New York Dinamo ended 10-man Shamrock's three-season unbeaten run in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League Over-30 division with a 4-2 win on Randalls Island last Sunday
The defeat was coach Paddy McCarry's first ever in the league after 22-matches and saw Dinamo join the Rocks [2-1-1, 7] atop the Div. One log.
The Rocks fought tooth and nail, coming from 2-0 down when Dinamo led through Patterson Lopez [5th, 35th] to tie the game on goals by Onder Koksol [55th] and Karl Hughes [58th pen.]
However, after Kristo Curanovic [65th] had restored Dinamo's lead, Shamrock, who had just 12 players available, suffered a couple of bad breaks.
"In the 70th minute Bingo O'Driscoll
was pulled down in the box; a stone cold penalty that we didn't get," McCarry lamented.
And any chance Shamrock had of catching Dinamo were dashed when they had a player dismissed [76th].
Joey Rudovic then put the result
beyond doubt with a late strike on the
break.
"The ref cost us. He's the worst I've ever seen my all life," McCarry griped while lauding Dinamo.
It didn't help that Shamrock were missing several players including influential midfielder Mike Bishop and last season's top scorer Brian O'Connor.
"The run had to come to an end some day. We'll meet them again," McCarry put the defeat in perspective.
Midfielder Brendan O'Donoghue was the Over-30s Man of the Match.
Shamrock's first team had goals from Ciaran Moloney [10th] and Shawn Duda [80th] in a 4-2 loss to NYPD FC that kept them winless four weeks into the campaign.
"We've had a lot of injuries - hopefully, things will look up," said Glen Wrafter.
Jason Powell scored in the Shamrock reserves' 2-1 defeat.
BHOYS HELD
Lansdowne Bhoys had Joseph Ogoo's effort [30th] canceled out by Ajene Green [50th] in a 1-1 tie with Barnstonworth Rovers in a First Division tussle on Randalls Island.
The reserves drew 2-2, with Cathal Creamer and Devon Moraro exchanging goals with Rovers' Stephen Pugliese [two].
Bhoys' Metro Div. Two side hammered Bulgaria 5-2 courtesy of Chris Morton [two], Martin Griffin, Gary Nugent and Zachery.
CELTIC STREAK
Elsewhere, Tommy McMenemy and Matt Negus struck after the interval as Second Division Manhattan Celtic downed Stal Mielec 2-0 at McCarren Park.
Ed Shone recorded a clean sheet in Celtic's third win in as many starts.
The Celtic reserves triumphed 3-1 thanks to Glasgow-born Barrie Taylor [two] and Leeds man Dan Callow.
"Goalie Tony Semar conceded a late penalty but otherwise had a strong match," said Pat Kelly.
