So far 46 players have played in the 6 pre season friendlies. We had 9 players (Paul Kinsella, Seamus McCahill, Niall Lennon, Shane Corrigan, Niall Tilly, Dillon Burke, Ryan Burke, Jose Vargas and Aaron Omerod) making their first appearance in a Spartak shirt plus 2 guest players (Stephen Harris and Dave Mohan’s nephew Julien who was on holidays from Switzerland). Mick Costello is top of the scoring charts with 2 goals.
Park Celtic 1 Spartak 1
Jason Northey, with five outstanding saves and blocks stood between Spartak and a heavy first half deficit. Nothwithstanding the problems of unfamiliarity and some experimentation in the line up, Spartak players were yards off the pace against a faster moving and even faster thinking Park side, who hustled for every ball and were winning virtually all the headers and 50/50 balls.
Anytime the ball went dead, Spartak went dead also , however by contrast Park were alive to opportunities from quickly taken throws and frees, and Spartak looked like being overwhelmed.
Some doughty defending from Cathal Clancy and good covering by Mick Costello helped stave off disaster, with Dillon Burke performing manfully against the local side’s best player. However on 37 minutes a slick short corner routine saw the sky blue defence unhinged and flat footed and it was 1-0 to the home side.
On a couple of rare break outs Mick Greene and Tom O’Driscoll had efforts from free kicks, while Mike Hull headed Rob Flanagan’s cross straight at the keeper.
With Glen Burke and Barry Maguire adding some composure and Tom O’Driscoll providing some much needed hold up play Spartak’s performance improved in the second half, and Northey was not as overworked.
An equaliser was conjured up on 59 minutes when Glen Burke’s free was handled – no penalty given- and when the ball came back to him
he crossed for Mick Costello to head in from a suspiciously offside looking position. 1-1.
Spartak gained in confidence and Ryan Burke’s runs caused enough problems to get the local left back red carded.
Spartak almost got an unlikely winner in injury time when Jose Vargas’ trickery allowed him to set up Mick Greene for a straightforward chance in the box. Mick’s shot was parried and Tom O’Driscoll’s efforts from the rebound and the subsequent corner were both blocked.
Form Report
Jason Northey 9 Mick Greene 5 Dillon Burke 7 Nick Kelly 6 Cathal Clancy 8 Rob Flanagan 6 Mick Costello 8 Jose Vargas 6 Ryan Burke 6 Colum O’Sullivan 5 Derek McGoldrick 5 Glen Burke 8 Barry Maguire 7 Mike Hull 5 Tom O’Driscoll 7
Griffith Rovers 3 , Spartak 2
Despite taking an early lead, Spartak fell to a pre season defeat against a tough and fast Griffith side, who scored three times just before and after the interval, and generally showed a greater goal threat.
On 9 minutes a Stuart Love pass fed Graham Breen who first timed it home following confusion in the home defence.
Rovers then missed a pont blank header from a corner before Martin Costello, lacking confidence in his left foot, spurned an open goal when the ball came to him 25 yards out. Both Dan O’Connell and Fintan Grace set the hard running Ger Byrne away but the chances were not availed of.
Spartak were confused at the back with Dave Browne and Dave O’Kelly venturing out of position and Martin Costello having a torrid time with the winger before retiring with a recurring knock. Reliant on Peter O’Toole who made a couple of good stops, the defence continued to cede chances to Griffith. Following Dave Browne’s long throw possession was lost and Spartak were short of cover, and the home side took full adantage. 1-1. Paul Kinsella’s mis header forced O’Toole to remain alert.
Spartak made wholesale changes at half time and the substitutes in central midfield, Shane McInerney and Tom Flanagan, struggled to get into the game and allowed their opponents free rein to dominate the central area where Seamus McCahill and Fintan Grace had done the battling in the first half. Consequently Griffith scored twice in as many minutes as the Spartak boat rocked, just after O’Toole again made a sharp reflex save.
Central defence was found wanting when a long cross from the Spartak left was powered home unchallenged. From a corner then the ball was laid off to a Griffith midfielder, given time and space to have a ping. O’Toole was unfortunate in tipping the shot on to the woodwork only for the ball to go in off his body.
Paul Kinsella showed his leadership qualities as Spartak’s defence steadied somewhat. Shane Corrigan, carrying a knock, missed a chance to reduce arrears from Niall Tilly’s cross.
In general Spartak were shot shy but managed to reduce arrears when Paul Kinsella bundled in Tom Flanagan’s corner on 73 minutes.
Niall Hanratty’s promptings were producing some benefits but the final touches around the box were missing and Stuart Love’s timid shot from the edge of the box was the last chance.
This was clearly a case of a friendly game where the six substitutes, in general, did not make an impact. While it was good that everyone got a run, the team suffered from the lack of continuity.
Form Report
Peter O’Toole 8 Dave O’Kelly 5 Martin Costello 5 Dave Browne 5 Paul Kinsella 7 Fintan Grace 6 Stuart Love 6 Seamus McCahill 6 Niall Lennon 5 Graham Breen 6 Ger Byrne 6 Dan O’Connell 6 Niall Tilly 5 Niall Hanratty 6 Tom Flanagan 4 Shane McInerney 4 Shane Corrigan 5.
Good session last night as pre-season started in earnest. Next week we are training with the rest of the lads on Tuesday 7pm Marley. Wednesday thereafter. Keep an eye on calendar for updates.
Balally Celtic 2, Spartak 2
Spartak fielded a more experienced side and started brightly with Ross Kelly, injury free, linking the attacking moves. On 9 minutes, a long throw by Steve Grier was powerfully headed home by Dave O’Kelly. Spartak continued to press and from Kelly’s corner O’Kelly’s flick was touched over by Rob Flanagan.
The locals then came back somewhat and Fintan Grace and Mick Greene were beaten down the left but the shot from the resulting cross was comfortably taken by an alert Peter O’Toole.
Niall Tilly then had a good chance and when his shot was saved, he recovered to cross and Ross Kelly’s overhead kick was just over.
Barry Maguire, unwisely switching with Dave O’Kelly, was caught napping by a through ball and O’Toole made a fine save.
Spartak had two more good attempts when Grier’s shot was well saved and Ross Kelly might have scored when well placed.
Balally started the second half strongly and O’Toole made a brilliant save touching the ball onto the bar. However a long ball saw Fintan Grace misjudge his header and cover was in short supply which allowed the striker to finish – 1-1.
Two minutes later, on 53 minutes, Steve Grier fastened onto Neill Bolger’s free to turn and score a fine goal. Jose Vargas had a good run but his left foot shot was off target.
Further injury disruption led to the Balally equaliser when Barry Maguire had to return to the fray out of position and was caught for pace and matters were levelled.
Barry after had a good shout for a penalty when his shot was blocked by a hand and Mick Plunkett troubled the defence with a couple of great set piece deliveries. Jose had a good effort saved when Neill Bolger’s quick free put him in.
A good move saw Jason Northey blaze wide of the near post when the sky blues had men over inside. Spartak almost got the winner after a good run by Ger Byrne set Jose free but he was closed down.
A surging late run and cross by Fintan Grace was just missed by Ger Byrne while at the other end loose marking by Jason Northey at a corner led to a shot from the no 7 which was blocked and then driven home but adjudged offside.
Form report:
Peter O’Toole 8 Dave O’Kelly 8 Mick Greene 6 Martin Costello 7 Fintan Grace 7 Rob Flanagan 5 Barry Maguire 5 Steve Grier 8 Ross Kelly 8 Niall Tilly 6 Ger Byrne 6 Neill Bolger 6 Mick Plunkett 5 Jason Northey 4 Jose Vargas 6
Park Celtic 1, Spartak 1
A late long range volley from Mick Costello endured Spartak earned a deserved draw against a strong home X1.
With Paul Kinsella giving an assured performance at the back Spartak looked solid from the start and Tom Flanagan and Seamus McCahill prompted some good midfield moves.
A good ball by Dave Browne put Ger Byrne in from the left but his lofted effort hit the post. When Seamus McCahill was fouled at the edge of the box, Tom Flanagan’s free was charged down and Stuart Love could not get the loose ball back in effectively.
A fine move saw Graham Breen’s shot scrambled away and Niall Lennon was grateful to be flagged offside after missing a good chance following a flowing move involving Stu, Seamus and Graham.
Further chances fell to Stu, who volleyed wide, and Niall Lennon who saw his shot saved.
An early second half error in distribution by Paul Kinsella saw Park in, but Peter O’Toole was on hand. A good pass by Tom Flanagan put Graham Breen in, but his shot was weak.
Dave Browne, strong in the challenge, was profligate with his free kicks and sold himself a couple of times.
With Spartak utilising their subs, Park came to the fore and Peter O’Toole made a sharp save. Park took the lead when Niall Hanratty’s poor free was knocked past him and he was beaten for pace. From the resultant cross Peter O’Toole made a good stop from the shot but was helpless to prevent the rebond being knocked in.
Stuart Love header just over from Niall Hanratty’s corner and then Hanratty chipped over when clear as Spartak pressed for the equaliser.
Park hit the post on the break and the game began to look beyond Spartak, despite the many chances, until Mick Costello volleyed a dropping ball powerfully to the net from 25 yards for a super goal.
A decent performance against a strong side.
Form Report
Peter O’Toole 7 DaveO’Kelly 7 Rob Mahon 6 Paul Kinsella 8 Dave Browne 6 Tom Flanagan 7 Seamus McCahill 7 Stuart Love 6 Niall Lennon 5 Graham Breen 7 Ger Byrne 6 Mick Costello 6 Neill Bolger 6 Shane Corrigan 6 Derek McGoldrick 6 Niall Hanratty 5
Sandyford Rovers 2, Spartak 0
A slightly lop sided Spartak selection (after early injuries to Mick Greene and Graham McEnroe) found it difficult to get fluid movement going forward as possession was too easily lost and more importantly not fought for. There was a distinct lack of hard running from most players and many took the easy option of lumping the ball.
Stephen Harris in goal had a fine game and covered for the inadequacies of some of his colleagues. Spartak created few chances, Mick Greene forcing a good save early on from a free and Derek McGoldrick was wildly over with his attempted lob when through.
Of the other new lads, Seamus McCahill did well at the back and later in midfield while Paul Kinsella was strong in the tackle. Aaron Ormerod and Shane Corrigan never really got into the game.
Of the more experienced lads, Dave Browne made a couple of vital tackles and interceptions while McGoldrick never stopped running.
Neill Bolger lacked his usual aggression and tired visibly in the second half, while Niall Hanratty was well off the pace, with his opponent out running him regularly and he was grateful to his keeper after a couple of errors.
Tom O’Driscoll is still lacking touch and sharpness, and even his usually good set piece delivery was poor. Cathal Clancy and Dermot Dooley both fought hard when they came on.
A worthwhile exercise, as players get to know both each other and their own state of preparedness for the coming season. Part of the process of shaking off summer cobwebs. The result will soon be forgotten but players wll need to step up sharpness over the coming weeks.
Form Report:
Stephen Harris 9 Dave Browne 6 Mick Greene 6 Paul Kinsella 7 Seamus McCahill 8 Neill Bolger 5 Graham McEnroe 5 Shane Corrigan 5 Aaron Ormerod 4 Derek McGoldrick 6 Tom O’Driscoll 5 Cathal Clancy 6 Dermot Dooley 5 Mike Hull 4 Niall Hanratty 5 Rob Deering 5
Change, they say, is inevitable. At Spartak it looks like a case of out with the old (sorry Anto!) and in with the new.
From the cup final squad quite a few men are missing.The men who missed the final through injury, Will and Neil, are recuperating from broken collar bone and knee surgery respectively. Gintaras is back in Lithuania. Dan O’Connell has been up training just once due to work commitments.
Of the winning squad on the night, Alex heads to Canada for a year next week, Anto is travelling the world getting fat with his new job and unlikely to play for a number of months. Adam and James are lost to the world of GAA and Brian Massey to rugby. Kevin O’Toole is doing well at Ken Buckley’s boot camp, but has done little football training so far.
There have been fleeting glimpses of Graham Breen, Glen Burke and Steve Grier. The latter emerged from his summer slumber to make and score goals in last night’s friendly.
Peter, Dave , Fintan, Rob, Stu, Ger , GMac, Tom are flying the flag at training at the moment.
Also missing are Niall Hanratty (suspended) Mark Bolger (rock stardom beckons!) Colum O’Sullivan
Good work by Mick Greene means we have an influx of lads who played under 18 for Firhouse Carmel last year.
Paul Kinsella, Seamus McCahill, Aaron Ormerod, Dillon and Ryan Burke, Keith Kelly, Steve Harris, Shane Corrigan and Niall Lennon
have all been up and are very welcome as they settle in and lowere the average age.
In the friendlies so far, the blending process is underway and the training attendances have been the highest for many years, so we look forward with confidence.
Thanks to Louise Byrne for the poster!
St Josephs (Kilmuckridge) 3, Spartak 2
Spartak had a rude awakening by the seaside when touch and sharpness were in short supply against a tidy footballing home side.
On a windy day and a bumpy pitch the home side moved the ball well, while the boys in claret and blue were so poor with their first touch that the second touch was often a tackle!
After a few scares when Julian made a good save following errors by Dave Mohan and Mick Greene, Spartak had a chance when newcomer Jose Vargas shot wide as Neill Bolger’s pass sent him in from the right.
On 32 minutes Spartak took the lead against the run of play; Dave O’Kelly lost possession, chased back to recover and launched a long clearance. Tom O’Driscoll took advantage of hesitancy in the home defence to score neatly.
On 41 minutes Dave Mohan and Alex Kenny were caught by a sharp attack and Alex’s clumsy challenge conceded a penalty – 1-1 at the break.
St Josephs took command of the game, against the wind in the second half, scoring in the 49th and 51st minutes, firstly when they exposed a lack of cover in Spartak’s rearguard, and then from Dave Mohan’s poor free the home side broke past a bemused McInerny and Costello to free the centre forward who rounded O’Toole to score, with Mohan unable to recover his position.
Vargas set up Derek McGoldrick for a chance which the keeper saved well. Earlier the same combination saw McGoldrick, stretching, shoot wide.
When Martin Costello’s free was spilled by the keeper, Neill Bolger’s brave diving header was just wide. Vargas then sent Costello away on the overlap, and his cross drifted in at the far post to reduce arrears, but the home side in their next attack struck the underside of the bar with O’Toole helpless.
Spartak had shown some element of brawn but little evidence of footballng brains and the scoreline flattered them somewhat.
Form Report
Julian (Dave Mohan’s nephew, guesting) 7 – confident handling and a couple of good saves
Peter O’Toole 6 – helpless for both goals he conceded and could only watch as the home side hit the bar.
Dave O’Kelly 4 -concentrated mainly on solo runs, was regularly dispossessed and caught out of position.
Mick Greene 4 Flat footed and slow to react; also set pieces poor.
Dave Mohan – 4 – implicated in concession of two goals. Few aerial duels as home side moved ball around him.
Alex Kenny 6 Conceded penalty for rash challenge , generally a reasonable outing.
Martin Costello 5 – energetic, but midfield role was out of his comfort zone. Passing and creativity proved beyond him.
Shane McInerney 4 – a sluggish outing for a player who relies on tackling and short passing;never got to the pitch of the ball and was by passed in midfield , particularly (along with Martin) for goal number 3 . Showed no forward initiative.
Chris Hogan 4 – out of touch and failed to link defence and attack
Neill Bolger 5 – won plenty of ball but often careless in distributing it.
Jose Vargas 5 showed a couple of good touches but out of condition
Tom O’Driscoll 4 Took his goal neatly but set pieces poor and lacking sharpness
Jason Northey 4 Tried in several outfield positions but fitness and workrate too low
Derek McGoldrick 5 a couple of early runs but then petered out. Had a couple of second half chances but poor in link up play
Mick Plunkett 4 Tackling with studs up and conceded some frees. Ring rusty and out of practice after a long absence from the game.
