Spartak Dynamo FC

Training is OFF tonight and Saturday match is also OFF.

Training on Tuesday in Three Rock…..check back here for any updates.

Training tonight Tuesday 5th – OFF – Pitch Frozen

Thursday training in Kilians on at 9 – will text if off.

Saturday fixture away to Peamount.

Thanks to Shane McInerney who organised the golf outing and night out in Toast – very enjoyable and well attended.

Thanks also for the hard work in selling tickets and arranging prizes to Derek Keane , Andy Dunne and  Frank McNamee .

Jason Doyle and Mick Greene sold copious amounts of tickets beforehand and Jason Northey starred on the night in extracting cash from local punters.

For those who missed the night out and did not return your tickets, its not too late to make a contribution – see you on 27th.

The annual post Christmas challenge takes place at St Columbas College on Astro on Sunday 27th December. We are on from 2 till 4.

In the first of the seasonal training games, a Neill Bolger led Liverpool emerged victorious after a 2-2 draw and a penalty shoot out in which die hard Toffees Mick Greene and Ray Grady failed from the spot. Neil McGowan, switching sides at half time, displayed his impartiality by scoring twice for each side. Frank McNamee for Everton had a “goal” dubiously overruled and Mick Greene missed a glorious opportunity from 2 yards while Dave Williams for the reds, hooked wide of an open goal.

Roll on Chelsea v Leeds on Thursday in Killians!

SDFC 7 Garden County 5

On a weekend when all 3 Spartak teams recorded victories to provide some early Christmas cheer, the over 35’s were the first to set the standard with a good win in a somewhat bizarre game.

The best that could be said about the early stages of the game was that the home team showed the signs of a long layoff and within 10 minutes defensive hesidency had resulted in a two goal deficit. 

As Spartak got a hold in the game a good run from Ken Byrne ended in a neat finish (by the opposing defender – although the dubious goals committee somewhat dubiously awarded the goal to Ken) to pull a goal back.  More defensive uncertainly led to a third goal from the visiting side giving them a 3-1 lead.

Two quick Spartak goals, the first a good effort from John Hallihan and the second a well worked goal from Ray Grady following good buid up play by Tony Kavanagh and Rory Campbell brought it back to level pegging. On the stroke of half time however Spartak gave another goal away to leave it 4-3 to the opposition at the break.

Some shrewd changes at half time from manager Barry Crowe seemed to have the desired effect in the second half with Spartak getting gradually on top and equalising from the very impressive Tony Kavanagh.  Shortly afterwards Ray Grady got his second to give Spartak the lead for the first time in the match and then Rory Campbell gave Spartak a 2 goal cushion with a good finish.

The drama was not yet over as Garden County scored yet another goal to make it 6-5 with 10 minutes to go. However the final and best goal of the game went to Tony Kavanagh with an excellent long range effort and this was enough to seal the three points.

Overall a welcome win after a series of draws. Everyone would agree though that conceeding five goals would normally mean defeat and was a bit on the generous side even in the season of goodwill.

The spartak panel was Jimmy Browne, Tony Kavanagh, Dave Mohan, Paul Burke, Greg Callan, Leon David, Brian Stafford, Shay Carr, Jason Doyle, Ken Byrne, John Hallihan, Mark Byrne, Rory Campbell, Ray Grady, Frank McNamee, Barry Crowe.

Spartak 6 Meath Rangers 2

A mix up in arrangements led to Meath playing the first 15 minutes with 8 men. Indeed the match only commenced at 11.20 due to the leniency of the referee. Spartak , on the other hand , had a full squad for the first time this season with seven men on the bench, and also the late arriving  Anto Doyle.

Spartak, having not played since 18th October, were hurried and over anxious in their attempts to take advantage of Meath’s short numbers. Steve Grier hit the bar with a long range free and Burke, out of sorts on the day, returned  the rebound to the keeper. Crosses and shots were rushed and inaccurate. Corners from Cibirka, Burke and Kowal proved ineffective. Burke flicked a shot over and Breen headed over. Breen won the ball and with the keeper out of position but Cibirka and Burke were unable to take advantage.

Almost inevitably, Meath, having reached full strength, scored first following a corner on 28 minutes. Love and Kenny were turned and a snap shot beat O’Toole.

On 38 minutes Mahon swung in a cross which Breen headed powerfully against the bar and then reacted first to nod in the rebound for the equaliser. Better was to follow on 41 minutes when a 25 yard free kick was expertly converted by McGowan, starting his first match since 20th September.

 Just on half time Meath equalised after a headed clearance by Grier , the ball was knocked down our right wing behind Kenny and the cross was converted by an unmarked striker. 

The second half saw Spartak settle to a better tempo and Cibirka hit the post early on,Kenny blazed over the bar from Cibirka’s cross and Grier had a shot blocked on the line.  Cibirka’s turn and cross led to Grier giving Spartak the lead on 55 minutes.  Burke then sent Kowal in but he shot wide.  Breen had to go off with a hamstring injury after an impressive display. 

Kenny’s good work led to a corner and McGowan’s inswinger was volleyed home by Breen for number 4.   Dissent by Kowal over a throw in led to a yellow card.  A neat lay off by Cibirka led to McGowan shooting wide when well placed, but then a good move on 77 minutes by McGowan led to Kowal presenting Cibirka with a simple chance to score number 5.

On 86 minutes good work by impressive substitute Will O Connell , who had earlier headed just over, gave Cibirka the opportunity to return the compliment and present Kowal with simplest of chances for number 6.

Spartak could even afford the indulgence of allowing Dave Browne to hit a close in free kick the proverbial  mile wide while captain and free taker McGowan watched.

A good day to get Meath, who have been playing well, and good return after a long lay off due to weather.

Form Report

P O Toole 7 Kenny 7 Mahon 7 Grier 8 Grace 7 Love 8 McGowan 9 Cibirka 8 Burke 6 Breen 8 Kowal 7

subs W O Connell 7 McEnroe 6 Browne 5

subs not used D O Connell Doran Doyle K O Toole Flanagan

Spartak 4 Balbriggan 2

A number of defections impacted on team selection, with the self styled Dynamo child and others partying or rehearsing rather than playing, led to Mick Costello swapping his goalkeeping gloves for a midfield role, performing well  and capping it with a goal.

James Finn slotted into central defence and along with Cathal Clancy was solid. 

Spartak started this match very brightly and took the lead on 15 minutes when Steve Browne slotted home taking full advantage of a bad back pass. Earlier he had blazed a free kick way over the bar from a good position, as captain and free taker Mick Greene stood by.

Wave upon wave of Spartak attacks rained down on the visitors goal with the Spartak back four and midfield in creative form. Adam Doran added number two with a smart turn and neat finish, before a Doran corner was bundled in by Mick Costello for number three. Browne’s tendency to shoot too early cost him the opportunity to further add to his tally as leading scorer. A warning from Balbriggan was delivered when Spartak’s lack of pressure on the ball  allowed a cross which drifted diagonally and was met on the right but pushed wide.

Colm O’Sullivan had a one on one chance in the first minute of the second half, but his shot was too close to the keeper. On 48 minutes Mick Costello won the ball close to  the edge of the box and slipped it to Steve Browne, who laid off perfectly into the path of Doran and he drilled home a powerful cross shot into the bottom corner.

Spartak  then dr0pped concentration somewhat and Balbiggan came to the fore. On the right flank both Dan O Connell and Dave O Kelly began to show signs of wear and tear and Balbriggan overlapped to good effect. Cathal Clancy, having been carded for a tackle, then made a tremendous goal saving tackle on the edge of the six yard box, winning a goal kick to boot. On 76 minutes, a long throw in caused confusion in the home defence and Balbriggan tapped home.

Spartak were effective on the break, but called back by some strange offside decisions, with Steve Browne getting booked for commenting, and also by missed chances by a tiring Browne and then by Rob Deering from close in while Adam Doran chose to shoot from the right when a pass to an unmarked team mate would have been more effective.

Overall an impressive performance.

Form Report

Northey 7 O’Kelly 7 Greene 7 Finn 8 Clancy 8 McInerney 8 D O Connell 8 Doran 9 S Browne 7 O’Sullivan 7 Mick Costello 8

subs N Bolger 6 Deering  6

Lads, please bring raffle tickets and cash to training this week- Thanks!

10 Confirmed for golf so far – 12 noon  Sat at Stepaside

Training Tues is Everton fans and sympathisers (captained by Mick Greene) v Liverpool fans and sympathisers (captain Neill Bolger)

Thursday is Leeds fans and sympathisers (Frank) v Chelsea (Dave Browne)

Saturday team HOME to Balbriggan – Won 4-2

Sunday team HOME to Meath Rangers – Won 6-2

Over 35’s HOME to Garden County – Won 7-5

This is the last weekend of league fixtures before Christmas