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Soccer Roundup Shamrocks Carolina-bound

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

The New York Shamrocks have once again accepted the invitation by the South Carolina Shamrocks and will fly down on Friday for a third challenge in as many years. The game is played as a part of the Greer St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and the New York boys have become a big part of this occasion.

Shamrock President David "Scott" Shevlin sees this as one of the real highlights of the season and indeed the hospitality afforded tends to make many agree with the affable Scotsman. The philanthropic Sean McMahon is the owner of the South Carolina team and his work with the club coupled with his willingness to help with scholarships for the young Irish down there have made him quite a popular figure in the town.

South Carolina, being professional, would always be the overwhelming favorites to win this fixture, but having won the first encounter easily enough two years back, they got a bit of a surprise last year when they needed a late goal to stave off the New Yorkers. Coach John Guildea reckons that this year’s game would have been the closest yet, given his team’s form at present. Alas, some of the Rock’s more talented are unable to travel due to work commitments. It should be another great spectacle this year and a large crowd is expected again to witness this now annual event.

Shamrocks Thirds 2, Gaels 0

The first and second strings rested in preparation for the upcoming sojourn. However, the third team served notice that if their panel needed calling on in Carolina, they wouldn’t let the side down.

In a friendly against the league-leading Astoria Gaels, the thirds romped home, 2-0, in Long Island City. Goals from Willie Murphy and the effervescent Eoin Sweeney saw Terry Horan’s team to victory.

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The game started slowly with both teams feeling their way on the choppy morning. Shamrocks had the wind and were attacking down the center. Sean Kelly was dominating midfield for the Rocks. However, Lloyd Canning and Niall Sugrue were strong at the back for the Gaels with great help from Joe Harris. The Rocks went ahead after 20 minutes on a Murphy shot from 20 yards that took a wicked deflection, to take a 1-0 lead. Nestor Allen started to come into the game more and came close. With Pat Mulrey in, and Martin Reilly starting to play strong the Gaels were looking to equalize. But Terry Nolan and his back four held strong. After the intermission the wind started to help the Gaels immensely. Goalie Eugene Kyne’s clearances were dropping deep into Rocks territory and Allen brought a great save out of Rocks keeper Andy Marcoons. On a good counterattack, Shamrocks had a good build-up down the right to set up Kell,y who made Kyne dive full length to keep it at 1-0. Enda O’Flaherty came in for the Gaels between the posts and was playing well when a fast break by the Shamrocks and shot by Sweeney made it 2-0. The game finished with Nestor Allen hitting the crossbar and Kyne driving the rebound over when it looked easier to score.

Best for the Gaels were Canning and Sugrue at the back, Ger Carty in midfield and Allen up front. Kyne or O’Flaherty could not be faulted for the goals. thanks to Kevin McPartland who did a good job as referee.

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