The Rocks went clear at the top of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League Division 2 with their third home win of the season.

The Rocks were 1-0 up after five minutes when outstanding wing play from Brendan Lane saw him beat a couple of defenders down the left flank and square a teasing cross which striker Antonio Rebello dispatched first time from six yards out.

Hossam ‘Sammy’ Mohamed added a second with a fine shot from distance after 15 mins, again the cross supplied by Lane.

Doxa pulled one back after 35 mins when their impressive center forward volleyed in from 20 yards with a fine finish.

Rocks defender Kyler Scheid restored Shamrocks advantage with a thunderous diving header from a corner.

Into the second half and Rocks were in control until Scheid inadvertently volleyed into his own net but Mike Stone spared Scheid’s blushes by slotting home immediately after the kick-off, cutting in from the left wing and finishing neatly into the bottom right hand corner.

Antonio Rebello (70 mins) and Mike Stone (75 mins) completed their respective braces to round out a fine performance.

CD Iberia who entered the weekend level on points with the Rocks were beaten 2-0 by Hoboken.

Meanwhile, the reserves drew 0-0 but were extremely unlucky not to have secured three points as they dominated Doxa reserves throughout.

Reserves attack was impressive with fine performances from Dave Harvey, Michael McCreevy, Sean McMullan, Keith Cagney, and Conor Bradley.

Goalkeeper, Neil Khalid Salim made some fine second half saves to register the clean sheet for Rocks.

The next game for the first team and reserves is this coming Saturday (October 12) at Octagon Soccer Field, Roosevelt Island where they’ll take on New Amsterdam United FC (6pm/8pm).

On Sunday evening, the Over 30s lost 5-2 at Manhattan Celtic Legends despite a battling first half performance which left the team’s tied at 1-1.

Tomas Maher had the Rocks in the lead midway through that opening half, a fine finish from inside the box. But Manhattan turned it around with their dominant midfield and strong strikeforce, cruising into a 4-1 lead which was pulled back to 4-2 by Alex Berne.

Another tough tie awaits this evening at Randall’s Island Field 74 where Barnstonworth Premier will host Paddy Mc Carry’s men at 6pm.

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.