February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
The New York Irish Rovers are unbeatable after one of the most successful seasons ever by an Irish-based side in New York. After winning the Long Island Men’s Div. 1 League Title, League Cup and State Cup in the 2000 season, the odds of repeating this treble in 2001 seemed improbable. Not only did the Rovers match that standard, they went on to win the Super Cup to make it a complete sweep.
Moving the club to Flynn’s Inn on Queens Boulevard in Sunnyside three years ago was the decision that instigated the success the Rovers are now enjoying. There is a fantastic atmosphere in the wee inn, where the Flynn brothers, Paul and Kevin, run a tight ship. Paul is always one to acknowledge mainstays in the club like Willie Dempsey.
"Willie was his usual steady self this year, helping the Reserves win yet another League title, but the man that does it for me on the first team is Kevin Daly; he is absolutely brilliant," Paul said. "And by the way, Joe McGreevy coached the Over 30s to top flight this year and they were beaten in the State Cup Final by Lindenhurst A, in extra time. By all means you can quote me that Big Dave Quigley was sent off," the Flynn brother added, laughing.
While Paul recognizes key members in the club with his sharp and witty remarks, his brother Kevin is right in the thick of it as assistant coach to Mark Hopper for the first team. Kevin is not a man of many words as his relentless efforts take up most of his time for the Rovers. He was thrown in the deep end when head coach Hopper left the U.S. to get married in Bonny Scotland.
Hopper returned with the Rovers right in line for honors across the board. Coach Flynn had set up the season to continue the unbeaten run and the buzz in Flynn’s Inn was electric. To keep the boys ticking over, scrimmages were organized on a regular basis and Flynns entered a team in a Worldwide Competition sponsored by Carlsberg. The nucleus of the first team was selected and pub rivals found it difficult to beat the Flynns-Rovers combination. Opposition commented that it was "unbelievable how this Irish side knew how to win." On they went through the preliminary rounds in America and finally it was Flynns/Rovers representing the U.S. in Sweden.
St. John’s assistant coach and Rovers first team player Mark Reeves couldn’t get the smile of his face at the Regional Youth tournament in early July.
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"I am a State Cup Champion, League Div. 1 Champion, a two Cup winner, and, wait for it, a World Champion," bragged the elated soccer fanatic. "We won the Carlsberg tournament but don’t ask me how we did it. We must have had five hours’ sleep coming into the final game against a Div. 2 Swedish team after we were up all night promoting for Carlsberg. At halftime we were exhausted and we knew we had been terrible.
" ‘Let’s get it together’ was the call at the half time talk," Reeves continued. "We went out and played out of our skins and brought the Carlsberg World Championship back to the USA. It was just incredible. We know how to win."
First team winger John O’Hagan was racing through Woodside subway station and in his tracks he commented. "It’s been an amazing experience, we haven’t been beaten in the League for a season and a half or something like that; we have lost count."
A winning philosophy
Nowadays it is difficult to catch up with the newlywed Rovers coach Hopper as he is flying back and forth to Scotland to bring his wee lass back to the U.S. Without wasting any time, he explained: "All the lads were at the wedding. We had a great time, singing, dancing, the whole nine yards. I’m having some of the best times in my life. I’m delighted for the Over 30s and the Reserves. Coach Quinlan has done a tremendous job in his debut year winning the title for the seconds. Our first team has gone unbeaten all season in every competition we have played in. We had four ties and the rest all victories. Repeating last’s year treble was fantastic, but grabbing the Super Cup to make it four trophies puts the emphasis on just how brilliant our club chemistry is.
"What an effort from everybody involved. We haven’t forgotten anybody who has been with us over the last 25 years or so. All our past members are responsible for this success. Some of them are no longer in New York, but their spirits are with us, all the way. Fintan Nolan was one of the driving forces behind us getting here; he was possessed with winning the league, now I know why. The weekly challenge simply makes things tighter on and off the field."
Hopper has won seven trophies in two years and he was also a huge part on the field for the Over 30s. While there is always the question will he return next season there is always the surety that he is a Rover.
Hopper is the product of a club that simply strives to do the business on the field. The Flynn brothers have managed to secure a happy home for the Rovers. The club is now a place to play some serious ball and it has attracted players from college level, St. John’s in particular. It’s no wonder they are tough to beat. St. John’s coach Dave Masur has commented that some of his players should do better in the game after graduation. That’s happening at least at amateur level for those alums and others at the Rovers. For the success to continue, yes, the network must remain with Div. 1 soccer, but the most important ingredient the Rovers have established is that big "W" on Sundays and the desire to win trophies. Of course, none of which would be possible without the solid base, Flynn’s Inn, and the Rovers administration that is the foundation of the club, the New York Irish Rovers.