The first friendly match has been arranged for Sat 17th July in Kilmuckridge. Its just over an hour on the new road. Shane plans on making a weekend of it and can arrange for lads who wish to do likewise.
Appearances and Goal stats to end of 2009/10 have now been updated. Players who have made 25 or more appearances are included, while on the goalscoring chart those with 20 goals or more are listed.
Dave Mohan on 559 appearances, edged into fourth place on the all time table, just one ahead of Derek Keane (who is far too old to play).
Frank McNamee made it through the 200 appearances barrier while Brian Stafford is just 4 short of the milestone.
Mick Greene, at 174, might make the 200 next season with the help of some extended cup runs.
Glen Burke and Martin Costello topped the appearance chart for the season with 27 each.
On the goalscoring charts there are new entries from Graham Breen Graham McEnroe, Steve Grier, Gintaras Cibirka and Steve Browne as they broke the 20 barrier for total Spartak goals.
Jason Doyle holds the record for most games for an outfielder without a goal with 104 appearances while Dave Browne on 78 and Martin Costello with 45 are also prominent in this regard, although the latter pair are defenders. Chris Hogan broke his duck this year and both Mark and Neill Bolger maintained their habit of getting a goal a season.
Gintaras sent this email to to ask for help……
hi Paul. I started my preseason and taking part in juggling competition on National Lithuanian TV. Need some votes. Could you post this link on
Spartak Dynamo website?
Thank You.
http://www.facebook.com/LRT.LT?v=app_2392950137#!/video/video.php?v=1405074498675
Lads,
A tenner a head.
Simply name the winners of the World Cup 2010 – 20 points
Name other semi finalists 10 points each.
And the top scorer 10 points.
And tie breaker – how many goals will England score in total (excluding penalty shoot outs).
Comment on this post with your choices.
Sunday/Over 35s 4, Saturday 4
Sunday/Over 35s won 2-1 on penalties
A pretty inept performance by the Saturday boys, playing against 3 Sunday lads, 7 over 35s (plus 1 over 55) and going down to an ignominious defeat, proving just as weak at penalties as they had been during the match. In the second half they ran out of ideas when facing ten (mostly old) men and had surrendered a half time lead to fall into arrears late on until Chopper took matters into his own hands to equalise.
Deggsy had an early chance but overran the ball and Jimmy Browne gathered. Glen Burke’s near post shot found Jason Northey napping to put the old boys one up until Chris Hogan equalised with a neat near post finish.
Colm O’Sullivan scored from the edge of the box when Dave Mohan was slow to close him down. An error of judgment by Jimmy Browne allowed Deggsy’s cross to drift in for goal number 3 for the Saturday boys.
A blistering burst of pace by Frank McNamee burned off both Mick Greene and Mark Bolger before Frank crossed for Paul Tormey to finish.
With Liam Cullen departing at half time to report in early, the odds looked stacked in favour of the Saturday lads. However they displayed unimaginative approach work and lacked a cutting edge generally against the 10, mostly elderly, men.
Glen Burke and Stuart Love began to display a high energy approach and took over the midfield area. Jimmy Browne saved Dan O’Connell’s blushes with a save after Dan had messed up.
Glen Burke made a strong run and when tackled the ball ran free to Frank McNamee who drilled home for the equaliser. With 7 minutes remaining good work by Stuart Love, Glen and Frank laid on a chance for Paul McGowan, who finished via the crossbar. 4-3.
Chooper had the final say, and so to penalties.
Embarrassment abounded as regular takers Mick Greene and Glen Burke made the proverbial dog’s dinner of their efforts, after Dan O’Connell had set the tone by sent the first penalty into orbit. Dave Mohan , Chris Hogan, Colm O’Sullivan and Tom O’Driscoll all joined in with chronic misses. With just Niall Hanratty converting for Saturdays boys, it took only two scores by Paul Tormey and Frank McNamee to finish them off, with regular taker Gerry Doran held in reserve.
Form Report
Saturday
Jason Northey 5 Niall Hanratty 6 Mick Greene 5 Mark Bolger 5 Dave O’Kelly 6 Shane McInerney 5 Chris Hogan 5 Tom O’Driscoll 5 Ross Kelly 6 Colm O’Sullivan 6 Derek McGoldrick 5
Over 35s/Sunday
Jimmy Browne 5 Leon David 6 Gerry Doran 7 Dave Mohan 5 Liam Cullen 6 Dan O’Connell 6 Paul Tormey 7 Stuart Love 7 Glen Burke 8 Frnak McNamee 8 Paul McGowan 4.
It was notable that all the player of the year awards at the end of season night out went to players in their first season or, in Tony Kavanagh’s case, not long returned.
Graham Breen and Dave O’Kelly along with Tony, were the recipients of most votes, and congratulations to the winners. Shane McInerney won the clubman award in record time.
Awards also took place for appearances Frank McNamee (200) and also to Fintan Grace, Dave Mohan and Gerry Doran who all received the newly inaugurated 400 appearances award.
Those who had missed the cup final through injury, suspension etc also were awarded their trophies.
All in all a good night and some fizzy lemonade was polished off.
Match tomorrow Marlay 4pm with Sunday + over 45’s V Saturday + Under 45’s. Presentation of awards and end of season night out in 3-Rock pub from 9. Hope everyone can make it.
Saturday : Liverpool College 2, Spartak 3
Scorers: Colm OSullivan, Frank McNamee Brian Stafford
Sunday: Liverpool College 2, Spartak 3
Scorers: Derek McGoldrick, Colm O’Sullivan, Glen Burke
Form Report
Ross Kelly 8 Brian Stafford 8 Mick Greene 8 Derek Keane 8 Cathal Clancy 8 Tony Kavanagh 8 Dave O’Kelly 8 Shane McInerney 8 Colm O’Sullivan 8 Glen Burke 9 Frank McNamee 8 Derek McGoldrick 8 Paul McGowan 3.
Two impressive performances in searing heat by the touring side left the locals empty handed. Both wins were somewhat against the run of play and the Saturday triumph had more than a touch of smash and grab about it as that well known Ray Darcy impersonator Brian Stafford prodded the winner with the last kick of the game. Earlier Colm O’Sullivan, with a first time drive, and Frank McNamee, with a Clint Dempsey style lob, had got the blues back into the match. Colm O’Sullivan also won the Rob Deering award by arriving with just one boot. Brothers Derek Keane and Derek McGoldrick (sorry Ross!) combined well on the left while Glen Burke continued his policy of resting in the first half before exploding into action in the second period. The elder brother, Keane, rolled back the years and even found time from left back to explore territory previously uncharted by Mick Greene when crossing from the bye line. Ross, in goal, did well with some excellent, if unorthodox, saves.
On Sunday the weary troops reassembled against a local side featuring only four of Saturday’s team and it was no surprise when the somewhat fresher home side raced into a two nil half time lead.
Spartak took control of the midfield in the second half with Glen and Shane (who momentarily took time out from his strange obsessions) and a nice move was ended by Dave O’Kelly’s surging run and pass (he remembered which side to pass to on this occasion). He laid the ball back and Derek McGoldrick managed to say on his feet long enough to nick a goal to reduce arrears. Colm O’Sullivan ran through to score at the second attempt and equalise and Glen Burke found the bottom corner with 10 minutes left after good work by Tony Kavanagh, who was briefly taking time off from court jester duties.
It was a source of regret to Cathal Clancy that the matches were played in a good spirit and he found himself in the unusual position of avoiding a yellow card and having to content himself with just playing the ball.
Mick Greene sweated buckets in the cause and played briefly as emergency striker and also in goal as well as holding the defence together by resisting the temptaton to overlap.
Refreshments were served in the Pumphouse which pretty soon ran out of most beers when attempting to slake the thirst of the visiting footballers.
At Ballyoulster, Celbridge
Dunboyne 1, Spartak 3
A comprehensive win and a great performance to match finished the season in style for the Baby Blues, who were worthy winners of an excellent final.
Will O’Connell, who broke his collar bone in training on Sunday, was unable to even attend the final due to his injury. The lads played their hearts out to ensure he got a winner’s medal.
In the absence of Neil McGowan (injured/honeymoon) Anto Doyle captained the side to victory and gave an assured performance in the process. Also missing were Gintaras Cibirka (injured) and Dan O’Connell (exams) while that well known delinquent Niall Hanratty was barred from proceedings after a passionate debate with a certain referee.
Showing no sign of stage fright before the biggest crowd of the season Spartak began fluently and took the lead after just two minutes. Glen Burke’s flighted free kick was nodded down by Graham Breen and Graham McEnroe supplied the finishing touch. Spartak were rampant at this point and Ger Byrne had a couple of chances to add to the lead. A fine move by Rob Mahon and Byrne set up Breen for a shot which was charged down.
Spartak then sat back and duly paid the price. First a loose pass by Tom Flanagan set Dunboyne on the break. Then the equaliser arrived on 27 minutes via a penalty conceded by Steve Grier while Spartak were down to ten for a few minutes as Breen was tended for a clash of heads before returning bloodied and turbanned. Minutes later Peter O’Toole pushed a shot from close range onto the crossbar in another game turning moment in a great season for Peter. Dunboyne’s midfield were getting on top and their set piece deliveries were always dangerous; Glen Burke had to flick away danger at the expense of a corner after a foul by James Finn. James won the ball on numerous occasions with timely tackles.
On 35 minutes Spartak regained the lead following a throw by Grier
which was flicked on by Breen for Burke to swivel and plant the ball in the corner of the net.
Straight after the interval Burke struck again. Byrne, covering miles of ground in a lung bursting performance, was fouled. Tom Flanagan’s free was again won by Breen, for his third assist, and Burke did the rest. 3-1 on 46 minutes.
Dunboyne’s frees continued to cause trouble and Alex Kenny made one great header to clear danger at the back post. A couple of last ditch tackles by Grier and Kenny, towers of strength and composure at the back, kept danger at bay and Kenny was booked for a late challenge. Doyle and Mahon were able defensive lieutenants and found time to deliver some good passes forward.
Adam Doran came on for Tom Flanagan and promptly missed a great chance to put the game beyond Dunboyne when he shot wide. Indeed Adam made a few good runs after some elegant interplay with McEnroe to stretch the oppposition as they tried to push on but was unfortunately unable to finish and when he crossed for Byrne the keeper did just enough to put him off.
Breen’s header from Burke’s corner was cleared off the line and Kevin O’Toole’s superb cross was headed just wide by Doran. Stuart Love was in the wars shortly after his introduction and suffered a badly torn lip. He resumed after a change of jersey and some mopping up.
Glen Burke captured the LSL man of the match award with a two goal performance and has recaptured his goalscoring touch at the crucial time of the season. Glen deserved his award and there were several other candidates who must have run him close in a very pleasing triumph.
On reflection the final lacked the late drama of earlier rounds against St Pats (holders) Liffey Valley and the tempestuous semi final against Meath Rangers but this was a cool and assured performance in which every player did his job.
All that remained was for Anto to brandish the trophy to the loyal support of Spartak players and relatives.
Form Report
Peter O’Toole 8 Glen Burke 9 Rob Mahon 8 Steve Grier 9 Alex Kenny 9 Tom Flanagan 8 Graham McEnroe 8 Anto Doyle 8 Ger Byrne 8 Graham Breen 9 James Finn 8
Subs Adam Doran 7 Stuart Love 7 Kevin O’Toole 7 Dave Browne Fintan Grace Brian Massey.
Sincere congrats to Paul and the lads on the Sunday Team on their fantastic achievement in winning the Tom Cullen cup tonight (more photos to come in Gallery).
