MANNING CUP QUARTER-FINAL
NY Shamrocks v Port Jefferson (Randall’s Island Field 90 – 12pm)

STRUMPF CUP ROUND OF 16
Gottschee v Shamrocks 1960 (Randall’s Island Field 74 – 2pm)

There will be a welcome return to competitive action on Sunday with two huge State Cup games at Randall’s Island for the Shamrocks.

The exciting double header gets underway at noon on Field 90 where Port Jefferson will visit from Long Island for a Manning Cup quarter-final showdown with Kevin Grogan’s men.

The Rocks will be hoping to bounce back from a league defeat at Manhattan Celtic two weeks ago ahead of next weekend’s big Irish Derby at Lansdowne.

“Port Jefferson are the top Long Island team at the moment,” said Grogan.

“They’re a lively team who have beat many Cosmopolitan teams so we understand the challenge.

“We have a strong squad so we will be well prepared for the game. The league is our bread and butter but it’s a nice chance for me to squad rotate before the big league game next week against Lansdowne.”

Meanwhile in the Strumpf Cup, Gottschee will host Shamrocks 1960 on Field 74 at 2pm in a Queens derby, directly after the first team game allowing supporters to attend both games.

Rocks 1960 are on a wave of positivity after going top of the league in Metro 2 but assistant coach Neil Mannion will not be taking the Greek outfit lightly.

“We realize this will be our biggest test of the season, a clash of two heavyweights where East meets West,” said Mannion.

“It’s a win or go home situation where no quarter will be given or taken but we’ll leave everything on the pitch as we always do. We’re looking forward to it.”

Courtesy of Sarah Thorenton

Shamrocks 1960 will move on to the last 16 of the Strumpf Cup after a well earned 2-0 win over Galicia at St Michaels on Sunday.

Hughie McGowan and Dave Harvey (penalty) scored second half goals to move the Rocks into the last 16.

Hughie McGowan opened the scoring for Shamrocks 1960 against Galicia ten minutes into the second half. Picture: Sarah Thorenton

“They were a tricky team to play against but we were very patient and took our chances well,” said coach Andy Connolly.

“We’re delighted to be in the next round and it’s a real confidence booster for the entire squad.

“I’m so proud of what these guys have managed to achieve so far and only wait with whetted appetite to see what they can serve up next.”

There was a tough 3-2 loss for the Rocks women’s team against a very talented NY Magic outfit in the State Cup – the first of a St Michaels double bill.

Christina Beck and Erin Cullen had the Rocks 2-0 up but Magic rallied in the second half and held on to advance.

Erin Cullen (center) celebrating with team mates after scoring the team’s second goal. Picture: Sarah Thorenton

“We played very well against the leaders of Division A,” said coach Paddy Geraghty. “I’m very proud of our team because we showed we belong at the next level. We still have two trophies to play for and we’ll prepare for next week’s Division B Cup semi-final just like we have been.”

The Shamrocks Over 30s moved into the quarter-finals of the Marth Cup. The game was unplayed due to CPR Grays not having player passes.

This coming Sunday, the champions will have their biggest game of the season so far when they take on CPR Old Boys as first meets second in the Over 30s Division.

“Happy to be in the quarter-finals,” said coach Paddy Mc Carry. “But the focus will be back to the league now and we’ll be looking to get a positive result.”

There will be an exciting State Cup double header on Sunday morning at St Michaels where the pick of the day’s games will be the quarter-final pairing of the Shamrocks Women and the NY Magic Reserves at 11am.

Adding to the intrigue is the fact that NY Magic are a division above the Rocks and both teams are league leaders. The NY Magic are the talented offshoot of a semi-pro outfit competing nationally and will be the sternest test yet for the dominant ‘Girls in Green’ who lead Division B after an impressive run of wins stretching back to September.

“We have a very tough game this Sunday and on paper we will be underdogs,” said coach Paddy Geraghty on Thursday.

“But we believe we are as good as any team in New York so we won’t be afraid of them. We almost have a full strength squad to choose from and we’re looking forward to testing ourselves against the best.”

The Rocks Women have been scoring for fun with 10-0 and 7-0 wins in their last two games. But Geraghty also had special praise for their resilience at the back and strength in depth at midfield.

“Our defense has been solid the last three weeks, conceding only one goal and we have six quality players competing for three spots in midfield. The biggest difference between this season and last is our quality up front. We have six or seven players who can make opportunities for themselves or others and we work hard to win the ball high up the field as we can. Almost half our goals have come from pressuring the opposition into mistakes and capitalizing on it. I

“t’s our first game in Queens this season,” he added. “So hopefully it’ll be a good game and we have plenty of support.”

The second game of this entertaining double bill will see Shamrocks 1960 take on Galicia at 1pm. The Rocks will be confident following on from their impressive 6-0 league victory over Gotham City last Sunday night.

However, Galicia were in an even more free-scoring mood, their 8-1 thrashing of FC Partizani in Metro 2 West sending out a strong message last week. And in September, they were 3-0 winners over Homenetmen, 1960’s opponents in the previous round of the Strumpf Cup.

Due to the uneven number of teams entering, the Rocks are a round behind and Gottschee are already waiting for whoever emerges in what will be a round of 16 game on Sunday December 6.

“The region of Galicia is populated by proud people and has given the world impressive characters like General Francisco Franco,” observed coach Andy Connolly.

“However, we are determined to ensure that the New York team which bears its name will not dictate matters on the field this Sunday.

“We have developed a strong partisan character all of our own over these past few months and hope that our comradeship holds together in this game and the weeks ahead.

“We will mount the parapets and signal the call to arms in the State Cup this week, hoping that the Shamrock banner is unfurled triumphantly in the moment of victory!”

On a day when only three of our six teams are in action, Sunday will kick off with the tie of the round in the Marth Cup’s last 16. Paddy Mc Carry’s Shamrocks Over 30s host Central Park Rangers Grays in Randalls Island 75 at 8am in what is a battle between first and third.

The Shamrocks are missing two of their key men, Alex Berne and Danny Parkin, but Mc Carry has been consistently expressing confidence in bis side’s strength in depth.

“We go into the cup game with another strong panel,” he said. “We will miss Alex and Danny but we have the players to step right in to their spots. The boys want to give the cup a good go this year and having knocked out the Long Island champions in the last round, we are off to good start. But we will have to be on our toes for CPR and I believe strongly we will be.”

CPR Grays have only lost twice and trail the Rocks by seven points. It’s the first of two big games before Thanksgiving for Mc Carry’s men because the other CPR team – the ‘Old Boys’ – will be the opponents in a crucial league showdown between first and second next Sunday.

• First team overcomes NYAC for second win in a row
• Grogan praises defensive display
• Riley’s four goals inspires Over 30s
• Another Hennessy hat trick as women fire 10 past Phoenix
• Legends and 1960 both secure big victories

Kevin Grogan paid tribute to the one of the “best defensive performances” he has seen in years after the Shamrocks’ important 1-0 triumph over New York Athletic Club at St Michaels on Sunday.

Kevin Grogan speaks to his players after their courageous 1-0 win at St Michaels on Sunday.

In what was a truly backs-to-the-wall performance, debutant Ateba Morgan scored early to set up a nailbiting finale.

The club’s new striker hit a stunner from distance with just ten minutes elapsed to mark his first game in green in fine style.

There were chances to extend the lead but a talented NYAC side began to take control going into the second half. However they could only muster up one second half shot of the crossbar as the Rocks back line held firm brilliantly, marshaled superbly by Zach Gosee (pictured below right), Stuart Colbert (below left) and Laurie Child.

“It was an amazing win for us and a vital three points,” said Kevin Grogan.

“It was one of the best defensive performances I’ve seen in years. Our discipline and concentration from a defensive point of view was quality.

“On the ball we were way off but we can work on that. We have quality footballers we just need a bit more synergy on the ball. A great goal by our new signing Ateba and a real quality performance from Anthony Tagliaferri when he came on.”

Anthony Tagliaferri praised for his display when introduced to the fray. Picture: Dennis Schneider

The Rocks now face into a two-week break but must hope injuries clear up for center back Tom Manz – who exited in the first half with a pulled quad – and Morgan – who sustained a twisted ankle in the second half.

Earlier Sunday, there was a 6-1 win for the Over 30s against Gottschee to keep the champions and league leaders ahead of Central Park Rangers Old Boys in the title race ahead of their upcoming showdown in two weeks.

Four first half goals for Sean Riley blew the opponents away to add to Gottschee’s season woes. Riley had the Rocks up after just five minutes and he turned the screw with strikes in the 20th, 30th and 40th minutes.

Danny Parkin scored the sixth after a Gottschee own goal and then the hosts finally got on the scoresheet at the death with a penalty.

“It was a good team performance to keep us top going into the next round of the State Cup,” said pleased coach Paddy Mc Carry.

“I’m delighted to see Sean Riley starting to hit top form again for us. We have two of the top strikers in this league.”

Riley is now up to 10 for the season, one ahead of his strike partner Tayfun Gokmen who captained the team for the day.

Meanwhile, it was another dominant win for the Women’s team who enjoyed a 10-0 win over Phoenix in the Division B Cup at Randalls Island.

Goals from Sinead Hennessy (three), Jackie Pounder (two), Teresa Ferraro, Paige Osborne, Christina Beck (two) and Colleen Cavanagh made it eight wins in a row for the Shamrocks who now have a tough State Cup game against NYC Magic next Sunday at St Michaels (11am).

Pictured are two of the goal scorers, Jackie Pounder (left) and Paige Osborne.

“A great performance this week,” said coach Paddy Geraghty. “We look very dangerous going forward and we have kept two clean sheets in a row. We have a big test next week in the State Cup but we’re ready.”

Elsewhere, the Legends are back to winning ways after a 4-1 victory away to Doxa thanks to goals from Emmett Harvey, Brendan Donohue and the Angelucci brothers, Mario and Bruno.

“It was a wonderful win,” said coach Emmett Harvey. “I can’t single out any player as they all gave 100%. Every week we are playing really well and the team spirit is brilliant. We are looking forward to the next game in two weeks.”

The reserves were beaten 5-1 by their New York Athletic Club counterparts – Darren Coleman scoring a late consolation to bring his total for the season to nine.

In the late game Sunday night, Shamrocks 1960 were 6-0 winners over Metro City.

Goals from Hughie McGowan (two), Michael Kumaresan (two), Dan Meola and Braden Ruddy helped push 1960 to within a point of leaders Gotham City, their next opponents in the league.

“There is Blackpool Rock and there is Brighton Rock,” coach Andy Connolly mused cryptically. “If you bit into any part of that footballing treat on Sunday night, you’d never fail to see the indelible mark that shouted ‘Shamrocks rock’ rock.”

Pictured above, Rocks 1960 goalscorers from left to right, Dan Meola, Hughie McGowan and Michael Kumaresan. Pictures by Braden Ruddy.

The New York Athletic Club will be the visitors to St Michael’s on Sunday afternoon as the Shamrocks look to keep pace with the top teams in Division 1 of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League.

It will be the first of a pair of crucial league games for Kevin Grogan’s men who will have the weekend off next week due to a bye in the State Cup.

This showdown with NYAC will precede the big Irish derby with Manhattan Celtic on Saturday November 21.

NYAC drew 1-1 with Manhattan Celtic last week allowing the Rocks to move three points ahead of Sunday’s visitors pending the arbiter’s decision on NYC Rovers’ inability to field last weekend.

“We have had a good week training,” said Grogan. “We are looking forward to a massive challenge on Sunday against NYAC. It looks like we have a full 18 man squad available for Sunday which gives me a headache for selection but to succeed at this level you always need strength and depth. The subs are just as important as the starters.”

The reserves, meanwhile, are joint top of their division with Lansdowne but Stevie Doyle won’t be underestimating his players’ opponents who are just two points behind with four wins and a draw to their names.

“Last week was encouraging but we’ll have to be on our toes for this one,” said Doyle. “They’ve had some good results and we won’t have it easy at all. We’ve prepared well and we’re looking forward to it.”

The league leading Over 30s have an away game at winless BW Gottschee in Randall’s Island 7 at 10am on Sunday. The aim for Paddy Mc Carry will be to keep ahead of Central Park Rangers Old Boys who are just three points behind with a game in hand.

“We go into the game with a very strong 15 man squad and we will be looking for the three points to remain top of the table going into the state cup,” said Mc Carry. “CPR are keeping the pressure on us but if we take care of business we will remain top.”

Shamrocks 1960 coach Andy Connolly will be hoping to make it two league wins in a row when they play Metro City Fury at Randalls Island 70 on Sunday night at 9pm. The Rocks are three points behind first-placed Gotham City, their next opponents on Sunday November 22.

“Victory is intoxicating and our lads like to get drunk,” said Connolly. “So we’re hoping to taste some more of that sweet elixir of success against a formidable opposition this Sunday.”

The Legends face a tricky trip to bottom side Doxa in a 2pm kick off at Van Buren High School.

“We are going into this game full of confidence,” said coach Emmett Harvey. “Every week we are playing well but not getting the right result. The team needs a bit of consistency and if we get that we are moving in the right direction.”

The Rocks Women have completed their scheduled league games for the Fall as table toppers and will be two points clear of NYC Sirens when league games resume in the Spring. So they can now enjoy a Division B Cup game against Phoenix which takes place in Randalls Island 90 at 12pm ahead of next weekend’s State Cup game at St Michaels (11am).

“We have a tough game this week against Phoenix,” said coach Paddy Geraghty. “They will be up for it but I expect another strong performance from us. It’s a great opportunity to play in a cup semi-final if we win so we are motivated for this one.”