Spartak Dynamo FC

6.12.15
Boyne Rovers 4, Spartak 3

With atrocious weather conditions rendering Marlay unplayable, along with almost every other grass pitch in Dublin, it was a surprise to find Boyne Rovers pitch in declared on. Spartak had to surrender home advantage and travel to Drogheda, making it an even more formidable task against the Premier Division leaders.

The pitch started out wet and muddy, and ended as a quagmire, but the conditions did not prevent a wonderful game of football, played in a sporting manner by both sides.

Spartak adapted quickly , and Ger Byrne rifled the Sky Blues into an early lead from Steve Walsh’s cross. Spartak quickly added another by Steve Walsh after Mick Leslie had done the spadework. In between, a very dubious offside call saw another Ger Byrne effort chalked off.

Spartak continued to create chances, with a Walsh effort saved, and Neil McGowan’s volley just over, while Dave Kernan had the best opportunity after a great run but shot too close to the keeper.

The home side pulled one back just on half time, shooting past stand-in keeper Martin Costello. who had a fine game, and Boyne piled on the pressure in the second period and they equalised very early on, before taking the lead for the first time.

With 20 minutes of this fine cup tie to go, Mick Leslie forced a corner; Walsh’s flag kick was nodded down by Karl McCullough to Ger Byrne, and Neil McGowan fired in for the equaliser.

It was end to end stuff now as both sides strove for a winner. Steve Walsh fired narrowly wide; Martin Costello took off a fine save at the other end; but with three minutes to go Boyne got a fourth after a scramble in the goalmouth.

The drama was not over however; Spartak fought back and won a free when Dave Kernan was fouled. Walsh’s effort was saved, but the ball rebounded invitingly to the inrushing Ger Byrne. It seemed certain to be the equaliser, but Ger went for power and fired over.

Form Report
Martin Costello 7 Dave Browne 7 Tom O’Driscoll 8 Paul Kinsella 7 Karl McCullagh 8 Ken Buckley 7 Neil McGowan 8 Dave Kernan 7 Mick Leslie 8 Ger Byrne 7 Steve Walsh 8.

22.11.15
Sallynoggin Pearse 2, Spartak 3

Not content with keeping the local forwards at bay, Adam Doran provided a drilled assist for Steve Walsh’s winning goal in the 89th minute. Steve took the second of his two goals with equal facility, both terrific finishes.

The game began in dramatic fashion with a 2nd minute goal from the home side, but by the 10th minute , one of their players received a second yellow and Spartak faced 10 men for 80 minutes.

The remainder of the first half saw a disjointed Spartak X1 gradually settle, as Dave Kernan, Steve Walsh and Steve Grier got on the ball to good effect. Indeed Sallynoggin continued to have the better chances.

The second period, from Spartak’s viewpoint, got off to a great start, but only after a miraculous escape as the ball struck bar and post from a home forward’s header before rolling back into Adam Doran’s relieved clutches. Immediately Spartak equalised after a scramble from a corner kick, Steve Grier forcing home. Heartened by this, Spartak took the lead when Steve Walsh raced onto Neil McGowan’s pass to score.

The home side had a goal disallowed before Neil McGowan headed over from close range. But the ten local men equalised when the Sky Blues back four was caught out of shape.

Then began the search for the decisive goal.

Sallynoggin then had three fine chance, Adam Doran foiling each one in turn. Steve Grier mishit his shot when set up by Ger Byrne , Ger missed his touch on a Grier long throw.

As the clock ticked towards time, Doran gathered the ball and sent Walsh away to secure the three points.

Form Report
Adam Doran 9 David Kernan 7 Tom O’Driscoll 7 Karl McCullagh 7 Kevin O’Toole 6 Ken Buckley 6 Neil McGowan 7 Mick Leslie 6 Steve Grier 7 Ger Byrne 6 Steve Walsh 8
Sub: Neil Walsh 6

After resigning as Quiz master in a hissy fit, leaving poor Uncle Dex to pick up the pieces, Mick Greene has completed a massive U Turn and returns to his rightful spot on the podium next Thursday, 18th November, in Firhouse Community Centre.

Mick , after doling out questions on Dingbats, Counties of Ireland and other puzzles to tease the slightly sozzled members of the audience, will then lead the weary troops in the time honoured march into town, eventually leaving Coppers at an ungodly hour.

All club members expected to attend, and for €10 on a Thursday night, it can’t be bet for entertainment value.

The Quiz starts at 9.15, so aim for 9 O’Clock, unless your name is Steve Grier, in which case you would need to aim for the previous day. Chris “Tubes” Hogan is carrying on Gerry Doran’s tradition of always being last to everything. Dave Kernan may well travel through town , so could be delayed. Mick Leslie even might bring the water bottles for a special guest appearance.

So, for those not paying attention (that’s you Bobby Hayes and Jason Northey) its a 9.15 kick off on Thursday 18th November in Firhouse Community Centre.

1.11.15
Swords Celtic 2, Spartak 1

A lethargic first half proved costly as lowly Swords put in an aggressive performance unmatched by the Sky Blues in the first period. The first half was all Swords, who showed greater urgency and aggression, picking up a few yellow cards in the process. Greg Byrne in the Spartak goal was by far the busier keeper, and took knocks as the subject of some rough inteventions, with Kevin O’Toole and Karl McCullough overworked at the back, as the Spartak midfield misfired.

Spartak’s only real effort came following a foul on Neil McGowan when a quick thinking Thom O’Driscoll spotted the keeper off his line; but Thom’s execution did not quite match the intention, just missing the target.

On 47 minutes, inevitably, Swords took the lead; a long ball was misheaded by Martin Costello back into a central area and , while Greg Byrne saved the initial effort, the rebound was tucked home.

Spartak lifted their game in the second half, while Swords conceded many free kicks in an attempt to stem the tide. Just on the hour marked Dave Kernan bundled in Ger Byrne’s cross at the second attempt. Then moments later Neil McGowan found Steve Walsh in space on the right, his cross found Thom O’Driscoll, whose header forced a good save from the home keeper.

The game looked to be going in Spartak’s favour, with a second goal in prospect, when a calamitous error of judgment by the hitherto commendable Kevin O’Toole handed the points to the home side. A rash tackle inside the box saw the penalty dispatched for the winning goal.

Martin Costello, Dave Kerna and Steve Grier all had half chances to equalise, but Swords held on.

Form Report
Greg Byrne 8 David Kernan 6 Martin Costello 6 Karl McCullough 6 Kevin O’Toole 5 Ken Buckley 5 Neil McGowan 5 Tom O’Driscoll 5 Steve Grier 5 Ger Byrne 5 Steve Walsh 4
Sub: Dave Browne 5

25.10.15
Spartak 4, Dundrum 1

Spartak took the honours in a game that was closer than the scoreline would suggest.

Two identikit goals just before the break saw Karl McCullough head home successive Steve Walsh corner kicks gave the Sky Blues a 2-0 half time advantage.

Earlier chances had been missed, most notably after brilliant work by Steve Grier and Dave Kernan had sent Steve Walsh in on goal, but two attempts were not sufficient to score. Dundrum struck the crossbar, and Kev O’Toole made a strong savin tackle when a score looked certain.

Spartak virtually clinched the points when a first time Neil McGowan pass sent the ovelapping Martin Costello clear on the left. He jinked past the advancing keeper but was forced very wide. Nonetheless he produced the perfect cross amid a cluster of covering defenders for Ger Byrne to shoot into the unguarded net.

This appeared to be the signal for Spartak to relax and for Dundrum to come strongly into the game.

A quickly taken free saw Dundrum reduce arrears and Dundrum had several atempts to close the gap, but Spartak were grateful to Greg Byrne for some fine stops, including tipping one shot onto the post.

Spartak made the game safe when a super through ball b Tho O’Driscoll sent Steve Walsh in, and he finished at the second attempt.

Form Report
Greg Byrne 8 Dave Kernan 7 Martin Costello 6 Karl McCullough 8 Kevin O’Toole 8 Ken Buckley 6 Neil McGowan 6 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Steve Grier 6 Ger Byrne 7 Steve Walsh 6
Sub: Neil Walsh 5

18.10.15
Spartak 1, Sallynoggin 2

Dropping all three points here was a painful experience for the Sky Blues, who surely should have at least equalised in the last minute when Steve Walsh sent Alan Farrington clear on the right. Inexplicably, Alan failed to make proper contact with the ball, and his effort trickled harmlessly wide from six yards.

Ealier, Neil McGowan, taking some time out from best man duties, came on as a sub to crisply fire in an equaliser after Steve Grier’s cross broke to him at the edge of the box.

Greg Byrne continued his fine run of form in goal, with one great save and several good ones.

A bad challenge on Steve Grier early on was not properly punished by that recidivist referee who ruins games for all teams.

Sallynoggin scored on the turnover in the first half when Alan Farrington, receiving the ball in space, turned inside into trouble and wwas dispossessed. Kevin O’Toole was caught under the ball as he pushed out, 0-1.

The Sallynoggin winner came on 82 minutes as Spartak pushed on; Steve Grier kept the ball in play as Sallynoggin broke, only for possession to switch. A clever through ball saw the striker beat Greg Byrne.

Form Report
Greg Byrne 8 Keith Kelly 5 Dave Browne 5 Paul Kinsella 8 Kevin O’Toole 6 Alan Farrington 5 Seamus McCahill 5 Ken Buckley 5 Steve Grier 7 Ger Byrne 5 Steve Walsh 6
Subs: Dave Kernan 6 Neil McGowan 7 Neil Walsh 6

Spartak 0, Pioneers 5

Five second half scores saw the visitors leave Marlay Park comfortable winners.

Despite dominating the first half completely, Pioneers had nothing to show for their first half toils, with some last ditch defending from Paul Kinsella and Kevin O’Toole keeping he attack at bay, while Greg Byrne made some notable saves. Spartak took a blow when Kinsella went down with a hamstring strain after one interception. Spartak’s only first half chance came when Steve Walsh and Neil McGowan combined to setup Alan Farrington, but his shot lacked power and accuracy and sailed harmlessly over.

Neil McGowan headed over from a Spartak corner early in teh second period, before Pioneers took the lead with a header from a flag kick. They added to the lead on 52 minutes when Ken Buckley could not cover for some absent defenders.

Then came a pivotal moment whe a long ball by Dave Browne was added to by Ken Buckley to give Ger Byrne a chance close in but he lifted the ball over the bar. Ger might have converted a Steve Walsh free, and then Neil McGowan saw his point blank effort saved.

That was the end of the short Spartak revival and Pioneers added three more in the last 15 minutes in circumstances too embarrassing to recount.

Form Report
Greg Byrne 8 Keith Kelly 4 Dave Browne 4 Paul Kinsella 7 Kevin O’Toole 6 Ken Buckley 5 Neil McGowan 6 Steve Grier 5 Alan Farrington 4 Steve Walsh 4 Ger Byrne 5
Subs: Thom O’Driscoll 4 Mick Leslie 4

4.10.15
Terenure Rangers 2, Spartak 6

A powerful second half burst by the Sky Blues saw three goals scored without reply in the opening 15 minutes; this effectively sealed the points.

Spartak’ defence began poorly with some careless passes, and it was from one of these that the home side took the lead.

With Jason Northey injured, Martin Costello took the gloves and had a fine display.

The Sky Blues created a few chance, and Ger Byrne, Neil McGowan and Steve Walsh all had attempts at goal. However it took some composed play on the wing by Ger Byrne to tee up Steve Grier at the edge of the box to fire in a deflected equaliser.
Just a minute later, Steve Walsh fired in a second from Paul Kinsella’s pass. Terenure equalised from a corner right on half time.

Spartak took the lead when Dave Browne won a challenge and fed Steve Grier; Stev’e first attempt was blocked, but he showed good balance and composure to fire the second attempt low beyond the keeper from the edge of the box.

Ger Byrne robbed a defender before coolly and unselfishly setting up Steve Walsh for an easy tap in, and Neil McGowan then scored form 20 yards via the foot of the post to make it 5-2.

During this period the Spartak defence showed composure and aggression to keep the locals at bay, as Terenure fought to prevent the game slipping away from them.

Ger Byrne then rounded off the scoring with a rare right footed effort when put through by Steve Walsh.

A fine second half performance, and the only downside was the injuries a number of players; Dave Kernan took a knock which precipitated his withdrawal and several others were carrying injuries by the end.

Form Report
Martin Costello 8 Keith Kelly 7 Dave Browne 7 Paul Kinsella 7 Kevin O’Toole 7 Ken Buckley 7 Neil McGowan 8 Dave Kernan 7 Steve Grier 8 Ger Byrne 9 Steve Walsh 7
Subs: Mick Leslie 6 Ciaran Keane 6

20.9.15

Spa Utd 5, Spartak 1

The Sky Blues long trek to Johnstown , Co Kilkenny, was an unrewarding journey.

A disastrous start against able opponents saw Spartak ship three goals in 17 minutes, with Spa making it 4 before Steve Grier reduced arrears near the break.

The second half saw a more even contest, with the nly score coming from a disputed penalty near the end for the home side, after Spartak had carved out several decent scoring chance.

Form Report: A collective 5

13.9.15
Tymon Bawn 4, Spartak 4.

Spartak faced into this game without key players from the last win over Dundrum; Paul Kinsella suspended, Karl McCullough hamstrung, and Martin Costello, who was away at a hen party. Stuart Love, whose operation to repair a torn cruciate ligament is due, continues to be missed for his consistent

Not only that, goalkeeper Jason Northey tweaked his hamstring on his first run, after just 17 minutes, so Kevin O’Toole volunteered to go in goal. With so many forced changes to the Sky Blues defence, it was unsurprising that Tymon were able to score four. Spartak led four times, but could not close out the deal.

Several players had a sleepy start to proceedings, Steve Walsh, Keith Kelly, David Kernan and Steve Grier taking some time to realise they were in a game. A dull first half was enlivened when a half cleared corner was expertly turned back in by Tom O’Driscoll for Steve Grier to head in.

One nil at the interval, but then followed a goals avalanche.

Tymon equalised, and continued to do so after each Sky Blues score. Goals from Alan Farrington, Steve Walsh and Steve Browne were duly cancelled out

In the final 15 minutes, Spartak created opportunities to snatch a winner; Neil McGowan’s header from a deflected cross was just over, and Ger Byrne, just 6 yards out,stretched into an inviting cross but shot over.

Marks?
Preparataion?

Form Report
Jason Northey 5 Keith Kelly 5 Dave Browne 6 Steve Grier 6 Kevin O’Toole 6 Alan Farrington 6 Neil McGowan 7 Dave Kernan 7 Tom O’Driscoll 7 Ger Byrne 6 Steve Walsh 7
Subs: Steve Browne 6 Jeff Gamble 6