Spartak 4 Mourne 0.
A comprehensive victory for Spartak, whose strikers ran Mourne ragged and wih more clinical finishing could have seen an even more embarrassing outcome for the visitors. Ger Byrne and Graham McEnroe worked really well together and the partnership tormented the Mourne defence on a hot day on a big pitch. Ger had a marvellous outing, lacking only goals, and his hounding of the defence, lung bursting runs and crosses caused havoc all day. Graham won the ball repeatedly in the air, and his skilful turns and passes opened up the visitors defence.
A frantic start to the game saw Spartak well up for the contest with vigorous interventions from Keith Kelly, Martin Costello and Seamus McCahill more than matching the visitors physical application. A good pass by McCahill sent Byrne away but his shot was too close to the keeper, who blocked.
On 24 minutes a lofted ball from Stuart Love was misjudged by the keeper and Glen Burke finished to the empty net from a tight angle. Almost immediately a throw in by Kelly was adroitly tucked home by McCahill. 2-0.
A good header by Fintan Grace gave Byrne an oportunity from close in, but he was slow to react and the ball was cleared.
On 50 minutes a nice move saw Byrne make a great run and then unselfishly pass to McEnroe for a simple finish.
Flanagan and McCahill continued to dominate the middle and plied the strikers with good supply. The back four, apart from a sloppy closing period, were on top of their opponents throughout.
Byrne and McEnroe missed a number of chances to add to the tally and Niall Tilley, on for Glen Burke, missed a straightforward chance.
The fourth arrived when Byrne’s headed effort from Burkes’ corner
was cleared off the line but McEnroe drove home, again from close range.
A bright start to the season.
Form report
Peter O’Toole 7 Dave O’Kelly 7 Fintan Grace 7 Martin Costello 8 Keith Kelly 8 Tom Flanagan 7 Seams McCahill 7 Glen Burke 7 Graham McEnroe 8 Stuart Love 7 Ger Byrne 9
Subs Niall Tilly 6 Shane Corrigan 6 Dan O’Connell 6 Neil McGowan Tom O’Driscoll Cathal Clancy
