Honoring our champion teams, our players of the year, our top goalscorers and our founding members. Five-hour open bar, cocktail hour, five-course meal and music until late, this should be a perfect finale to a history-making season.
Kevin Grogan has swiftly secured his first player signing for the 2016/17 season, the talented and experienced striker Kwesi Mills-Odoi.
The 29-year-old former CPR front man who was born in New York said he was very happy to be joining the Rocks and that he was looking forward to beginning pre-season training in July.
A dedicated club man at CPR since his debut in 2007, Kwesi made the decision to remain in Division 1 soccer after his previous club’s relegation to Division 2 last month.
“I’m very happy to join the Shamrocks,” said Kwesi. “I have admired their progress back to Division 1 and they have done very well to stay up during what has been a tough season for many clubs. I want to pay tribute to everybody at CPR, especially the first coach who gave me my opportunity, Joe Sullivan. Joe regards Kevin very highly and I’m very much looking forward to getting started in July. I hope my future team mates can win the League Cup on Sunday as it is the least they deserve for all the work they put in this season.”
In his nine years at CPR, Kwesi was twice named MVP awards while also scooping up three golden boot awards. He won two league cups back-to-back while also appearing in a Manning Cup final and and two league semi-finals. Kwesi captained the first team in his final season at CPR while he has also represented Ghana in the COPA NYC.
“Kwesi is exactly the type of player I want at the Shamrocks,” said Grogan. “Joe Sullivan told me he is as good a man as he is a player. He had opportunities to sign for four other CSL top division clubs but he decided to join us here at the Shamrocks. He believes in our vision.
“His attitude is top class but his ability to hold up the ball and find the net is going to be a huge benefit to us when we embark on our second season in Division 1.”
The NY Shamrocks committee is pleased to announce that technical director and first team coach Kevin Grogan has committed to the club for the 2016/17 season.
This is a timely boost for the Rocks on the week that Division 1 status was confirmed while there is also the significant matter of an exciting season finale on Sunday evening, the League Cup final against Zum Schneider at Randall’s Island Field 70 (kick off 5pm).
Grogan’s decision to stay on also offers an overwhelmingly positive endorsement of the progress of the club since the Dublin-born coach took on the role almost 11 months ago.
Under his tutelage, the Shamrocks first team secured survival in the top flight of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League after a ten-year absence, picking up 21 points and a sixth-place finish.
The rest of the club has also benefited from the added impetus of top flight soccer – the fifth trophy of the season was won this past Sunday by the Over 30s adding to successes for Rocks Women and Rocks 1960 and there is a possibility of a sixth cup if all goes well this weekend.
Grogan underlined the ongoing development of the first team while also outlining some ambitious club-wide plans including coaching clinics for kids with special needs and a support structure to develop coaches internally.
“I’m delighted to sign a new one-year contract with the NY Shamrocks,” Grogan said.
“It’s been an honor to be associated with the club. I feel my job here is only half done. As I have said before, we have built a young squad with an average age of 24. The squad will only get better with time and experience. I am already working on some new recruits to complement what we have and I feel some of the reserves have done well this season and deserve the opportunity also.
“I also have plans to implement some other initiatives at the club in the near future – for example, a ‘Soccer for All’ program for special needs kids, youth clinics, an NY Shamrocks TV channel and also some club wide coach educational podcasts/video tutorials.
“I want to thank the club president Sean Mc Mullan and all the board for their support and enthusiasm to drive the club forward in such a positive way. I would lastly like to congratulate all the coaches at the club for their success this year. I understand the mental torture you go through as coaches at times but you have all done a remarkable job. Keep working hard and keep using your imagination.”
Club President Sean Mc Mullan welcomed Kevin Grogan’s decision to recommit to the Rocks, pointing out that his contribution to the club as a whole was a vital factor in the growth and success which has been experienced over the past year.
“It has been a privilege working with Kevin and we were only too delighted to extend this relationship beyond the current contract,” said Mc Mullan.
“He has brought new blood into the club and all of these players have proven to be positive additions who have embraced the Rocks. He has also brought in fresh ideas and the other coaches have also benefited from his contributions. Each of our six teams have done themselves proud this season and the first team has the potential of being an even better representative of the Shamrocks at the top level of amateur soccer in New York.
“Kevin has big plans and he has always been very good at acknowledging the history of the club. He understood from day one what we were trying to achieve and he has been supportive in many ways that people may not be able to see. We look forward to next season now with renewed optimism.”
The NY Shamrocks will retain their Division 1 status in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League, it was confirmed on Tuesday.
The Rocks have been moved up to sixth place in the final standings of the CSL’s top flight after Polonia NY opted not to appeal an official protest regarding an ineligible player, thus forfeiting the May 15 league game between the sides.
The automatic 3-0 victory moves Kevin Grogan’s team up to 21 points, just three points shy of the play-offs and six points clear of relegated Polonia.
“We can now begin to properly prepare for next season as a club,” said Shamrocks President Sean Mc Mullan. “We are relieved to have this behind us and we look forward to Sunday’s League Cup final against Zum Schneider.”
Thank you Eoin Sweeney for taking photos of the medal presentation after the State Cup final victory in Brooklyn on Sunday!
Club president Sean Mullan and vice president Pat Burke presented the medals to each player.
Captain Bingo O’Driscoll
Jay Palmer
Domonick McCartan
Billy Hole
Peter Hatzer
Stephen Ampeuro
John Riordan
Alex Berne
Sean Riley
Johnny McGeeney
Tayfun Gokmen
Paddy Geraghty
Marcus Nascimento
Rich Saullo
Ney Oliveira
Keith Buckley
And of course assistant coach Sean Mc Mullan (above) & the gaffer himself – Paddy Mc Carry
Thank you Eoin Sweeney for these excellent photos taken on Sunday after the Over 30s’ 4-2 victory over Baisley United in the State Cup final at the Verrazano Sports Complex in Brooklyn.
Celebrating together after the game!
Pictured from left to right, club officials Johner Guildea, Kevin McPartland, Eoin Sweeney and Pat Burke
Eoin Sweeney congratulating coach Paddy Mc Carry
Pictured from left to right, Joe Connolly (Solas Electrical), Paddy Mc Carry, John Riordan, Sean Mc Mullan and Pat Burke
Paddy Mc Carry addresses the players after the win
Jane pictured with the Fritz Marth Cup.
Sean Mc Mullan and son Henry with the Fritz Marth Cup
Kevin McPartland and John Riordan share a moment
Henry and Jane enjoying a tree
Cup presentation
Shamrocks captain Bingo O’Driscoll lifts the Fritz Marth Cup high!
Tricia, Paddy and daughter Jane
CSL President Peter Strumpf and Shamrocks Over 30s founding member Johner Guildea
Tayfun Gokmen (left), Billy hole and Alex Berne share a joke after the game
Paddy Mc Carry and captain Bingo O’Driscoll
Johner Guildea, Kevin Mc Partland and Jay Mwamba of the Irish Echo
Pat Burke and Eoin Sweeney enjoying the game
Pat Burke, Joe Connolly, Johner Guildea and Jay Mwamba enjoying the game on Sunday
MARTH CUP FINAL – OVER 30s STATE CUP
Shamrocks 4 Baisley Utd 2
CSL LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL (first teams)
NYPD-Brishna 1 Shamrocks 2
CSL METRO 2 FINAL
Williamsburg 3 Shamrocks 0
CSL DIVISION 1 RESERVES SEMI-FINAL
Lansdowne 0 Shamrocks 0 (Lansdowne win 6-5 on penalties)
The Shamrocks Over 30s secured the club’s first State Cup in 56 years with a superb and hard fought 4-2 victory over Baisley on Sunday.
The victorious Shamrocks Over 30s pictured with the Fritz Marth Cup after Sunday’s 4-2 win over Baisley United in the State Cup final at the Verrazano Sports Complex in Brooklyn. Pictured back row left to right, Billy Hole, Domonick McCartan, Jay Palmer, Alex Berne, Johnny McGeeney, Sean Mc Mullan and son Henry, Sean Riley, Paddy Geraghty and daughter Jane. Middle row, crouched left to right, John Riordan, Marcus Nasciment and Richard Saullo. Front row left to right, Bingo O’Driscoll, Paddy Mc Carry, Nei Oliveira, Peter Hatzer, Tayfun Gokmen, Stephen Ampeuro. Picture by Eoin Sweeney.
In doing so, Paddy Mc Carry’s Invincibles completed the season undefeated as league and cup champions, a historic double that the Donegal gaffer described as his biggest achievement in the game.
On a day of firsts, it was also an unprecedented achievement for the Cosmopolitan Soccer League which had never delivered a State champion at this level.
It’s the second double of the season for the Rocks as a whole, following in the footsteps of the women’s team coached by Paddy Geraghty who is himself a quadruple champion having played a starring role in the Over 30s campaign, culminating in this thrilling final at the Verrazano Sports Complex in Brooklyn.
Long Island kingpins Baisley went ahead midway through the first half but the Rocks rallied and equalized before half-time through Sean Riley (pictured below left) who played out of his skin on the left flank.
After a cagey opening to the second half, two quick goals put the Rocks 3-1 to the good. Alex Berne’s (pictured above center) brilliant glancing header to the far post was followed by a beautifully chipped goal from Johnny McGeeney (above right) who soldiered throughout with a groin injury.
In spite of going down to ten men, Baisley proceeded to throw everything at the Shamrocks and dominated for a ten-minute spell, deservedly narrowing the gap to a goal after a tap-in from a well delivered corner.
But once again, Mc Carry’s men responded excellently with organized defending and dangerous counter attacking. With time almost up, McGeeney did superbly to keep the ball in on the left sideline and then opted to fire goalwards, his 45-yard rocket hitting the far corner, sparking wild celebrations as the referee blew for full time.
Joe Connolly (Solas Electrical), Paddy Mc Carry, John Riordan, assistant coach/club president Sean Mc Mullan & vice president Pat Burke (Courtyard Ale House). Picture: Eoin Sweeney
“This was definitely the biggest achievement in my football life,” said the delighted Mc Carry.
“Watching this bunch of players lifting that State Cup was a dream come true. This began way back in August at pre season and ended here with the league and cup double and an amazing unbeaten season.
“I would like to thank the whole squad for their massive effort throughout the whole season and I want to thank the club for giving us everything we needed to succeed this year as well as John Riordan for all the stuff he does for us behind the scenes that goes unseen.
“Finally this would not have happened without my assistant coach and club president Sean Mc Mullan. We worked great together and he ran the team a lot this year when I was missing. Not too many teams win a State Cup but we have and it’s all because of those players and the effort they put in. I would just like to thank them all for making me a State Cup winner. Special mention to Billy Hole who played his last game for us on Sunday – he is moving to Boston in the summer. He was a giant at the back for us – a top guy and a quality footballer. He will be missed and we all wish him the very best.”
Celebrating with the supporters after the game. Picture: Eoin Sweeney
Meanwhile, Kevin Grogan’s first team ensured there would be one final day out for the club, advancing to next Sunday’s CSL League Cup final courtesy of a 2-1 win over NYPD-Brishna.
Joey Zorbo scored what he described as the goal of the season, a perfectly struck effort from the right corner of the box to the far corner of the net. The winner from Chris Uy was his fourth of the season.
It was confirmed Monday that the Rocks will take on Division 2 champions Zum Schneider at Randall’s Island 70 on Sunday at 5pm.
“I’m very happy with the win,” said Grogan. “But if I evaluate the game honestly, I feel we were immature a small bit at certain times of the game.
“As always we are an evolving squad and we learn all the time. We deserved the win overall and we will prepare well this week for the final.”
It was a great season for the Rocks 1960 but they couldn’t round it out at the Metro 2 championship game in Randall’s Island, succumbing 3-0 to a talented Williamsburg outfit.
Andy Connolly’s men set their stall out well and took it as far as the hour mark before the Brooklyn boys took a deserved lead and never looked back.
“We’re happy with the season overall,” said Connolly. “We can now look forward to the step-up to Metro 1 and this game showed us how challenging that will be.”
In Thursday night’s CSL Division 1 reserves play-off semi-final, Stevie Doyle’s Rocks were very unlucky not to advance to Sunday’s decider after a penalty shoot-out loss to the Lansdowne Bhoys.
Man of the match Nick Meola ensured the game stayed scoreless for the 90 minutes however the home side were flawless in 6-5 penalties win. Darren Freeman, Darren Coleman, Joey Aronovsky, Colum McComish and Marc Vilson all scored for the Rocks before Pierre Meloty-Kapella missed the decisive sixth.
A first State Cup final in over a decade, a championship decider in Metro 2 and a pair of big semi-finals – this weekend will have it all for the NY Shamrocks!
Stevie Doyle’s Shamrocks reserves will kick off an exciting few days for the club with a big Irish Derby league semi-final in Yonkers this evening. The 8pm kick-off at Tibbetts Brook Park will be the first of four big win-or-go-home games for the Rocks with Sunday bringing important showdowns for the first team, the Over 30s and the 1960 team.
The highlight this weekend will of course be that State Cup final. Paddy Mc Carry’s Invincible Over 30s, who completed a historic league-winning season without a single loss, must now shift their focus to Sunday morning’s Marth Cup decider at the Verrazano Sports Complex (kick off 11.50am).
The Shamrocks Over 30s – league champions and chasing double glory!
No CSL club has ever won the Fritz Marth Over-30 State Cup, named for one of the league’s legendary administrators.
Long Island side Baisley United will be attempting to put a stop to the Rocks juggernaut having overcome Czechoslovakia in the semi-final. Baisley are also chasing a league and cup double and will take on fellow divisional winners NY Polet on June 19 in an attempt to strip their opponents of the Long Island league title.
The high scoring Caribbean outfit won nine of their 14 league games, notching 52 goals along the way while also getting past Barnstonworth Old Boys, Lindenhurst, Manhattan Kickers Premier, Polonez and then Czechoslovakia to reach the final.
Back in October, the Shamrocks began their campaign with a penalty shoot-out win over NY Polet before taking care of CPR Grays, Westchester Dinamo and New York Greek Americans. But Mc Carry will Be ensuring that his players won’t be be taking Baisley lightly on Sunday.
“It would be a huge honor to be the first CSL team to win this cup,” said Mc Carry this week.
“We have huge respect for the danger they possess and I have spoken to a couple of contacts in Long Island about their two danger men.
Shamrocks Over 30s coaches Paddy Mc Carry and Sean Mc Mullan. Picture: Keith Buckley
“We are very strong throughout the team and this is a very committed bunch of players which is very keen to bring the cup back to Queens on Sunday evening.
“Our starting 11 is the best in the CSL Over 30s Division and our league record proves it – unbeaten with 71 goals and 16 conceded. Billy Hole, our sweeper, is the best defender in league by a mile and our captain Bingo O’Driscoll is as good as he always has been – a true leader that players listen to.
“Alex Berne and John Riordan in center midfield are as fit and as hard a combination in the Over 30s and great headers of the ball. Then add Sean Riley and Tayfun Gokmen upfront. They have scored 41 between them. Add Johnny McGeeney, Peter Hatzer and Stephen Ampeuro, Dom Mc Cartan and our keeper Jay Palmer and we have an excellent side, all top footballers and very fit.
“But most of all, they play for each other. They will leave everything on that field Sunday.
“We do know that Baisley are a good side. It’s not going to be easy Sunday but the way myself and our boys see it, this cup is ours. My 18-man squad is very strong and any one of them can come in and change the game. Paddy Geraghty is very dangerous for us coming off the bench. Once we go ahead, he comes in and controls the game. Myself and (assistant coach) Sean Mc Mullan will have them ready come Sunday.”
2003 was the last time the Shamrocks Reserves were involved in a State Cup final. Pictured in the front row are three players who will be involved on Sunday. Bingo O’Driscoll fourth from right will play for the Over 30s while third from right and very right are Colm Madden and Brian Wolohan who will be involved with the 1960 team in the Metro 2 final.
The only downside of success is the schedule pile-up and at almost the exact same time on Sunday, the CSL Metro 2 Final will pit the divisional champions against each other as Shamrocks 1960 take on Williamsburg at Randalls Island 70 (kick-off 12pm).
Williamsburg are a formidable opposition and have already beaten the Rocks this season, a 6-0 hammering in the League Cup back in March.
But since Andy Connolly’s men have been able to focus on the league, they have won six of seven on their way to securing the Metro 2 East and Sunday’s showdown with the Brooklyn-based outfit.
Williamsburg have been relentless since March’s 2-2 draw with title rivals Gottschee winning seven in a row to edge out the Greeks in a thrilling run-in.
Connolly has all players available and is looking forward to a chance to the heavy defeat of ten weeks ago.
“They say that revenge is a meal best served cold,” noted the 1960 gaffer. “But, then again, so is ice-cream. Regardless, we will give Williamsburg their just desserts on Sunday. I just don’t know who will clean up the mess afterwards.”
Earlier on Sunday out in Flushing, Queens, the firsts will celebrate their recent Division 1 reprieve with a League Cup semi-final at Division 2 side NYPD-Brishna (Flushing Field 8 – 10am).
After last week’s decision by the CSL-appointed arbiter to forfeit last month’s crucial Polonia victory in what was a key relegation decider, Kevin Grogan can now look forward to a decent shot at silverware for his charges.
In another boost, Darren Freeman is available once again after serving a four-game suspension.
The Shamrocks Over 30s – league champions and chasing double glory!
“We will miss our goalkeeper Frankie on Sunday as he had to fly home to Africa for a family emergency,” said Grogan. “We wish him and his family all the best. The rest of the players understand the importance of the game.”
NYPD-Brishna finished eighth in Division 2, 18 points behind champions Zum Schneider who are already through to the League Cup final. They finished their season strongly with two wins and a draw in May.
Before Sunday’s busy slate of important match-ups, tonight’s tussle at Tibbetts Brook Park could well prove to be a cracking tie with both Irish clubs bidding to capitalize on a solid regular season by advancing to the Division 1 reserves championship game.
Lansdowne have dominated the Shamrocks thus far, winning big against Stevie Doyle’s men in December and April. But Doyle can count on a full team tonight and is going into the game full of optimism.
“The lads are really up for this,” said coach Doyle. “We know we’re up against it but we owe them a performance and we owe ourselves a performance too. It’s a cup game now and that will fill our players with confidence. They should go out and enjoy it and try to extend the season to a big final.”
NY Shamrock SC 