Spartak 1 Iveagh Celtic 3
Spartak will reflect on a game that was in their grasp but was allowed to slip away through an inability to kill it off.
Better decision making and clinical finishing by Iveagh were the keys to the result. Spartak had plenty of chances to put the game beyond the visitors reach but were indecisive, and sometimes indulgent, in the final third. So Spartak will have to deal with the frustration of letting slip a game which could have been won, and seeing three points needlessly lost.
A great run and cross by Ger Byrne gave Niall Hanratty, at the second attempt, the opening to put the sky blues 1-0 up after just 2 minutes. Spartak were playing all the football and a second goal looked likely. Fintan Grace and Stuart Love were combining well and Keith Kelly and Seamus McCahill were winning the ball in midfield.
Glen had an opportunity to capitalise on ropy defending by Iveagh but chose to try and beat another man rather than shoot or cross. Iveagh had a couple of forays and just on half time Peter had a lapse which went unpunished.
Every Spartak corner in the first half was poorly delivered , whether by Glen, or one one occasion, Niall.
Spartak began the second period well and when Seamus’ header struck the bar it looked a simple task for Glen, all alone, to nod into the empty net. Inexplicably he headed over the gaping goal.
From the resultant kick out, Ger Byrne fastened on to the ball and had a clear run at goal, but shot wide.
Stuart Love and Seamus McCahill, after bright starts, began to fade in midfield and Glen never reached the levels of concentration required to perform.
On 70 minutes, Iveagh, having earlier hit the bar, got a messy equaliser when the ball was forced over the line following uncertain defending.
Spartak tried to restore their lead and a good move led to Ger having a chance but straight from the clearance Martin Costello made a critical error when caught in possession and the forward drove past Peter at the near post.
Almost immediately the pattern repeated itself , with a goalmouth scramble in the Iveagh goalmouth being cleared and finished on the break. 1-3
Spartak were temporarily reduced to ten when Keith had to go off after all the subs were made, but he returned to strike the bar with a good effort.
While Iveagh had far fewer chances in the game, they were able to ride out the last ten minutes comfortably.
Form Report:
Peter O’Toole 5 Dave O’Kelly 6 Fintan Grace 6 Martin Costello 6 Paul Kinsella 6 Keith Kelly 7 Seamus McCahill 5 Niall Hanratty 6 Glen Burke 4 Stuart Love 6 Ger Byrne 6
Subs Neil McGowan 6 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Niall Tilley 6 Will O Connell Dan O Connell Rob Mahon . Steve Grier no show.
