At the presentation night on 23rd May, the following won the seasonal awards:
Sunday player of the Year – Karl McCullough
Saturday player of the Year – Jeff Gamble
Over 35s Player of the Year – Padraig Finnerty
Clubman of the Year – Mick Leslie
Tom Maher received an award making 800 appearance for the club.
Well done to all.
27.5.15
Spartak 2, Dunboyne 6
Spartak were in end of season mode against a Dunboyne side chasing promotion, and capitulated all too tamely on a fine evening in Marlay park.
With Dunboyne holding a comfortable hafl time lead, Two Jeff Gamble goals made a game of it for a while, before the vistors asserted their supremacy.
A poor end to a season that held plenty of promise for so long, with an unbeaten league stretch fro September to February.
Form Report
Jason Northey 5 Dave Browne 5 Mick Leslie 5 Paul Kinsella 5 Joe McCarthy 5 Ciaran Keane 5 Aodhan McCahill 5 Jeff Gamble 7 Steve Browne 5 Mikey Ryan 5 Ger Byrne 7
Subs: Chris Hogan 6 Karl McCullough 6
23.5.15
Spartak 3, Marks Celtic 0
Spartak put in a pleasing performance on a hot day in Wayside’s wonderful ground to claim the Lynch Cup.
An early goal after just 4 minutes allowed the Sky Blues to settle down quickly. An Adam Doran clearance was flicked on by Martin Costello for Steve Walsh to race in and place a right footed effort which went in off the post.
On the half hour a neat flick by Neil McGowan sent Stuart Love down the left, and his measured cross was driven in by Martin Costello.
A moment of madness by the Marks keeper saw him lash out at Steve Walsh – an instant red card, just before the break.
Spartak were content to protect their lead, and attack on the break in the second period.
On 76 minutes, substitute Keith Kelly retrieved a ball that appeared to be running wide, and his cross from the right gave Stuart Love the chance to take a touch before firing across the keeper into the far corner.
That clinched it , and Neil McGowan lifted the Cup to end a satisfying season.
Form Report
Adam Doran 7 Dave Browne 7 Aodhan McCahill 8 Paul Kinsella 8 Karl McCullough 7 Stuart Love 7 Neil McGowan 7 Dave Kernan 7 Steve Grier 8 Martin Costello 7 Steve Walsh 7
Subs: Keith Kelly 7 Seamus McCahill 7 Tom O’Driscoll 7
18.5.14
Spartak 2, Earl Celtic 4
Bottom of the league Earl Celtic came to Marlay for this end of season game, weathered some early pressure, and then in the second half ran up a four goal lead aided by a flaccid Spartak display.
Failure to press a first half territorial advantage came back to bite the Sky Blues as Earl gradually grew in confidence. Ciaran Keane was the culprit regarding missed opportunities, and Conor Callis showed little appetite for the fray.
This was a game when individual battles were conceded, rather than lost, and Earl were allowed score , or threaten, in every second half attack.
Spartak’s midfield men in particular had an outing they would wish to forget, while it was only when the three substitutes were introduced that Spartak looked capable of matching the visitors.
Unfortunately by then it was too late, and goals by Jeff Gamble and Steve Walsh could not affect the result.
Form Report
Jason Northey 4 Barry Maguire 4 Mick Leslie 4 Seamus McCahill 5 Dave Browne 5 Ciaran Keane 4 Conor Canavan 4 Jeff Gamble 5 Shane McInerney 4 Martin Costello 5 Conor Callis 4
Subs: Niall Collins 6 Steve Walsh 6 Ger Byrne 6
Player of the Year and Clubman of the Year awards will be presented on Sat night 23rd May in the Eden at 8.30.
In the running for clubman of the year there are a few candidates – Mick Leslie (for sterling water bottle service) Dave Browne, Steve Grier, Colm Reid, Gavin Johnson and the two hardy annuals Mick Greene and Paul McGowan.
Competition for the Sunday Player of the Year is very close. The first seven votes received were all for different players! The main contenders are Karl McCullough, Steve Grier, Steve Walsh, Neil McGowan and David Kernan.
On Saturday the votes are more closely bunched, with Niall “Skip” Lennon, Conor Canavan and Jeff Gamble the main contenders.
The over 35s nominations include Gerry Doran , Padraig Finnerty and Matt Grimes.
See You Saturday.
8.5.15
Portmarnock 3, Spartak 1
A mysterious penalty award gave Portmarnock a half time lead, settling their nerves against an under strength Spartak outfit who put in a good performance, spoiled only by inability to take their chances on a pristine surface at Paddy’s Hill.
Mick Leslie was the main culprit in this regard, with three below par efforts, in particular spurning a big chance after a mazy Jeff Gamble run had squared the ball invitingly. In another attack, Mikey Ryan had put Ciaran Keane through and clear, but Ciaran, instead of heading for goal, made a beeline towards the corner flag before firing wildly over and wide.
Conor Keegan made a welcome return to the defence, and , apart from an unnecessary booking, had a fine game, including a goal line clearance, while Stephen Harris recovered his form and made a few vital saves with the back four in general showing stern resistance to the home attacks.
Spartak resisted well until the turning point came. From a corner, Stephen Harris was fouled in trying to catch; meanwhile the ref had spotted a push in the area and awarded a spot kick, much to the surprise of the home side, who had retreated expecting a free out. So one nil at half time.
A minute into the second period Joe McCarthy fouled just on the edge of the box, and the deflected free kick was scrambled to the net. Towards the end Portmarnock sealed victory with a third goal. A late Jeff Gamble penalty gave Spartak their only score, leaving the Sky Blues to rue those missed opportunities.
Form Report
Stephen Harris 7 Derek Gibney 7 Tony Kavanagh 7 Joe McCarthy 7 Conor Keeegan 8 Ciaran Keane 5 Conor Canavan 6 Jeff Gamble 7 Niall Quinn 6 Mikey Ryan 6 Mick Leslie 5
Subs: Dan O’Connell 6 Tom Maher 6 Jason Doyle 6
2.5.15
Spartak 1, Glasnevin 8
On a day of torrential rain in Marlay, Spartak might wish they had remained indoors.
An early goal by Jeff Gamble, ad a great chance for Steve Browne gave case for optimism, but that was soon dashed as Glasnevin scored four first half goals in reply.
The carnage continued in the second half, with only token resistance from the Sky Blues.
Probably the less said the better, but not a day anyone involved with Spartak can look back on with any degree of affection.
From Report
Stephen Harris 5 Chris Hogan 4 Mick Greene 4 Joe McCarthy 5 Niall Hanratty 4 Conor Canavan 5 Jeff Gamble 5 Steve Browne 5 Niall Lennon 5 Mick Costello 5 Mick Leslie 5
Subs: Evans Sarpong 5 Tom Maher 5
25.4.15
Loughshinny 4, Spartak 1
This game had an early turning point when, just after Jeff Gamble had spurned an opener, a goalkeeper error gave the home side the lead. An additional blow to the Sky Blues was the early departure through injury of Conor Keegan.
Jeff Gamble did equalise for Spartak, but the home side put together a good move to take an interval lead. Spartak, through Conor Callis and Ciaran Keane, spurned some firast half opportunities.
Defensive frailties let Spartak down badly in the second period; not just the back four, but defensive tasks generally. and while plenty of Sky Blue attacks were mounted, the final ball or the ultimate shot were off the mark.
Not a great showing.
Form Report
Kevin Loftus 4 Derek Gibney 6 Mick Greene 5 Conor Keegan 6 Joe McCarthy 6 Ciaran Keane 5 Conor Canavan 5 Jeff Gamble 6 Niall Lennon 7 Conor Callis 6 Mick Leslie 5
Subs: Niall Hanratty 6 Dave Browne 5 Tom Maher 5
18.4.15
Peamount 5, Spartak 3
Let’s get the better news out of the way first; Conor Callis won two penalties which were converted by Jeff Gamble, who also tapped in, at the second attempt, Ciaran Keane’s cross in the dying moments.
That’s about all the positive things that can be said about this performance at Greenogue’s astro pitch on a perfect Saturday evening for football.
Showing just three changes from Monday’s wonderful display, including the return from suspension of captain Niall Lennon, Spartak sunk to the depths with an abysmal outing, when expectations had clearly soared after the win over Portmarnock.
In the first half, Spartak had at least 20 attacks, but a combination of slow passing, wrong options taken and just plain poor finishing meant that there was only one goal, from the spot, to show for it, while Peamount, who only raided sporadically, had taken the lead.
After Peamount restored their lead early in the second half, there was only going to be one winner as the pattern continued. Spartak built up laboriously, with poor and slow passing, failed to harry or press their opponents, and all the while gave the impression that any defensive duties were beneath them.
Peamount duly punished Spartak’s laxity, with four second half goals, well taken by them, but all of a depressing similarity to those of a Sky Blue persuasion.
Spartak had plenty of attacks, but little in the way of penetration, preferring long range efforts, or checking back instead of going forward.
A miserable journey home from Greenogue for the Sky Blues
Form Report
Shane McInerney 6 Barry Maguire 4 Chris Hogan 4 Conor Keegan 6 Joe McCarthy 5 Ciaran Keane 4 Conor Canavan 4 Jeff Gamble 5 Niall Lennon 4 Steve Browne 5 Conor Callis 5
Subs: Mick Greene 4
13.4.15
Spartak 3, Portmarnock 0
Some days everything turns out well. The whole team performs, and the opposition, 2nd in the league, were sent home well beaten and scoreless on a spring night in near perfect conditions in Marlay.
Mick Leslie led the initial charge with some hard running before winning a penalty when taken down by the keeper. Jeff Gamble scuffed his spot kick, which the keeper parried, but Jeff was alert to score from the rebound.
Portmarnock had a big chance just after, but the imposing presence of an advancing Mick Costello was enough to force the attacker to shoot wide.
On 25 minutes Spartak doubled their lead, when Jeff Gamble sent Conor Callis away, cheekily nutmegging the covering defender before closing his eyes and blasting in! 2-0. Mick Leslie then spurned a right footed opportunity after some good approach play.
Ciaran Keane then fired wide at the start of the second period after being sent clear by Mick Leslie.
It was not all one way traffic and Mick Costello, in a commanding performance, made a couple of fine saves as well as dominating his area, while Joe McCarthy and Conor Keegan were solid in central defence.
Increasingly Spartak relied on breaks, and Conor Callis was wide after one such break, before the third goal arrived on 83 minutes; Ciaran Keane’s cross was fumbled by the keeper and Jeff Gamble nodded in to round off a fine team performance.
A happy set of Sky Blues departed Marlay.
Form Report
Mick Costello 9 Barry Maguire 6 Aodhan McCahill 8 Joe McCarthy 8 Conor Keegan 8 Ciaran Keane 7 Conor Canavan 7 Jeff Gamble 9 Conor Callis 7 Shane McInerney 7 Mick Leslie 8
Subs: Graham Campbell 6 Dave O’Kelly 6 Tony Kavanagh 6
