February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
With reinforcements from the reserves, the metro side and the even the Over-30s, the Rocks’ 2004 makeover began with a defensive display that thwarted a Koha team that enjoyed a lot of possession.
“A blood-and-guts performance,” Wilson emphasized. “It could have gone either way. They dominated and we defended. We’re going to be a team nobody will want to play,” he predicted.
Appointed to replace Billy Henderson as first-team manager during the winter break, Wilson said he was delighted with the result and equally thrilled by the Shamrock organization’s show of unity.
“Every player that went out there put their heart on their sleeves,” he said, praising the team effort, while singling out defender Bingo O’Driscoll for MVP honors.
There were also props from Rocks VP Eltin Colman for the reserves’ Craig Fudge and Terry Seitz, and Over-30 goalie Kevin McPartland, who turned out for the firsts after featuring for their respective teams.
McPartland came on as a sub for Fudge, a new signing, at outside right, while Seitz played at left fullback.
“This is a recovery period for us,” Wilson said.
Koha boss Omer Hakramaj said his team blew it. “We had the chances but couldn’t score. We played a terrible game.”
Shamrock’s record improved to 3-5-2 (11) in the six-team Div. One (West), but they still dropped to fourth position after Ronan Downs’s New York Athletic Club (3-3-3, 12) won on a forfeit against no-show Brooklyn Italians at the Verazzano Sports Complex.
D’ARPINO LOSS
The Shamrock reserves won’t be returning to the D’Arpino Cup final this year after being bounced 3-0 by Islip in the quarterfinals at Msgr. McClancy last Sunday.
Shamrock were edged 2-1 by Irish Rovers in last season’s final at Flushing Meadow Park.
In the Carbone State Cup for Over-30 clubs, the Shamrock vets were blanked 2-0 by Guyana Veterans “B” at Wards Island.
John Guildea and Co. were in it until the last kick when Howard Bitten sealed it for the Guyanese after Dennis Frawley spurned a certain equalizer. Guyana had led 1-0 until the 90th minute on Bonnie Brittan’s ice-breaker.
“The last 10 or 15 minutes we were pushing forward,” guildea said. “Guyana scored with the last kick.
“It was a close game and we had no complaints. We haven’t kicked a ball since the break.”
The rust was also evident in the Shamrock thirds’ 5-0 thrashing by Central Park Rangers in a Metro Div. I fixture. It didn’t help either that the Irishmen were shorthanded.
“We were missing seven of our starting 11;” Sean Keogh said. “We were not able to field much of a team.”
Shamrock started with only eight players and quickly fell two goals behind. Two players eventually showed up, but they finished with nine men on account of injury.
METROS PIPPED
The Rory Finn-coached GH Metros succumbed 4-3 on penalties to BW Gottschee in the Carbone Cup at Queens Children’s Hospital.
Metros’ Manuel Arthur equalized from the spot in the second half to force a 1-1 tie and extra time, which failed to break the deadlock.
Metros led by 3-1 at one point during the penalty shootout but lost focus and missed their remaining spot kicks.