Last Training Session before season starts

Club Training will be held on March 31st at 5:30PM.

Burr Playground (Map)

Waverley Ave

Newton MA 02458

Great win for Green Briar in semi of Boston Irish Cup

Kendall Wanders A 1:2 Green Briar FC

Green Briar, who ended group play with a pair of draws and a second place berth in Group B, showed much better form in the semi final against a talented Kendall Wanderers side who topped their respective Group with a pair of wins over Groton House and Paddy Barry's.

Green Briar displayed the resolve to come from a goal down to record an impressive 2-1 victory with a wonder strike from Gary Clarke and a typical thundering drive from Eamonn McCarney.

After a lengthy warm-up the Briar players were focused and ready to go for the 6:30pm kick off. That focus would see them dominate possession and territory in the first 15 minutes of the opening half. Brian McGuinness only managed to hit the post with an early shot and Tom Caldwell saw a crisp low strike turned away expertly by the Kendall keeper.

The Briar were caught on the break however and were left to rue not capitalizing on their earlier dominance. The Kendall striker finding a pocket of space in front of goal and slotting home neatly.

The equalizer was worthy of any competition, and testiment to the healthy state of Irish soccer in the Bay State. Brian McGuinness lifted a long diagonal ball to the right wing towards a flying Gary Clarke. Showing tremendous technique and composure in front of goal, Gary met the ball on the full volley and guided a powerful curling volley to the top corner with the inside of that cultured left foot of his.

The tempo of the game somewhat cooled in the second half with neither side creating any great openings. Eamonn McCarney did manage to find the net with 15 minutes to go, after his drive was too much for the keeper to handle and nestled nicely in the bottom corner.

The final minutes became frantic once again as Kendall searched for the equalizer that would prolong their tournament. Tom Caldwell was sin binned for an over exuberant challenge and that left the Briar short handed for 2 long minutes. In a terrific display of energy, concentration and stalwart defending the Greens managed to hang on to secure a place in the final next Wednesday April 4th @ 7pm.


Line Up: De'Pieri, Hennessy, Clarke, Coen, McGuinness, Caldwell, McLoughlin, McCarney, Doonan, Dupuis, Glynn, Dean, Kieran

Games for this week

Please be at the field at least 30 minutes in advance of Kick Off

Boston Irish Cup Semi Final
Thurs Mar 29th: Kendall Wanderers A vs Green Briar FC ( 6:30PM Kick-Off @ Marina Bay)

OTHSL O30 League Game 1
Sun Apr 1st: Green Briar O30 vs Medfield ( 9:00AM Kick-Off @ Wheelock School)

MSSL League Game 1
Sun Apr 1st: Albania United SC vs Green Briar FC ( 4:00PM Kick-Off @ Millennium Park)

High scoring draw versus Suchi FC

Green Briar 4:4 Suchi FC

A hatrick from Gary Cassidy and a single goal for Mickey Sexton was a good return for the Briar strikers, but that was not enough to earn the victory. Suchi FC came from behind on three occasions to earn a draw on a fresh morning at Danehy Park in Cambridge.

Green Briar raced into a two goal lead early on. Gary Clarke set Cassidy racing through with a terrific ball over the top and the Limerick man made no mistake with the finish. Later, Cassidy found some space in the box and his somewhat scuffed effort was deflected kindly into the Suchi net to double the lead before the 15 minute mark.

Suchi found themselves back on level terms with a pair of goals either side of the half. The first came following a movement down the right wing and after the cross was not dealt with properly, the Suchi striker swept the ball home nicely on the half volley. Just after the break Suchi won a penalty when one of their midfield players was helped to the ground by a challenge from behind. The spot kick was converted crisply to restore parity.

Green Briar regained the lead through Gary Cassidy once again. Left unmarked at the back post, he found the far corner with his free header, guiding it downwards and across the goal mouth. Suchi found yet another equalizer when a shot from the left hand side could only be parried to another Suchi player on the edge of the six. The striker duly took the gift to make it 3-3.

Green Briar kept making chances, even though Suchi were enjoying more quality possession in midfield. Colin Roux should have found the net when he arrived late to meet a cross at the back post. It would be Mickey Sexton who would eventually help the Briar regain the lead however, as he side footed a chance to the left corner of the net.

The final word came from Suchi, who completed the goal blitz with the eighth of the match, beating the offside trap and converting the resultant two-on-one break away.

A good workout for a Green Briar team looking to find its identity for the 2012 season. The next action should be a Boston Irish Cup match mid-week followed by the league opener on April 1st.

Line up: Mullane, Hennessy, Altidore, Doonan, Clarke, Hardy, Roux McGuinness, Caldwell, Claus, Cassidy, Jones, Sexton, Nguyen, Goin

Friend of Green Briar FC needs help

Dina Apovian, a long time supporter of the team needs your help. Her young nephew Adam is ill and if you can support her fundraising efforts by donating on-line and / or attending this event it would be a great help to her family. Click here to help.

VERY IMPORTANT: 2012 Registration

You cannot play for either Green Briar team (MSSL or OTH) until you register yourself on the Mass Player Registration system. 

There's a lot to read about it below but the long and the short of it is as follows: every amateur soccer league in the state is going ahead with this new system as it improves Mass State Soccer's ability to administer its affiliated leagues, allows for better insurance coverage for the players, and makes for more professional and accountable inter-league competitions.

If you are going to play on Green Briar FC in the next two years you have to fill this out. If you are playing on both our teams and/or in another league in the next two years you only need one registration card.

It costs $25 for the two years. A duplicate card costs $3.

It went live last Saturday March 17th. The URL is http://reg.mass-soccer.org/

To register, players will need an e-mail address, a digital photograph and a credit card to pay the $25 fee.  For $25 players will get a laminated passcard and will be registered for two years with USASA. Massachusetts players have by far the lowest registration costs in the country.  In most states the fees vary from $30 -$50 dollars per player per year.  Your liability insurance costs will end up being just $12.50/year.

There is also an option to purchase a duplicate ID card while registering online.  This is an additional cost of $3 per player. This may be useful for players who play on multiple teams or are prone to losing things.

Once registered, please let your respective team manager know your registration number so you can be added to the roster of one or both teams. Reminder, you will not be allowed play in any affiliated league unless you have a registration card.

This season, the club is also looking for $100 per player to cover operating expenses during the year. (you can pay that to Paul Glynn or Michael Graham by bringing a check payable to Green Briar FC.)

Any questions PLEASE let one of us know as soon as possible.

MASS Player Registration System

Player Process:

Every player will create an account at http://reg.mass-soccer.org by providing an accurate email address. The system will then email the player a link directing them back to the online registration site to complete registration. Each player must have a unique email address to register with MASS Soccer.

·  Player enters demographic information and uploads photo

·  Player enters government ID number (driver's license, passport)

·  Player electronically signs liability waiver

·  Player pays affiliation fee via Paypal or credit card

·  Player prints temporary paper Mass Soccer Player Passcard

·  Mass Soccer office validates information and generates permanent Passcard

·  Player receives permanent Passcard via US mail within 3 weeks of completed registration

·  Player presents Mass Soccer Player Passcard to referee at game time

Registration is considered complete once a player has entered all the required data, uploaded an acceptable photo (subject to approval by MASS Soccer), paid their USASA/US Soccer affiliation dues, and received a Mass Soccer ID number.

We know what they say about self praise...

Boston Irish Cup Tables

Group A
Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Kendall Wanderers A	2	2	0	0	4	1	6
Paddy Barry's	2	1	0	1	4	3	3
Groton House	2	0	0	2	0	4	0

Group B
Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Kendall Wanderers B	2	1	1	0	7	6	4
Green Briar FC	2	0	2	0	6	6	2
Bohemians	2	0	1	1	8	9	1

Remaining fixtures can be found here.

Another draw gives Briar a chance to progress

Green Briar FC 2:2 Kendall Wanderers B

The Briar twice came from behind to secure their second point in the Boston Irish Cup and with it a chance to progress to the semi's. Any result but a high scoring draw between Bohemians and Kendall on the 26th March will all but ensure the Briar progresses to the knockout stage.

New Over 30's signing Jason Sullo started in goal and marshaled his defense very well in the opening half. Janak Altidore also made his debut with the Briar in an impressive display at the back.

The deadlock was broken by Kendall however, as yet again the Briar fell victim to a penalty shout. A late challenge was punished with the spot kick and Kendall made no mistake in converting.

Big man Colin Goin restored parity soon after when he took up a somewhat unorthodox role as striker. A typically barreling run saw him create a nuisance of himself in the box which allowed him to finish high into the net from close range.

The second half saw Gary Hennessy deputize between the sticks and he performed excellently, turning a couple of close range shots over the bar and completing numerous kick saves. Having Gary back there allowed for plenty of build up play from the back as he picked the right pass to setup an attack on more than one occasion.

Kendall yet again took the lead in the second half. A break down the right hand side resulted in an inviting squaring pass that was finished well. The game was a tight affair and it would take plenty of effort and all Briar players to get the equalizer.

Gary Clarke was the man who put the finishing touch on a Briar move that ensured a share of the spoils. Clarke had an impressive game, covering ground in the back, in midfield, and also coming up with the timely goal.

With 2 points in the bag the Briar are still in the competition and hope to progress to the semi's if the remaining fixture goes their way.

In Group A, Groton House suffered a tough 3-0 loss to Paddy Barry's thus eliminating them from the tournament.

Line Up: Sullo, Hennessy, Clarke, Coen, Altidore, Hardy, Roux, McLoughlin, Goin, Doonan, McCarney

Pre-Season Loss for Over-30's

Green Briar O30 1:2 International Allstars

The Green Briar Over 30's opened their pre-season with a tough test against International Allstars, a solid D2 outfit. Although the result may not have been to manager Gary Keane's liking, the effort put in by his players must have been satisfactory.

The Over 30's have a lot of work ahead of them in the coming weeks as the season fast approaches. There was plenty of 'rusty' performances put in today, as players' bodies struggled to keep up with their minds after the long winter break.

Some bright spots of note were the welcome return of Joe Nolan into the fray, the introduction of some new players such as McGuinness and Daly and the continuation of Hickey's scoring form in front of goal.

Daly was comfortable in his centre back role and McGuinness had a hand in the Briar goal, springing Michael Graham in the second half with a terrific ball over the top. He in turn set up Hickey for a typically clinical finish. As Hall noted on more than one occasion today..."Not a Keeper in the World...."

In a surprising twist on the day, Usain Bolt took time out of his busy Olympic preparations to partner Hickey up top. However he must have left his track shoes at home on this occasion.

Line Up: Hennessy, Glynn, Concagh, Hannick, McElwain, O'Donnell, Hall, Coen, Graham, Hickey, O'Connor, McGuinness, Higgins, Kilber-Stearns, Bagnell, Daly, Nolan, Vegetti

Briar Let 3-Goal lead slip away in cup

Green Briar FC 4:4 Bohemians

Goals from Tom Caldwell, Keith McLoughlin and a brace from Mickey Sexton were not enough to secure the three points in the Briar's Boston Irish Cup Group B opener. The Greens contrived to squander a comfortable 3-0 half time lead as the seasoned Bohemians players finishing the stronger to earn a valuable point.

Domintating proceeding in the first half and early on after the break, Green Briar were unable to to add to their goals tally. When Bohs pulled one back, the lead quickly began looking particularly fragile. Early season fitness and a lack of match sharpness may have contributed to the disappointing collapse.

When the 3 goal lead finally evaporated the Briar players managed to get their noses in front once more to take a 4:3 lead in the closing minutes. Tom Caldwell's late strike was deflected into the net by Keith McLoughlin as it looked like all would end well.

But what would the Irish Cup be without controversy? As the final minutes were ticking down, Bohemians mounted one last meaningful attack. With Briar defenders the wrong side of the ball, the Bohs attacker went down in the box and Mark Stokes awarded a penalty. The kick was duly converted as parity was restored for the final time on the night as each team earned a point.

Group A Results: Groton House 0:1 Kendall Wanderers A

Line Up: Dupuis, Clarke, Hennessy, McGuinness, Caldwell, McLoughlin, Sexton, O'Connor, Coen, Miller, Coen, Hardy, Roux, De'Pieri

Win a free trip to Ireland from the Briar Group!

For more info & to sign up please visit  http://winatriptoireland.eventbrite.com/