• 12th win in a row earns Women final appearance
• Celtic hold Rocks in Irish Derby stalemate
• Marth Cup champs exit at semi-final stage
• Legends survive Doxa scare

A second Shamrocks team has reached the June 4 State Cup finals after a convincing 4-0 rout of Beyond sent the women through to their decider and kept alive the possibility of a phenomenal treble.

Georgia Frost was on the mark twice during Sunday’s semi-final at East 6th St while there were also goals from Sharon Odofin and captain Teresa Ferraro as Paddy Geraghty’s team extended their unbeaten run to an incredible 25 games.

“I’m very happy with the desire and work rate,” said Paddy Geraghty.

“The ladies took it very seriously and played all 90 minutes with high intensity. We still have a lot of work to do but we have set ourselves up with two cup finals and a chance to clinch the league next Sunday.

“We also had great support today from the Women’s B team as well as the Men’s teams. It makes a huge difference and it’s great to see the club come together like that.”

Left back Dan Giorgi scored his first ever goal for the Shamrocks in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Manhattan Celtic. Picture by Dennis Schneidler

Meanwhile, the first team moved to within a point of leaders Lansdowne in spite of a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Manhattan Celtic at St Michaels on Saturday night.

Battling against relegation, Celtic took an early lead after a defensive mix up but ever present left back Dan Giorgi notched his first ever goal for the club with a second half cross that crept in high at the back post

Reigning champions Lansdowne were overturned at home by Cedar Stars, allowing Kevin Grogan’s men to narrow the gap at the top ahead of next Sunday’s tricky trip to take on the Greek Americans.

“We got to give valuable minutes to players,” said Grogan.

“It’s important that all squad players have minutes under there belts before the play-offs and State Cup final. Manhattan Celtic were hard to break down as they had two solid banks of four and five defensively.

“At times we needed a small bit more imagination in the final third. I can’t complain about our work ethic. That was excellent as always. A point is a point. We regroup and move on.”

In the opener, a play-off semi-final was secured by the reserves for whom Seán O’Neill, George Lara and captain Paul McDaid were on the mark.

The Shamrocks Reserves defensive duo of goalkeeper Kieran McGovern (left) and center back Joe Kennedy helped their team to a shut out 3-0 win at home to Manhattan Celtic in Saturday’s Cosmopolitan Soccer League Division 1 game at St Michaels. Picture by John Riordan

“Two wins in a row sets us up nicely for Wednesday’s State Cup semi-final ,” said John Riordan. “I wanted us to get through this game without incident so I’m glad we achieved that. The focus is entirely on Lansdowne away now. The boys are looking forward to it.”

The defending Marth Cup champions were knocked out by Germania in Poughkeepsie, Paddy Mc Carry’s men relinquishing a 1-0 lead which was gained by Johnny McGeeney and ultimately losing 3-1 against the impressive hosts in an incident packed game.

“Today’s loss is hard to take,” said Paddy Mc Carry.

“But I can’t take anything away from my players. They put in a huge effort and on another day the result could have been different.

“We went one up through a great strike from Johnny McGeeney to the bottom corner. I strongly feel their first goal should not have stood – the ball clearly was over the sideline and we did not get the call but that happens in football.

“We then missed a penalty – the keeper made a great save but he conceded the penalty when he brought down Riley and he was the last man so he should have been sent off. The referee only booked him.

“This turned the whole came their way. The third goal was a brilliant goal. We have no complaints – they have some fantastic players and they are definitely the best Over 30 side I have ever faced in my eight years.”

Three generations of the Burns family enjoying the action at St Michaels on Saturday night. Chris Jr watched his father help keep a clean sheet in a 3-0 win for the reserves. Picture by John Riordan

The Shamrocks Legends ended up 4 2 winners against Doxa thanks to strikes by Marcus Nascimento (two), Eoghan McParland and player-gaffer Emmett Harvey .

A first half full of defensive indecision combined with three brilliant saves by Joe Connolly led to the Legends trailing 2-1 at half-time. A stern talk from the coaches and the introduction of Justin Stanford to a flat back four steadied the defense.

Ultimately the appearance of coach Harvey with 30 mins left lifted the team to score three without reply and he stepped up himself to score the decider against a tiring Doxa.

“At the end of the day, three points is three points but the team can’t afford a similar poor start next week against a good Eintracht side,” said assistant coach Eoin Sweeney.

In Metro 1, Shamrocks 1960 lost 4-2 to Mola, Robbie Kenneary and Danny Meola with the goals.

• Tough cup trip for Over 30s to Poughkeepsie
• Beyond stand in way as Rocks Women target June final
• Irish Derby in Division 1 as Celtic visit St Michaels
• Legends bid to keep winning run going

The Marth Cup champions will face their stiffest test yet in the defense of their crown when Paddy Mc Carry takes the Shamrocks Over 30s to Poughkeepsie on Sunday for a clash with top EDSL side, Germania.
The Over 30 Division champions are close to clinching a play-off semi-final but a win on Sunday would keep alive the dream of a second league and Cup double in a row.

Germania’s 5-0 win over Washingtonville in the quarters is a sign of their intent but the Rocks have been equally dominant during their march to the last four.

“Sunday’s game is without a shadow of a doubt our biggest game since last year’s State Cup final,” said Mc Carry.

“It’s a long trip up to Poughkeepsie and they are an excellent team. It won’t be an easy game but we are defending State champs and we want that trophy back. My boys will be ready come Sunday morning.

“We will travel up there with a really strong squad of 17 players. We will be missing Peter Hatzer which is a massive blow to us because he is the best left back in the Over 30s division. Big games call for big players and I have a squad full of them. We are really looking forward to Sunday.”

Another equally important showdown follows later Sunday when Beyond FC host the Shamrocks in the Women’s State Cup semi-final (East 6th St – 3pm).

Paddy Getaghty’s undefeated team can extend that impressive run in the best way possible

“A big game for us with a chance to make a State Cup final,” said Paddy Geraghty.

“We have a good squad to choose from and the ladies are looking forward to it. If we play well, we have enough quality players to get a good result.”

Meanwhile, Saturday brings the first team back to St Michaels for the first time in 2017 when Manhattan Celtic (visit the Queens venue for what should be an exciting Irish Derby (St Michaels – 8pm).

In spite of the fact that the Shamrocks have guaranteed themselves a top three finish in the Division 1 standings, coach Kevin Grogan has no interest in letting up and has targeted a win against relegation threatened Celtic.

“Winning is a habit and complacency is a disease,” he noted. “It’s important we keep trying to win and keep the momentum going. That’s why Saturday is such an important game for us.”

The Shamrocks Reserves can secure a play-off semi-final berth if they win Saturday’s 6pm opener after their 3-2 victory over Zum Schneider last night at Randall’s Island.

Darren Coleman was on the scoresheet twice in the first half after fellow top scorer Sean O’Neill opened the action with a first minute header.

John Riordan’s depleted side was hit by three second half injuries and Zum battled back with two late goals that made for a frantic finish.

“We made it tough for ourselves but we’ll take the win,” said Riordan.

“We know now that a win on Saturday will lock up fourth spot which has been our aim all season. We have a growing injury list so we will need to be utilizing our deep squad.

“Our thoughts are especially with Johnny Hayes who found out Friday that he broke his foot. It’s terrible luck for him because he had really taken his chance to shine when an opportunity came for him at center midfield. We wish him a quick recovery.”

In the other Sunday games, there will be a Legends / 1960 double header at St Michaels with Doxa’s Over 37s visiting for a 1pm kick off and struggling Metro 1 outfit Mola arriving for a 3pm appointment.

The Shamrocks Legends will look to add to their winning form and keep the pressure on leaders Manhattan Kickers and Gjoa as the regular season heads towards its culmination.

“This game against Doxa will be another challenge for us,” said player-coach Emmett Harvey.

“We know that if our lads play the way we have been playing, then it should be enjoyable and hopefully we get the right result.

“Although we are missing a few starters in John Riordain ,Brendan Donahue and Keith Buckley we have a strong squad to choose from and I know guys are ready to step up.”

And Shamrocks 1960’s game against Mola is a chance to get back to winning ways after last week’s draw at home to Lansdowne.

“We lost a couple more players to injury in Hughie and Ryan but we’ll have a strong starting eleven,” said Neil Mannion. “The gaffer might even get a run out!”

• One more win needed for Rocks Women
• First team back on top of Division 1
• Over 30s take over conference lead
• Legends fire five past Kickers
• Honors even at Metro 1 Irish Derby

Three Shamrocks teams are on top of the league this morning thanks to well earned victories on a busy Sunday for the club.

Rocks Women captain Teresa Ferraro led by example with her eighth goal of the season and Georgia Frost scored a stylish headed winner in a hard fought 2-1 win over Metro Women’s League Division A champions CPR White in what was effectively a title decider at East River Park in Manhattan.

Paddy Geraghty’s are now eight points ahead of second placed CPR with just three games left to play and they can finish the task in two weeks after a break from league action for next Sunday’s State Cup semi-final.

“We were average today if we are honest,” admitted Geraghty.

“The positive side is we battled hard and and took our chances at the right time. We are now one win away from the league title so we will work on getting better at training and be ready for a huge State Cup semi-final next week.”

Meanwhile, the first team returned to the top of CSL Division 1 with a hard fought a 3-1 at Doxa in New Rochelle late on Sunday night.

Kwesi Mills-Odoi won and converted his own penalty after he was taken down with 15 minutes on the clock but Doxa battled back and leveled it just before the break

Goalscorer Stuart Colbert

Both teams struggled to gain a foothold in the second half and it took a surging run from center back Stuart Colbert who broke through and finished low and hard after a one-two with Andy O’Connell to regain the lead. Charlie O’Loughlin wrapped it up with a bullet header after 80 minutes, a superb Alejandro Fritz cross setting up the defender turned striker for his second goal in two games.

“Scratchy game and a scratchy performance but a win is a win,” said Kevin Grogan. “A big goal from Stu when we needed it. Lert came on and excited for us. We learn every game.”

The curtain raiser ended in a tough 2-1 loss for the reserves with Doxa scoring against the run of play at the end of both halves to deny John Riordan’s team a result. Darren Coleman finished well from a Joey Aronovsky cross to make it 1-1 but the visitors could not manage a second and Doxa’s winner arrived from a break in injury time.

“We were very unlucky,” said John Riordan. “They scored their first against the run of play and we dominated the second half. We’ll regroup for Thursday night – huge week of games coming up in the league and State Cup.”

Elsewhere, Shamrocks Over 30s are a step closer to securing a play-off semi-final after their 4-0 win at Hoboken combined with a stalemate between their closest rivals ensured Paddy Mc Carry’s men are now two points clear at the top of their conference.

Johnny Keogh, Tayfun Gokmen (free kick), Nei de Oliveira and Leo Coimbra all scored to ensure an important win ahead of next weekend’s trip to Germania in Poughkeepsie for the State Cup semi-final.

“It was a very poor first half showing by us but we got in at half-time, said a few words, made a couple of changes and ran out easy winners in the end,” said Paddy Mc Carry.

“Our man of the match was Domnick Mc Cartan at center back. With Celtic drawing, we are now top of the conference and it’s ours to lose. Happy with the win and the clean sheet. Focus now turns to the State Cup semi-final.”

At St Michaels, just ahead of his 40th birthday, club stalwart Donal ‘Ducky’ Kelly scored his third goal in three games in a thrilling 5-2 win for the Shamrocks Legends over conference rivals Manhattan Kickers.

The Shamrocks Legends team that beat Manhattan Kickers 5-2 at St Michaels on Sunday.

Ducky pounced to make it 2-0 after Marcus Nascimento’s brilliant opener in a result that blew the play-off chase wide open for Emmett Harvey’s men.

An impressive Kickers side deservedly make it 2-1 but Karol Hughes finished a close range free kick earned after a brilliant Eoghan McParland run through the center. Hughes’ excellent finish stretched the lead to three before Kickers narrowed it again but the Legends were comfortable in the end. Paddy Geraghty’s brilliant free kick in injury time pushed the home side’s goal difference up a little.

“On the back of a really good win against Gjoa, we knew going into this game against Manhattan Kickers what was at stake,” said Emmett Harvey.

“We dominated the game for the most part and we played some lovely football. Every player played their part and gave 100% and it’s hard to single out any player but Kevin Mc Partland rolled back the years and was outstanding in goals.

“We will enjoy this win and then our focus is on our next game against Doxa. Some really well taken goals by Karol Hughes, Ducky, Marcus and a beautiful free kick from Paddy Geraghty.”

In the second game at the Queens venue, Shamrocks 1960 drew 1-1 with Lansdowne in their Metro 1 Irish Derby which heralded Dubliner Shane Homan’s first goal for the club. The hosts conceded 10 minutes into the second half from a Lansdowne thunderbolt.

The Shamrocks 1960 team that took on Lansdowne at St Michaels on Sunday.

“We were unlucky not to snatch it at the end,” said Neil Mannion. “Credit to our man of the match Ruairi Lavery..”

In the first game of the day, Paige Osborne’s opening goal was not enough as NY Skulls came back to beat Shamrocks B 2-1.

The Shamrocks Women B team that took on NY Skulls at Randalls Island on Sunday.

• Coach Grogan lauds “amazing night” for club
• O’Loughlin’s winner sets up semi-final berth
• Over 30s & reserves continue play-off push
• Legends host Kickers in crucial clash
• Rocks Women and Whites set for title showdown

The Shamrocks are headed to the CSL Division 1 play-offs!

Almost a year after avoiding relegation to the second tier and in just the second season of our long awaited return to the top flight, a well earned 1-0 win over Zum Schneider means the Rocks will finish no lower than fourth with five games still to play.

Charlie O’Loughlin made a scoring return to action after the big defender was sprung from the bench in the second half for an attacking role which would ultimately prove crucial.

Goal hero Charlie O’Loughlin

The match winner arrived on the hour mark courtesy of a one-two between O’Loughlin and right back Laurie Child whose low return pass was converted from close range at the second attempt.

This weather-postponed make-up home game was dominated by the Rocks but Zum held out for 60 tense minutes in spite of great chances for Kwesi Mills-Odoi, Alex Wasilewski and Giuseppe Barone.

The away team were reduced to ten men late in the second half and although Kevin Grogan’s men couldn’t manage a second goal, there was never any doubt of securing this historic win.

“Amazing night for the club,” said Grogan afterwards.

“We have a guaranteed play-off game as well as a State Cup final in June. It was very much a club effort and let’s not forget the great work Glen Wrafter put in to get the Shamrocks back to the top division. His players did a great job to achieve that.

“I made some tough decisions along the way regarding squad selection and recruitment policy but I always made what I felt were the best decisions for the long term success of the club.

“Everyone has played their part. Stephen Doyle has been a key element in our success this season. A quality person to have alongside me.

Rocks assistant coach Stevie Doyle speaks to the players after Thursday’s crucial 1-0 win over Zum Schneider in the CSL Division 1 game at Randall’s Island. Picture: John Riordan

ON TO DOXA FOR FIRSTS AND RESERVES

The second-placed Rocks now head to Westchester on Sunday evening for what should be a tricky clash with struggling Greek outfit Doxa (Skidelsky Field – 8pm).

The newly promoted side have been dragged into a relegation battle after three defeats in a row since the restart of the season but will present a dogged challenge to Grogan’s men who are now looking to finish as high as possible before June’s semi-final.

Indeed, with Lansdowne traveling to Massachusetts for a Fricker National Cup quarter-final, the Shamrocks can even regain top spot with a win.

Meanwhile, the reserves have two games in five days that should all but secure play-off qualification in their own campaign for the post-season.

First up is Doxa whose seconds are finding life tough in the top flight, winless in the league since October. A slender 1-0 victory was earned by the Shamrocks in November’s home game but coach John Riordan is wary of the trip to New Rochelle (Skidelsky Field – 6pm).

“It’s a difficult game from all points of view,” Riordan noted. “We’re missing a couple of key players and it’s obviously a tough journey for our fellas on a Sunday evening. But this is the first of four very important games for us between now and the first weekend in May so we need to accept all these challenges.”

OVER 30s CONTINUE PLAY-OFF PUSH

Earlier on Sunday, the depleted Over 30s champions will travel to Hoboken as they attempt to take one step closer to the play-offs (Laurel Hill Park – 2pm).

“We’ll be going into Sunday looking for another three points,” said Paddy Mc Carry.

“Hoboken away is always a tricky fixture. We are missing quite a few big players so this makes the task even harder. We will be without Sean Mc Mullan, Bingo O’Driscoll, Pat Kelly, Lonan Maguire, Paddy Geraghty and our leading goal scorer Johnny Mc Geeney.

“But we are boosted by the return of Johhny Keogh, Sean Riley and Tomas Maher. We have an extremely strong squad and that will be tested Sunday. It gives squad players the chance to step up.”

IRISH DERBY FOR 1960

The long awaited Metro 1 Irish Derby sees Shamrocks 1960 host Lansdowne at St Michaels with a 3pm kick-off, the second of two games at our Queens hub.

“It’s now about trying to finish as high up the league as possible and representing the jersey with the pride and passion it deserves,” said player assistant coach Neil Mannion.

“That starts with an Irish Derby which shouldn’t take much motivation to get up for!”

LEGENDS BID TO CURTAIL KICKERS

The curtain raiser will be a vital one for the in-form Shamrocks Legends whose winning start to Spring has set up an exciting play-off push.

Emmett Harvey’s men will host first-placed Manhattan Kickers at 1pm needing a win to stay alive and also knowing that achieving victory will push the Rocks to within three points of the pace setters with three games to play.

“On the back of two really good wins, we are heading into this one with confidence and belief that if we play well, then we can get a good result,” said player-coach Harvey.

“Manhattan Kickers and SC Gjoa are the favorites for the title so we are under no pressure. We have a large but very strong squad to choose from and I know that every player will give 100% to the team. We are taking each game as it comes and we are looking forward to this fixture.”

WOMEN’S TITLE SHOWDOWN

Meanwhile, in the Metro Women’s League, it’s first against second as Division A champions CPR White host Division B holders Shamrocks at East 6th St (kick off 11am).

This is a must-win for the hosts but the target for Paddy Geraghty is to move his team one step closer to clinching the title.

“We have a tough game on Sunday against our closest rivals,” he noted. “We have a strong squad coming off a good training session on Tuesday so hopefully that will translate into a good performance.”

Sunday will begin early for the club when NY Skulls welcome Shamrocks B to Randalls Island 82 for a 9am appointment.

“We’re looking to get back to winnings ways,” said coach Keith Perez.

“The last game was a tough loss and it meant we missed out on a chance to take control of the league. Despite that result, our mission remains the same as we need to win out the remaining games. We have a short roster this weekend so our heart and determination will be tested but I expect the ladies to step up and bring back a favorable result.”