Spartak Dynamo FC

23.9.12
Spartak 1, Shamrock Rovers (Wexford) 5

The Leinster Junior Cup draw matched Spartak with the Wexford Premier Champs, one of the best junior sides in the country; and injuries, illness and other absentees made the Sky Blues task all the more difficult.

When faced with superior opposition it is always imperative that the underdog scores first; preferably after a decent scoreless time to build frustration in the favourites. Unfortunately the Wexford boys scored from a corner after just 7 minutes when the forward was able to stoop in the centre of the six yard box to head home after his run evaded the static home defenders.

The game ran upon predictable lines, with the visitors no.9 and no.6 in a class apart; having said that the goals were conceded by elementary defensive mistakes, clinically punished, rather than by brilliant play. The second came directly from a stray defensive pass; the third was another clever run by the no.9 and the fourth from another stray pass by the overworked Spartak defence.

The Sky Blues pulled one back when Dave Browne’s throw was fed to Graham McEnroe by Dave Thomson and Graham’s through ball was expertly converted by the lively Conor Maguire.

A last minute penalty, after a comical mix up, completed the visitors’ scoring.

The work rate and endeavour of the Sky Blues showed a good spirit; and losing to a superior side is never a disgrace; but the real tests for this re-shaped side lie ahead in the League. There were encouraging signs of determination but defensive qualities need to be strengthened to avoid the basic mistakes of recent games.

22.9.12
Spartak 1, Leicester 3

After the neat brand of football played in the previous game against the league leaders, Spartak put on a deeply disappointing display.

The game as a spectacle was ruined by a poor referee who favoured neither side but got in the way of a decent contest with bizarre decisions. While Spartak, having less of the play, were punished slightly less than Leicester it made for a frustrating afternoon for both sides.

The midfield battle was lost early; early injury to Steve O’Hara didn’t help but the Leicester midfield did as they wished throughout the game, with superior fitness a telling factor. Dermot Dooley and Graham McEnroe, so influential in good display in the Swords match, were sorely missed for composure and quick passing.

An early Leicester goal arrived when Dave O’Kelly was caught wrong side of the winger ; his defensive colleagues were unable to prevent the cross being converted but Spartak quickly equalised after a fine run by Conor Callis, who drew the keeper and presented Jeff Gamble with a tap in for his first Spartak goal.

Leicester then scored two in three minutes without reply; the Sky Blues defence did not look like a solid unit for this period of the game.

Spartak rallied and had a brief bright spell before half time ; Shane McInerney will wonder how he did not force the ball over the line from a yard out when a score that would have brought the Sky Blues back into the game seemed inevitable ; Jeff Gamble and Joe Roe also had chances, while Mick Costello headed over.

Second half fatigue affected the Sky Blues more than Leicester, compounded by an irresponsible red card for Dave O’Kelly, and only Conor Callis presented an attacking threat; but he lacked support. Leicester always carried the greater threat and Cathal Clancy was relieved to see his interception rebound off the home crossbar.

A day on which very few players in Sky Blue can look back on with satisfaction.

Form Report:
Bobby Hayes 6 Chris Hogan 5 Dave O’Kelly 4 Fintan Grace 5 Cathal Clancy 5 Shane McInerney 5 Jeff Gamble 5 Conor Callis 7 Joe Roe 5 Mick Costello 5 Steve O’Hara 5
Subs: Mark Brady 6 Conor Canavan 5 Barry Maguire 5

Training for the coming weeks will be

Tuesday – 8.45 St Kilians, Roebuck Road Clonskeagh

Thursday – 9.15 St Columbas College Whitechurch

16.9.12
Spartak 1 Lakelands 4.

A game in which the Sky Blues did not do themselves justice.

Spartak imploded in this League clash. Two goals in the final minute of the first half killed off the game as a contest, making it 4-0 at half time. Lakelands scored also in the 19th and 35th minutes, and their forwards gave the Spartak back four a torrid time.

Alex Kenny had an uncharacteristic nightmare match, culpable for three of the goals. Alex had been warned early on when dispossessed and Jason Northey made a good save. In midfield Seamus McCahill and Dave Thomson were well below par, and unable to match the pace and tempo of the visitors. Neil McGowan provided some energy with covering tackles while Niall Hanratty also toiled to provide some respite for the defence in which only Aodhan McCahill played anyway close to potential. Conor Maguire worked diligently up front, and came close to scoring on a couple of first half occasions.

Lakelands eased off somewhat in the second period, allied to extra effort for the Sky Blues, and Steve Walsh pulled a goal back with 15 minutes to go. Conor Maguire was unlucky not to reduce arrears further as he intercepted and poked goalwards, but the ball was cleared.

With so many changes from last season’s line up the team is clearly still a work in progress, despite the injection of youth, as many Spartak players have not prepared fully for the season and certainly some took preparations for this match a little lightly to say the least.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Paul Kinsella 5 Aodhan McCahill 6 Alex Kenny 4 Steve Grier 5 Seamus McCahill 5 Neil McGowan 6 Niall Hanratty 6 Dave Thomson 5 Conor Maguire 7 Steve Walsh 5
Subs: Keith Kelly 5 Ken Buckley 5 Derek Ruxton 5 Dave Browne

15.9.12
Swords Celtic 3 Spartak 1

Early dominance by the Sky Blues was not matched with goals and the home side led 1-0 at the break, despite midfield superiority by Spartak.

Dermot Dooley, Graham McEnroe and Jeff Gamble controlled most of the first half, with some fine overlapping runs and crosses by Chris Hogan and good ball carrying by Conor Callis.

A fine passage of play saw Joe Roe’s header placed too close to the keeper and then when Dooley and Gamble combined well to put Roe through on goal, he struck the post with his effort. Dermot Dooley then volleyed just wide.

After a rare break by Swords, Bobby Hayes presaged a period of Swords pressure with a poor throw out; and from the resulting corner a home player headed just over.

Swords took the lead , very much against the run of play ,on 39 minutes, when the winger eluded Chris Hogan to cross and the striker turned to convert.

The second half began with almost a reprise of the goal when the winger again beat Chris Hogan all too easily and the no.8 shot wastefully wide.

All three subs for Spartak had a considerable impact as tired legs were replaced.

A neat move involving McEnroe, Callis and Conor Maguire gave Dermot Dooley a great chance, but he shot over with a left footed effort.

Swords were proving dangerous on the break as the Sky Blues pressed for an equaliser; Hayes saved and also made an oufield foray, but the game turned against Spartak when Conor Callis’ volley was blocked and the home side immediately broke to score.

Not to be outdone, the Sky Blues responded strongly and McEnroe converted a penalty after a foul on Niall Lennon and then almost immediately Mark Brady had a chance to equalise; his shot was saved and again the home side broke to score, and clinch the game.

Spartak, despite playing the neater football on the day, were left to rue chances missed and some loose defending.

From Report
Bobby Hayes 6 Chris Hogan 5 Conor Canavan 5 Paul Kinsella 6 Cathal Clancy 6 Dermot Dooley 7 Conor Callis 6 Jeff Gamble 7 Graham McEnroe 7 Joe Roe 5 Mick Costello 5
Subs: Niall Lennon 7 Conor Maguire 7 Mark Brady 5

9.9.12
St Vincents Hospital 2, Spartak 0

A dogged home side took advantage of a gift goal and defended well as Spartak chased the game; a second goal a few minutes from time, as the Sky Blues went gung-ho for an equaliser, clinched the tie.

Overall it was a tight game , well controlled by the ref, with Vincents combative and certainly more match fit. Space was denied as both sides worked hard.

Spartak had by far the greater number of chances in the first half and took the game to the home side; and yet Vincents were ahead at the break. A free kick on 28 minutes from half way drifted to the net past Brian O’Keeffe for a howler, and something which gave the home side defensive purpose.

Seamus McCahill might have put Spartak a couple of goals in front but headed first off target and then straight at the keeper. Derek Ruxton fired a snapshot just over.

Spartak pressed from the start of the second half and a turning pointcame when the home keeper took off a snap save from Neil McGowan’s effort. Spartak spared nothing in the chase for an equaliser and Dave Thomson headed over, Conor Maguire was just short of reaching Keith Kelly’s cross, Steve Grier, stretching, poked just wide as desperation mounted.

Steve Grier was pushed forward with a few minutes remaining but the 3 man defence were unable to prevent Vincents converting a cross to settle the game.

With an influx of younger players who were prominent in the match Spartak can take positives from the game; Aodhan McCahill had a good game on his debut; Steve Walsh gradually got to the pace of the game, as did Paul Kinsella. Conor Maguire foraged well in attack, but lacked sufficient support.

Form Report
Brian O’Keeffe 4 Nial Hanratty 5 Aodhan McCahill 7 Steve Grier 7 Paul Kinsella 6 Ken Buckley 5 Neil McGowan 7 Seamus McCahill 5 Steve Walsh 6 Conor Maguire 7 Derek Ruxton 5
Subs : Keith Kelly 5 Dave Thomson 5 Dave Browne 5 Anto Doyle Jason Northey

8.9.12
Spartak 4 Walkinstown 2

An explosive start to this game on a scorching day in Marlay Park saw Spartak go two up inside 11 minutes; Adam Doran’s pass was fired into the bottom corner by Graham McEnroe on 4 minutes and then when Adam was fouled in the box, Fintan Grace scored from the spot.

Mick Costello’s header nicked the bar and Joe Roe’s shot was saved as the Sky blues looked to increase their lead. As the pace dropped the visitors edged their way back into the game and it took some good defensive work to block a couple of eforts; alas on 31 minutes an isolated Walkinstown attacker was surrounded by three Sky Blues, but won a penalty. 2-1.

Mick Costello headed home at the start of the second half, but the goal was ruled out. A decisive moment came on 49 minutes. Dave O’Kelly’s cross was cleared for a throw, which Dave quickly took and found Graham McEnroe on the move; he outpaced the defence to score a fine goal with an angled shot.

Walkinstown fought back and had some big misses, allied to some last ditch defending and smart reflex saves from Bobby Hayes but on 60 minutes Joe Roe headed in from Adam Doran’s corner to make it 4-1. The concession of a soft goal on 71 minutes kept the game alive but the Sky Blues finished in good stead.

Business as usual with a reshaped side after a difficult pre season. Next up are Swords, who have a 100% record so far.

Form Report
Bobby Hayes 7 Dave O’Kelly 6 Conor Canavan 6 Fintan Grace 6 Cathal Clancy 6 Shane McInerney 7 Joe Roe 6 Conor Callis 7 Adam Doran 7 Graham McEnroe 8 Mick Costello 7
Subs: Ross Kelly 6 Lee Norton 5 Chris Hogan 5 Barry Maguire Neill Bolger Dara Comerford

Tonight, 6th Sept, is the last night in St Enda’s. Gates close at 8 so be sure to park outside!

From next week training is on

TUESDAY – St Kilians German School, Roebuck Road at 8.45

THURSDAY – St Columba’s College, Whitechurch, at 9.15

Astro shoes only please – no boots permitted.

Spartak have pulled two home draws in the initial Leinster competitions.

Shamrock Rovers Wexfor are the visitors in the Leinster Junior Cup. They are the current Wexford Premier League Champions. A tough and challenging draw!

Glasnaoin 3rds from Ucfl Div 3b will come to Marlay for the opening round of the Shield as Spartak try to repeat (or improve on!) last year’s long run in the competition.

2.9.12
Spartak 3, Park Celtic U19s 4

Conceding two bizarre goals in quick succession after hauling back a two goal deficit was the key to losing this friendly contest at sun baked Marlay Park, which saw Spartak complete their pre season outings. Another useful run out which will help prepare for the league challenges ahead.

A first half performance devoid of energy saw the Sky Blues go two down; failure to pressurise opponents saw Park take full advantage with two smart finishes. Shane McInerney alone was willing to take the fight to the enemy before tiring in the second period.

Spartak attacked sporadically; indeed the forward play was the best aspect of the home team’s game. Conor Maguire had missed a chance when Derek Ruxton played him in, and both Derek and Conor Callis had opportunities.

There was an improvement after the interval. Niall Lennon’s pass sent Conor Maguire away on a fine run and his cross left Graham McEnroe with a simple task to pull a goal back. A penalty conceded by Seamus McCahill was then smartly saved by Jason Northey and Steve Walsh equalised on 68 minutes when his free kick deceived the keeper.

Then came those goals. Niall Lennon was adjudged to have fouled about 55 yards from goal; while the Sky Blues argued the toss and switched off, Park raced in for the lead goal. Then a Park corner, low to the near post was missed by two Spartak players before hitting the post and neatly presenting a goal to a visiting forward.

Again the Sky Bues rallied. Maguire and Ruxton were running hard at the defence and causing consternation, while Steve Walsh rekindled some of his old form. Derek Ruxton drove a free just wide and was then tripped in the box after a fine run. Seamus McCahill’s penalty lacked power and precision and was easily saved. Ruxton and McEnroe then combined beautifully in the game’s best move to lay on a goal for Conor Maguire but it was just too late.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Shane McInerney 7 Steve Walsh 7 Aodhan McCahill 6 Paul Kinsella 6 Ken Buckley 5 Seamus McCahill 6 Graham McEnroe 7 Dara Comerford 5 Conor Maguire 8 Derek Ruxton 8 Conor Callis 5 Lee Malone 6 Niall Lennon 5