A weakened Shamrocks first team secured a vital point away to Iberia on Sunday in a tight top-of-the-table Division 2 clash at Randall’s Island.

With half a dozen key players injured or out of town, this was always going to be a struggle and yet the Rocks were full value for their 1-0 half-time lead, a fine solo effort from left winger Joey Aronovsky.

But a strong Iberia outfit, newly returned to the Cosmopolitan Soccer League, scored a deserved equaliser with just over a half an hour to go.

In tough conditions, the Rocks ground it out for the remainder of the game, ultimately securing a draw which keeps them top of the league after four games, boasting a superior goal difference to Iberia.

The reserves, meanwhile, needed two penalties to share the spoils with their ill-disciplined opponents, the Iberia reserves.

Michael McGreevey scored both, the first of which had the Rocks ahead midway through the first half. But Iberia leveled it before the break and went ahead not long into the second half.

Shamrocks never gave up though and were rewarded for a stubborn period of pressure when Ryan McKinley was taken down in the area in injury time.

In the first of three games at the same field on Sunday, the Over 30s were held 3-3 by NY Dinamo

Benny Ljuta scored twice, his second an absolute cracker from 30 yards out while fellow striker Tayfun Gokmen set up both John Riordan’s opener and Ljuta’s first half tap-in.

It was Paddy Mc Carry’s team’s first point of the season and should set up a nice platform for a vital game away to Manhattan Celtic Legends at Pier 40 on Sunday evening (7.30pm).

The Rocks firsts and reserves are back at Roosevelt Island on Saturday evening with games against Doxa FC which kick off at 6pm and 8pm.

The Shamrocks remain top of CSL Division 2 after extending their perfect record with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Hoboken.

Glen Wrafter’s side were impressive at Randall’s Island on Sunday afternoon in spite of having a player sent off in the first half.

Brendan Lane opened the scoring midway the first half and Mike Stone extended the lead temporarily. Hoboken pulled one back from the penalty spot but Tom Settle, in his first game of the season, responded with a penalty of his own in the second half, securing the victory for the home side.

The reserves got their first win of the season thanks to a brace from Michael McGreevey. Hoboken brought the game level in the second half but the Rocks deservedly got the winner after good work from Sean Mc Mullan and Kevin Curran on the left.

Earlier on Sunday, the Over 30s lost their second game of the season, going down 4-2 to Manhattan Kickers at Randall’s Island.

Alex Berne scored from outside the box early in the game and Tayfun Gokmen made it 2-1 before half-time. But Kickers battled back to secure the points while the Rocks were unlucky not to level it at 3-3 after a missed Gokmen penalty.

After a busy summer recruiting, the Shamrocks first team got off to the perfect start with a 5-0 win over FC Japan at Roosevelt Island on Saturday night.

Coach Glen Wrafter added a number of new players to the revamped squad, some of whom made their debuts in a win that sees the Rocks head into the second weekend in third place.

James (Scouse) Wright started in goal having made the move from Lansdowne Bhoys. Larry Slaughter, another new recruit started at right back and both wings were also debutants, Brendan Lane and Mike Stone (who put in a man of the match performance). Mitch Jones, also making his first start to the Rocks put in an impressive shift and was unlucky not to get on the score sheet. Antonio Rebello, who recently moved from Brazil played as the lone striker.

Rocks went ahead after 20 mins with a volley from Mike Stone. Antonio Rebello added the second with a fine low drive from 25 yards after 30 mins. Brendan Lane netted the third finishing neatly after an impressive dribble after 35 mins.

Rock’s captain Shane Moore netted the fourth after 40 mins and was unlucky not to add a second when a drive from 25 yards hit the post. Antonio Rebello rounded off the scoring after 60 mins.

“All in all a good start to the season,” said Wrafter. “Next game will be away to NY Ukrainians and with Hoboken and CD Iberia all to come, September could define our season.”

New reserves coach Stevie Doyle watched his reserves draw 2-2 in a tough encounter that saw the home side battle back from a 1-0 deficit.

Captain Ruairi Lavery’s headed equalizer from a Conor Bradley corner was well earned while a fine finish from Pól O’Kane put the Rocks ahead until a late Japan free brought the visitors level against the run of play.

The new season is finally upon us and after a busy summer of preparation, the NY Shamrocks will launch their league campaign with a set of home games against Japan on Saturday evening at Roosevelt Island (6pm and 8pm).

The Rocks will have the privilege of providing the curtain raiser to the Cosmopolitan Soccer League Division Two campaign which welcomes a few new teams including CD Iberia and Dova FC.

First team boss Glen Wrafter has reinvigorated his talented squad with a few impressive new signings including left sided player Brendan Lane, Queens striker George Despotopoulos, Liverpool born goalkeeper James Wright and Brazilian center forward Antonio Rebello.

He is also boosted by the return of Tom Settle and Sean Riley while managing to retain most of last year’s squad.

“We were desperately disappointed last season after missing out on promotion to CSL Division I by six points and losing in the League Cup semi-final,” admits Wrafter.

“Having strengthened the squad over the summer we hope to hit the ground running but with games against NY Ukrainians, Hoboken and CD Iberia in September, it will be tough.

“That being said there is an air of optimism in the club and hopefully come October we will be in a good position.”

The reserves begin their season at 6pm with new coach Stevie Doyle making his managerial debut for the Rocks.

Doyle retired from playing after the Over 30s ended their season in May and immediately set his sights on coaching by taking a course in Boston.

He has also added some impressive new blood to the ranks with Belfast native Michael McGreevey and Dubliner Johnny Hayes adding some energy to a midfield which is also bolstered by the skills of Kevin Curran.

Cork’s Richard Bambury is also shaping up to be a solid addition to the back line while the return of Dave Harvey could yet prove a key development for the long challenge ahead.

“I’m very excited for the start of the season,” said Doyle this week. “The managment and players have put in a great effort in pre-season and with FC Japan coming up this Saturday, we’re hoping to get started with a good positive win.”

With a new committee in place, getting ready in time for the new season was always going to be a challenge but our hugely supportive sponsors at the Courtyard Ale House and GTI Trucking have made the transition as smooth as possible.

A major club fundraiser takes place this coming Sunday when the first ever Rocks golf outing takes place in Pelham Bay/Split Rock golf clubs. The support for this has been good but we need more. Contact nyshamrocksc@gmail.com for more information.

Up the Rocks! Enjoy the season.

The Shamrocks players of the year were announced at the Courtyard Ale House this past weekend.

First team player of the year was Shane Moore while the Reserves award went to captain and centre back Ruairi Lavery. Eugene Gormley was given the nod for the Over 30s.

Pictured above are first team coach Glen Wrafter, club treasurer Sean Keogh, Reserves Player of the Year and team captain Ruairi Lavery, Over 30s Player of the Year Eugene Gormley, Courtyard Ale House owner and club sponsor Pat Burke and Shamrocks club president Kevin McPartland.

Thanks to Pat and everyone at the Courtyard for all their support this year.

Following a spirited 2-1 win against Grenadier Zenith in the quarter-finals, the Shamrocks first team will face NYAC Reserves in Travers Island this Sunday at 10am.

The Rocks recently finished their league campaign on a high note with an impressive 6-1 victory at NYPD while this weekend’s opponents suffered their first loss of the season on the same day against Manhattan Celtic Reserves.

“It’s a big game for us following the disappointment of missing out on promotion from the second division,” said coach Glen Wrafter.

“NYAC Reserves will be looking for something to show for their excellent season and it’s up to us to make sure we have something to show for ours.”

The winner of Sunday’s semi-final will have their work cut out for them with CPR Whites awaiting in the final which is scheduled for Sunday June 9.

“We’d love the opportunity to measure our progress against CPR Whites, who have had an excellent season finishing third in CSL First Division West,” added Wrafter.

It was a bad day at the office for the Shamrocks first team on Sunday.

After a bright start Rocks conceded an early goal when Stal Mielec’s right winger jinked past a couple of tackles and crossed neatly for Mielec’s centre forward to volley home from close range.

Rocks got back into the game and dominated the remainder of the second half. Paul McDaid got the equaliser after 35 mins following a neat move down the right which resulted in an inviting cross which McDaid headed home from close range.Rock’s midfielder Sean Steed, who was dominating the midfield, was replaced five minutes before the interval, after suffering a back injury and things went down hill for the Rocks from that point on.

Stal Mielec made it 2-1 five minutes before the interval with a perfectly executed free kick from 25 yards out. The first of three fine finishes on the day for the home team.

Into the second half and Rocks hinted that they may get back into the game with some neat football.

However, Stal Mielec made it 3-1 after 60 mins when Rocks’ keeper Robbie O’Neill sprinted off his line to clear a through ball which ricocheted cruelly off the on-rushing Mielec attacker and into the empty net.

That being said there was nothing fortuitous about the home team’s final two goals. A beautiful volley from twelve yards out from Mielec’s striker followed by a deft chip from twenty five yards out from the home team’s centre midfielder.

“As difficult as it can be, sometimes you have to admire such clinical finishing from the opposing team,” said coach Glen Wrafter.

“The scoreline did not reflect the game but then again I would say that.”

Meanwhile, in the earlier game, the Reserves were held to a 1-1 draw despite a battling performance from the visitors.

Sean Mc Mullan’s left-footed piledriver to the top corner of the net equalised an earlier headed goal which gave the hosts the lead.

The Rocks had chances to take the lead and a decent penalty shout to go with it but it was not to be and now they must hope to win their three remaining games to finish in the top two.

Earlier on Sunday morning, the Over 30s were beaten 4-3 by Manhattan Kickers Premier in a game that was ruined by the referee and saw Paddy Mc Carry’s team go down to nine men when they were 4-1 down.

The Rocks battled back to 4-3 with goals from Mike Bishop, Karol Hughes (penalty) and Eugene O’Driscoll.

They now need a win on Sunday morning to assure their safety in the top flight.

NY Shamrock SC First Team advanced to the semi-final of the League Cup on Sunday following a 2-1 win against Grenadier Zenith at McCarren Park.

After a scrappy start to the game, the vistiors settled and took the lead after 35 mins when captain Pablo Graham, back from an eight-game suspension, released Tom Settle down the right flank. Settle, making his debut for the Rocks first team, swung in an enticing cross which was met by the head of Sean Riley.

Rocks went two up after 60 mins when Sammy Mohamed blasted the ball into the top corner following a neat move down the left.

“Not a game for the purists,” admitted coach Glen Wrafter. “But it’s nice to get into the semi-final. We’re back to focusing on the league promotion race next week and this will be a nice way to get the confidence up for that.”

Next week is shaping up to be the most important game of the season when Wrafter’s men take on third-placed Stal Mielec at McCarren Park on Sunday at 2pm. A win will put the Rocks ahead of Mielec having played the same number of games.

Meanwhile, the Rocks Over 30s secured a vital home win in their battle to avoid relegation from the First Division when they beat Guyana 2-0 courtesy of a brace from Eugene Gormley.

Despite battling performances by all three Shamrocks teams this past weekend, two unlucky defeats and a last-gasp draw were the sum totals of a disappointing couple of days on the pitch.

The first team were beaten 2-1 by Tesoro Brooklyn Kings at Octagon Soccer Field on Roosevelt Island Island on Saturday night, missing out on the chance to take advantage of NY UKrainians 1-1 draw with Manhattan Kickers on Sunday afternoon.

The Rocks dominated the early possession but it was Tesoro who took the lead after 20 minutes when the Shamrocks defense needlessly coughed up the ball on the right hand side. Tesoro’s striker #8 cut across three Shamrock SC defenders before fininshing neatly into the bottom left hand corner.

Joey Aronovsky scored the equalizer for the first team. (Courtesy Eoin Sweeney)

Shamrocks rallied and got the equaliser ten minutes before half-time. Paddy Geraghty floated a free kick into the box which missed everyone except Joey Aronovsky, who slotted home from close range. 

Shamrocks continued to dominate possession in the second half and created a number of guilt-edged opportunities. However, it was Tesoro who got the winner after 65 minutes. Again, Shamrocks were guilty of surrendering possession needlessly on their right hand side and Tesoro broke and punished with a neat move.

Shamrocks piled on the pressure but were unable to find a way past a stellar Tesoro defense.

“It was an extremely disappointing result,” said coach Glen Wrafter. “Although it was a fine performance with the home team enjoying the lion’s share of possession and clear cut chances.”

The result leaves fourth-placed Rocks four points behind second-placed NY Ukrainians with a game in hand while the fact that Stal Mielec (third) and NYPD (fifth) drew with each other was also somewhat of a consolation for Wrafter.

In the curtain-raiser at Roosevelt, the Shamrocks Reserves were held at home by Tesoro after an agonising equaliser arrived late in the game to deny the hosts what would have been a priceless victory.

The Rocks had held firm for the majority of the game against a talented, free-flowing outfit but looked dangerous in attack when they managed to put pressure on the fragile Tesoro back line.

Midway through the second half, a Tesoro handball gave Paul McDaid a chance from the spot and he rifled home with aplomb to the right hand corner.

But as time ran out, the pressure from the away side told off when a set piece at the edge of the box wasn’t cleared and the ball was knocked to the back of the net.

One of the major positives for the Rocks was the return of inspirational midfielder Keith Cagney while captain Ruairi Lavery and fellow center back Neil Mannion were once again rock solid in defense.

“It was a fair result overall,” said coach Robbie O’Neill who was once again a great presence between the posts. “But it was a shame the way it happened. To go three points ahead of them would have been massive but we still have a game in hand on them and we’ll go into next Saturday evening’s game against Japan with our confidence intact.”

On Sunday afternoon at Brooklyn Bridge Park, the Over 30s were beaten 3-2 by top-of-the-table Manhattan Celtic Legends in spite of a sterling comeback that saw the visitors reduce the deficit from 3-0 down.

The Shamrocks Over 30s side that took on Manhattan Celtic Legends. (Courtesy Eoin Sweeney)

The strong wind coming in off the river was the telling factor and two of Celtic’s three first half goals were helped along by the swirling gusts.

But just before half-time, after a corner was swung in from the left, John Riordan latched on to the breaking ball and slotted home from eight yards.

That sent the Rocks into the break with home and then about a quarter of an hour into the second half, Benny Ljuta’s deft touch sent Riordan running into space through the middle and he finished low to the corner.

The Rocks kept the pressure on the home side for the remainder of the game but could never find that all-important equalizer.

“I was very happy with the fight all the players had in the second half in very difficult conditions,” said coach Paddy Mc Carry. “I believe we deserved at least a point if not all three seeing as we had two stone-wall penalty appeals and got neither but we’ll just have to go again next week and try to pick up points quickly in the battle to stay up.”