Check this out, now showing on the RTE website. A 15 year old Katie Taylor being interviewed by…..our own Kevin O’Connell. How prophetic for Kevin to mention boxing becoming an Olympic sport and that she could win a gold medal. http://www.rte.ie/sport/olympics/player/332450/?autoplay=1
Training continues Tuesday 7th Aug in St Endas from 6.45. All welcome and also if any new players are interested in joining, our LSL Saturday and Sunday sides are on the look out for new players. Our over 35s are also on the look out for new players…make contact – committee details on site.
25.7.12
Shelbourne SC 4 Spartak 1
28.7.12
Parkvale 6 Spartak 1
Fitness and commitment issues persist in the run in to the new season. In both games Spartak led but were hauled back monotonously as legs weakened.
Kevin Mannion gave the Sky Blues the lead v Shels and might have added to it, as might Derek Ruxton; second half chances fell to Martin Costello and Ross Kelly but in the second period Spartak faltered due to lack of stamina and the home side won comfortably.
Defections, injuries and unavailabilty meant Spartak had the minimum turn out against Parkvale, much stronger opponents, who were able to flood the park with fresh legs in the second period. Neil McGowan’s header from Niall Lennon’s corner put Spartak ahead, but an error allowed the home side equalise. Dermot Dooley missed a few good opportunities but tiredness came all too quickly to the Sky Blues and it was one way traffic in the second period towards a beleaguered Peter O’Toole who made a few good stops but was unable to stem the tide.
v Shels Jason Northey 5 Conor Canavan 5 Dave Browne 5 Fintan Grace 6 Dave O’Kelly 6 Niall Lennon 5 Mick Costello 5 Kevin Mannion 6 Derek Ruxton 6 Martin Costello 5 Steve Walsh 5 Ross Kelly 5 Mick Greene 5 Aodhan McCahill 5 Anto Doyle 5
v Parkvale Peter O’Toole 6 Niall Hanratty 5 Dave Browne 5 Fintan Grace 6 Seamus McCahill 6 Dermot Dooley 6 Neil McGowan 6 Steve Walsh 5 Stuart Love 5 Derek Ruxton 5 Niall Lennon 5 Ken Buckley 6
SDFC201213 fantasy football league open to all Spartak members and alumni. And a few others!
Code to join is 358783-97891.
€50 Prize for leader at end of October. To be eligible for winnings annual subs must have been paid by 31 Oct. (Thats the Chopper rule!)
We start on Week 1 (No Neill Bolger rule this year)
PS Over 35s team members are permitted to join!
Training switched from Marlay to St Endas. 6.45 Tues and Thurs.
19.7.12
Balally Celtic 3, Spartak 0
A disappointing friendly result for the Sky Blues. The performance lacked nothing in effort, but passing was below par and possession frequently squandered.
Spartak started sluggishly and when Shane McInerney was caught in possession Bobby Hayes made a smart save. Spartak’s best move of the half saw Martin Costello put the energetic Dave Thomson through on goal; but in attempting to round the keeper he over ran the ball wide.
Just six minutes either side if half time decided the game. The local number 10 outpaced Cathal Clancy to score on 42 minutes; a penalty was awarded against Bobby Hayes, unjustly, for number 2 on 47 minutes , and just a minute later a third, very soft, goal was conceded.
Martin Costello struck the bar and Ross Kelly shot over as Spartak responded. Tony Kavanagh and Aodan McCahill played well at the back in a contrast of ages; Aodan is 17, Tony is over 21!
Form Report
Bobby Hayes 5 Conor Canavan 5 Aodan McCahill 7 Tony Kavanagh 7 Cathal Clancy 6 Shane McInerney 5 Dave Thomson 6 Dave O Kelly 6 Martin Costello 6 Mick Costello 5 Mick Greene 5
Pre season training starts on 10th/11th and 12th July in Marlay.
Yes, that’s three nights in a row to start – but no running for those who arrive on time.
In any event it will have been a long break for all.
We start at 6.45 each evening.
The over 35s don’t resume training until August.
30.5.12
Spartak 4, Booth Road 5
This game was bookended by two fine strikes by Steve Grier and Steve Walsh. Grier’s effort from 30 yards went in via a post; Walsh’s expert free kick nestled in the top corner.
Unfortunately the Sky Blues did not pay sufficient attention to the darker defensive arts in this much delayed end of season fixture. Marlay’s strange cancellation policies meant the last few games were stretched over a long number of weeks and as a result quite a few players were missing for various reasons – injuries, exams, fatigue etc.
Its probably best to draw a veil over the defensive frailties which allowed Booth Road to fully capitalise on their chances. A lack of pace in the Spartak back four proved damaging.
Spartak took the lead, then came back from 1-2 down to lead 3-2 courtesy of two neatly taken Conor Maguire goals. Meantime Keith Kelly’s missed a spot kick, awarded after a foul on Graham McEnroe. Keith’s effort thudded against the post.
Form Report
Peter O’Toole 6 Keith Kelly 6 Dave Browne 5 Steve Grier 6 Dave O’Kelly 5 Dermot Dooley 6 Steve Walsh 6 Graham McEnroe 6 Dave Thomson 5 Conor Maguire 6 Ger Byrne 5
subs: Shane McInerney 5 Niall Lennon Mick Greene Derek Ruxton
A vote of thanks Rob Smith, a real Sky Blue legend, who played his usual heroic role in the end of season Swindon escapade; arranging matches, marking the pitch; washing out dressing rooms; arranging accommodation and taxis for all. Nothing was too much trouble, and he paved the way for another very pleasant weekend. Spartak’s first visit to Swindon was in 1997 and this was the 5th trip in all.
Spartak’s travelling party was depleted on the day of departure as Dave Thomson was prevented by the authorities from leaving the country and Seamus McCahill became the latest victim of the recession, so there was a travelling party of just 10 players, augmented by local ex Sky Blues Alan Kavanagh and Rob Smith and also Rob’s nephew Daniel Smith.
The Bacchanalian excesses of the previous year were not repeated and to their credit the Spartak lads were in good shape for the Saturday game, and up bright and early for the Sunday morning start.
The Saturday game was competitive, far from a friendly with some meaty challenges. Ge rByrne and Mcik Plunkett, among others, took a few heavy knocks. The visitors took a two goal lead before Spartak asserted superiority for the second quarter and spurned a couple of good chances through Ross Kelly and Colum O’Sullivan. Glen Burke turned neatly to finish and there was also a good shout for a penalty. The Sky Blues were -1-2 down at half time.
Anto Doyle was caught in possession to concede again immediately after a blatantly offside goal to allow the home side open the gap to 4-1 and then close range goals by Ger Byrne and Colum O’Sullivan kept the visitors in touch; but fresh substitutes, and injuries to Alan Kavanagh and Thom O’Driscoll, saw the home side clinch it at 6-3.
The Sunday morning game against a fresh team was always going to be a challenge and wasn’t helped by a particularly inept display by a certain Anthony Doyle, who was turned inside and out by the winger who ran at him straight from the kick off and scored after just 22 seconds. Anto failed even to give the winger a stern look! Alan Kavanagh was ruled out by injury and Ross Kelly had to go in goal, where he took off two astonishing saves.
The visitors battled away and Colum O’Sullivan blazed over while Glen Burke also went close but the home side were good value for a 5-0 win with Spartak running on empty.
Such a thin squad was never enough to beat a team like Moredon Cheney, who had roll on roll off subs and in any case were an excellent side; if anything a lot stronger than last year, and with a fresh team on Sunday.
Nonetheless there was no lack of effort and, after two physical contests on successive days, the Spartak players were left with only the scars of battle to show for their strenuous efforts.
Form Report:
Alan Kavanagh 7 Anthony Doyle 4 Mick Plunkett 7 Steve Grier 8 Rob Smith 7 Thom O’Driscoll 7 Colum O’Sullivan 6 Edo Maino 5 Ross Kelly 6 Glen Burke 8 Daniel Smith 7 Jason Doyle 5
22.5 12
Spartak 4, Knockmitten 5
To concede 5 goals in any match is unfortunate; to concede 5 against a team battling relegation and against whom a clean sheet was maintained on their ground is truly careless.
Spartak scored 4 from about 20 good moves; the visitors only had a couple of attacks which did not result in goals.
Spartak played well, if a little anxiously, in attack, scored four and missed countless other chances.
In Peter O’Toole’s absence Dave Browne took his place between the sticks, and made one excellent save in the first half.
The Sky Blues were somewhat taken aback after dominating the first half hour, and missing many good chances, to find themselves two goals down; a situation from which they never quite recovered, despite some sparkling attacking play.
Dave O’Kelly headed over from close range, then Ger Byrne fired over on the turn. In the panic from the visitors there was a near og and then Keith Kelly had a drive saved.
Ger Byrne broke free and was clipped in the box, he regained his footing but fired a good opportunity wide.
Graham Breen, on an off night, then broke through but fired over closing in on goal.
Dave Browne made a good save, tipping on to the bar, but then a bad kick out on 26 minutes ceded possession; the Sky Blues defence was hesitant and the visitors took the lead. The back 4 again stood off on 36 minutes, allowing the visitors to play tikka takka in the 18 yard box and double their lead.
Ger Byrne pulled one back on 41 minutes with a looping header.
At the start of the second half Ger had another headed chance, but from 5 yards directed the ball into the keeper’s hands; Keith Kelly then struck the bar, with Neil McGowan knocking the rebound over, strangely given offside.
Knockmitten made it 3-1 with a ball down the middle as the Spartak defence, again hesitant, hoped for an offside call, but a magnificent move from Breen and Byrne saw Steve Grier meet the cross to reduce arrears.
But defensive woes continued when Keith Kelly was dispossessed and a rash Paul Kinsella challenge conceded a penalty, and goal number 4.
Again the Sky Blues reduced arrears; Grier won the ball and McGowan’s weighted pass put Stev Walsh through from half way – he kept his head and coolly slotted home.
What prove to be the winning goal came when Alex Kenny passed back and Dave Browne skied the ball; when Kmockmitten won the 50/50, the winger scored with a cross which drifted in at the back post.
Spartak laid siege to the Knockmiten goal and Alex Kenny headed home to make it 4-5. Thom ODriscoll volleyed over, and then in the last minute Paul Kinsella surged to the bye line his cross took the keeper out, but Breen headed against the post! A defender panicked and hacked Graham down, but the ref wasn’t convinced.
Form Report
Dave Browne 6 Keith Kelly 5 Conor Canavan 5 Paul Kinsella 5 Alex Kenny 7 Steve Grier 8 Neil McGowan 6 Dave O’Kelly 6 Steve Walsh 6 Graham Breen 6 Ger Byrne 6
Subs Steve O’Hara 5 Thom O’Driscoll 5 Mick Greene
