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
