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.”

Valuable points are on offer for the Rocks this weekend as the race for promotion from the Cosmopolitan Soccer League Division 2 begins to hot up.

The club will host Tesoro Brooklyn on Saturday night in Roosevelt Island with the first team kicking off at 8pm and the reserves curtain raiser starting at 6pm.

The first team’s exciting 2-1 victory last time out against NY Ukrainians came at a price and center back Rob Gaynor will serve a one-game suspension after the controversial red card which spurred the Rocks on to their comeback two weeks ago.

“We need a win to go level with NY Ukrainians and see how they get on against Manhattan Kickers on Sunday,” pointed out coach Glen Wrafter.

“If Manhattan Kickers beat them, we will be level on points with the Ukrainians with a game in hand. That being said, Tesoro will be no pushover. They have scored 17 goals in their last four games, losing only once to Kickers. We will have to put on another performance to pick up the three points.”

The reserves are confident after their 3-0 victory a fortnight ago and will have a strong squad to choose from with midfielder Keith Cagney the only doubt due to illness.

But Tesoro enjoyed a good win over Flank United two weeks ago and with both teams level on points, this game will be a true six-pointer after Tesoro edged the first game in Brooklyn after a controversial September clash.

“It was a great result two weeks ago which put us right back in the title chase,” said coach Robbie O’Neill. “It’s another big game this week against Tesoro. We’re hoping for another three points especially with the way we have improved squad over the winter.”

Meanwhile on Sunday afternoon, the Over 30s will look to bounce back from their 6-5 loss two weeks ago when they play Manhattan Celtic Legends in Brooklyn Bridge Park at 2pm.

“I’m missing alot of players and playing a team that’s top of the table,” admitted coach Paddy Mc Carry. “It wont be easy to get a result against them but we have got to try and get something because we need the points to avoid the drop.

In a stirring display on Saturday night in Roosevelt Island, the ten men of the Shamrocks first team came back from 1-0 down to beat NY Ukrainians courtesy of goals from Nikle Guzijan and Paddy Geraghty.

“To say I’m delighted with the result is an understatement,” said coach Glen Wrafter.

Paddy Geraghty knocked home the winner.

“I think the three points were well deserved given the training we have put in over the winter in some Baltic conditions on Roosevelt Island. The result puts us three points behind second place NY Ukrainians with a game in hand.”

The visitors took the lead against the run of play after 30 minutes with a sweeping move which cut open the Shamrocks defense.

Then after the hour mark, Shamrocks were dealt a blow when centre-half Rob Gaynor was sent off after a second bookable offense.

Nikle Guzijan scored a powerful header.

“Nobody, with the exception of the referee, could recall the first booking,” insisted Wrafter and Gaynor himself was unaware of how the mix-up occured.

But then thanks to some canny tactical changes by the Rocks sideline, the hosts took control and equalised after 70 mins through a header from Guzijan from a Joey Aronovsky corner.

“Joey Aronovsky terrorized the Ukrainian defense,” said Wrafter. “But special mention also to Shane Moore who kept the outstanding Ukrainians #10 very quiet all game and to goalkeeper Robbie O’Neill pulled off some fine saves to keep us in the game.”

Then, with ten minutes to go, Geraghty, Shamrocks captain on the night, smashed the ball into the net from close range, again from a Shamrock’s corner.

It was a memorable evening overall for O’Neill who guided the Reserves to an impressive 3-0 win in the curtain raiser. 

It was the Ukrainian Reserves first league defeat of the season and it helped the Rocks gain revenge on the league leaders for a heavy loss back in September. The win leaves them just a point behind them with a game in hand.

Returning after a knee operation, top scorer Sean Mc Mullan opened the scoring when his first half free kick took a deflection which gave the keeper no chance. Kevin Farrell ended a fine move with an excellent strike over the keeper midway through the second half to make it 2-0 before striker John McDonnell rounded out a great night with a lovely left foot finish to the far corner which went through the keeper’s legs.

Kevin Farrell made it 2-0 with an excellent shot from the left.

“This was a great return to league action for us,” said coach O’Neill who also played in goal for the majority of the game.

Ruairi Lavery and Neil Mannion played incredibly well at the back for the Rocks while Ryan McKinley was inspirational throughout. There were also impressive performances from four new signings, Marc Eisenberg, Joe O’Connor, Niall Brennan and Conor O’Sullivan.

“We won’t be getting carried away,” added O’Neill. “There are still six games to go and we’re determined to make sure every one of those games counts.”

Meanwhile the Over 30s were beaten 6-5 on Sunday morning by Tesoro at Randall’s Island in spite of a hat-trick from man of the match Eugene Gormley. Mike Bishop and Paddy Geraghty were also on the scoresheet but the Rocks paid for some poor defending in the final 20 minutes and conceded four goals.

“I made mistakes myself managing and made changes I shouldn’t have,” said disappointed coach Paddy Mc Carry. “Just one of those days bad day at the office.”

The NY Shamrock Soccer Club is looking to strengthen its player options before the April 1 signing deadline as the second half of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League gets underway this weekend.

GLEN WRAFTER (player manager)

All three teams are still in contention for league honors however first team boss Glen Wrafter, who has guided his side to the top four of the second division, is on the lookout for an extra bit of quality to try and eke out an edge on their closest competitors.

“We will be hosting a try-out at Roosevelt Island this Thursday night at 8pm,” confirmed Wrafter. “Everyone is welcome to come along. We’re convinced that there is a lot of untapped talent out there in the city. This club is incredibly ambitious but if we are to realize our objectives, we will definitely need to add some players.”

A win against NY Ukrainian this weekend (kick-off 8pm) will see the Rocks go level with their opponents thereby increasing their promotion hopes no end.

“With Manhattan Kickers unbeaten and five points clear at the top of CSL Division II, it’s a race for second place. That race starts for us with our first league game back against NY Ukrainian SC. Our season hinges on this game and a win would set us up nicely for a crack at promotion to the 1st Division,” added Wrafter.

The reserves are also in a strong position and will look to bounce back from a heavy League Cup defeat at the hands of their clubmates the weekend before last when they take on the Ukrainian reserves at 6pm.

“They’re unbeaten and they’re top of the league,” said manager Robbie O’Neill. “But a win will bring us level with them and put us in a good position for a strong run-in. It won’t be easy as we have a few injuries but that’s all the more reason to make this try-out as successful as possible.”

Over 30s manager Paddy Mc Carry, whose team is also back in action this weekend with a home tie against Tesoro on Sunday morning, has steadied the ship after a tough start to the league campaign but is hopeful of adding some new recruits before the deadline.

For more information on Thursday night’s try-out contact the club at NYShamrockSC@gmail.com.

The NY Shamrocks Soccer Club is looking to bolster numbers for all three of the squads which compete in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League.

We will be holding an open trial at Manhattan’s Roosevelt Island on Thursday March 21 at 8pm. All players with experience are welcome. Easily accessible on the Queens bound F Train – field is located at the northern end of the island.

It’s a great chance to play a fantastic level of football in a good atmosphere at a club that is highly ambitious and proud of its over 50 years of history.

For more information, please contact the club at NYShamrockSC@gmail.com.

The draw for the CSL League Cup quarter-finals has been made and the first team have been drawn away to Grenadier Zenith.

Grenadier Zenith beat New Amsterdam United 3-0 on Sunday and will host the Rocks on April 21.

A very enjoyable evening at the Courtyard Bar on Sunday evening as the Rocks league winning Over 30s were gathered together to celebrate their thrilling victory last season.

As footage of the final – a 3-2 win over NY Greek American Atlas in Randall’s Island – played on the big screen courtesy of Eoin Sweeney, coach Paddy Mc Carry and his assistant handed out the trophies to their successful squad.

Club president Kevin McPartland paid tribute to their efforts and in particular those of club stalwart Mc Carry whose commitment to the club received its just desserts with this title.

On the same evening, Over 30s player of the year and two-goal hero in the final, Mike Bishop, was rewarded for his efforts over the season while top scorer Mc Mullan was presented with the MVP award for the reserves also for the 2011-12 season.

Click to enlarge. All pictures by John Riordan.