Spartak Dynamo FC

Bonus Prize : Signed Republic of Ireland Jersey – Shane McInerney
Christmas Hamper – Pat Doyle
Drinks Hamper – Mark Mohan
Wine Hamper – Aine Kenny
Turkey and Ham – Anto Doyle
Food Hamper – Colm Reid
Signed Snow Patrol T Shirt – Caoimhe Lloyd
Signed Snow Patrol T Shirt – Dave O’Kelly
Car Kit – Joe McCluskey
Vodka & Chocolates – Ray Kearns
Car Kit – Glen Byrne
Sports Bag – Tom Driver
Body Warmer – Gay O’Toole
T Shirt and Hoodie – Dave O’Kelly
Golf Umbrella – Rosemary Lavelle
Golf Umbrella – Bobby Byrne

This Tuesday in Kilians

Challenge match

Jose Vargas captains the Out of Towners Select X1 versus Chris Hogan’s Local Rock Stars.

Promises to be a keenly fought contest.

Kick off at 9pm in Kilians.

A very pleasant evening was had by all in the comfortable surroundings of the Eden on Sat 17th.

A Big Thanks to the Eden management and staff for their hospitality and kind assistance on the night with the raffle, which was more sucessful than in recent years.

Thanks also to the ticket salesmen on the night: Anto Doyle, Dave O’Kelly, Niall Hanratty, Martin Costello and Keith Kelly.

Those who made donations to the prize fund are also appreciated: Ross Kelly, Neill Bolger, Jason Northey, Neil McGowan, Martin Costello, Mick Greene, Fintan Grace, Edo Maino, Jose Vargas, Derek Keane. And not to forget the big sellers: Glen Burke, Fintan Grace, Neill Bolger, Derek Keane, Dave O’Kelly and Edo Maino. And Mr John Delaney of the FAI , for the Ireland jersey!

A big thank you to those who have contributed prizes so far, including Ross Kelly, Mick Greene, Bobby Hayes, Andy Dunne, Edo Maino and Martin Costello. More donations are welcome.

Also thanks to those who have returned tickets and cash so far in particular top sellers so far Fintan Grace, Neill Bolger, Glen Burke and Edo Maino.

Many chose not to brave the elements for training Tuesday night (it was a bit cold and windy for wimps alright!) so please bring tickets and cash to Kilians on Thursday. Best to get as many tickets sorted before Sat so we can concentrate on the social side of the evening.

10.12.11
Spartak 2, Inchicore Athletic 1.

Two fine first half finishes clinched a spot in the 5th Round of the Leinster Junior Shield for the Sky Blues.

This tie was considered by the LFA to be a virtual shoo in for Inchicore, one of the famous old names in junior soccer and who are having a powerful season in the LFL, but it was Spartak’s drive and energy which saw off their more fancied opponents to register their most impressive result of the season so far.

Spartak threatened first with two Steve Walsh free kicks and also when Mick Costello flicked on Chris Hogan’s throw, Conor Maguire’s effort was too close to the keeper. In between Bobby Hayes took off a good save to deny the visitors.

On 17 minutes Conor Maguire was denied by the keeper at the expense of a corner, from which Niall Hanratty’s perfectly flighted ball was emphatically headed home by Martin Costello.

At this point Spartak’s defence began to look shaky for a while; errors by Fintan Grace and Martin Costello were reprieved when the striker fired over; Cathal Clancy cleared off the line after a scramble; and a fine cross was turned wide by the Inchicore no.9 from 5 yards with Chris Hogan struggling to get across to cover.

Chris Hogan and Niall Hanratty combined well going forward down the right and were unlucky not to see at least one cross converted.

On 42 minutes came a goal of rare quality. Hard work by Neill Bolger and Mick Costello saw Conor Maguire take possession 25 yards out. His lofted pass was chased by Steve Walsh, whose close control artfully outwitted two defenders before he rifled it home.

Unsurprisingly Inchicore came out all guns blazing for the second period, but it was Spartak on the break who had a Neill Bolger effort disallowed for offside, with the keeper departing injured after the clash, and both players booked.

Inchicore then had a period of dominance marked strangely by a reluctance to shoot when in good positions, and marked by a couple of big misses. On 64 minutes a prolonged game of head tennis in the Spartak box was finished by a visiting forward who scored.

As second half became a war of attrition in heavy conditions the Spartak defence became more resolute and there were some fine tackles and blocks to deny chances.

On the break Niall Lennon and Steve Walsh had chances to stretch the lead but were thwarted.

Bobby Hayes then killed off a number of attacks by some fine takes from dangerous crosses.

Anyone got a road map for Carrickmacross?

Form Report
Bobby Hayes 8 Chris Hogan 7 Fintan Grace 7 Martin Costello 8 Cathal Clancy 8 Mick Costello 7 Niall Lennon 7 Niall Hanratty 7 Steve Walsh 8 Conor Maguire 8 Neill Bolger 7
Subs Derek McGoldrick 6 Shane McInerney Mick Greene

The Christmas night out is on Sat 17th Dec in the Eden.

The fund raising raffle will take place on the night, for Bumper Hampers and a signed Ireland Jersey .

Full marks to Keith Kelly, Ciaran Keogh, Tony Kavanagh and Neill Bolger who have already returned tickets and cash. Please get those tickets sold and back to the club – Thanks!

Also we have received prize donations from Bobby Hayes and Ross Kelly. More are welcome…..

Keep up the good work!

3.12.11
Cherryfield 0, Spartak 2

With the game deadlocked on 78 minutes, Mick Costello played an incisive pass releasing Steve Walsh down the left; Steve’s cross was expertly controlled and finished by Conor Maguire for the vital opener. Three minutes later Conor Canavan and Conor Maguire combined to send Steve Walsh away and he scored from a tight angle with the aid of a deflection.

Finally the breakthrough, threatened for so long, had arrived.

Spartak opted to play into the wind in the first half and were initially pinned back by a lively home attack. Cherryfield have been struggling in the league but now seem rejuvenated under the guidance of former Spartak manager Tommy Coady. That Spartak kept a clean sheet in the first half was due in no small measure to the assured handling of Bobby Hayes.

At the other end, the creative promptings of Steve Walsh set up a few chances for the Sky Blues, none more so than when a pass sent Conor Maguire away down the right; he crossed it invitingly across the six yard box but no Spartak support was close enough for what would have been a tap in.

Spartak’s best chance of the half fell to Niall Hanratty, through one on one from Niall Lennon’s pass, but he shot wide as the keeper advanced.

At the start of the second half Spartak seemed certain to open their account when Hanatty crossed to Maguire who in turn set up Colum O’Sullivan close in, but Colum hesitated and the chance was lost. Again Steve Walsh was the supplier as Conor Maguire fired in a shot that the keeper tipped on to the bar. Maguire later won back the ball and he fed Hanratty who forced a save from the keeper. Meantime Bobby Hayes raced out to make a good save from a home breakaway.

Steve Walsh drifted past a couple of defenders on a glorious run but fired inches wide and then Niall Hanraty, free at the back post following a corner, had a air shot.

Spartak had begun to run out of ideas with a fair few aimless attempted through balls running harmlessly away with the wind. Distribution from the back was not great throughout and, among others Chris Hogan, Martin Costello and Shane McInerney in turn all had the frustration of overhitting attempted passes, which ran harmlessly though to the keeper. Niall Lennon faded somehat after a decent opening half and Shane McInerney confined himself to defensive duties. Colum O’Sullivan tired noticeably while Chris Hogan and Niall Hanratty frequently broke down the right but the final ball too often let them down.

As the game entered its final quarter an increased emphasis on attack and the introduction of substitutes helped to swing the game in Spartak’s favour.

A clean sheet and three points – very welcome on a cold December day.

Form Report
Bobby Hayes 8 Chris Hogan 6 Mick Greene 6 Martin Costello 6 Fintan Grace 6 Shane McInerney 6 Niall Lennon 6 Niall Hanratty 6 Steve Walsh 8 Colum O’Sullivan 5 Conor Maguire 7
Subs : Mick Costello 7 Conor Canavan 6 Ross Kelly

26.11.11

Spartak 5, Ballycragh 4 (AET)

The Sky Blues finally came out on top of this pulsating contest. With the visitors down to 10 men after 25 minutes, Spartak looked odds on to come out on top, but instead found themselves 0-2 down at the break. When Ballycragh made it 3-1 on 85 minutes, hope faded and Spartak teetered on he edge of disaster. However Steve Walsh’s corner went straight in on 88 minutes, and on 92 minutes Cathal Clancy strode imperiously forward before passing to Conor Maguire, who sent Martin Costello in to fire in the equaliser to a mixture of euphoria and relief from the home side.

That meant extra time; and Conor Maguire duly fired in to make it 4-3 in the first period. Colum O’Sullivan then took centre stage, conceding a penalty and the equaliser first, and then was involved in the move, set up by Chris Hogan, which led to the winner with 90 seconds of extra time remaining. Colum’s shot struck a defender, and Conor Maguire coolly finished the rebound to the net. In between Cathal Clancy had a glorious opportunity from a Niall Lennon cross but headed wide.

Spartak began the match poorly and conceded on 9 minutes when Fintan Grace half cleared a corner. The second Ballycragh goal came on 18 minutes when a hesitant Bobby Hayes allowed a low cross to drift past him.

On 25 minutes the visiting player foolishly struck Cathal and was red carded.

It was a game in which Spartak created more chances than in all games put together so far this season.

In the very first minute a long Conor Maguire pass found Martin Costello who fired wide. A harbinger of things to come? It looked that way. Niall Hanratty fired weakly at the keeper when clear, Fintan Grace’s shot from the left was on target but had no power; Mick Greene’s pass put Conor Maguire in for a one on one, but he shot too close to the keeper. Conor’s pass put Niall Hanratty in but he blazed wide and later hit the bar from Mick Greene’s pass; Shane McInerney was well wide from the edge of the box. And that was just the first half!

The second half was almost all one way traffic , with Ballycragh scoring on virtually their only excursion into home territory on 85 minutes. Their only other chance came courtesy of a tiring Mick Greene, who played across his own goal. Shane McInerney came to the rescue with a risky challenge in the box.

Shane could have had a hat trick, but despite getting into great positions failed to make good contact with the ball sufficient to trouble the keeper. Niall Hanratty, too, could have had a few goals, but lacked the clinical touch, opting for power instead. Chris Hogan, marauding from right back, had several efforts go close; Conor Maguire hit the bar from Steve Walsh’s cross and the ball bounced invitingly a yard out but Martin Costello handled in his attempt to get the ball across the line.

Spartak were now on the rampage, camped in Ballycragh’s half, with unused sub Derek Ruxton acting as a manic ball boy to keep the tempo at a frantic level.

Substitutes Niall Lennon and Steve Walsh had given added impetus and Niall Lennon burst through and looked certain to score but the effort was deflected over.

On another day all those missed opportunities would have given rise to much soul searching following the game.

On 73 minutes Mick Greene and Martin Costello combined to cross for Niall Hanratty to toe poke home. It looked set up for Spartak , but credit must go to Ballycragh, who fought really well with 10 men, defended deep and worked hard and had other ideas, scoring a third goal.

A great game, almost a nightmare but finally the goals came to the delight of the boys in sky blue.

Form Report
Bobby Hayes 5 Chris Hogan 6 Mick Greene 6 Fintan Grace 6 Cathal Clancy 8 Mick Costello 5 Shane McInerney 6 Niall Hanratty 6 Conor Maguire 7 Ross Kelly 5 Martin Costello 6
Subs Niall Lennon 7 Steve Walsh 7 Colum O Sullivan 6 Derek McGoldrick Dave O’Kelly Derek Ruxton

19.11.11
Spartak 2, Booth Road 4.

Spartak found themselves 1-4 down mid way through the second half despite having an equal share of possession and chances. Two of the visitors’ scores had large elements of luck about them, one score was an attempted cross while the second goal was the result of a block tackle sending the ball spinning crazily past stand in goalkeeper Mick Greene, who was solid throughout and who was faultless for the goals conceded.

The Sky Blues had at least as many scoring chances, but were not sufficiently clinical while any breaks went the way of the visitors.

With Ross Kelly’s hamstring acting up, Bobby Hayes absent and Shane McInerney and Dave O’Kelly on the bench despite muscle strains, the home side had to juggle their resources somewhat.

Booth are a strong outfit and started briskly and Chris Hogan was caught napping early on, conceded a free which was cleared.

From a corner kick Cathal Clancy was outmuscled by the striker, who headed in on 17 minutes. The Spartak equaliser came on the half hour and was a wonderful move, with Chris Hogan and Conor Maguire setting up Niall Hanratty whose fine low cross invited Martin Costello to knock in from close range.

The deflected goal then gave the visitors the lead two minutes before the break.

Spartak made a decent effort to equalise and had the ideal opportunity as Martin Costello broke free on the left with Niall Hanratty free in the middle, but Martin’s attempted square pass went straight to the keeper. Just afterwards Martin turned in the box but his shot was tipped over.

The third goal was the flighted cross; a lucky break for the visiors on 74 minutes .
Spartak never gave up, and spurred on by Hanratty’s never say die attitude they set up a number of chances. Mick Costello was just wide after Steve Walsh’s run and cross, and Steve had an effort saved after a pass by Martin.

With the back four pushing on trying desperately to get back in the game, a Booth player broke from the half way line, pursued by Niall Lennon, who failed to close the gap, and a low shot made it 4-1.

A goalkeeping error gave Conor Maguire the chance to get one back. Even with the keeper out of position he still had plenty to do and and he coolly fired home. Steve Walsh had a couple of runs and crosses, as did Martin Costello, but

When Conor Maguire was fouled just outside the box, Shane McInerney, just a few yards out, somehow failed to connect with Niall Hanratty’s free.

Small margins made a big difference.

Form Report
Mick Greene 7 Chris Hogan 6 Derek McGoldrick 6 Fintan Grace 7 Cathal Clancy 7 Mick Costello 5 Niall Lennon 5
Niall Hanratty 7 Steve Walsh 5 Conor Maguire 6 Martin Costello 5
Subs: Neill Bolger 5 Derek Ruxton 5 Shane McInerney 5 Dave O’Kelly

The night out and raffle is in the Eden on Sat 17th Dec.

Lets have a big turn out on the night and we also need a good result from the raffle, so get cracking early with the tickets!