Spartak Dynamo FC

A number of players did well in tonight’s speed and agility tests, with Jose Vargas scoring 83% against the 9 second benchmark. Thom O’Driscoll, Keith Kelly and Niall Hanratty were at or above the 70% mark,

Stamina remains the issue in some cases, with some players still outside the range of acceptability – but working on it! Unlike certain absentees…..

Average numbers at training after 4 sessions – just under 20, certainly well short of last year’s bumper turn out at the same stage. Average would need to be nearer 30, at least. So get down training (Anto that means you!)

Training continues despite a number of absentees for various reasons, mostly spurious.

The fitness tests show that some lads have enjoyed the summer more than others. Its early days yet but some signs are already evident!

80% fitness is the target level and approaching this range (but with a bit to go) are Stuart Love, Conor Canavan, Dermot Dooley, Martin Costello, Rob Deering. Graham Breen emerged from his portable glass cage to give a creditable first effort.

At the other end we have Jason Northey at 10% also in the red zone at below 45% are Niall Hanratty, Mick Greene, Shane McInerney, Dillon Burke, Thom O’Driscoll.

The remainder have attained mid table oblivion for the moment, but are well off the fitness standard required.

MIA from training at the moment are injury victims Neil McGowan and Tom Flanagan, while also absent are Glen Burke (marathon exhaustion) Ger Byrne (toothache!!! ) Will O Connell and Anto Doyle (both post Swindon stress?) Cathal Clancy (wielding a murderous club) as well as the holidaying Paul Kinsella and Steve Grier. Plus Seamus McCahill in Canada, for some reason unable to make training.

We continue thursday…..

Lads,

Nominees for Clubman of the Year 2011 are:

Rory Campbell, Mick Greene, Frank McNamee and Paul Mc Gowan.

Send your vote by text to Jason Doyle at 087 2032530 before July 5th.

Time to get some fitness back……

Tuesday 5th July at 7pm and Thursday 7th July at 7pm in Marlay.

Friendly matches to follow later in the month.

All welcome, old and new.

The last Summer kick about is on this Wednesday 29 June at our pitch in Marlay from 7.15. All are welcome to come along.

Pre-season training for the LSL Saturday and Sunday Teams is starting Tuesday 5th July. All players new and old are welcome. Will update later with the time.

Contenders for Player of the year so far are as follows:

Sunday: Keith Kelly, Peter O’Toole, Steve Grier, Neil McGowan.

Saturday: Cathal Clancy, Niall Hanratty, Martin Costello, Dermot Dooley.

Over 35s: Paul McGrath , Paddy Hughes, Frank McNamee

Presentation has not yet been arranged, as over 35s finish their season on 28th May; with Bank Holiday and Swindon Trip, weekends in the immediate future are booked up; so watch this space.

20 have booked flights so far. 24 went last time we were there. Can we beat the record?

Looks like a good trip in prospect. More cry ons than cry offs! Trap is jealous…..

+ Rob Smith and Alan Kavanagh already over there!

Lads,

Rob Smith, our man in Swindon, is arranging games on weekend of 11th /12th June.
Plan is to fly out on Friday 10th June and return on Sunday 12th.
Flights are €62 at present (to Bristol) and rooms in Holiday Inn are £50 per night. That’s only £25 per head.
So cost per head per weekend would be less than €130. Cheap as chips!
Swindon has been a big success on previous trips – we have been there 3 times before.

Need indication of interest by this Friday. Log on here or on Facebook to make your comment.

15.5.11
Pioneers 2 Spartak 1

Spartak had to arrange this one themselves to complete the league programme. With promotion already sealed, there was for once nothing at stake in terms of league or cup.

Peter O’Toole dropped an early cross and when Paul Kinsella and Glen Burke could not clear, Pioneers shot wide from close in. Glen Burke was repeatedly caught in possesion each time the play was switched out to him and put paid to a few attacks.
Tom Flanagan and Seamus McCahill started brightly enough, although Seamus faded later on, but the front two of Ger Byrne and Graham Breen were still suffereing a cup final hangover, with both in listless form.
A long ball on 43 minutes caught out Burke and O’Toole, with forward alllowed two chances to finish, which he duly did.
On 51 minutes a blind back pass by Fintan Grace gifted number two to the home side, and it was only after this that the Sky Blues reacted and began to play ball. Substitute Keith Kelly, making a near miraculous recovery from the injury which ruined his cup final, added some energy to proceedings.
Tom Flanagan converted Breen’s low cross to reduce arrears, and Glen Burke volleyed against the post as Spartk came back strongly. Some eccentric clearances by Dave Browne gave Pioneers a few chances on the break, and they hit the bar with one effort.
In the last minute, with pressure mounting and Pioneers short of cover, Byrne conceded a free in the six yard box, and the home side survived.

Form Report
Peter O’Toole 5 Paul Kinsella 6 Fintan Grace 5 Steve Grier 6 Dave Browne 4 Tom Flanagan 7 Seamus McCahill 5 Glen Burke 4 Stuart Love 5 Graham Breen 5 Ger Byrne 5
Subs Neil McGowan 5 Keith Kelly 6 Niall Tilley Thom O’Driscoll Anto Doyle no show

14.5.11
Swords 2 Spartak 0

In a good game of football, well referreed and sporting, played on the intermediate pitch, Swords showed the Sky Blues the difference between shooting and finishing.

As usual with the Saturday lads, there were the usual large quota of absentees, and only three of the starting line up having started the previous game. This has been the case all season, with the very same story for the first two games of the season. Certainly a disadvantage when playing settled sides.

Spartak played well enough up to the 18 yard line, but lacked both composure in the box and desire to follow up loose balls in the six yard area.

Kevin Mannion’s cross was perfect for Jose Vargas, but he got his header under the ball and directed it over when unmarked. Steve Walsh and Mannion were playing some good approach passes, but there was no first half breakthrough.

The game turned on 54 minutes, when a surging run by Dave O’Kely gave Vargas an opportunity; the goalkeeper gathered the effort and set off a counter from which the home side took the lead. Perhaps a touch of offside involved?

Spartak continued to make chances. Lennon, on early for the injured Kelly, had a near post header saved from Mannion’s cross and then the big chance fell to substitute Chris Hogan, straight through on goal seven yards out, who miskicked weakly wide. Hogan then crossed for Mannion, but when his initial shot was blocked by the keeper, he fluffed the loose ball. Steve Walsh turned well in the box, but shot weakly into the keepers midriff.
Swords added the second on 82 minutes, with another break.

Form Report
Stephen Harris 7 Dave O Kelly 7 Mick Greene 6 Martin Costello 6 Paul Kinsella 6 Shane McInerney 5 Steve Walsh 6 Kevin Mannion 7 Derek McGoldrick 5 Ross Kelly 4 Jose Vargas 5.
Subs : Niall Lennon 6 Chris Hogan 4 Barry Maguire 4 Steve Browne no show.