Quick reminder lads that there is €50 prize for the player in the SDFC Fantasy Football league with the most points in the month of September. Annuals and subs must be up-to-date to be eligible to claim prize. Still time to join, see link below in links section. Code to join the league is 939110-206021
The current overall top ten is listed below.
Clifden Celtic 4 Spartak 1
A useful work out for players returning from injury or holiday absences.
Spartak played quite well in the first half, without offering a huge threat to Clifden’s goal. Kevin Mannion tended to overplay and Niall Tilley and Jose Vargas were marshalled by the home defence. Mick Greene was impressive in goal in the first half, but less so as an outfield player after the interval.
Rob Flanagan and Dave Browne did well initially as a centre back partnership but were a great deal shakier as the game progressed.
The first home goal came when a long pass caught the defence square and Chris Hogan could not recover ground on the winger, who rounded Ross Kelly to score. Almost immediately Niall Lennon blocked a clearance from the keeper to allow Dermot Dooley to run the ball in. Naill Lennon then had a clear chance saved by the keeper.
The second Clifden goal caught the back four disorganised and flat footed from a corner and a simple header, unchallenged, was all it took from close in.
Rob Flanagan had a header cleared off the line as Spartak tried to equalise again.
The third and fourth goals came in the gathering gloom and near darkness as Clifden gained confidence from Spartak’s lapses.
Overall a worthwhile exercise on the wettest day of the year.
Form report
Mick Greene (7 in goal 4) out Chris Hogan 5 Eoin Grogan 6 Rob Flanagan 6 Dave Browne 6 Niall Lennon 6 Paul Ferguson 5 Jose Vargas 5 Niall Tilley 5 Kevin Mannion 5 Ross Kelly (6 in goal and out)
Subs Dermot Dooley 6 Will O’Connell 5.
Babriggan 1, Spartak 2
Three second half substitutes played a key role in getting Spartak all three points. Ryan Burke’s challenge allowed Tom O’Driscoll in to round the keeper neatly and walk the ball in for number one on 67 minutes. Ryan’s cross led to the foul on Niall Lennon which gave Mick Greene the opportunity to trundle forward and convert for number 2; and Shane Corrigan provided a couple of neat passes as well as being foiled on the line with an effort of his own.
Balbriggan had dominated the first half without scoring, mainly thanks to the sterling defensive work of Martin Costello, with good protection from Mick Costello and Shane McInerney as Spartak were forced to defend. Niall Hanratty, in an unaccustomed centre back role, was often profligate with his distribution and was caught in possession in an uncomfortable first half; he settled down better in the second period.
Spartak could make no forward progress , with wide men Rob Deerring and Rob Flanagan experiencing form they would rather forget. Ross Kelly was less effective than of late, and Tom O’Driscoll was often a lone forward threat.
Balbrggan reduced arrears on 85 minutes when the centre of the Spartak defence got their positioning wrong, and the home side then pressed hard but were denied an equaliser.
Overall a satisfactory three points.
Form Report
Mick Greene 7 Chris Hogan 6 Dillon Burke 5 Niall Hanratty 6 Martin Costello 8 Shane McInerney 7 Rob Flanagan 4 Rob Deering 4 Ross Kelly 5 Tom O’Driscoll 7 Mick Costello 7
Subs: Ryan Burke 7 Niall Lennon 7 Shane Corrigan 7 Jose Vargas
Spartak 1 Iveagh Celtic 3
Spartak will reflect on a game that was in their grasp but was allowed to slip away through an inability to kill it off.
Better decision making and clinical finishing by Iveagh were the keys to the result. Spartak had plenty of chances to put the game beyond the visitors reach but were indecisive, and sometimes indulgent, in the final third. So Spartak will have to deal with the frustration of letting slip a game which could have been won, and seeing three points needlessly lost.
A great run and cross by Ger Byrne gave Niall Hanratty, at the second attempt, the opening to put the sky blues 1-0 up after just 2 minutes. Spartak were playing all the football and a second goal looked likely. Fintan Grace and Stuart Love were combining well and Keith Kelly and Seamus McCahill were winning the ball in midfield.
Glen had an opportunity to capitalise on ropy defending by Iveagh but chose to try and beat another man rather than shoot or cross. Iveagh had a couple of forays and just on half time Peter had a lapse which went unpunished.
Every Spartak corner in the first half was poorly delivered , whether by Glen, or one one occasion, Niall.
Spartak began the second period well and when Seamus’ header struck the bar it looked a simple task for Glen, all alone, to nod into the empty net. Inexplicably he headed over the gaping goal.
From the resultant kick out, Ger Byrne fastened on to the ball and had a clear run at goal, but shot wide.
Stuart Love and Seamus McCahill, after bright starts, began to fade in midfield and Glen never reached the levels of concentration required to perform.
On 70 minutes, Iveagh, having earlier hit the bar, got a messy equaliser when the ball was forced over the line following uncertain defending.
Spartak tried to restore their lead and a good move led to Ger having a chance but straight from the clearance Martin Costello made a critical error when caught in possession and the forward drove past Peter at the near post.
Almost immediately the pattern repeated itself , with a goalmouth scramble in the Iveagh goalmouth being cleared and finished on the break. 1-3
Spartak were temporarily reduced to ten when Keith had to go off after all the subs were made, but he returned to strike the bar with a good effort.
While Iveagh had far fewer chances in the game, they were able to ride out the last ten minutes comfortably.
Form Report:
Peter O’Toole 5 Dave O’Kelly 6 Fintan Grace 6 Martin Costello 6 Paul Kinsella 6 Keith Kelly 7 Seamus McCahill 5 Niall Hanratty 6 Glen Burke 4 Stuart Love 6 Ger Byrne 6
Subs Neil McGowan 6 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Niall Tilley 6 Will O Connell Dan O Connell Rob Mahon . Steve Grier no show.
Quick reminder lads that there is €50 prize for the player in the SDFC Fantasy Football league with the most points in the month of September. Annuals and subs must be up-to-date to be eligible to claim prize. Still time to join, see link below in links section. Code to join the league is 939110-206021
The current overall top ten is listed below.
Saturday Team – AWAY to Tymon Bawn
Sunday Team – AWAY to Seaford Rock
Over 35s – AWAY to Larkview
A few old reports to bring back memories, good and bad….
29th Feb 2004
Spartak 3 Liffey Wanderers 2
O Toole7 P Kilroy7 Grace7 D Buckley7 I Kilroy7 K Buckley7 McGowan7 O Connell9 Dunne7 D Byrne7 G Byrne7 Sub McNamee 7
An outstanding display by O Connell and a stunning late winner by McNamee were the highlights of a rip roaring battle at Marlay. O Connell scored after his interception won possession ; he passed to Byrnsie and then tucked away the square pass. Spartak’s second arrived when O Connell’s headed knock down was coolly tucked past the static keeper by McGowan.
Sweetest of all in a robust contest was the winner when OConnell’s second attempt to cross found McNamee who gleefully thumped home left footed.
4th May 2003 Griffith 1 Spartak 2
K O’Connell pen , St Leger
O’Toole 7 A Doyle 8 D O’Connell 7 K O’Connell 9 D Mohan 7 K Buckley 8 F McNamee 8 B St Leger 7 A Dunne 7 W O’Connell 7 G Byrne 7. Sub M Cooney 6
Once again Spartak fielded a side depleted by injury and absentees. Once again the players rose to the challenge and fought grittily at DCU to carve out a good result, which keeps the hunt on for runners up spot.
Griffith started as if they meant business, and O’Toole had to save smartly with Buckley tidying up the rebound. O’Toole then had to advance to narrow the angle , forcing the forward to shoot wide. Slowly Spartak gained momentum , with Anto Doyle prominent down the right. Frank McNamee went close with a towering header and then in the next attack Ger Byrne was upended in the box .Kevin O’Connell, revelling in an unaccustomed sweeper role, drilled the resultant spot kick home. Spartak then went on an attacking spree with a flowing move from Mohan, Doyle Stleger finally setting Byrne up 15 yards out, but he blazed over, when a little more coolness was called for.
Griffith came at the visitors in the second half, but Spartak were dangerous on the break with buckley a powerhouse in the middle and Doyle raiding on the right, chances were created for St Leger, Byrne and Will O’Connell who all missed when well placed to score.
The all important second goal arrived when Byrne laid a ball back to Will O Connell out on the left. His cross was neatly laid off by Dunne and St Leger volleyed powerfully home.
A nervous final five minutes was assured when Dan O’Connell, attempting to intercept a cross, blasted the ball into his own net to mark his first team debut with a spectacular own goal. However the defence held firm and the three points were in the bag.
SPARTAK TRIUMPH IN CUP THRILLER
28th November 1999
Bluebell Utd 1, Spartak Dynamo 2
Following last season’s defeat (1-0) at the hands of Bluebell in the FAI Junior Cup, it did not bode well for Spartak when they had to concede home advantage in this Leinster Junior Cup fifth round tie.
However a sprightly start by the men in claret and blue soon put the game in a different light and in the seventh minute tenacity by Kevin O’Connell (when he blocked an attempted clearance) was rewarded with a favourable rebound which took the ball beyond the home keeper. Spartak added a second after 21 minutes when a sweeping move involving Doyle, O’Connell and Dunne was finished when the latter’s driven cross was thumped home first time from the edge of the box by McGowan.
The second half began with a determined Bluebell attempting to impose their game and misplaced Spartak passes were punished by long periods of Bluebell possesion. Spartak were only rarely able to mount a attacks in the increasingly cloying conditions and were hauled back by a goal in the 59th minute when the Spartak rearguard did not deal decisively with a cross. Spartak, although defending with all their might, were on the back foot and Alan Kilroy cleared off the line on a few occasions while Alan Kavanagh in goal resorted to the unorthodox to protect the lead. Gradually the pressure was eased by a late resurgence of inventive passing and movement and Spartak finished strongly for a memorable win.
Alan Kavanagh 7 – Held onto the ball well in difficult conditions.
Declan Buckley 7 – Quick in the tackle and good covering.
Alan Kilroy 8 – Great goal line clearances and a memorable last ditch tackle..
Brian Stafford 8 – Always able to get in front of his player.
Derek Keane 7 – Kept the troops well organised .
Ken Buckley 7 Strong in midfield . Booked for dissent.
Neil McGowan 7 Took his goal well and passed accurately.
Mick Harte 7 – his strength in possession gave Spartak some breathers.
Andy Dunne 7 Never stopped working and supplied a cracking cross for the second goal.
Cameron Doyle 7 Incisive first half passing.
Kevin O’Connell 7 Hard working with Dunne. Always available for the out ball.
Liffey Valley Rangers 1 Spartak 2
Liffey, having been hammered in their last match, made numerous changes and started brightly. Their hunger for the ball completely overcame weak Spartak resistance and they dominated possession for most of the first half.
Spartak were soon one down when Paul Kinsella misjudged a cross and Glen Burke allowed his man to escape and score at the far post.
Spartak showed little appettite for the contest and were hurried into errors. Passing was sloppy and when the occasion arose, set piece delivery was very poor. Spartak seemed happy to lump it on to the willing head of the home centre half, who was dominant in the air.
Liffey were winning first ball and second ball, and of the midfielders, only Tom Flanagan was showing any resistance. While both front runners, Ger Byrne and Graham McEnroe worked hard, they were working off crumbs due to the ineptitude of those behind them.
Spartak were grateful to Peter O’Toole who saved well to prevent number 2, after Glen Burke was all too easily beaten, and Fintan Grace made some timely interventions. Paul Kinsella and Steve Grier made for a shaky central defensive combination.
As the half wore on, Spartak began to rouse themselves somewhat as the prospect of an imminent and damaging defeat began to sink in. Dave O’Kelly had a header saved and Ger Byrne headed wide.
A half time discussion changed things somewhat and even Glen Burke, emerging at least partly from first half torpor, began to attempt to match the pace and desire of the opponents. Keith Kelly, on for the injured Tom Flanagan, added some energy and battling qualities and the tide began to turn.
Liffey began to lose composure under some sustained pressure and conceded a penalty for a foul on Glen Burke, which Seamus McCahill converted for the equaliser on 68 minutes.
On 76 minutes, a great flick by Graham McEnroe put Seamus in on goal but he pulled his effort wide. Seamus and Graham had efforts blocked.
The pressure built up gradually on Liffey, as the Spartak changes began to take effect, and both Paul and especially Steve began to settle at the back. Nevertheless the quality of frees and corners from Burke and O’Driscoll remained poor.
It was only in the 78th minute when Tom O’Driscoll provided virtually the first decent set piece ball, with pace and into the near post, and was rewarded when a home defender deflected it to the net for the winning goal.
For the second week in a row, Spartak headed for the M50 grateful for all three points; the performance will need to be greatly enhanced for the visit of Iveagh Celtic to Marlay on Sunday.
Form report:
Peter O’Toole 6 Dave O’Kelly 5 Fintan Grace 6 Steve Grier 7 Paul Kinsella 5 Tom Flanagan 6 Seamus McCahill 6 Glen Burke 5 Graham McEnroe 6 Stuart Love 5 Ger Byrne 6
subs : Keith Kelly 7 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Neil McGowan 6 Niall Hanratty Rob Mahon Shane Corrigan Dan O’Connell
Saturday Team – AWAY to Balbriggan
Sunday Team – HOME to Iveagh Celtic
Spartak 2 Terenure College 1
Early season disruption meant a change of fixture from that published and for Spartak it showed 8 changes from the team which dropped points to Swords. Only Mick Greene, Shane McInerney and Derek McGoldrick have started both games to date!
A tentative start again from Spartak, who went into arrears in 6 minutes, when a follow up shot was drilled in after Peter O’Toole blocked the first effort. In the build up, there had been a blatant push on Rob Flanagan, not penalised by a referee who then allowed a series of bad challenges in a physical contest to go unpunished and a dreadful challenge on Dillon Burke, which ended Dillon’s involvement, punished by a yellow only.
Spartak were living dangerously and Terenure came close when Chris Hogan hesitated with a clearance. A series of defensive errors by Spartak went unpunished: Derek McGoldrick lost his man at a corner, Mick Greene made a hames of a clearance, Peter had a poor goal kick.
Some respite at the other end came when following a good corner routine, Rob Flanagan’s header was cleared off the line, and Tom O’Driscoll’s effort hit the side netting.
Spartak got a great break at the start of the second half, when Kevin Mannion forced home the equaliser from close range from Rob Flanagan’s cross.
With Seamus McCahill on as sub and having a fine spell, it was not long before Spartak added number two, from Seamus, when again Rob provided the assist, and Rob then had a fine turn and shot which struck the post.
Having got into the lead, Spartak then relaxed and allowed the vistors back into the game. Terenure hit the bar, and also blazed over when it looked easier to score.
Chris Hogan made an interesting choice when he passed back to Peter from inside the six yard box, but Peter recovered his composure to clear.
On the break, Tom O’Driscoll had a one on one which he shot tamely at the keeper, and also a couple of good penalty shouts. Niall Lennon put Seamus through but he was too high with his effort.
Spartak were now under the cosh and Cathal Clancy and Mick Greene were manning the pumps with headers and clearances as pressure mounted. Derek McGoldrick made a few fine recovery tackles, and Chris Hogan gradually grew into the unfamiliar full back role.
Peter O’Toole spilled a shot and Terenure missed out, but he then redeemed himself with a brilliant save from a deflected effort in injury time.
Spartak were happy with the three points from a committed performance by a much changed side.
Form Report
Peter O’Toole 7 Chris Hogan 6 Dillon Burke 6 Cathal Clancy 8 Mick Greene 7 Shane McInerney 7 Rob Flanagan 7 Kevin Mannion 7 Ross Kelly 6 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Derek McGoldrick 7 Subs Seamus McCahill 7 Niall Lennon 6 Dam O’Connell Ryan Burke
