” said Doyle on Friday. 

“The lads have worked their socks off since last September and it has to be described as very successful season with promotion to the first division and final of the Saunders cup and very unlucky not to have nabbed the league as well. 

“We had a tough encounter with the Ukrainians in the semi-final last Sunday which went to penalties although I thought we did enough to win in regular time. 

“Overall though, I’m very proud of the lads they have been amazing all year and we have come a long way in a short time. Hopefuly we can bring home a cup and end the season the right note.”

After last Sunday’s league win secured by the Over 30s in Randall’s Island, the Shamrocks reserves are hoping for plenty of support again tomorrow and we’re calling on all Rocks to come and watch the game or join us back at the Courtyard Ale House after the game.

Over 30s secure league title

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  • Second championship in three years
  • Reserves through to Saunders Cup final after penalty shoot out

Shamrocks Over 30s coach Paddy Mc Carry paid tribute to his league title winning team on Sunday after a penalty shoot out victory against Dinamo brought the championship to the Rocks for the second time in three years.

It was a day of penalty drama for the club as the reserves advanced to the Saunders Cup final against NY Ukrainians in Williamsburg after a shootout of their own.

For Mc Carry and his team, it was a just reward for a remarkable season which delivered 16 wins out of 18 games.
Had it not been for a world class save from Sean Mc Mullan in the second half, there could well have been a different outcome but the scoreless deadlock set up penalties in which the Rocks players proved flawless.
  
 The winning team celebrate victory. Back row, from left to right, Sean Mc Mullan, Anton Diver, Alex Berne, Keith Buckley, Danny Parkin, Ali Reza, Sean Riley, Pablo Graham, Thomas Maher, Richie Brennan. Front row, left to right, Bingo O’Driscoll, Tayfun Gokmen, Adrian Morrissey, Brendan Donoghue, Paddy Mc Carry, Ruairi Lavery. 

Picture courtesy of Eoin Sweeney

“I could not be prouder of this bunch of players and the effort they have put in all year,” said Mc Carry. 

“They deserved this championship – they have been top class, every single one of them. 

“I have to say this was one of the tightest games I have ever been involved in either as a player or manager. Both teams did not want to give an inch and fought tooth and nail for every ball. 

“It was no surprise that the game ended 0-0 at half-time. I felt that we were the better team in the first half. Our defence once again held strong. Richie Brennan who was in at right back for injured Anton Diver, Bingo O’Driscoll, Pablo Graham and Keith Buckley. 

“In the second half, we came out strong but could not break down the Dinamo defence then they started to get on top of the game.” 

  
The captain O’Driscoll led the way with the first penalty and Tayfun Gokmen, Sean Riley, Pablo Graham and Danny Parkin scored each of their efforts while Mc Mullan saved Dinamo’s third attempt in what proved to be the decisive moment of the shootout.

“It’s very hard for me to pick stars in this final,” added Mc Carry. “They were all great but without our keeper Sean we would not have won today. He was fantastic and has been all year. Not only is he our keeper, he is the president of our club and my assistant manager. The amount of work the man does is unreal and none of this would have been possible without him. 

“I’d also pick out Keith Buckley at left back – in my mind, he is the best left back in the league. 

“Our captain and center half Bingo is a top class footballer and has a heart of a lion and he led this team the whole way to the title. 

“The whole club committee is behind this victory – they have supported me all the way. This club is on the up big time. 

“Our record as a team speaks for itself – we played 18, won 16, drew one and lost one. Without a shadow of a doubt, this year is the biggest achievement in my football days as either player or manager and I would just like to thank all players and committee members for that.”

Meanwhile, in McCarren Park, the reserves fought out a 1-1 draw that was decided by an incredible shootout in which all 11 players on both teams took a penalty.

A competitve first half ended scoreless and it was midfielder Anthony Carrabotta who broke the deadlock after 65 minutes when Daniel Cano laid it on to the right for the midfielder to slot home to the far corner for his second goal of the season. 

The Shamrocks controlled the game from there but a late equalizer from the Ukrainians set up a tense penalty shoot out. 

All 11 players on both teams stepped up and it fell to Michael Kumaresan to win it in sudden death. 

  
The reserves team which overcame the Ukrainians at McCarren Park. Pictured back row from left to right, Eddie Gilmartin, Brian Wolohan, Nick Meola, Colum McComish, Neil Mannion, Issac Hidalgo, Emeka Ike, Anthony Carrabotta, Mike Murphy, Dan Meola, Paul McDaid, Stevie Doyle. Front row left to right, Andy Connolly, John Riordan, Ryan McKinley, Glen Wrafter, Cathal Monaghan Michael Kumaresan, Braden Ruddy, Kevin Farrell, Daniel Cano. Picture courtesy of Dayana Hidalgo.

“It was exactly what we deserved,” said coach Stevie Doyle. “I felt we controlled the game and all of our players put in a huge effort. We can look forward now to a final and try to win some silverware. We’ll train hard this week and prepare the right way.” 

The details of the final are to be confirmed.

Semi-final showdown for The Rocks

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It’s play-offs time for the Shamrocks!

The Shamrocks Over 30s will be in action Sunday morning in their Division 1 semi-final.

Central Park Rangers Old Boys will be the opponents at Randall’s Island 75 – kick-off 8am.

over 30s

The Rocks will be trying to set up a first final in three years for the club after Paddy Mc Carry and Sean Mc Mullan masterminded the Over 30s title victory in 2012.

The Over 30s have only been beaten once all season in the league and have rolled through the spring undefeated on their way to easily securing the East.

Mc Carry has a full squad to choose from on Sunday after last weekend’s 5-1 win over CPR Grays and will be looking to his big scoring strike partnership of Tayfun Gokmen and Sean Riley to secure passage to the May 31 decider.

“We’re taking it one game at a time and not thinking beyond Sunday morning,” said Mc Carry.

“I’m very proud of the lads. We’ve had 14 wins and we’ve worked hard for each and every one of them. But it will count for nothing unless we can push on to the final so we’re very much focused on Sunday.”

Pablo Graham and Eugene “Bingo” O’Drsicoll are both carrying knocks but should start at the back on Sunday.

“It’s going to be a hard hitting game of football just like the league game but our defense has been excellent all year,” added Mc Carry “If our front men are on their game we just proceed to final but it won’t be an easy game.”

Rocks promoted to Division 1

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CSL Division 2
NY Shamrocks 3 NYPD 2
CSL Division 2 – Reserves
NY Shamrocks 2 NYPD 3
CSL Over 30s – Division 1 East
NY Shamrocks 1 CPR Legends 0

The New York Shamrocks have been promoted back to the top division in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League after a 3-2 win against NYPD in Queens on Sunday.

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Glen Wrafter has guided the Rocks back to the big time and it was no coincidence that the club’s top scorer Mohamed Fofana opened the account at St Michaels after just 10 minutes.

Michael McGreevy added a second on thirty minutes but NYPD clawed one back right on the stroke of half-time to make it 2-1 in the hosts’ favor.

English striker James Hudson made it 3-1 to the Rocks but NYPD kept battling and pulled one back through a free kick which was struck low and hard from thirty yards out.

When the Ukrainians slipped up and 3-3 against Supreme, the Rocks were promoted as at least the second placed team in Division 2. They move level on points with top side Polonia who have two games remaining. The Rocks will round out their season this Sunday against the Ukrainians at McCarren Park at 2pm.

In the curtain raiser at St Michael’s at the weekend, the reserves lost in cruel fashion against NYPD, their 3-2 defeat meaning they now need a miracle to win the title.

Once again Stevie Doyle’s men took the lead in a pulsating tie – this time Jimmy Wong was on target with a well placed opener that gave the Rocks a deserved lead after 20 minutes.

It did not take NYPD long to level matters after an excellent through ball split the Rocks defense open and was latched onto by NYPD’s striker. His shot cannoned of the onrushing Rocks keeper and was slotted home from long range by a supporting forward.

1-1 at half-time, NYPD dominated possession in the second half for the most part with Rocks looking dangerous on the break.

After  sixty minutes, NYPD’s pressure bore fruit when some neat play down their right wing resulted in a cut back which was finished from close range.

Rocks rallied and got the equalizer 15 minutes later when substitute Eoin Lynagh delivered a delightful cross which Jimmy Wong headed home from close range.

NYPD Reserves got the winner two minutes later. They broke down their left and swung a hopeful ball into the box, which the Rocks defense failed to deal with. 

The ball was knocked back across the box, ricocheted off the Rocks goalkeeper, came off the crossbar and into the path of an NYPD player who had the easy task of tapping home from a yard out.

A desperately disappointing result for Steve Doyle’s men who fought hard throughout and most now hope NYPD can drop points in each of their next two games to keep the fading title dream alive.

Meanwhile, the Over 30s won 1-0 against Central Park Rangers Old Boys in a dress rehearsal for the semis. Danny Parkin was once again on the mark – a 25-yard rocket but is there any other sort of goal he scores?

Reserves face NYPD in league decider 

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A late game Thursday night in Randall’s Island ended in a 1-1 draw for the first team in what was a make-up league tie against CD Iberia. 

While it means Glen Wrafter’s men will lose further ground in the chase for a league title, Sunday’s home game against NYPD offers the Rocks a perfect opportunity to get back to winning ways in CSL Division 2 as the hunt for promotion continues. 

Michael McGreevy gave the Rocks a deserved first half lead Thursday night but against the run of play Iberia drew level in the second half. 

The game was well contested and entertaining after that and both sides had chances to clinch all three points. 

Sunday now represents the biggest day of the year for the club. 

Quite simply, the Reserves must beat NYPD in order to get one hand on the league trophy. 

The two teams played out a 2-2 draw back in November but with Dave Harvey back in the line-up, the Rocks are confident of getting the much needed victory. 

The reserves game kicks off at 1pm at St Michael’s while the first team game starts at 3pm. 

The Over 30s will be in action at 8am on Sunday morning at Randall’s Island 74 when they will meet their semi-final opponents CPR Old Boys in what will be nothing more than a dress rehearsal for the big game on May 17. 

The women’s team will be in action too – an 11am game at East River Park against Manhattan Kickers on Sunday.