Next up for Shamrock is a local derby of sorts against the Long Island League’s Irish Rovers on Nov. 16.
Shamrock’s 6-0 mauling by New York Albanians the previous week seemed a distant memory at Flushing High School last Sunday as Bingo O’Driscoll went on a tear against Hellas of the Greek League.
O’Driscoll netted a hat trick while Paddy O’Connor and Paddy Gerathy each added one to put Shamrock in the second round.
Runners-up in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League First Division last season, Shamrock have enjoyed enormous cup success in recent years. They won back-to-back League Cup finals in 1999 and 2000, and are a finalist in the delayed 2002-03 championship match. They will meet Pancyprian Freedom at a date to be announced.
FREE PASS
Shamrock’s reserves, pipped 2-1 by Irish Rovers’ B team in last season’s Livio D’Arpino Cup final at Flushing Meadow Park, will join the fray at the second stage this time around after being given a bye in the opening round.
Robbie Walsh’s lads tackle New York Albanians, 3-0 victors over Oceanside last Sunday.
The Rocks’ Over-30 side advanced to the second round of the Carbone Cup after Poughkeepsie failed to raise a team, while a late goal by Lakewood at Selden Middle School dispatched the Shamrock Metro Div. I side from the Flamhaft Cup via a 1-0 scoreline.
“We were very unlucky. We were beaten two minutes from the end,” said Sean Keogh.
Keogh hailed the performances of Gary Stanley and Adrian Dunne, who was one among four exceptional defenders.
DOHERTY CLINCHER
C.J. Doherty’s golden goal in overtime lifted Second Division Lansdowne Bhoys past former Cosmopolitan club Istria 1-0 in the Flamhaft Cup first round at Con Ed Field in Queens.
Lansdowne’s reserves also won by the odd goal, getting a 47th minute winner from John O’Driscoll to fork out CSL rivals FC Japan 2-1 in their D’Arpino Cup opener.
Connor (40th) had shot Lansdowne ahead at windswept Van Cortland Park before Japan drew level moments before half time.
“A close game. Very hard fought,” remarked Lansdowne reserve coach Larry Carolan.
EAGLES DOWNED
The Lansdowne senior team’s second round opponents in the Flamhaft Cup will be Manhattan Kickers, who, with coach Mike Fitzgerald officiating by mutual consent, massacred Polish Eagles of Yonkers 10-0 at Commodore Barry Field in Brooklyn.
Hussein Nasreddin bagged the requisite hat trick, as well as Kickers’ Man of the Match honors. New South African acquisition Ezra Mabengeza and veteran Scott Conti each had a brace, while Nate Emeritz,
Zack Fine and Englishman Joe Whiteman chipped in with a goal each.
CELTIC CLIPPED
At Wards Island, Manhattan Celtic’s Flamhaft Cup campaign last just 90 minutes from a 3-2 defeat by Five Points.
Celtic blew it. They led 2-0 at the interval, courtesy of Thierno Diallo (15th) and Raafat Olian (35th), but allowed Five Points to reel in three straight on resumption including the winner from an 80th minute penalty spot.
“Very dubious penalty,” Celtic’s Steve Kenny commented, while still giving the Long Islanders credit for a strong comeback.
“They played very well in the second half and scored two great goals. In the second half we lost shape,” Kenny said.
McCormack’s also faltered at the first hurdle in the Flamhaft Cup, succumbing
2-0 to New York Polet at Sewanhaka High School in Long Island.
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