Shamrock FC's rampant Over-30s secured promotion to the first division with a second successive 5-1 romp on Randalls Island - over SC Gjoa this time - in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League last Sunday.
And the Sunnyside veterans could clinch the Div. II title - an historic first championship for a Shamrock Over-30 side -- with a draw against lowly Hoboken FC on Randalls Island [10 am] this Sunday.
"Hopefully, we can beat Hoboken. The boys are up for it," their delighted team manager, Paddy McCarry, remarked.
McCarry, on the verge of seeing his lads go undefeated in his first season in charge, was elated as the Rocks produced an encore performance to the previous week's 5-1 demolition of Manhattan Celtic.
A rout seemed unlikely early on after Gjoa [15th] had canceled out Brian O'Connor's quick opener [8th].
But Karl Hughes [30th pen., 61st], Onder Koksol [35th] and Eoghan McPartland [70th] methodically saw off the visitors.
The result upped Shamrock's record to 11-0-4 [37], one point away from the unassailable 38 they need to hold off NYPD [9-0-5, 32], who are also unbeaten. Even with a game in hand, the cops have a far inferior goal difference.
Skipper and defensive anchor Randall Friedman got the Man of the Match nod, with special mention to McPartland in midfield and striker Hughes.
SHACKLED
Shamrock's first team played out a goalless tie with EMC in a Division Two fixture at Msgr. McClancy High School.
This after Steve Doyle had scored a 35-yarder screamer in the reserves' 2-1 capitulation.
"Brilliant," Sean Keogh summed up Doyle's free kick.
Other standouts in the defeat included midfielder Braden Ruddy central defender Ruarie Lavery and fullback Eoin Sweeney. The latter played one half for the Over-30s and then went 90 minutes for the reserves.
SUPER BHOYS
Kevin Grogan's new-look Lansdowne Bhoys stunned 2010 US Amateur Cup Champs Pancyprian Freedoms 2-1 at Tibbets Brook Park to set up a must-win season finale against Stal Mielec this Sunday to dodge relegation.
Remarkably, the Bhoys came from behind after former Brazilian professional Julio had connected [20th] to hand the Greek-Cypriot powerhouse their first loss of the season.
Swedish ace Johannes Grahn [35th] and the hard running Conor Hunter [73rd pen.] scripted the win.
Lansdowne [4-10-1, 13] went into the game two points behind Stal Mielec at the foot of the First Division West standings but can avoid the drop if they defeat the Poles at McCarren Park this Sunday [kick-off 2 pm].
"This win gives us a chance next week. We've a good squad, good attitude and a good chance," said Grogan, whose lads have now won two on the trot.
In the reserve fixture at Tibbets, Shane Moore [two], Barry O'Neill and Ricky Ryan were on target in a 4-2 romp. Adam Brunengo [two] replied for Pancyprian.
"A great day for the club," Grogan noted.
