[caption id="attachment_71796" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Paddy McCarry successfully gambled on three men up front."]
It's Lansdowne Bhoys vs. New York Greek-American/Atlas in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League [CSL] championship match June 3. This follows the Bhoys' dramatic 5-4 sudden death penalty victory over defending champs Pancyprian Freedoms in the playoffs at Tibbetts Brook Field Park last Sunday.
There was more Irish glee in the CSL playoffs with Shamrock, the Over-30 Div. West titlists, also prevailing 5-4 in sudden death against East runners-up Barnstonworth Rovers Premier on Randalls Island. They clash with Atlas' Over-30 side on June 3 as well to decide the division's undisputed champions.
And in the D'Arpino Cup, Lansdowne' reserves overcame Metro Div. One Korabi 4-2 to advance to the semi-finals against Missile FC.
DEADLY HUNTER
Livewire forward Conor Hunter was key in Lansdowne's victory over Pancyprian with a goal in the 1-1 regulation time draw -- his fourth in as many games for the Bhoys.
He struck from the spot on the hour after Craig Purcell was fouled and then converted a penalty in the ensuing shoot-out after the Greek-Cypriots had leveled.
Hyden Johns, Mike Fernandez, Sean Purcell and Steven Conway also connected in the shoot-out, whose other hero was goalie Andrew Tartara with two saves.
"Credit goes to the whole squad for a great performance," said coach Kevin Grogan. "We deserved it, but we're not getting carried away."
Lansdowne qualified for the playoffs as East division winners, while Pancyprian, the national amateur champions, finished second to Atlas in the West.
The Greeks, meanwhile, also needed penalties to defeat Barnstonworth Rovers, runners-up to Lansdowne in the East, in the other First Division playoff.
BINGO
Bingo O'Driscoll, Shamrock's veteran midfielder, put on a Man of the Match performance with both goals in the Rocks' 2-2 regulation tie with Premier that led to penalties.
His first came from a Stevie Keating through ball that he chested and blasted home [10th].
Alan Tardeau [35th] leveled for Premier who then sighed with relief after Mike Bishop's header came off the post. The Rocks would briefly rue that miss when Andy Bay [70th] shot Premier ahead.
Coach Paddy McCarry's response was to go with three men upfront. The move paid off with O'Driscoll [80th] smashing in a thunderous header -- a la Drogba, McCarry noted -- from skipper Steven Doyle's delivery.
Paddy Geraghty, Bingo, Bishop and Eddie Gilmartin connected during the first round of penalties that ended 4-4. Burim Ljuta then grabbed the winner after Shamrock goalie Alan Quirke had made a save and Premier then smacked their next effort against the post.
"Pure heart, the lads never gave up," McCarry said about his men.
He also had props for assistant coach and Shamrock reserve team ace Sean McMullen. "We wouldn't be here without him," McCarry remarked.
SEAN DOUBLE
McMullen would later return to Randalls and notch both goals in the Shamrock seconds' season- ending 2-2 draw with Central Park Rangers Reds.
GOLDEN TOUCH
Robbie "The Touch" Green struck twice in the Bhoys' D'Arpino Cup triumph over Korabi.
Brendan Hansbury also connected to set up a semi-final date with another Metro One side, Missile FC.
To reach the quarterfinals, Lansdowne saw off mtul Nieuw Amsterdam 2-0, Pancyprian's second unit 6-2 and New York Athletic Club 5-2.
CELTIC RECORD
It was rocky at first at Bushwick Inlet. But after falling behind early, eight unanswered goals powered Manhattan Celtic to an 8-1 romp over Turkish American that saw them end a remarkable campaign in the Second Division with a hundred percent record [16-0, 48].
John Tanios and Man of the Match Mat Negus both scored hat tricks while Mohammed Ndua added a brace for the new champions.
Celtics' reserves won 1-0, courtesy of Dan Callow to finish the season atop the log with a 15-1 [45] record.
"Both teams played well. All the guys where delighted to be part of a successful season," summed up Ian Woodcock.
