Sky Blues Advance in Cup

Filed under: General news, Sunday LSL team by: Paul McGowan

3.4.16
Spartak 1, Bray FC 0

A couple of decisive moments swung this cup tie in Spartak’s favour. With 20 minutes left on a sticky surface, Dave Kernan controlled Steve Grier’s throw on the left and wriggled his way past the full back, who brought him down rather rashly just inside the area, despite appearing to have adequate cover. Steve Grier duly converted the spot kick for the only goal.

Not long after Bray had their own penalty claim for a handball, but this time Spartak were penalised outside the area, and the free came to nothing.

Spartak worked hard first half, and in reality only created only one chance. Dave Browne’s cross seemed ideal for Ger Byrne, eight yards out, but he headed wide. Dave Kernan cleared off the line and Bray kept Jason Northey busy. The central defensive partnership of Paul Kinsella and Martin Costello were defiant in the face of Bray’s attack, and kept their scoring chances down to a minimum.

Bray fired a couple of free kicks uncomfortably close, and Martin Costello and Thom O’Driscoll broght off notable blocks when danger threatened. A neat move by Ger Byrne and Dave Kernan saw Steve Grier head one down for Neil McGowan to fire a fine shot from 25 yards, well saved by the Bray keeper.

Martin Costello broke out from the back, and after a long run could only find the keeper with his cross.

The game generally was nip and tuck, with Bray having more possession but few real chances for either side.

So it was left to Jason Northey to tip one over in the last minute; the Bray keeper was up to make the extra man, but Spartak scrambled it clear and so were into the next round.

It was victory borne of good defending and hard work, rather than fluent football.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Dave Browne 7 Tom O’Driscoll 7 Paul Kinsella 8 Martin Costello 9 Kevin O’Toole 7 Neil McGowan 7 Dave Kernan 7 Steve Grier 6 Ger Byrne 6 Niall Hanratty 7

Sky Blues Frustrated in Table Top Clash

Filed under: General news, Sunday LSL team by: Paul McGowan

20.3.16
Spartak 1, Ben Bulbin Utd 1

Spartak went into this game with a precipitous grip on first place in Premier 1, and several teams in hot pursuit, including the visitors.

The first half was a tight affair, Benbulbin punishing a Paul Kinsella error to take the lead, and Steve Grier equalising with a towering header from Thom O’Driscoll’s free kick. Just prior, with the score at nil-nil, Steve Grier had taken advantage of a poor kick out to put Ger Byrne through on goal, with the goalie scrambling back for position. Ger, however, rushed his effort and fired over the bar. Not long after, Thom O’Driscoll was taken down in the area, but the referee waved play on, much to the visitors’ relief.

Gradually Spartak took control as the second half wore on, striking the crossbar twice, and Benbulbin clearing off the line from Dave Kernan’s header.

In injury time, a Thom O’Driscoll corner was headed back down by Neil McGowan to Keith Kelly, whose shot from eight yards struck the underside of the bar but stayed out.

The watching, injured, Stuart Love must have longed for some goalmouth action. With the ball bouncing around the visitors’ goalmouth in those closing stages, Stuart would surely have forced one in from close range!

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Keith Kelly 6 Dave Browne 6 Paul Kinsella 6 Karl McCullagh 7 Ken Buckley 5 Tom O’Driscoll 7 Dave Kernan 7 Steve Grier 7 Ger Byrne 5 Martin Costello 5
Subs: Neil McGowan 6 Kev O’Toole Mick Leslie

Diggers Downed

Filed under: General news, Sunday LSL team by: Paul McGowan

13.3.16
Glasnevin 0, Spartak 3.

After a scoreless first half, the game was settled by two Dave Kernan goals and one from Steve Walsh.

On a pich declared unplayable just two weeks before, the drier conditions led to to a bumpy and uneven surface, making control difficult for both sides. Dave Kernan had the best chance in a fairly uneventful first half, but fired too close to the keeper.

Almost immeditely the second period began, Spartak took full control, Kernan firing home from ten yards after tenacious approach wok by Thom O’Driscoll and Ger Byrne. Steve Walsh converted Dave Kernan’s cross for number two shorlty after, and despite Glasnevin’s efforts to throw men forward, Spartak stood firm, especially in central defence with Paul Kinsella and Karl McCullagh formimg a solid partnership.

Dave Kernan capped a man of the match performance by slotting in the third goal on 70 minutes.

Form Report
Jason Northey 5, Dave Browne 6 Martin Costello 5 Paul Kinsella 7 Karl McCullagh 7 Ken Buckley 7 Thom O’Driscoll 6 Dave Kernan 8 Steve Grier 6 Ger Byrne 5 Steve Walsh 5
Subs: Mick Leslie 6 Neil Walsh 5

Spartak disrupted by Injuries

Filed under: General news, Sunday LSL team by: Paul McGowan

1.3.16
Pioneers 3, Spartak 0

Injury struck early and often for the Sky Blues in this table top clash with the favourites for the league title. Martin Costello did not survive the warm up, while injuries to Neil McGowan and Keith Kelly saw Spartak force to make two substitutions in the first 20 minutes.

Pioneers are a powerful oufit, but it was Spartak who fashioned the best chance of a tight first half. Ger Byrne sent Steve Walsh through on goal, but his effort was blocked by the keeper. Pioneers struck the bar with their one chance of note in the opening period.

The game looked all over a candidate for a scoreless draw, with neither attack mustering much in the was of getting on top of superior defences, but the game turned on a goalkeeping error. Paul Byrne’s pass was intercepted by a local forward, whose shot looked well within Jason Northey’s capacity to deal with, but inexplicably the ball ended in the net, despite being a pretty inept effort.

Pioneers had the breakthrough the wanted, and Spartak tried gamely to get back in the game; Jeff Gamble volleyed just wide, while Ger Byrne almost scrambled one in from close range.

But in the dying minutes Pioneers added two goals, the third being the last kick of the game, as Spartak were stretched in search of goals themselves.

A disappointing result.

Form Report
Jason Northey 4 Keith Kelly 5 Dave Browne 6 Paul Kinsella 7 Karl McCullagh 7 Paul Byrne 5 Neil McGowan 5 Dave Kernan 6 Steve Grier 6 Ger Byrne 5 Steve Walsh 5
Subs: Mick Young 5 Jeff Gamble 6 Mick Leslie 5

Bright Start to New Year

Filed under: General news, Sunday LSL team by: Paul McGowan

24.1.16
Spartak 4, Swords 1

Conditions for this game were difficult after the recent heavy rain – long grass and soaked pitch was a severe tester for players who had not played for some weeks.

Spartak’s ranks were depleted by injuries and absentees, but the available players put in a solid performance, full of energy and pace, particularly in the first half.

Spartak raced into an early two goal lead, but not before the visitors had a clear chance as Mick Leslie misjudged a header. Luckily, the forward prodded the ball straight at Jason Northey.

The opening goal came from a free taken by Neil McGowan after Keith Kelly was fouled. Mick Young’s miscue fell straight into Ger Byrne’s path and he made no mistake from close range. Jeff Gamble then won a penalty, which he took himself. It was not his best effort, but the ball squirmed under the diving custodian to make it 2-0. Jeff Gamble then spurned a decent chance after Mick Young’s run and cross, and Ger Byrne raced onto Jeff Gamble’s header but shot wide. Swords responses were sporadic and generally their attack was well held by the Sky Blues’ back four.

The visitors had a couple of decent efforts in the second period, aided by some distracted defending and erratic clearances. In one scramble, only great work by Paul Kinsella and Jason Northey prevented what seemed to be a certain goal.

It was not until the 83rd minute that Spartak made the game safe with a third score after a couple of chanacs had gone astray. Dave O’Kelly headed over from close range. Keith Kelly, who had earlier been just off target with a blistering shot, made a lung bursting run down the right flank, outpacing several defnders, before squaring for Jeff Gamble, who applied the simple finish. Swords responded by reducing arrears a minute later with a snap shot, but with a couple of minutes remaining Mick Leslie released Ger Byrne who ran from inside his own half to apply a calm finish for goal number four.

In the circumstances, a highly creditable performance.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Keith Kelly 7 Mick Leslie 7 Paul Kinsella 7 Karl McCullough 7 Ken Buckley 7 Neil McGowan 7 Jeff Gamble 7 Ger Byrne 7 Mick Young 7 Paul Byrne 7
Subs: Dave O’Kelly 7 Neil Walsh 6 Steve Grier 5

New Year Friendlies

Filed under: General news, Over 35 team, Saturday LSL team, Sunday LSL team by: Paul McGowan

9th and 10th Jan 2016

On Knocklyon Astro Spartak turned out in numbers for two weekend games.

Firstly the over 35s took on the saturday boys, who won 4-3, somewhat against the run of general play. The possession stats showed the senior men in control, but sharper finishing saw the younger crew come out on top. Goals from Ciaran Bermingham, Darren Ritchie, Ross Kelly and Niall Hanratty for the winners, while Ciaran O’Sullivan, Kevin Nolan and Gavin Johnson netted for the over 35s, who had a large squad in attendance.

The Sunday lads took on Tallaght City and came out the wrong side of a 5-3 scoreline. Steve Grier (2) and Ger Byrne were the scorers, with Neil McGowan and David Kernan missing a hatful of chances between them. The concession of 5 goals will be a talking point, some of which were soft in the extreme. Some of the Spartak players are to be congratulated on a wonderful Christmas period, especially Steve Grier who must have had a wonderful Yuletide!

League games resume on 16th/17th.

Form Reports
Saturday
Niall Hanratty 8 Chris Hogan 6 Mick Greene 7 Steve Browne 7 Tom Maher 6 Mick Leslie 7 Niall Lennon 7 Darren Ritchie 7 Ross Kelly 6 Conor Canavan 6 Ciaran Keane 6 Dave O’Kelly 7 Ciaran Bermingham 6

Sunday
Jason Northey 6 Dave Browne 6 Tom O’Driscoll 7 Mick Young 6 Karl McCullough 6 Kevin O’Toole 6 Neil McGowan 6 Dave Kernan 6 Steve Grier 6 Ger Byrne 6 Mick Leslie 6 Ciaran Keane 6

Spartak pipped in Polikoff

Filed under: General news, Sunday LSL team by: Paul McGowan

6.12.15
Boyne Rovers 4, Spartak 3

With atrocious weather conditions rendering Marlay unplayable, along with almost every other grass pitch in Dublin, it was a surprise to find Boyne Rovers pitch in declared on. Spartak had to surrender home advantage and travel to Drogheda, making it an even more formidable task against the Premier Division leaders.

The pitch started out wet and muddy, and ended as a quagmire, but the conditions did not prevent a wonderful game of football, played in a sporting manner by both sides.

Spartak adapted quickly , and Ger Byrne rifled the Sky Blues into an early lead from Steve Walsh’s cross. Spartak quickly added another by Steve Walsh after Mick Leslie had done the spadework. In between, a very dubious offside call saw another Ger Byrne effort chalked off.

Spartak continued to create chances, with a Walsh effort saved, and Neil McGowan’s volley just over, while Dave Kernan had the best opportunity after a great run but shot too close to the keeper.

The home side pulled one back just on half time, shooting past stand-in keeper Martin Costello. who had a fine game, and Boyne piled on the pressure in the second period and they equalised very early on, before taking the lead for the first time.

With 20 minutes of this fine cup tie to go, Mick Leslie forced a corner; Walsh’s flag kick was nodded down by Karl McCullough to Ger Byrne, and Neil McGowan fired in for the equaliser.

It was end to end stuff now as both sides strove for a winner. Steve Walsh fired narrowly wide; Martin Costello took off a fine save at the other end; but with three minutes to go Boyne got a fourth after a scramble in the goalmouth.

The drama was not over however; Spartak fought back and won a free when Dave Kernan was fouled. Walsh’s effort was saved, but the ball rebounded invitingly to the inrushing Ger Byrne. It seemed certain to be the equaliser, but Ger went for power and fired over.

Form Report
Martin Costello 7 Dave Browne 7 Tom O’Driscoll 8 Paul Kinsella 7 Karl McCullagh 8 Ken Buckley 7 Neil McGowan 8 Dave Kernan 7 Mick Leslie 8 Ger Byrne 7 Steve Walsh 8.

Spartak end Sallynoggin Pearse unbeaten run

Filed under: General news, Sunday LSL team by: Paul McGowan

22.11.15
Sallynoggin Pearse 2, Spartak 3

Not content with keeping the local forwards at bay, Adam Doran provided a drilled assist for Steve Walsh’s winning goal in the 89th minute. Steve took the second of his two goals with equal facility, both terrific finishes.

The game began in dramatic fashion with a 2nd minute goal from the home side, but by the 10th minute , one of their players received a second yellow and Spartak faced 10 men for 80 minutes.

The remainder of the first half saw a disjointed Spartak X1 gradually settle, as Dave Kernan, Steve Walsh and Steve Grier got on the ball to good effect. Indeed Sallynoggin continued to have the better chances.

The second period, from Spartak’s viewpoint, got off to a great start, but only after a miraculous escape as the ball struck bar and post from a home forward’s header before rolling back into Adam Doran’s relieved clutches. Immediately Spartak equalised after a scramble from a corner kick, Steve Grier forcing home. Heartened by this, Spartak took the lead when Steve Walsh raced onto Neil McGowan’s pass to score.

The home side had a goal disallowed before Neil McGowan headed over from close range. But the ten local men equalised when the Sky Blues back four was caught out of shape.

Then began the search for the decisive goal.

Sallynoggin then had three fine chance, Adam Doran foiling each one in turn. Steve Grier mishit his shot when set up by Ger Byrne , Ger missed his touch on a Grier long throw.

As the clock ticked towards time, Doran gathered the ball and sent Walsh away to secure the three points.

Form Report
Adam Doran 9 David Kernan 7 Tom O’Driscoll 7 Karl McCullagh 7 Kevin O’Toole 6 Ken Buckley 6 Neil McGowan 7 Mick Leslie 6 Steve Grier 7 Ger Byrne 6 Steve Walsh 8
Sub: Neil Walsh 6

Return of the Maestro

Filed under: General news, Over 35 team, Saturday LSL team, Sunday LSL team by: Paul McGowan

After resigning as Quiz master in a hissy fit, leaving poor Uncle Dex to pick up the pieces, Mick Greene has completed a massive U Turn and returns to his rightful spot on the podium next Thursday, 18th November, in Firhouse Community Centre.

Mick , after doling out questions on Dingbats, Counties of Ireland and other puzzles to tease the slightly sozzled members of the audience, will then lead the weary troops in the time honoured march into town, eventually leaving Coppers at an ungodly hour.

All club members expected to attend, and for €10 on a Thursday night, it can’t be bet for entertainment value.

The Quiz starts at 9.15, so aim for 9 O’Clock, unless your name is Steve Grier, in which case you would need to aim for the previous day. Chris “Tubes” Hogan is carrying on Gerry Doran’s tradition of always being last to everything. Dave Kernan may well travel through town , so could be delayed. Mick Leslie even might bring the water bottles for a special guest appearance.

So, for those not paying attention (that’s you Bobby Hayes and Jason Northey) its a 9.15 kick off on Thursday 18th November in Firhouse Community Centre.

Poor Display

Filed under: General news, Sunday LSL team by: Paul McGowan

1.11.15
Swords Celtic 2, Spartak 1

A lethargic first half proved costly as lowly Swords put in an aggressive performance unmatched by the Sky Blues in the first period. The first half was all Swords, who showed greater urgency and aggression, picking up a few yellow cards in the process. Greg Byrne in the Spartak goal was by far the busier keeper, and took knocks as the subject of some rough inteventions, with Kevin O’Toole and Karl McCullough overworked at the back, as the Spartak midfield misfired.

Spartak’s only real effort came following a foul on Neil McGowan when a quick thinking Thom O’Driscoll spotted the keeper off his line; but Thom’s execution did not quite match the intention, just missing the target.

On 47 minutes, inevitably, Swords took the lead; a long ball was misheaded by Martin Costello back into a central area and , while Greg Byrne saved the initial effort, the rebound was tucked home.

Spartak lifted their game in the second half, while Swords conceded many free kicks in an attempt to stem the tide. Just on the hour marked Dave Kernan bundled in Ger Byrne’s cross at the second attempt. Then moments later Neil McGowan found Steve Walsh in space on the right, his cross found Thom O’Driscoll, whose header forced a good save from the home keeper.

The game looked to be going in Spartak’s favour, with a second goal in prospect, when a calamitous error of judgment by the hitherto commendable Kevin O’Toole handed the points to the home side. A rash tackle inside the box saw the penalty dispatched for the winning goal.

Martin Costello, Dave Kerna and Steve Grier all had half chances to equalise, but Swords held on.

Form Report
Greg Byrne 8 David Kernan 6 Martin Costello 6 Karl McCullough 6 Kevin O’Toole 5 Ken Buckley 5 Neil McGowan 5 Tom O’Driscoll 5 Steve Grier 5 Ger Byrne 5 Steve Walsh 4
Sub: Dave Browne 5