Spartak Dynamo FC

The draw for the Dave Mohan Memorial Tournament took place in the Eden tonight.
GROUP A
Ireland – Shea McClafferty
Sweden – Jason Doyle
France – Brian Farrelly
Belgium – Mick Costello
GROUP B
Wales – Greystones 1
Portugal – Ger Byrne
Holland – Dundrum 1
Scotland – Brian Burgess
GROUP C
Poland – Greystones 2
Serbia – Dundrum 2
Greece – Larkview
Spain – Paddy Hughes
GROUP D
Italy – Spartak 35s
Denmark – Stephen Carr
Ukraine – Dave Browne
Germany – Graham Breen

A tournament in commemoration of the late Dave Mohan will be held in the Postal Club in Kiltipper on Sunday 25th May.

There will be 16 teams playing in a 6 a side astro competition. Max players per squad will be 8 and entry fee is €120 per team.

Outside teams will be invited and a big turnout is anticipated from Spartak players both current and past.

Spartak Dynamo FC AGM will be held on Monday 31st March 2014 at 9pm in the Eden House.

Agenda

– Minutes of 2013 AGM
– Chairman’s report
– Financial Report
– Elections
– Any Other Business

Members who paid annual subscriptions before 31/12/13 are eligible to attend and vote.

Any members who wish to submit amendments/motions may do so, in writing, to the Secretary not later than 7 days prior to the meeting

Dave Mohan sadly passed away at 6.30 am this morning, 31st January 2014 following the effects of a heart attack last week.

The sense of shock and sadness among his clubmates is evidence of the esteem in which he was held.

Dave joined Spartak in 1987 and has been ever present, as current over 35s manager, as a player, helper, and general driving force.

A larger than life character, he was a tough opponent on the pitch and a magnificent tackler and header of the ball. A knee injury had restricted his appearances in recent times, but luckily never affected his pace! Dave also played regularly in goal, where he was proficient.

Dave won leagues and cups with the club, but undoubtedly the highlight of his playing career was scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 victory in the 1991 LSL Vere Deane cup final; not just the winner, but a 35 yard drive that saw the ball nestle in the top of the net, caught by the stanchion. Truly a Roy of the Rovers moment. A goal that many would have been proud to score.

On many club trips Dave was a popular and central figure, and was often the ringmaster behind a practical joke for the unwary!

However the lasting legacy Dave leaves with the club is his day to day drive and enthusiasm to get things done, whether arrange games, find refs, mark football pitches and all the other bits and pieces required but unnoticed by many.

He has left us at the all too young age of 44 and he will be sorely missed.

Sincere condolences to his Mam and Dad, wife Jill and children, brother Paul and sister Andrea from all connected to Spartak.

9 Nov Ballyfermot (away) -2-2
16 Nov Killinardden (away) 2-4
23 Nov Larkview ( home) 4-4
30 Nov Harding (away) 1-3
14 Dec Caragh Rangers 1, Spartak 4

After a fine burst of form , November was not a good month for the over 35s, starting with a draw against Ballyfermot and who let a two goal lead slip against Larkview while slipping up away to Harding and Killinarden.

However a fine away performance against Caragh on the windiest day of the year got back in the groove and the Over 35s now lie third in the division.

Brian Farrelly is top scorer for the Seniors with 10 so far, and Paddy Hughes with 8 and Brian Burgess with 6 are in close attendance. Gerr Doran’s goal against Caragh allows him to join son Adam on the goalscoring chart.

The leading club goalscorers as at the mid season break are:

11 Steve Walsh
10 Brian Farrelly
8 Paddy Hughes
6 Brian Burgess
6 Jeff Gamble
5 Thomas Gaynor
5 David Berry
4 Eugene Duff
4 Neil McGowan
4 Kevin O Connell
4 Stephen Barr

Friday 20th December in the Eden will see Spartak’s night out and of course the vital fundraising raffle.

A kick about prior to the social end of the night will take place on the Marlay Astro at 7pm.

Please make sure to get tickets and cash in well before the 20th so we can concentrate on the social aspect on the night.

Sean Lynam, former Spartak goalkeeper, passed away at home late on Nov 4th, 2013.

The sad news was relayed to the club by former Chairman Ian Leslie, whose wife Brigid helped take care of Sean during his illness.

Sean joined Spartak as a schoolboy, at Ian’s instigation, and made 373 appearances, and after many schoolboy games graduated to the senior side, featuring in league title winning teams in Div 2A LSL 1990 and Premier 1 1993.

Sean, a big man, was always an imposing figure in the Spartak goalmouth. Among the playing highlights were penalty saves to help win the cup final shoot out against Stillorgan in 1990 and keeping a clean sheet in the winning cup final the following year. He is also credited with once scoring a goal for the club, although details are shrouded in the mists of time!

Sean, and his close pals Frank O’Brien and Dave Keegan were a central feature of Spartak games for many years, and soldiered in successful and struggling sides with equanimity. These three were also keen cricketers, with Sean an aggressive and effective fast bowler.

Sean’s wife Trish always took an active part in Spartak affairs, not least in cajoling her brother, Joe Costello, to line out for Brian Mahon’s side during the 90s.

Sean was great company and possessed a dry sense of humour and was very popular with his team mates. Having missed the 40th club party, he declared he would be there for the real party on the 50th anniversary.

Just last Saturday Sean was able to have a few drinks with a few of his pals, including quite a few Sky Blues. Many sporting tales were retold and some had acquired extra detail over time!

All who knew him at Spartak will miss him.

Sincere condolences to Trish and to the Lynam and Costello families on their loss.

2.11.13
Liffey Vally 5, Spartak over 35s 6

25 goals in two games for the Spartak senior men – that should bring back the crowds! Defences were definitely not on top on this wet and blustery day in west Dublin.

A hat trick for Paddy Hughes, and a fine Brian Farrelly goal, were bookended by Kevin O’Connell’s opening and closing efforts. The winning goal came in the 88th minute, with Kevin coolly finishing after Brian Burgess’ lung bursting run and pass.

The game opened as if Spartak were going to run riot; Kevin O’Connell’s opener, however was cancelled out by the home side, and when Gavin Johnson’s free was forced home by Paddy Hughes after Shea McClafferty’s run was halted by a foul, the Sky Blues looked in control again, but lax defending allowed Liffey to equalise.

The second period saw a defensive error by Paul McGrath, back after injury, punished and Spartak were 2-3 down. But in a sustained burst Paddy Hughes added a solo effort before adding number four after a Kevin O Connell pass.

Matt Grimes started a neat move which saw Brian Farrelly force home number 5.

But Liffey, league leaders, mounted a determined comeback and the woodwork, and some goal line clearances, saved Spartak on several occasions. Bernard McGuinness in goal made several good saves, and if a little unorthodox was no less effective. Liffey persisted, however, as the Sky Blues lost their rythm, and a close range header and then a deflected shot brought the home side level on 75 minutes.

Spartak then set themselves to the task in hand, with Brian Burgess, Paddy Hughes and Graham Johnston prominent, and finally got that all important goal with two minutes of normal time left.

Form Report
Bernard McGuinness 7 Shea McClafferty 6 Gavin Johnson 6 Richie Grey 6 Paul McGrath 6 Graham Johnston 7 Brian Burgess 7 Ken Byrne 6 Fintan Grace 6 Kevin O’Connell 8 Paddy Hughes 9 Brian Farrelly 7 Matt Grimes 7 Steve Caffery 6 Tom Maher 6

Quiz night is on Nov 7th in Firhouse Community Centre.

First round questions start at 9.30. Mobile phones will be binned for the duration!

Lets make it a good club social night as well as a decent fundraiser – over to YOU!

Spot Prizes required – all donations gratefully received.

19.10.13
Spartak over 35s 10 (yes TEN!!!) Caragh Celtic 4

A scintillating attacking display by the Sky Blue veterans blew the visitors away and produced a series of excellent scores.
In the first minute Eugene Duff raced away to make it one nil; then Brian Burgess (much to Dave Mohan’s dismay) fired a speculative shot from 35 yards. Dave quickly registered approval as the shot went in! A slip by Colm Coffey gave the vistors some hope but a tremendous angled drive by Burgess made it 3-1 at half time.

With man of the match Graham Johnston spraying passes with metronomic regularity and no little precision, Messrs Burgess, Duff, Matt Grimes and in particular the hard running Brian Farrelly ran riot for a glorious twenty minute spell which made it 6-1; the final quarter saw a small renaissance from the visitors, who kept plugging away and got a few fine goals themselves.

But the Sky Blues always had the upper hand and ran in four more. Duff 3, Burgess 2 Farrelly 2 Hughes, G McGuiness and Johnston were the scorers.

The mystery remains as to how the Sky Blues lost on penalties to the same opposition just a week earlier. Funny old game….

Form Report
Bernard McGuinness 6 Colm Reid 6 Gavin Johnson 7 Kevin O Connell 8 Jamie Brennan 7 Matt Grimes 7 Graham Johnston 9 Paddy Hughes 8 Eugene Duff 8 Colm Coffey 6 Brian Burgess 8 Brian Farrelly 8 Shea McClafferty 6 Tom Maher 6 Gerry McGuinness 7