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New York Irish team is runner-up at inaugural COPA NYC tournament

Brilliant effort from Paul Doherty's team in international amateur competition


Published Tuesday, August 4, 2009, 4:14 PM
Updated Tuesday, August 4, 2009, 6:14 PM

 

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Members of the New York Irish soccer team with manager Paul Doherty (front row third from left).

The New York Irish soccer team made it to the final of the prestigious and highly competitive Copa NYC soccer tournament on Sunday, only to be beaten by Albania 4-1.

The Irish team, comprised of 25 Irish nationals and several Irish-Americans, accepted second place to rapturous applause and humble cheers from over 700 supporters.

The Irish lads went into the tournament hoping to come out of their group, which consisted of Trinidad & Tobago, France and Columbia. They not only came out of their group on top of their game with new found confidence and ability, but they went on to annihilate Jamaica in the quarter final and skillfully beat Cyprus on penalties to earn themselves a well-deserved place in the final on Sunday evening.

The lads, who hail from all over Ireland, made every Irish and Irish American in New York proud over the past two weekends.

It was Alan O’Hara’s winning penalty on Saturday evening against Cyprus that landed the Irish boys in the final. Conor Hunter, Sean Monroe, Pat Kelly and Alan Reilly Also scored penalties, but it certainly was goalkeeper Alan Reilly that was the hero of the shootout when he saved two vital penalty kicks from Cyprus.

Sunday’s game was intense and entertaining. Ireland started with Reilly in goal. Sean Monroe,  Alan O’Hara, Gary Tierney and  Garth McCroy made up the back four. Pat Kelly, Declan Reilly, Sean Purcell and Karol Hughes marshalled midfield and Kurt Smith and Conor hunter lead the attack. 

Ireland had their first real chance five minutes in when Kurt Smith flick on to Conor Hunter but the pass was just out of his reach.

Ireland had their best chance ten minutes later when Conor Hunter was on the end of a free kick just outside the box but his header went two yards wide. Hunter was proving to be Ireland’s greatest threat.

Shortly after, Declan Reilly was brought down outside the box just after but the ensuing free was cleared. Ireland kept pressing forward but had no further chances on goal.

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