The Lawn Shamrocks in their Hey Day

The Latest on Rudy Norman by Gord Dunphy

St. Lawrence Laurentian Rudy Norman

Right from the horse's mouth

Here's the latest email that I received from the St. Lawrence Laurentian's Rudy Norman.

Hey Gord,

I am playing out home this summer. We are far from done.... when all the chips are down we will be there again in the end next summer. You can count on it...

Norman for Captain

If you want to talk about character - You should talk about Rudy Norman.
If you want to talk about dedication - You should talk about Rudy Norman.
If you want to talk about determination - You should talk about Rudy Norman.

And if you want to ask me, "Who do I feel should take over as Captain of the Laurentians now that Blair Aylward has retired?"

My vote for the next Captain of the St.Lawrence Laurentians is Rudy Norman

St.Lawrence Laurentians Coach Steps Down by Gord Dunphy

Dereck Strang

Strang calls it quits

After spending the past four seasons as head coach of the St.Lawrence Laurentians, Dereck Strang is calling it quits. Strang is not the only Laurentian that won't be donning the "Laurentian Blue" in 2009. Veteran Laurentians, Blair Aylward, Alec Turpin and Mike Howlett have all indicated that they are retiring. Three Laurentian youngsters, Sean Edwards, Stefan Slaney and Tyler Beck, who are on the verge of becoming impact players with St.Lawrence,will be suiting up for the Newfoundland and Labrador Canada Games Team in 2009. Besides the six players I previously mentioned, what the future holds for Rudy Norman, Andrew Perrott, Darren Pike, Jonathon Pickett, Paul Slaney, Richard Kelly and John Douglas, is anyone's guess.

New Direction

The Laurentians, at this point are at a critical crossroads in what the future holds for soccer in St. Lawrence. Maybe it could even develop into a crisis unless some new blood becomes involved and offers their services to the lifeblood of the community, which I feel is soccer. The team must get back and get themselves identified with the community. The Laurentians need to get the townspeople back in their corner. It's not always about winning or losing either, but I guess what sometimes St.Lawrence would deem as an under achievement, other communities would boast about it as a victory. Actually, I feel this is what makes St.Lawrence different from the rest. In St.Lawrence you are only as good as your last performance.

Proud Laurentian

I myself, am proud to say that I am from St.Lawrence and am a very proud Laurentian. The fact that I've lived in St.Lawrence for 45 years or 90% of my life and the fact that my four children call St.Lawrence home, is something that I am very proud to say. My advice now to all Lautrentians is to regroup, reorganize and develop a strategy that will see soccer remain in St.Lawrence for years to come.

Good Luck to All !!!

Blog Celebrates 50,000 Hits - Click Here

Mount Pearl Senior Ladies Tryouts

Mount Pearl is entering a senior ladies team in the Jubilee Trophy League in 2009. There will be a training session and open try-out on Thursday, January 29th at the Mount Pearl Intermediate (MPI) school on Ruth Avenue for all players who are interested in playing. Training will run from 9:00PM to 10:30PM every Thursday starting on January 29th. All sessions will be conducted under the direction of the MPSA and players are expected to train at a high level. More information will be provided at the first training session!

All players are welcome.

All NL Under 13 Boys

Adam Kelly - St.Lawrence, Shayne Dunphy- Marystown, Christian Lace - Burin

A Huge Commitment

Adam Kelly and his mom DelseyKelly -St.Lawrence, Shayne Dunphy and his father Shane Dunphy - Marystown and Christine Lace and his father Norm Lace - Burin were in St. John's at the Drill Hall in Pleasantville attending Under -13 Provincial All - Star practices this past weekend.

I must say that the parents of these kids and the players themselves that play on the provincial all-star teams from regions outside the Avalon Peninsula certainly make a big commitment to the game of soccer in our province. For example; the players shown above had practices scheduled on Friday night, Saturday morning, Saturday evening and Sunday morning .

Robert Slaney - Click to go to Robert's Site

Robert Slaney and his Dad, Val

8 Robert Slaney Left Wing
Height: 6'02"
Weight: 203 lbs
Shoots: Left
Born: Oct 13, 1988 — Upper Island Cove, NL
Acquired: 2005 QMJHL Draft Round 6 (107th)
Rights: Eligible 2006

====================
Robert Slaney is again this season making a name for himself in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, playing for the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. At present, Robert leads his team in goal scoring and in total point production. His stataticits are at an impressive at 25 goals and 36 assists for a total of 61 points in 47 games played. Actually, Robert's present stats places him overall in 8th place in individual standings in the QMJHL

Robert was the Scholastic Player of the Year in the QMJHL. Does a great job balancing hockey and school. One of the top power forwards in the league who can also jump in on the blueline in a pinch. Attended Carolina Hurricanes Training Camp this year. Has had 18 multi-point games this season. Tied a career high for points in a game earlier this season with a three-point night against Acadie-Bathurst on Sept.26. Scored his first “Q” goal on Nov.11,2005 against Saint John. He played his 200th game in the OMJHL on Nov.23 against PEI.

Roberts Career Stats are:

	2005-08-12	Entered "Quebec Major Junior Hockey League"
	2005-08-12	Recruted/Drafted by "Cape Breton"
	2006-01-31	* Academic player of the month – Cape Breton Screaming Eagles – JANUARY 2006 -
	2006-12-31	* Academic player of the month – Cape Breton Screaming Eagles – DECEMBER 2006 -
	2008-01-17	* JOUEUR ÉTUDIANT DU MOIS SCHOLASTIC PLAYER OF THE MONTH * Décembre / December 2007 Slaney, Robert Cape Breton ( COMMUNIQUÉ / PRESS RELEASE ) ( VIDEO )
	2008-04-02	* 2007-08 Trophée Marcel-Robert - Joueur étudiant de l'année / Scholastic player of the year Slaney, Robert Cape Breton
	2008-12-15	* Player of the week - OFFENSIVE – (4gp, 5+2=7pts, diff.+2, 1bdn, 2gwg), from 2008-12-08 to 2008-12-14

St. John's, New Indoor Soccer Building Collasped

Photo's by Gord Dunphy

NL Soccer suffers another major setback

Just six weeks after a major rainstorm storm severely damaged the King George "V" Field, the province of Newfoundland and Labrador is faced with another major setback. Earlier today,

the new Indoor Soccer Facility, located in Pleasantville, has been severely damaged due to the high winds that are presently existing in St. John's. Winds of 100 km per hour has collapsed the entire steel structure of the building.

A visit to the site

I just got back from the site and I am totally shocked at what I've seen. Early reports had indicated that the winds had damaged two sides of the building. But what I actually saw was an entire building that had collapsed. Yes, I mean totally collapsed. The entire building is down and while I was at the site I spoke with Jim Buckingham. Mr. Buckingham, along with Johnny Breen and a third party
( Corporate Business) are the owners of the building. Mr. Buckingham informed me that the building is a 100% write-off. Jim also said,"that there was no one on the site at the time that the building collapsed".

Oldies of St.Lawrence

Fedalis Edwards, Donette Turpin, Paul Doyle, Glen Turpin, Vince Clarke, Randy Edwards, Louie Turpin-Jr, Keith Farrell, Edmund Turpin, Phil Turpin, Sonny Slaney, Roger Slaney, Walter Haskell, Jude Turpin

Oldies of St.Lawrence

Blair Alyward, Rudy Kelly, Greg Quirke, Scott Rennie, Kent Slaney, Chad Weymouth,Todd Slaney, Steve Edwards ,Mark Slaney, Craig Reeves ,Daren Pike, Eldon Slaney, Levi Power,Brad Slaney, Mike Quirke, Kirk Pike, Barry Lake, Mike Howlett,Bobby Drake,...........don't know the kid next to Levi Power

St.Lawrence Minor Soccer

Back row -Donald Emberly, Duane Haley, Rene Slaney, Shane Dunphy, David Haley, Cyril Banfield, Eric Bishop, Paul Lambe, Scott Bishop

Front - Patty Brake, Tony Cuza, Darin Dunphy, Paul Cavalini, ???????????, Norbert Doyle, Lessie Wells

Coaches - Jim Loder and Tom Tarrant

If anyone knows who the guy in the photo ??????? is , could you please email me at gorddunphy@email.com I'm after having quite a bit of discussion on who the guy is but no one really seems to know.

Press Release courtesy of the NLSA

Denise Hickey named NLSA Vice President - Women's Soccer

Denise Hickey of St. John’s has been
appointedprovincial vice-president
for female soccer. Her appointment
was announced by Newfoundland
and Labrador Soccer Association
president Doug Redmond.
       
Hickey assumes an executive
position that was unfilled during
the Association’s 2008 annual
general meeting.
      
Redmond said “the association is
very fortunate to have the services
of an extremely experienced
soccer personality with an impressive
soccer background. She brings
extensive experienceto her position.”
      
A medical doctor, Hickey was a
very skilled all-star throughout
her minor soccer career in the
St. John’s system with several
championships to her credit.
She was a valuable member of the
provincial team at the 1993 Canada
Summer Games,in the process of
putting a rewarding five-year
intercollegiate career together.
       
From 1990 to 1992 she was a member
of the Mount Alison University
varsity team and from 1994 to 1997
was a standout performer for the
Memorial University varsity club.
During four of her five seasons within
Atlantic University competition she
earned four all-star selections
and twice earned academic all-Canadian
designation.
       
Invited twice to the Canadian
University national high
performance camp, her senior soccer
career started in 1988 and she performed
in national Jubilee Cup championships
five times.She has two children who play
soccer and she helps with their coaching.
Judi Kelloway of Burin is youth VP,
Gordon Dunphy of St. Lawrence is
senior men’s VP, Doug Kirby of St. John’s
is treasurer and Dave LeGrow of
Mount Pearl is secretary.

Directors of the Association include
Bob Antle of St. John’s,
Ron O’Neill of Mount Pearl ,
Jeff Clancey of  Paradise,
Sharon Langor of Corner Brook,
Trevor Paine of Happy Valley-Goose Bay,
Ronald Manet of  St. Pierre and Miquelon,
Pat Wells of Conception Bay South,
Shane Dunphy of Marystown,
Chris Murley of Gander
and Don Stoddart of Labrador City.

FIFA 2008 Male and Female Player's of the Year

Cristiano Ronaldo and Marta are world players of year

Marta of Brazil and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal pose with the trophies as FIFA's world soccer players of the year during the awards ceremony in Zurich on Monday.
Ronaldo, the young Portuguese star who led Manchester United to two major titles, was heavy favorite for FIFA men's award. Brazil's Marta wins women's award for third time.

====================

Cristiano Ronaldo

The Portugal winger led Manchester United to the Premier League and Champions League titles in May. He scored 42 goals in all competitions last season and became the first English Premier League player to win the award in its 18-year history.

====================

Marta of Brazil

Like just about all the great Brazilian soccer stars, Marta Vieira da Silva is known by a single name. When she swivels, defenders spin to follow her darting feet. She’s slight, but her thin legs generate graceful power and audacious fakes. She can sprint and yet linger over the ball, punching it off her heel or instep without breaking stride.

She grew up poor in Brazil and her idols were such one-name wonders as Rivaldo, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. Her moves are similar, her goals equally ambitious.

Julian de Guzman named Canadian male soccer player of the year

In a season filled with highs and lows, Julian de Guzman was named the winner of the 2008 Adidas Canadian male soccer player of the year.

The Toronto native was chosen in a vote weighted evenly between Canadian media and coaches who have taken the Canadian Soccer Association's national course at the B and A levels.

This is the first year the male player of the year award - first handed out in 2005 - has gone to a player other than Dwayne De Rosario, who is de Guzman's teammate when the two play for Canada.

De Guzman, 27, scored two goals in seven games for Canada this past year, including one during the disastrous World Cup qualifying campaign.

"With the national team it was pretty disappointing with not being able to qualify for the World Cup," said de Guzman, whose only two previous international goals came against Costa Rica in 2007.

A positive aspect of de Guzman's season was his play for Deportivo La Coruna, which he helped earn a spot in the UEFA Cup, along with being named the team's player of the year.

Sinclair wins Canadian women's soccer player of year

Christine Sinclair, #12, scored 13 goals in 22 games for the Canadian National Team in 2008.

Forward Christine Sinclair was named the Canadian women's soccer player of the year for 2008 on Thursday. Sinclair, from Burnaby, B.C., is considered one of the top players in the world.
Sinclair led the national team to victory at the Cyprus Cup tournament in March, and to a second-place finish at the Peace Queen Cup in August. She also recorded her seventh career hat trick in 2008, a Canadian record. Sinclair is Canada's all-time leading scorer with 95 goals, and sits seven games shy of tying Andrea Neil's record of 132 national team appearances.
The Canadian men's player of the year will be revealed Friday

Canadian Soccer Honours Top U-20 Players of '08

Nana Attakora-Gyan and Jonelle Filigno were named the Canadian Soccer Association's Under-20 players of the year on Tuesday.

Attakora-Gyan, from Orangeville, Ont., is a member of the Canadian U-20 team that will play in next year's CONCACAF men's U-20 championship. He also plays for Toronto FC of Major League Soccer, appearing in five games with the club last season.

Filigno, from Mississauga, Ont., split the 2008 season between the Canadian women's senior and U-20 teams. She helped the latter win the gold medal at the 2008 CONCACAF women's U-20 championship, scoring four goals in the tournament, including the winner in the semifinals against Mexico. She also played in the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Chile, scoring one goal in two matches after missing the opener because of a knee injury.
Filigno helped the senior national team win the Cyprus Cup in March, finish second at the Peace Queen Cup in June and reach the quarter-finals at the Olympics in August. She started 12 of her 20 games and scored her first-ever goal against Trinidad and Tobago in April.

Shane Dunphy's Home Ice Rink in Marystown

Wils Molloy "Boomer" - # 9

Former St.Lawrence Laurentians Great -
Wils Molloy

=====================

Some of Wils team photo's and his plaques on display
at Wils home in St.Lawrence

====================

Wils Molloy's most respected plaque

====================

Wils Molloy is one of three Laurentians inducted into
Sport Newfoundland and Labrador Hall of Fame.

====================

Photo of the St.Lawrence 1967 Laurentian Team
This was the first team to represent Newfoundland in
National Competition

====================

Photo of the St.Lawrence 1999 Laurentian Team

I coached this team to a National Bronze Medal in Chilliwack, British Columbia. Wils Molloy was the Assistant Coach of this squad

====================

Wils with his grandson Aidan Barrett. (Tammy's son)


===================

Needless to say, Wils had a soccer ball there for the young fellow to kick around. This photo was taken at Wils home in St.Lawrence -
Christmas 08

St. Lawrence Laurentians of 1966

St. Lawrence Laurentians of 1966

Click on the photo for an enlargement

Front Row - (L-R) Ray Slaney, Ray Farrell, Frank Tobin, Bob Slaney, Cyril Quirke and Carl Ferrie

Middle Row - (L-R) Hugh Tarrant, Jerome Slaney, Brendan Slaney, Norm Kelly and Gerald (Moose) Fitzpatrick

Back Row- (L-R) Ron Slaney, Howard Lake, Pat Slaney, Keith Walsh, Mike Quirke, Reg Farrell, Wils Molloy, Carl Farrell and Coach Jack Lundrigan


I took a photo of this 1966 St.Lawrence team on my digital camera when I was home during Christmas. Never had I seen this team picture before. Wils Molloy had the picture and Wils informed me that the picture was taken in St.John's at Fort Pepperell ( Pleasantville, then known as Fort PEPPERRELL, was an American military base) Actually, you can see some of the old Buildings that are still standing in the background.

I can remember this team fairly well and most of the guys that were on it also played on the St.Lawrence 1967 team that were the first team to represent Newfoundland in Challenge Cup Competition.