If only games lasted 45 minutes…..
25.7.12
Shelbourne SC 4 Spartak 1
28.7.12
Parkvale 6 Spartak 1
Fitness and commitment issues persist in the run in to the new season. In both games Spartak led but were hauled back monotonously as legs weakened.
Kevin Mannion gave the Sky Blues the lead v Shels and might have added to it, as might Derek Ruxton; second half chances fell to Martin Costello and Ross Kelly but in the second period Spartak faltered due to lack of stamina and the home side won comfortably.
Defections, injuries and unavailabilty meant Spartak had the minimum turn out against Parkvale, much stronger opponents, who were able to flood the park with fresh legs in the second period. Neil McGowan’s header from Niall Lennon’s corner put Spartak ahead, but an error allowed the home side equalise. Dermot Dooley missed a few good opportunities but tiredness came all too quickly to the Sky Blues and it was one way traffic in the second period towards a beleaguered Peter O’Toole who made a few good stops but was unable to stem the tide.
v Shels Jason Northey 5 Conor Canavan 5 Dave Browne 5 Fintan Grace 6 Dave O’Kelly 6 Niall Lennon 5 Mick Costello 5 Kevin Mannion 6 Derek Ruxton 6 Martin Costello 5 Steve Walsh 5 Ross Kelly 5 Mick Greene 5 Aodhan McCahill 5 Anto Doyle 5
v Parkvale Peter O’Toole 6 Niall Hanratty 5 Dave Browne 5 Fintan Grace 6 Seamus McCahill 6 Dermot Dooley 6 Neil McGowan 6 Steve Walsh 5 Stuart Love 5 Derek Ruxton 5 Niall Lennon 5 Ken Buckley 6
