February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
The Shamrocks finished their season in style by demolishing their only challengers for League honors, NY Dinamo, 4-1, at Randalls last Sunday to take the League championship.
John Guildea’s squad started strongly and, knowing that the first goal was the important one, contained the Balkans to long-range free kicks, which were no threat to the confident Kevin McPartland in goal. The Rocks continued to bother Dinamo on the wings and good chances fell to Niall Swan, Terry Lawless and Johan Lannon who all went close.
After a scoreless first half, the Rocks came out firing after the break and got a dream start in the second minute when Tim Cummins sent Lannon away on the left, after coolly rounding three challengers his perfect cross from the endline was met on the half volley by Ray Elsessor to make it 1-0. Five minutes later, Swan was judged to have fouled in the area and the visitors made it 1-1. Their joy was to be short-lived, however, as five minutes later some brilliant holding work by veteran Paul Wilson waited until the perfect moment to set Tim Cummins away on the left he glided to the end line and crossed low to Elsessor who carbon copied his previous effort in making it 2-1. Six minutes later, Tim Cummins broke from the middle and waltzed past three defenders, rounded the keeper to make it 3-1. The visitors were beaten at this stage. Elsessor slipped home a perfect goal that came back into play off the back staunchion and as the Rocks celebrated his hat trick they realized the referee and linesman had not given the goal. With 15 left on the clock Tim Cummins broke from 15 yards inside his own half brushed off several challenges before crowning off a great team championship performance.
Meanwhile, the reserves could only get a point from a difficult match against close rivals Barnstonworth Rovers. A sharp strike from Brendan Reilly from a neat pass from John Guildea made it 1-0 at the half. Adrian Gorrib held the Rocks net intact until the 65th minute until a controversial penalty shared the points.
The Rocks face Manhattan Kickers at McCarron Park in Brooklyn at 1:30 needing to win to take the League, all support is welcome.
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