Trip to Clare now certain – some low cost overnight options available at 17 euro.
Contact Mick Greene to get your name down for the trip on 20th July.
Mick Greene has arranged a friendly against Moher Celtic in Liscannor, Co Clare on Saturday 20th July.
Those who wish to stay overnight can do so in Liscannor for around 45 euro per night but places are limited.
Alternatively, accommodation in Lahinch is more expensive at 75 euro.
Due to pitch sharing, the game will kick off at 11.30 am so that will mean an early start from Dublin.
Another option is that some may drive down and back on the day.
Those interested please comment here or contact Mick.
Votes have been received and counted for Player of the Year 2013.
First team saw five nominees; Aodhan McCahill , Seamus McCahill, Conor Maguire, Niall Hanratty and Jason Northey
Second team has six contenders- Martin Costello, Paul Byrne ,Sean Doyle, Stephen Barr, Fintan Grace and Dermot Dooley
Over 35s saw votes for Graham Johnston, Matt Grimes, Tom Maher.
For Clubman, the main contenders are Niall Hanratty Dave Browne Fintan Grace Dave Mohan Paul McGowan and Mick Greene.
24.5.13
Crumlin Utd under 19s, 5, Spartak 0
Spartak can have few complaints regarding defeat by a fine Crumlin side.
There are some mitigating factors; early injuries to Anto Doyle and Conor Callis disrupted the side somewhat, and Sean Doyle missed the game through suspension.
Having said that Crumlin enjoyed the majority of possession and the Sky Blue full backs or midfield could not get passes away, or have any time on the ball as Crumlin pressed with pace.
Accordingly Spartak players were mostly chasing the ball, which is exhausting, and on some occasions Sky Blue players lost the ball through opting to try to beat players instead of passing.
A very soft goal conceded on 26 minutes gave the advantage to Crumlin, when a cross following a corner was nodded in; under normal circumstances that cross should have been dealt with.
Spartak had their chances with Dermot Dooley shooting over and also heading a cross too close to the keeper. Paul Byrne also had a header just wide.
On 67 minutes the second goal arrived, and it was a screamer. Fintan Grace headed clear but the ball was hit first time from outside the box and soared into the top corner.
After that goal there was only going to be one result as Spartak wilted under pressure, and the scoreline duly grew to five as Crumlin utilised their bench.
So a comprehensive defeat to a good quality Crumlin side containing under age internationals
Now that the dust has died down we can look back on a good occasion and know that it ranks as a good achievement to reach a provincial final.
Learn and come back stronger.
Form Report
David Marlow 6 Anto Doyle 6 Chris Hogan 6 Martin Costello 7 Fintan Grace 6 Shane McInerney 6 Stephen Barr 6 Conor Callis 6 Dermot Dooley 6 Paul Byrne 6 John McCluskey 6
Subs Jeff Gamble 5 Glen Burke 5 Mick Costello 5 Niall Lennon Cathal Clancy Conor Canavan Ross Kelly
2.5.13
Spartak 0, Greenhills/GreenPark 1
A much changed visiting side gained revenge in the rematch which was critical in the race for the title.
A tight game ensued, much of which was contested in midfield, which was not surprising given the high stakes involved.
Greenhills had slightly the upper hand early on although Spartak also threatened at times.
Sean Doyle had a early effort cleared off the line, while Jason Northey came to the rescue with a good save when Shane McInerney was outpaced.
Probably the Sky Blues clearest chance arrived early on when a long ball from Sean Doyle sent Stephen Barr away but his shot was saved.
On 38 minutes the home side switched off at a corner kick which was finished inside the near post.
Spartak fought to get back into the game; Martin Costello and Dermot Dooley both fired just over; efforts were increased without too many clear chances being created.
The visitors continued to carry a threat and struck the post.
The last action saw Paul Byrne make a good run but the finish was too soft to trouble the keeper.
Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Anto Doyle 6 Chris Hogan 6 Sean Doyle 7 Fintan Grace 6 Shane McInerney 6 Stephen Barr 6 Conor Callis 6 Dermot Dooley 6 Paul Byrne 6 Martin Costello 6
Subs: Mick Costello 6 Steve O Hara 6
27.4.13
Greenhills/Greenpark 1, Spartak 2
An eventful game in Greenhills saw the Sky Blues collect three valuable points in the promotion chase.
Spartak took the initiative and scored in the 18th minute, when a David Marlow kick out was touched on by Dermot Dooley for Thom O’Driscoll to race on and tuck away a neat shot past the advancing goalkeeper.
Paul Byrne’s header from Thom’s free was just wide and John McCluskey also had a header saved after more good work from Dooley. But on 27 minutes Shane McInerney diverted the ball with an outstretched arm- penalty! David Marlow came to the rescue with a great save low to his left. But the locals continued to press and the Spartak defence switched off following a throw in to allow Greenhills to equalise a minute after the penalty save.
A neat Thom O’Driscoll through ball on 32 minutes sent Shane McInerney scampering away and, before he could shoot, the defender made a despairing challenge – yellow card and penalty. Up stepped Stephen Barr, bravely ignoring the terrible pain from a sore toe, to drill the ball home.
Strangely, Conor Callis was given a yellow card for diving a couple of minutes later when another penalty looked on the cards. This was repeated in the second half when John McCluskey, fouled in the act of shooting form 5 yards out, was also booked for diving!
The second period, although played at a high tempo, and frantic at times, produced no further goals; Conor Callis had the best opportunity for Spartak after good work by Dermot Dooley and Paul Byrne, but dragged his shot wide after a clear run at goal.
Some fine defensive work by the Spartak defence generally kept the hme attack at bay.
It was left to David Marlow to have the last word with a point blank save from a header, from a forward who appeared yards offside.
Form Report
David Marlow 9 Anto Doyle 8 Chris Hogan 8 Martin Costello 8 Stephen Barr 8 Shane McInerney 7 John McCluskey 7 Conor Callis 7 Dermot Dooley 7 Paul Byrne 7 Thom O’Driscoll 7
Subs: David Garavan 6 Ross Kelly 5 Mick Greene
Walkinstown 1 Spartak 4
The Sky Blues secured three more points on the promotion trail with a good performance.
After a quiet opening, Spartak took the lead on 15 minutes from a free conceded by a local injured player returning to the pitch without permission. Sean Doyle’s free found Martin Costello at the far post and his header went in via the keeper.
The Sky Blues then made the near fatal mistake of relaxing and soon the home side were bossing the midfield, with the equaliser arriving when the ball was allowed bounce in the Spartak box and nodded home by the local striker.
Spartak recovered their composure and tempo in the second period and re established the lead on 49 mnutes and when a Sean Doyle free was fumbled by the keeper Dermot Dooley was on hand to score. Dooley then had a big part in the decisive third goal when he won the ball in a tackle and crossed for Stephen Barr to head in. As the home side looked to get back in the match, gaps appeared and Spartak had chances on the break while Stephen Barr, guilty of a few misses, had to wait till the 92nd minute before getting his second following another Doyle free. Sean then received a second yellow in the last minute.
Form Report
David Marlow 6 Anto Doyle 6 Steve O’Hara 5 Sean Doyle 8 Fintan Grace 6 Shane McInerney 5 Mick Costello 5 Stephen Barr 7 Dermot Dooley 7 Paul Byrne 7 Martin Costello 6
Subs: Chris Hogan 6 Conor Callis 6 David Garavan 6
22.4.13
Esker 0, Spartak 3
In blustery conditions Spartak gained a valuable win in Lucan.
Mick Costello, deputising in goal, was the star of the show and was instrumental in keeping a clean sheet and gleaning the three points with a series of saves, safe handling, and good distribution.
On 9 minutes a neat move started by Sean Doyle was carried on by Martin Costello and Paul Byrne to give John McCluskey the chance and he made no mistake.
The Spartak back four was solid throughout and the midfield worked hard in closing Esker down.
A brace of second half goals clinched the win; Shane McInerney’s pass was converted by Paul Byrne on 57 minutes while Dermot Dooley fished off a long kick by Mick Costello for the third goal on 86 minutes.
Jeff Gamble had a brief cameo, on as sub and then sent off within a minute for a challenge on the keeper.
A highly satisfactory performance.
Form Report
Mick Costello 9 Anto Doyle 7 Steve O Hara 7 Sean Doyle 8 Fintan Grace 7 Shane McInerney 7 Conor Callis 6 John McCluskey 6 Dermot Dooley 7 Paul Byrne 7 Martin Costello 6
Subs: Jeff Gamble 4 Ross Kelly 5 Mick Greene 5
20.4.13
Spartak 0, Castle Park 1
A pivotal game in the league was spoiled by awful refereeing; both sides suffered and the quality of the game deteriorated with each poor call by the official.
From Spartak’s point of view the most contentious call came when a Glen Burke goal was disallowed on 18 minutes; there was no appeal from Castle but the referee spotted an infringement which went unnoticed by others.
Glen and Stephen Barr both fired over at the end of decent moves in what was a scrappy encounter.
Castle struck the underside of the bar and Glen cleared off the line.
The Sky Blues lost discipline for a time as things became feisty with predictable results and Castle began to grow in confidence.
Spartak began to show the effects of their recent exertions and hesitation by Martin Costello saw him concede a corner which was headed home at the back post on 81 minutes for the winning goal.
Thom O’Driscoll had a great chance to equalise when the ball fell to him just inside the box as the final whistle approached; he had time to take a touch but opted for a first time effort which just cleared the crossbar.
Form Report :
David Marlow 7 Anto Doyle 5 Steve O Hara 6 Sean Doyle 7 Martin Costello 6 Shane McInerney 6 Stephen Barr 6 Glen Burke 5 Dermot Dooley 5 Paul Byrne 5 Conor Callis 5
Subs: Mick Costello 5 Thom O’Driscoll 5
19.4.13
AIB 0, Spartak 3
Spartak’s busy mid week schedule continued and the game kicked off late as David Marlow explored all suburbs in the vicinity of the pitch before deigning to join his colleagues.
Excellent facilities at DCU and a really good ref made for a fine match
Spartak lived dangerously in a tight first half as the home side pressed and were grateful for the offside whistle on a couple of occasions. Conor Callis had a few good runs and one effort saved by the keeper and the Callis and Fintan Grace combined to cross for Stephen Barr who headed wide.
But the Sky Blues saved their best for the second period when Niall Hanratty and Anto Doyle combined for Stephen Barr to head home on 58 minutes.
A Paul Byrne double finished off the home side; Callis and Doyle were involved in his first while Hanratty and Barr combined for Paul’s second, and Spartak’s third.
With upcoming gamed in mind, and the points secure, Messrs Grace, Doyle and Mick Costello were substituted giving Anto the opportunity to note the combined age count!
Form Report:
David Marlow 6 Chris Hogan 6 Fintan Grace 7 Martin Costello 6 Mick Costello 7 Anto Doyle 7 Niall Hanratty 7 Conor Callis 7 Paul Byrne 7 Stephen Barr 7 Shane McInerney 6 Dermot Dooley 6 Steve O Hara 6
