Spartak Draw Blank in VEC

Filed under: Saturday LSL team, Sunday LSL team by: Paul McGowan

VEC – Willie Kissane Memorial tournament
8.8.15
Spartak 0, CYM 1
Spartak 0, VEC 2
Spartak 0, Leicester Celtic 0
Spartak 0, Sandford Ath 0

Missed chances were the order of the day as Spartak failed to score in all 3 30 minute games. Alan Farrington will rue firing wide of an empty goal against finalists Leicester Celtic in the pivotal game , while Conor Canavan blazed over from four yards against Sandford.

A tough workout , which should improve fitness and match sharpness.

Form Report
Mick Costello 7 Dave Kernan 6 Mick Leslie 5 Paul Kinsella 7 Martin Costello 7 Stuart Love 8 Glen Burke 5 Alan Farrington 5 Thom O’Driscoll 5 Steve Browne 5 Ciaran O’Brien 5 Dave Browne 5 Steve Walsh 5 Conor Canavan 5 Ken Buckley 5

Greystones on Top in Dave Mohan Memorial Tournament

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

Following a hard fought series of games a Rory Campbell managed team won the final against James Byrne’s squad, who progressed well in earlier rounds.

The qualifying groups were hard fought with just a single goal between trophy semi final qualification and elimination from both cup and shield.

Greystones second string ran out Shield winners in the secondary competition, making it a double celebration fro the visitors.

Well done to all participants.

Dave Mohan Memorial Tournament

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

On Sunday 26th July, at the Postal Club in Kiltipper, the second annual Dave Mohan Memorial tournament takes place.

Last year saw 16 teams take part and the day was a big success, enjoyed by all.

Another fine day’s football in prospect.

Statistics

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

The season just past saw some notable achievements.

In goalscoring, two players exceeded the 30 goal mark for the first time in the club’s history, with Jeff Gamble (38) and Steve Walsh (31) achieving this landmark. Previously, only John McCluskey, Martin McGorian, and Tony Little (6 times!) have reached the 30 goal mark.

Tom Maher made his 800th appearance, while Dave Browne finished on 199, so is next up for the 200 club.

Mick Leslie (36) Jeff Gamble (33) and Ciaran Keane (31) made the most appearances in a season which saw 93 players turn out in the club colours.

The Sunday team notched 98 goals in total in a double winning season.

For the over 35s, Padraig Finnerty made the most appearances (19) while James Byrne, with 5 goals, was top scorer, with their 46 goals being spread around many players.

Mick Greene was the only player to turn out for all three sides, and added 4 goals to his total in the process.

Awards 2014/15

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

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.

Cup Final Win Completes Double

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

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

Anti Climax

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

14.5.15
Spartak 2, Valeview Shankill 3

As newly crowned league winners, Spartak did not do themselves justice in this ill tempered affair.

A red card to a Valeview player within 3 minutes, followed by two more red cards after 20 minutes (One to Conor Keegan for a reckless tackle) left this as a 10 v 9 contest for more than an hour.

Poor distribution from the back by Spartak made it easy for the visitors to soak up pressure, and despite two fine goals the Sky Blues somehow managed to concede three. In truth, these were conceded by poor goalkeeping combined with panicky defending.

The Sky Blues got two terrific goals, a great header by Jeff Gamble and a smashing free kick by Steve Grier. Tom O’Driscoll spurned 2 chances, while Jeff Gamble, late on, turned a super Ciaran Keane cross over the bar from close range.

Some poor defending and a shaky goalkeeping performance allowed the visitors to score three.

From Report
Jason Northey 4 Keith Kelly 5 Dave Browne 5 Paul Kinsella 4 Karl McCullough 5 Seamus McCahill 5 Conor Keegan 4 Jeff Gamble 6 Steve Grier 6 Graham Campbell 5 Tom O’Driscoll 5
Subs: Ciaran Keane 6 Neil McGowan 5 Mick Leslie 5

Awards Night

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

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.

Spartak Clinch Title in Comeback Win

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

10.5.15
Glasnevin 2, Spartak 4

Spartak went into this game knowing that a point would be sufficient to land the title on goal difference from Dundrum. Glasnevin could also reach the same points total as Dundrum, so it was no end of season game for them.

It was a windy day in Albert College with a sticky surface following heavy rain during the week.

The Sky Blues began well, and Steve Walsh laid on a great chance for Dave Kernan, returning from injury, but he scooped his effort over the bar from 8 yards.

On 20 minutes, the ball fell to Neil Mcgowan 30 yards out and under challenge, but, left footed, he let fly. The ball struck the underside of the bar, bounced down and back up to the roof of the net. 1-0

Some really sloppy defensive work allowed Glasnevin to equalise with a shot from inside the area, and then, on 52 minutes, a cross was poorly defended by the Sky Blue defence, and it was a second goal for the home side.

2-1 Down. Cometh the hour, cometh the man. And his name was Love. Firstly, Stu won two tough battles to make progress before releasing a neat pass into Steve Walsh’s well timed run; Steve aimed the ball across the six yard box to a lurking Steve Grier, but the ball was turned in by a desperate defender in an attempt to clear. 2-2, but nervy, with just ubder a half hour remaining.

A quick free kick routine gave the home side a chance to restore their lead, but Jason Northey took off a fine save to push the ball on to the bar and away to safety.

Then a long ball by Paul Kinsella to sub Keith Kelly let Spartak break away. Without further ado Keith immediately transferred to Steve Walsh, who cut inside the defender to send a glorious left footer to the corner of the net.

That man Love featured again for the fourth goal, getting to the bye line before setting the fourth up on a plate for sub Jeff Gamble to finish from close range. 4-2, and the title was secured.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Dave Browne 6 Aodhan McCahill 7 Paul Kinsella 6 Karl McCullough 6 Stuart Love 8 Neil McGowan 7 Tom O’Driscoll 5 Steve Grier 6 Dave Kernan 5 Steve Walsh 7
Subs: Jeff Gamble 6,Keith Kelly 6

Nervy Draw

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

7.5.15
Woods Utd 0, Spartak 0

Spartak were left to rue their missed opportunities early in the game as Woods set up a very effective defensive screen. Woods were effective in occasional breakouts and Graham Campbell cleared off the Spartak line just before the break.

A Dave Browne pass sent Steve Walsh away after 10 minutes, and when his shot was blocked by the keeper he managed to retrieve the ball and cross , but Graham Campell’s header was not strong enough to foil the keeper, who pushed it away.

Steve Walsh then sent Graham Campbell through and his lofted effort beat the keeper but crashed against the bar. These were the best chances created in the first half, and gradually the Sky Blues became more and more frantic in an effort to break down the resilient Woods rearguard, who played deep and defended in numbers.

Steve Grier did head against the post in the second period, Stuart Love headed wide, while Neil McGowan had an effort cleared off the line, but often the approach play was not crisp enough or the final ball not quite good enough.

A frustrating evening.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Dave Browne 6 Aodhan McCahill 6 Seamus McCahill 6 Karl McCullough 6 Stuart Love 5 Neil McGowan 6 Tom O’Driscoll 5 Steve Grier 6 Graham Campbell 5 Steve Walsh 6
Subs: Paul Kinsella 6 Joe McCarthy 6 Mick Leslie 6