Training tonight as usual in Three Rock.
Training on Thursday is off as the school is on mid term. Instead we are training in St. Columbas College on WEDNESDAY at 9.30 just for this week.
Saturday Team AWAY to Balbriggan – Won 2-0
Sunday Team HOME to Dunboyne – OFF
Over 35’s AWAY to Garden County – Lost 4-1
Saturday Team HOME to Everton in the Cup – Lost 3-1
Sunday Team AWAY to Everton – Lost 5-0
Over 35’s are IDLE
SDFC 5, Knockmitten 4
Spartak over 35’s overcame the disappointment of last week to produce a good cup win over Knockmitten.
The omens did not look good however early on when the away side were well on top and deservedly took the lead through the now familiar sight of a ball looping over the head of Jimmy Browne. Spartak gradually came more into the game and Mark Byrne scored the equaliser with an excellent finish in the left corner following a good header on from Shay McCafferty. As the half wore on Knockmitten reasserted their superiority and it required two excellent saves from one-on-one situations from Jimmy Browne to keep Spartak in the game. The away side did however go 2-1 up just before the break with their striker taking advantage of some penalty box pinball to shoot home from close range.
Literally facing an uphill battle in the second half Spartak produced the best performance of the season so far to completely dominate the remainder of the game, apart that is from a bizarre final two minutes. Firstly Ken Byrne equalised having got on the end of a great move involving at least 5 Spartak players. Then Barry Crowe produced the goal of the season so far with a volley to the top right-hand corner from close to the left touchline. Dave Mohan and Greg Callan were dominant in the centre of the defence with Gerry Doran and Tony Kavanagh proving equally adept at defensive and offensive play. Paul Burke, Shay McCafferty and Paul bossed midfield and provided plenty of probing passes for Ken Byrne, Frank McNamee and Rory Campbell to threaten the opposing defense. Further goals from Ken Byrne and Rory Campbell deservedly pushed Spartak into what appeared to be an unassailable lead of 5-2.
With the game reaching its conclusion and the home side both tiring and taking the foot off the pedal, Knockmitten won two corners one after the other and somehow managed to score from both of them to make the score 5-4. Thankfully there was no further drama and the game finished with that score.
A somewhat inconsistent performance over the 90 minutes but a very satisfying cup win and one that certainly showed signs of what the team is capable of when the work rate and competitiveness levels are high.
The spartak panel was Jimmy Browne, Tony Kavanagh, Dave Mohan, Paul Burke, Shay McCafferty, Ken Byrne, Mark Byrne, Rory Campbell, Paul, Frank McNamee, Barry Crowe, Gerry Doran, Leon David, Greg Callan.
Steve Grier topped the January Fantasy football standings, just when we stopped handing out €50 monthly prizes. On a technical note, as he has not fully paid his annuals, he would have lost out anyway, and Rob Mahon (Moe) would have prevailed. Steve Browne is in the Portsmouth spot for January with a miserable performance amd has slumped to last place in overall standings.
The overall race is being led by “lucky” Graham Breen , who, it is rumoured, spends all his time in Goodbody’s on spreadsheets working out potential points!
In hot pursuit are Mick Costello, Moe, Neil, Anto, Alex and with Steve Grier timing a late run (or so he says – he’s late with everything
Stuart Love has slipped down the rankings due to Palace going into administration, no doubt.
Spartak 3 St Pats CY 2
After recent travails Spartak served up a sparkling display to outclass the league leaders and cup holders. Spartak created many more chances and in truth could have won by a handsome margin, despite the absence through injury of the talismanic Cibirka.
Spartak seized an early advantage on 9 minutes when Graham Breen slotted home after a mistake by the visiting keeper. The lead was doubled on 15 minutes when a superb Neil McGowan pass released Graham McEnroe. He still had plenty to do and did it with style outpacing the chasing defender and stylishly burying the ball with his right foot.
McEnroe and Breen were causing endless problems to the visitors, prompted by Tom Flanagan , McGowan and Glen Burke at right back who made a number of marauding runs.
Referee Denis Kavanagh served up a number of strange decisions, and in a rumbustious contest did not show any cards. Quite a number of players on both sides should be grateful for his forbearance.
Spartak had a number of opportunities to add to their total; Stuart Love’s shot lacked venom, Breen’s effort was saved and McEnroe was wide.
Pat’s pulled one back on 43 minutes when a long range free kick was deflected by the wall fortuitously into the path of the striker who made no mistake.
The second half began with Pats taking the intiative and some untidy handling from Peter O’Toole. Gradually Spartak beganto play intelligently on the break and McEnroe had many chances to add to his total after some fine approach work by Flanagan McGowan and Breen. On one occasion his shot was deflected onto the bar; he shot wide following a ong throw; and blazed over after a long run.
The clinching goal came on 85 minutes when Flanagan, strangely unmarked, converted McGowan’s free kick.
Pats reduced arrears in the 91st minute when a stray McGowan pass was met by the full back who scored with a dipping shot from fully forty yards past a startled O’Toole.
However the home side had done more than enough to progress in what was a very satisfying performance.
Form Report
Peter O’Toole 6 Glen Burke 8 Fintan Grace 6 Steve Grier 8 Alex Kenny 8 Tom Flanagan 8 Neil McGowan 8 Stuart Love 7 Graham McEnroe 8 Graham Breen 8 Tomasz Kowal 6
Sub Dan O’Connell 6 Rob Mahon Dave Browne
LMS starts next week – premier league fixtures for 20th/21st will be posted.
Rules
Entry fee €10 proceeds 50% to winner and 50% to club.
Each week nominate a premier league side to win by posting on the site; if your team draws or loses you are out; you can select each team only once in each competition. Last man standing scoops the prize.
First nominations to be in by Thursday 18th Feb.
Good luck!
Spartak 1 Drimnagh Celtic 0
In a tightly fought contest, Spartak made it through to round 4 of the Leinster Junior Shield with a resolute performance in a game where Drimnagh had superior possession.
Pinned back in the first half, Spartak relied on the occasional break as Browne, Gaynor and O’Driscoll were unable to hold the ball up and frequently had the ball nicked from them by alert visiting defenders.
With Shane McInerney caught in possession on a couple of occasions and Mick Costello losing heading contests the midfield struggled to support the front men and were kept busy defensively as a consequence. Chris Hogan tried hard to start passing moves and was composed on the ball.
Spartak’s defenders found it difficult to clear their lines or pass their way out and were relieved at Drimnagh’s profligacy in missing a couple of gilt edged chances. Jason Northey’s handling was assured and his confidence is returning.
One lighting break on 35 minute saw Hanratty and Gaynor combine to put Browne clear on the right but his effort was just wide. The best chance of the half for Spartak fell to Dave O’Kelly but he pulled his effort wide. Tom Gaynor blazed over after Browne’s shot was blocked.
The second half was a more even contest as Spartak worked hard. Distribution from the back was better with Hanratty giving a few incisive passes down the line and Martin Costello’s great through ball being miscontrolled by Browne and McInerney was adjudged offside after converting a good cross by Browne.
The winning goal arrived on 75 minutes when Tom Gaynor’s low inswinging corner was touched home by Dave O Kelly, who is on a rich vein of scoring form.
Drimnagh threw men forward in search of an equaliser and when Martin Costello, surging forward on a breakout, gave the ball away the break was swift and a one on one chance was struck too close to Northey, who held on safely.
As gaps appeared at the back for Drimnagh, Spartak then began to break out but Gaynor missed two one on one chances in injury time to seal the win.
Five wins in a row achieved by dint of confidence arising from solid teamwork .
Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Niall Hanratty 8 Mick Greene 6 Martin Costello 8 Dave O Kelly 8 Shane McInerney 7 Tom Gaynor 6 Chris Hogan 6 Steve Browne 6 Tom O Driscoll 6 Mick Costello 6
Subs Lee Malone 4 Dave Williams 5 Mike Hull 5Ross Kelly Neill Bolger
Saturday Team – AWAY to Drimnagh Celtic – Junior Shield – Won 1-0
Sunday Team – HOME to St. Pats – Tom Cullen Cup – Won 3-2
Over 35’s – HOME to Knockmitten – Clifford Cup – Won 5-4
Form Report rankings
4 a poor game
5 below average
6 average
7 a good game
8 a very good game
9 excellent
10 out of this world
