Spartak’s over 35 side have commenced the season in fine fashion, with 7 points from the first three games hoisting them to the top of the table. Shea McClafferty’s men won thr first two games by a 3-2 scoreline and took a point from a 1-1 draw with Booth Road in the third game.
Long may the good form continue.
15.9.18
Spartak 3, Kilbarrack Utd 2
Man of the match Owen McCormack scored a header and an well taken opportunist goal to add to a fine performance at centre back.
The visitors were a good side, moved the ball well and could all play a bit, so the Sky Blues were under early pressure. However the defence played solidly throughout and kept the marauding forwards at bay with good tackle, blocks and interceptions.
A good move between Chris Hogan and Jason Fenlon saw the latter’s cross driven across goal, where a defender inadvertently deflected it in for the lead goal. Spartak had a flurry of chances following a corner, but snatched at each, before Kilbarrack broke at pace to secure an equaliser.
The Sky Blues’ response was instantaneous, with Owen McCormack nodding in Dale Mullins’ corner at the back post.
A solid second half performance saw the three points safe, after Owen McCormack took advantage of a goalkeeper’s misplaced pass to shoot in first time, left footed, from 25 yards. 3-1.
Kilbarrack got one back after Greg Byrne’s great save was followed in for the rebound by a forward.
But Spartak held firm and the points were secure.
Form Report
Greg Byrne 7 Chris Hogan 8 Leo Behan 5 Owen McCormack 9 Kevin Murphy 8 Shane McInerney 6 Dale Mullins 7 Mick Leslie 6 Jimmy Dawson 7 Jason Fenlon 6 Conor Callis 5
Subs: Conor Canavan 6 Conor Brady 5
Friday June 1st sees the annual awards night in the Eden House.
Three players have reached the 200 game milestone, namely Stuart Love, Niall Hanratty and Chris Hogan (That’s Tubes to the uninitiated).
Club Man of the Year has the usual batch of previous winners in Jason Doyle, Mick Greene, Paul McGowan and Barry Crowe, with Ger Byrne, Chris Hogan and Stuart Love and Shea McClafferty also nominated
For Sunday Player of the Year, Ger Byrne and Stuart Love (again) along with Steve Grier, Jeff Gamble Dave Kernan and Dave Browne comprise the list of candidates
Saturday Player of the Year nominations are Greg Byrne, Mick Leslie, Cian Stenson, Sean Doyle and Chris Hogan, and a wildcard nomination for Gerry McGuinness.
27.4.18
Spartak 2, Sallynoggin 2
An injection of experience and craft from some of the Spartak seniors saw Spartak dominate a game against Sallynoggin. Three big calls went against the Sky Blues. A Ciaran Keane goal was incorrectly disallowed for offside; Spartak had the ball over the line but the ref did not agree; and the first Sallynoggin goal was clearly offside.
All these factors aside, this was a most satisfactory performance. A stunning opening goal by Terry Fallon, who controlled, turned and fired over the keeper from 35 yards, was the highlight, while a late equaliser when Sean Doyle forced in Conor Callis’s blocked effort was well deserved.
The visitors took an undeserved lead when Spartak failed to deal with a long ball, but Spartak came back relentlessly to gain a point.
The Sky Blues can reflect on a fourth place finish, product of a late surge which saw just one defeat in the last half dozen matches.
Form Report:
Owen McCormack 8 Chris Hogan 7 Cian Stenson 6 Sean Doyle 8 Kevin Murphy 6 Shane McInerney 6 Darren Ritchie 5 Gerry McGuinness 7 Stephen Barr 6 Ciaran Keane 5 Terry Fallon 7
Subs: Conor Callis 6 Dave Slevin 6 Collie Dunne 6
19.3.18
The Annual General Meeting will take place in the Eden House on Tuesday 27th March at 9.15pm. Those who have paid annual membership may attend.
All time appearances and goals have been updated on the website, as at end of 2016/17 season.
Notable milestones are in reach for some players. Chris Hogan finished the season on 197 games, while Niall Hanratty’s single game during the season brought him to 195. Fintan Grace reached the 600 games milestone, while Neil McGowan passed the 500 mark and Ger Byrne is approaching 300 games. Mick Leslie is making fast progress on 126 matches, while Ross Kelly is taking the scenic route, on 62 games so far.
On the goals front, the race to 100 goals sees Jeff Gamble on 89, closing fast on Steve Walsh who has 92 goals, just behind Ger Byrne on 96.
To date 11 players have scored 100 or more goals for the club – here’s the list:
375 Tony Little
250 Barry Crowe
183 Leo Gartlan
177 David Keegan
173 Neil McGowan
150 Kevin O’Connell
147 Martin McGorian
127 Dave Pender
125 Gerry Doran
116 Jimmy Galloway
101 Martin Morrison
Saturday 13th May will see the presentation of the year end awards in the Eden.
Fintan Grace will receive an award for completing 600 competitive appearances.
Nominations have now closed, and the following are the players who are in contention:
Sunday POTY
A wide range of votes saw a record number of nominees:
Dave Kernan, Niall Lennon, Jeff Gamble, Ger Byrne, Steve Grier, Neil McGowan and Stuart Love
For Saturday, the voting was more concentrated and the following are the contenders:
Greg Byrne, Darren Ritchie, Cian Stenson and Mick Leslie.
For Clubman of the Year the nominations are
Mick Leslie, Mick Greene, Paul McGowan, Paul Mohan, Ger Byrne and Jason Doyle.
Maurice Timmins, who passed away suddenly on 22nd February, was closely associated with Spartak in the ’80s and ’90s.
While he played for Spartak occasionally, Maurice’s main role was as physical trainer. He led his charges on lengthy runs around the Churchtown and Rathfarnham areas on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The toughness of those runs were recalled recently by some former players, who winced at the memory!
It was also noticeable how many players developed sudden hamstring strains and had to sit out the runs, only to miraculously recover to full fitness for the football at the end…they got little sympathy from Maurice!
Maurice gradually drifted away from Spartak as he concentrated on his real love, marathon running, and completed over 200 marathons, some in far off places.
Maurice is fondly remembered as a cheerful and dedicated individual, and his contribution to Spartak was a valuable one.
May he Rest in Peace.
The annual trophy matches in the Dave Mohan Tournament take place on Saturday 23 rd July in the Postal Club in Kiltipper.
The format is 6 a side astro; squads of up to 8 players are allowed.
Group format followed by knockout stages for both trophy and shield.
Kick off Saturday is at 2pm.
A look back on a notable 24 hours in Spartak’s history.
On 15th May 1991 Spartak’s Saturday side beat Claremont Rangers 2-1 in the Kemp Trophy final. Mario Borza got both goals. The following evening a Dave Mohan goal saw Spartak’s Sunday lads beat St Nicholas, who were the team of prison wardens, 1-0 in the Vere Deane Cup Final.
The line ups were:
V Claremont Rangers
Jimmy Browne, Tim O’Sullivan, John Curtin, Paul Burke, Mick St Leger, Liam Brady, Paddy Brady,Leo Gartlan, Mario Borza, Peter Mahony and Frank Keegan. Subs were Martin McGorian and Bobby Long
v St Nicholas
Sean Lynam, Liam Cullen, Gerry Doran, Derek Keane, Tom Maher Dave Mohan, Ken Byrne, Dave Murphy, Dave Keegan, Barry Crowe, Dave Pender. Subs : Paul Burke and Mario Borza
A notable achievement by the lads and a memorable couple of evenings.
