February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
The Bronx Irish were stunned by a spectacular Glen Cove goal direct from a corner after 14 minutes. “The first and only chance they had in game,” noted Lansdowne boss Paul Doherty.
His lads responded by putting the Long Islanders on the rack for the rest of the game, rattling the woodwork six times and missing a succession of gilt-edged chances.
Kurt Smith headed against the post, a Conor Hunter drive smashed into the upright and there were near misses by skipper Alan O’Hara and new signing Michael Del Vra before Glen Cove finally capitulated.
The equalizer came from former coach Tommy McMenemy in the 83rd minute. It guaranteed Lansdowne a penalty shoot-out at the least but Smith made that academic with an audacious back heel to nick it for the Bhoys on the stroke of full time.
Doherty was delighted with his team’s fighting spirit, singling out the hard running Hunter upfront, for a “typical workhorse performance,” and the central defensive pairing of O’Hara and Declan Reilly.
“It’s nice to move on,” Doherty remarked, looking forward to Lansdowne’s next assignment in the State-wide competition, a Round of 16 date with New York Greek-American/Atlas on November 15.
Elsewhere in the Manning Cup, Irish Rovers succumbed 1-0 to fellow Long Island Soccer Football League side South Baisley United.
ROCK ‘N’ ROLL
Robbie Walsh’s Shamrock took their hot league form into the Flamhaft Cup where they beat SSCD 3-1 at Bronx Children’s Psychiatric Hospital to advance to the Round of 32 on Nov. 15.
The Rocks were a goal down after 20 minutes but defender Eugene Reynolds leveled before half time from a brilliant diving header off an Andy Horan corner [40th].
On resumption, Karl Hughes [60th] and Sean Riley [85th], the latter set up by Paddy Geraghty, saw off the Italian American Soccer League opposition.
Goalie Robbie O’Neill made two great saves to preserve the win while skipper Deco Condron and Reynolds were firm in defense.
“They’re playing good – very positive,” coach Walsh lauded his CSL Division Two table-toppers after their sixth straight victory in all competitions. “Everyone that puts on a [Shamrock] jersey gives hundred percent.”
He also had props for SSCD. “Tough team — they kept coming and coming,” Walsh said.
Shamrock meet the Portchester vs. Astoria Rudar winner next.
Shamrock, meanwhile, sent congratulations to ace player Ciaran Moloney whose baby daughter Ciara was christened on the day.
MARTH MASSACRE
Benny Ljuja’s first half barrage powered Shamrock’s Over-30s into the Marth Cup Round of 32 after a 5-0 massacre of Hoboken FC on Randalls Island.
The Albanian forward banged in four goals with fellow “Foreign Legionnaire” Mario Angelucci accounting for the other. Paudie Moloney, manning the posts again, was instrumental in keeping Hoboken off the scoreboard.
We played very well in the first half [but] Hoboken fought to the end. They gave us a battle in the second half,” said Kevin McPartland.
Shamrock face Barnstonworth Premier in the next round and McPartland warned that training would be a factor in determining how far they go in the State-wide competition.
L.I. EXIT
In the D’Arpino Cup, Shamrock’s reserve team bowed out 1-0 to old Metro Div. One rivals Long Island United on Randalls Island.
“Everyone worked hard. They [Long Island] scored a freaky goal. We had chances and the lads gave 100 percent effort,” said Robbie Walsh, who played the entire game.
Irish Rovers’ second unit also came a cropper in the D’Arpino Cup. They succumbed 1-0 to Manhattan Kickers whose veteran English striker Joe Whiteman was on target at Mitchell Field.