Spartak Dynamo FC

Moher Celtic 1-1 Spartak – Moher win 5-3 on penalties

At 8 o clock on Saturday morning 11 Spartak lads made the trip to Liscannor Co. Clare for the first pre-season friendly of the 2013/14 season. Local side Moher Celtic provided the opposition. Incredibly despite the distance travelled no one managed to get lost on the way.

When the match started Spartak seemed to settle quickly and played some nice football creating a few half chances. The first goal came after 15 minutes when Keith Kelly finished from close range after a Ross Kelly effort was blocked. Spartak could have had a second when Keith crossed from the right and Niall Hanratty forced the keeper into a great save from a close range header. Moher equalised on 40 minutes when they attacked down their right and their centre mid hit a strike from 20 yards which took a horrible bounce in front of Conor in goal and went into his top left corner.

The second half produced some decent football from both sides but as the temperatures rose the pace slowed down. Both sides only had 11 players and tiredness started to show. Moher should have had a late penalty but the ref waved play on.

With the scores level after 90 minutes the game went to penalties. Moher went first and scored all 5. Conor got close to a few of them and was a bit unlucky. Adam Doran missed Spartak’s first before Keith Kelly, Mick Greene and Martin Costello scored for the visitors.

Afterwards we all went for a few mineral waters to discuss the game in detail. Talks continued long into the night!

Team – Conor Canavan, Dave O Kelly, Mick Greene Cathal Clancy, Martin Costello, Keith Kelly, Niall Hanratty, Dave Browne, Shane McInerney, Adam Doran, Ross Kelly

Trip to Clare now certain – some low cost overnight options available at 17 euro.

Contact Mick Greene to get your name down for the trip on 20th July.

Mick Greene has arranged a friendly against Moher Celtic in Liscannor, Co Clare on Saturday 20th July.

Those who wish to stay overnight can do so in Liscannor for around 45 euro per night but places are limited.

Alternatively, accommodation in Lahinch is more expensive at 75 euro.

Due to pitch sharing, the game will kick off at 11.30 am so that will mean an early start from Dublin.

Another option is that some may drive down and back on the day.

Those interested please comment here or contact Mick.

Votes have been received and counted for Player of the Year 2013.

First team saw five nominees; Aodhan McCahill , Seamus McCahill, Conor Maguire, Niall Hanratty and Jason Northey

Second team has six contenders- Martin Costello, Paul Byrne ,Sean Doyle, Stephen Barr, Fintan Grace and Dermot Dooley

Over 35s saw votes for Graham Johnston, Matt Grimes, Tom Maher.

For Clubman, the main contenders are Niall Hanratty Dave Browne Fintan Grace Dave Mohan Paul McGowan and Mick Greene.

24.5.13
Crumlin Utd under 19s, 5, Spartak 0

Spartak can have few complaints regarding defeat by a fine Crumlin side.

There are some mitigating factors; early injuries to Anto Doyle and Conor Callis disrupted the side somewhat, and Sean Doyle missed the game through suspension.

Having said that Crumlin enjoyed the majority of possession and the Sky Blue full backs or midfield could not get passes away, or have any time on the ball as Crumlin pressed with pace.

Accordingly Spartak players were mostly chasing the ball, which is exhausting, and on some occasions Sky Blue players lost the ball through opting to try to beat players instead of passing.

A very soft goal conceded on 26 minutes gave the advantage to Crumlin, when a cross following a corner was nodded in; under normal circumstances that cross should have been dealt with.

Spartak had their chances with Dermot Dooley shooting over and also heading a cross too close to the keeper. Paul Byrne also had a header just wide.

On 67 minutes the second goal arrived, and it was a screamer. Fintan Grace headed clear but the ball was hit first time from outside the box and soared into the top corner.

After that goal there was only going to be one result as Spartak wilted under pressure, and the scoreline duly grew to five as Crumlin utilised their bench.

So a comprehensive defeat to a good quality Crumlin side containing under age internationals

Now that the dust has died down we can look back on a good occasion and know that it ranks as a good achievement to reach a provincial final.

Learn and come back stronger.

Form Report
David Marlow 6 Anto Doyle 6 Chris Hogan 6 Martin Costello 7 Fintan Grace 6 Shane McInerney 6 Stephen Barr 6 Conor Callis 6 Dermot Dooley 6 Paul Byrne 6 John McCluskey 6
Subs Jeff Gamble 5 Glen Burke 5 Mick Costello 5 Niall Lennon Cathal Clancy Conor Canavan Ross Kelly

16.5.13
Spartak 1 St Vincents 1

Appearances by Barry Crowe and Tom Maher, and with Mick Greene almost topping off his rare appearance with a last minute winner, indicate the nature of this end of season game by a Spartak side deprived of many regulars because of exams and injuries.

Nonetheless the Sky Blue fighting spirit was well in evidence as, down to 10 men from the 35th minute, the home side fought back tenaciously first to equalise through Johnny Mac and then press for the winner.

A satisfactory result in the circumstances.

Man of the Match – Steve Grier

12.5.13

Lakelands 3 Spartak 0

With Lakelands needing a win to get the title in case Blessington slipped up, this was always going to be a test for an understrength Spartak side, for whom assistant Barry Crowe made an appearance when Derek Ruxton was delayed following a burglary.

Derek made a belated appearnce and indeed had Spartak’s best chance but shot over.

But overall this game was dominated by Lakelands, who made a steady procession towards the Sky Blues goal. Jason Northey had his best game of the season, repeatedly denying the home side with a series of fine saves.

However the best efforts of the Sky Blues could not prevent the inevitable and Lakelands just lost out the title on goal difference.

Man of the Match; Jason Northey

Form Report
Jason Northey 9 Conor Canavan 7 Dave Browne 7 Niall Hanratty 8 Aodhan McCahill 7 Thom O’Driscoll 6 Dave Thomson 6 Conor Maguire 7 Ken Buckley 7 Barry Crowe 7 Mick Greene 7 Derek Ruxton 7 Tom Maher 6

7.5.13
Larkview 5 , Spartak 3

The Sky Blues initially caved in in this game; in fact the back four was practically non existent for the first half and the home side helped themselves to four goals, all of the very preventable type.

It was a physical contest, with a too lenient referee, and the home side showed a great deal more appetite for the fray.

Spartak created the first chance of the game, with Thom O’Driscoll and Conor Maguire carving out a chance for Steve Walsh; but he delayed his shot and the chance was lost.

A catalogue of defensive errors ensued with the four goals conceded in a 14 minute spell from the 27th minute ; a cross which should have been cut out was nodded in, then the rearguard was statuesque for the next two goals, allowing the home side to virtually walk the ball in; Steve Grier then presented number four on a plate when caught in possession.

A horror show.

On 50 minutes it got worse; 0-5.

In fairness the Sky Blues did not give up and the home side rested on their laurels somewhat. Dave Browne’s throw was flicked on by Conor Maguire for Dave Thomson to get one back on 58 minutes; Alan Farrington availed of the keeper’s error to score with a neat chip; and when Conor Maguire slammed in the third with a superb effort from outside the box we were suddenly in a game, as the home side were bewildered by the turn of events.

A fourth might have increased home nerves further, but the Sky Blues could not manage another goal.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Dave Browne 5 Steve Grier 5 Seamus McCahill 5 Thom O’Driscoll 5 Alan Farrington 5 Dave Thomson 7 Conor Maguire 7 Steve Walsh 5

2.5.13
Spartak 0, Greenhills/GreenPark 1

A much changed visiting side gained revenge in the rematch which was critical in the race for the title.

A tight game ensued, much of which was contested in midfield, which was not surprising given the high stakes involved.

Greenhills had slightly the upper hand early on although Spartak also threatened at times.
Sean Doyle had a early effort cleared off the line, while Jason Northey came to the rescue with a good save when Shane McInerney was outpaced.

Probably the Sky Blues clearest chance arrived early on when a long ball from Sean Doyle sent Stephen Barr away but his shot was saved.

On 38 minutes the home side switched off at a corner kick which was finished inside the near post.

Spartak fought to get back into the game; Martin Costello and Dermot Dooley both fired just over; efforts were increased without too many clear chances being created.

The visitors continued to carry a threat and struck the post.

The last action saw Paul Byrne make a good run but the finish was too soft to trouble the keeper.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Anto Doyle 6 Chris Hogan 6 Sean Doyle 7 Fintan Grace 6 Shane McInerney 6 Stephen Barr 6 Conor Callis 6 Dermot Dooley 6 Paul Byrne 6 Martin Costello 6
Subs: Mick Costello 6 Steve O Hara 6

30.4.13
Spartak 1 Jobstown 2

The visitors arrived in fine fettle, having just qualified for the Cup Final.
Spartak, on the other hand , were hampered by players missing through injury, exams and work commitments and had to adjust accordingly, with players playing out of position in some cases.

Steve Walsh, in the unaccustomed position of left back, made a fine clearing header,to deny the visitors and acquitted himself well throughout . Conor Maguire put in a good stint as support forward and also helped out in midfield.

Jobstown took the lead on 10 minutes after a defensive mix up.

Spartak’s best chance to equalise came on 41 minutes when Thom O’Driscoll’s corner was headed wide by the unmarked Dave Browne.

On 61 minutes the visitors went two up in controversial circumstances, with Derek Ruxton leading the protests and this was to prove costly later as he received a second yellow for another verbal challenge on the referee’s authority.

The ten men set about their task in fine fashion, and almost salvaged a draw in difficult circumstances.

On 70 minutes, Steve Walsh hit the bar and Conor Maguire made no mistake from the rebound

Man of the Match – Conor Maguire