In a weekend where all would be expected to turn out for matches, a hardy few braved the astro at the postal club in two sessions over the weekend. Too few interested in trying for honours this year? A poor reflection on many, and an attitude which needs to be improved.
St Pats CY 1, Spartak 2
Spartak capitalised fully on errors by the home custodian to earn a precious win in the hostile environs of Irishtown Stadium.
Dave Browne’s warning to pack extra shinpads was timely and Fintan Grace, Keith Kelly and Neil McGowan were on the receiving end of tackles which , on oher days,and other venues, would have drawn full sanction.
Pats took the early initiative and Spartak had a let off when the forward, clean through, went past Peter O’Toole only to shoot wildly over from an angle.
Tom O’Driscoll missed a great chance for Spartak, placing his shot too close to the keeper.
The local keeper was penalised for stepping outside his box while kicking out and Neil McGowan exacted the ultimate retribution with a superbly executed free kick after 14 minutes.
Pressure mounted from Pats as Spartak sat too deep, and when Glen Burke was caught between ball and man the resulting cross caused mayhem before the home full back went past Stuart Love, Fintan Grace and Dave Browne to equalise off the far post. Graham Breen just failed to head O’Driscoll’s corner in but otherwise Spartak’s attacks were sporadic at best.
The second half was a war of attrition with Pats moving the ball better. Neil McGowan did a fine job of shoring up a porous midfield, as distribution from defence deteriorated, and he had a couple of volleyed efforts go close.
The decisive moment came on 63 minutes, when Tom O’Driscoll intercepted a poor kick out by the keeper, shrugged off a strong challenge, and delicately lifted the ball over the advancing keeper for a delightfully taken score.
With Peter O’Toole in confident handling form, and the Sky Blues becoming more resourceful with a lead to defend with vital tackles and blocks, Spartak held out for the three points.
Form Report:
Peter O’Toole 7 Glen Burke 6 Fintan Grace 6 Kevin O’Toole 6 Dave Browne 6 Keith Kelly 7 Neil McGowan 8 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Stuart Love 5 Graham Breen 6 Ger Byrne 6.
Subs Anto Doyle 5 Will O’Connell 5 Niall Tilley . Steve Grier no show.
Maynooth Town 4, Spartak 3.
With Marlay off, Spartak travelled west to face Major 1 side Maynooth Town on the NUI astro pitch.
Despite Maynooth’s technical superiority, the Sky Blues battled well and took full advantage of set pieces to score three times. Indeed Graham Breen popped one in with a snap left footer on 13 minutes to take the lead, before a rare error by Keith Kelly was punished for the equaliser. Maynooth broke well when a poor Spartak corner was cleared quickly to take the lead just before the break. Paul Kinsella and Keith tried to spring an offside trap, but the locals were too wily to fall for that one. 1-2.
Peter O’Toole was, of necessity, in fine form and made some really good saves to deny the home side, who moved the ball much better by accurate and swift passing. Time and again Spartak players found themselves dispossessed as the winners insinuated their bodies between opponent and ball.
Maynooth’s third and fourth goals were of the unstoppable variety, and in between Stuart Love had forced home a flick on from Breen from Browne’s long throw. Tom O’Driscoll’s late free kick, when Ger Byrne was fouled, reduced arrears and completed the scoring.
A worthwhile exercise against superior opponents.
Form Report
Peter O’Toole 8 Mick Greene 5 Fintan Grace 6 Paul Kinsella 6 Keith Kelly 7 Martin Costello 5 Tom O’Driscoll 5 Stuart Love 5 Graham Breen 7 Ger Byrne 6 Neil McGowan 6 Dave Browne 6 Kevin O’Toole 5 Niall Tilley 4 Glen Burke 5 Will O Connell no show, Steve Grier no show.
Mourne Celtic 1 Spartak 4
Spartak displayed superior finishing ability with Graham Breen instrumental in all 4 goals.
With no game since mid November, some of the Spartak players seemed to have emerged blinking into the sunlight for the first time in a while. Cobwebs were clearly in evidence in a few cases and there was a lot of huffing and puffing as Mourne exerted their second half superiority.
Initially all went to plan when, after a foul on Stuart Love, Keith Kelly’s free kick was headed powerfully home by Graham Breen after just 4 minutes. However five minutes later that lead was cancelled when Steve Grier’s schoolboy error handed Mourne an equaliser.
Spartak, with the wind, pressed hard but could not find the finishing touch. Ger Byrne, Tom Flanagan and Seamus McCahill all had opportunities but could not convert.
Spartak’s second goal originated from a disputed throw in; Grier’s throw was flicked on by Breen for McCahill to nod in on 35 minutes. Peter O’Toole was called into action just before half time with a good save.
Stuart Love had what looked like a trademark goal from 2 yards chalked off; the keeper had dropped the ball and Stu forced home, but the ref gave a free out.
The clincher for Spartak was the third goal, just 2 minutes into the second half, when Seamus McCahill placed a textbook cross along the six yard line; before Breener could tap in, their number 2 saved him the trouble by blasting to his own net.
Mourne, with wind advantage, pressed hard and controlled the midfield for the second period; Spartak’s goals were of the breakaway variety, and Mourne wasted a succession of free kicks. Peter O’Toole dealt with all the on target efforts and made one excellent stop from a driven free. Keith Kelly was always resourceful at the back and Grier gradually came into the game, winning important aerial ball, but also being carded for a rash challenge.
The fourth goal was an excellent finish by Breen to McCahill’s cross, when he volleyed the ball back into the far corner.
A satisfactory start to the new year, but fast improvement is vital. Next up is Seaford, conquerors of Colmcilles 4-3 in their last game. A stiffer challenge awaits.
Form Report:
Peter O’Toole 7 Dave Browne 6 Fintan Grace 6 Steve Grier 5 Keith Kelly 7 Tom Flanagan 6 Stuart Love 6 Seamus McCahill 7 Will O Connell 6 Graham Breen 7 Ger Byrne 6.
Subs Paul Kinsella 6 Niall Tilley 6 Niall Hanratty no show.
Thanks to all who sold tickets for the raffle. A special thanks to Martin Costello , who raised €90, and to Mick Greene, Jason Doyle, Ross Kelly, Glen Burke, Fintan Grace, Jose Vargas and Derek Keane all of whom raised €50 or more. Sky blue heroes all.
Must be worth at least vote in Clubman of the year!
Overall leader Ryan Burke heads the posse so far for December but there are quite a number within 15 points of him for the December €50 prize. (You must have paid annuals in full to qualify!).
Chopper, Ger, Cathal, Frank, Breener(!), Deggsy, Hano and Father Ted Crilley are all in the mix.
Roll on the decisive Christmas fixtures…..
Pending someone getting the snow plough and undersoil heating I reckon we won’t be training tonight……
Thanks to all who supported the raffle, and to those who donated prizes and a big thanks to Frank , Derek and Andy (Lord Lucan is on day release, Frank paid the bail money!) for running the raffle itself.
On the night itself, many were wondering why Shane brought us to a gay club – will it be the George next year ? There was an early scare when Hano almost missed the platters.
Among the older denizens Rory came alive when they played a couple of early 80s tracks.
Condtions were treacherous (mainly when Ross produced the shots) and unfortunately there were a number of injuries picked up. Paul K pulled his hamstring and was carried off the field of play , while Keith appeared to suffer from concussion. The Bolgers limped in together. Good to see Mark after his accident, and Neill was suffering after Ross’s hatchet job at training.
We will draw a veil over events during the rest of the evening, suffice to say a good time was had by all, and Tony Kav is not going back till they replenish the Guinness supplies, severely depleted on the night.
And the lucky winners were…..
Winners (Seller)
1- Donal Breen (Fintan Grace)
2- Niamh Callan (Greg Callan)
3-Eamonn Boyle – (Derek McGoldrick)
4 Rachel Burke (Glen Burke)
5 Martin Costello
6 Mary Walsh (Peter O’Toole)
7 Jack and Jess (Dave Mohan)
8 Graham Breen
9 Colum O’Sullivan (RossKelly)
10 Colum O’Sullivan (Ross Kelly)
11 Aoife Breen (Graham Breen)
12 Ross Kelly
13 B Mulholland (Dave Browne)
14 Steve Grier
Congratulations to Ross Kelly for winning Last Man Standing just in time for the Christmas Party on Saturday night. Frank Mc Namee (not content with robbing goals from Mick Greene!) posted Bolton Wonders for a second time. As Bolton was the automatic pick in Week 3 Frank got the next team available to him alphabetically which was Everton.
Last Man Standing will restart in January 2011
