Spartak Dynamo FC

Mick Greene has arranged a friendly against Moher Celtic in Liscannor, Co Clare on Saturday 20th July.

Those who wish to stay overnight can do so in Liscannor for around 45 euro per night but places are limited.

Alternatively, accommodation in Lahinch is more expensive at 75 euro.

Due to pitch sharing, the game will kick off at 11.30 am so that will mean an early start from Dublin.

Another option is that some may drive down and back on the day.

Those interested please comment here or contact Mick.

Votes have been received and counted for Player of the Year 2013.

First team saw five nominees; Aodhan McCahill , Seamus McCahill, Conor Maguire, Niall Hanratty and Jason Northey

Second team has six contenders- Martin Costello, Paul Byrne ,Sean Doyle, Stephen Barr, Fintan Grace and Dermot Dooley

Over 35s saw votes for Graham Johnston, Matt Grimes, Tom Maher.

For Clubman, the main contenders are Niall Hanratty Dave Browne Fintan Grace Dave Mohan Paul McGowan and Mick Greene.

16.5.13
Spartak 1 St Vincents 1

Appearances by Barry Crowe and Tom Maher, and with Mick Greene almost topping off his rare appearance with a last minute winner, indicate the nature of this end of season game by a Spartak side deprived of many regulars because of exams and injuries.

Nonetheless the Sky Blue fighting spirit was well in evidence as, down to 10 men from the 35th minute, the home side fought back tenaciously first to equalise through Johnny Mac and then press for the winner.

A satisfactory result in the circumstances.

Man of the Match – Steve Grier

12.5.13

Lakelands 3 Spartak 0

With Lakelands needing a win to get the title in case Blessington slipped up, this was always going to be a test for an understrength Spartak side, for whom assistant Barry Crowe made an appearance when Derek Ruxton was delayed following a burglary.

Derek made a belated appearnce and indeed had Spartak’s best chance but shot over.

But overall this game was dominated by Lakelands, who made a steady procession towards the Sky Blues goal. Jason Northey had his best game of the season, repeatedly denying the home side with a series of fine saves.

However the best efforts of the Sky Blues could not prevent the inevitable and Lakelands just lost out the title on goal difference.

Man of the Match; Jason Northey

Form Report
Jason Northey 9 Conor Canavan 7 Dave Browne 7 Niall Hanratty 8 Aodhan McCahill 7 Thom O’Driscoll 6 Dave Thomson 6 Conor Maguire 7 Ken Buckley 7 Barry Crowe 7 Mick Greene 7 Derek Ruxton 7 Tom Maher 6

7.5.13
Larkview 5 , Spartak 3

The Sky Blues initially caved in in this game; in fact the back four was practically non existent for the first half and the home side helped themselves to four goals, all of the very preventable type.

It was a physical contest, with a too lenient referee, and the home side showed a great deal more appetite for the fray.

Spartak created the first chance of the game, with Thom O’Driscoll and Conor Maguire carving out a chance for Steve Walsh; but he delayed his shot and the chance was lost.

A catalogue of defensive errors ensued with the four goals conceded in a 14 minute spell from the 27th minute ; a cross which should have been cut out was nodded in, then the rearguard was statuesque for the next two goals, allowing the home side to virtually walk the ball in; Steve Grier then presented number four on a plate when caught in possession.

A horror show.

On 50 minutes it got worse; 0-5.

In fairness the Sky Blues did not give up and the home side rested on their laurels somewhat. Dave Browne’s throw was flicked on by Conor Maguire for Dave Thomson to get one back on 58 minutes; Alan Farrington availed of the keeper’s error to score with a neat chip; and when Conor Maguire slammed in the third with a superb effort from outside the box we were suddenly in a game, as the home side were bewildered by the turn of events.

A fourth might have increased home nerves further, but the Sky Blues could not manage another goal.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Dave Browne 5 Steve Grier 5 Seamus McCahill 5 Thom O’Driscoll 5 Alan Farrington 5 Dave Thomson 7 Conor Maguire 7 Steve Walsh 5

30.4.13
Spartak 1 Jobstown 2

The visitors arrived in fine fettle, having just qualified for the Cup Final.
Spartak, on the other hand , were hampered by players missing through injury, exams and work commitments and had to adjust accordingly, with players playing out of position in some cases.

Steve Walsh, in the unaccustomed position of left back, made a fine clearing header,to deny the visitors and acquitted himself well throughout . Conor Maguire put in a good stint as support forward and also helped out in midfield.

Jobstown took the lead on 10 minutes after a defensive mix up.

Spartak’s best chance to equalise came on 41 minutes when Thom O’Driscoll’s corner was headed wide by the unmarked Dave Browne.

On 61 minutes the visitors went two up in controversial circumstances, with Derek Ruxton leading the protests and this was to prove costly later as he received a second yellow for another verbal challenge on the referee’s authority.

The ten men set about their task in fine fashion, and almost salvaged a draw in difficult circumstances.

On 70 minutes, Steve Walsh hit the bar and Conor Maguire made no mistake from the rebound

Man of the Match – Conor Maguire

28.4.13
Dundrum 2, Spartak 2

This game had an end of season feel despite the unseasonal cool weather. The Sky Blues were missing players as injuries mounted, and had the added problem of a car break down for keeper Jason Northey. Adam Doran capably deputised between the posts in Jason’s absence, and was soon in action when a wayward ball by Dave Thomson and hesitation by Keith Kelly and Seamus McCahill allowed the home forward through but Adam saved well.

A sloppy back header by Niall Hanratty seemed to put the number 9 in a perfect scoring position, but, luckily for Spartak, his touch let him down.

Spartak took the lead on 22 minutes when Thom O’Driscoll’s corner was cleared to Seamus McCahill who fired the ball back in, and a clever flick from Conor Maguire left the keeper helpless. Moments later some good attacking work by Steve Walsh, O’Driscoll and Maguire saw chaos in the home defence, Hanratty finally turning the ball in past a defender on the line , but the goal was disallowed for offside with the keeper out of his goal.

A good Dave Thomson run saw him nudged in the back when about to cross, but honest Dave stayed on his feet, and then Steve Walsh fired over from the edge of the box.

Spartak had a great chance to take the lead on 51 minutes.when Dave Browne’s pass sent Steve Walsh away on the right, only to be chopped down. From the free the ball fell to Dave Thomson a couple of yards out, but, hampered by defenders, he only succeeded in turning the ball into the keeper’s arms. The game swung the other wasy a minute later Dave Thomson was then harshly penalised and Dave Browne’s man eluded him to head home the equaliser at the back post.

Worse was to follow on 64 minutes when the locals took the lead from what seemed a blatantly offside position.

The Sky Blues redoubled their efforts and had a few efforts blocked before they finally equalised on 84 minutes after good approach play by Aodhan McCahill and Steve Walsh allowed Conor Maguire slip the ball neatly past the keeper.

Form Report
Adam Doran 7 Dave Browne 5 Aodhan McCahill 6 Seamus McCahill 5 Keith Kelly 6 Ken Buckley 5 Thom O’Driscoll 6 Niall Hanratty 6 Dave Thomson 7 Conor Maguire 8 Steve Walsh 6
Subs: Lee Malone 5 Niall Lennon 5

23.4.12
Knockmitten 2 Spartak 1

This was a game which Spartak expected to win, but failed to apply the effort and skill to do so. Indeed the Sky Blues lost most of the individual battles against a side who had not registered a win for months.

After a scoreless first half a catastrophic error after 58 minutes by Seamus McCahill (and a lack of cover by his fellow defenders) in failing to deal with a long through ball presented the home side with a simple goal.

Energised by the goal, Knockmitten, embroiled in a relegation battle, responded and added a second goal on 65 minutes as the Spartak defence parted like the Red Sea.

Substitute Steve Grier, back after an injury lay off, led a comeback of sorts, and scored after 83 minutes. But despite an increased level of application, Spartak could not force an equaliser.

This was after a first half which the Sky Blues strolled trough in desultory fashion, thinking they could score when they liked; it was not the case.

Conor Maguire will feel ill used by a very unsympathetic referee who might have awarded two penalty kicks and many frees, but who, as they say, let the game flow.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Dave Thomson 5 Dave Browne 4 Seamus McCahill 4 Derek Ruxton 6 Neil McGowan 5 Steve Walsh 5 Conor Maguire 5 Alan Farrington 4 David Garavan 5 Steve Grier 6

17.4.13
Spartak 4, Beechwood 3

The visitors, three down after 13 minutes, fought back to equalise in the 90th minute from the spot. However the two minutes of injury time were sufficient for the Sky Blues to rouse themselves and score following a corner kick.

The game opened brightly for the Sky Blues as Conor Maguire coolly took advantage of a goalkeeping error to give the home side the lead on 5 minutes. Four minutes later Keith Kelly won a header to send Conor maguire away and his pass put Neil McGowan in but a defender obliged with an og.

On just 13 minutes a Seamus McCahill free sent Alan Farrington clear and he finished from close range.

Steve Walsh almost made it 4 but the keeper saved.

Beechwood got a foothold in the game from the penalty spot when Thom O’Driscoll was adjudged to have fouled in the box.

Spartak were looking comfortable until Eggy was intoduced as a substitute; his error let the visitors in for their second on 81 minutes and then on 90 minutes a rash challenge gave a 90th minute penalty for the equaliser. However he saved some embarrassment by heading home Alan Farrington’s corner deep into injury time.

Man of the match : Derek Ruxton

14.4.13
Spartak 3, St Pats SC 0

A sloppy first half performance saw Spartak set up some chances, but not nearly enough given the timid approach of the visitors. Neil McGowan combined with Steve Walsh with the latter hitting the bar, and then McGowan headed wide after a Dave Browne long throw. Walsh then fired straight at the keeper when well positioned.

The breakthrough came on 51 minutes when Conor Maguire played in Neil McGowan and his shot from 18 yards went straight through the keeper’s legs. Steve Walsh played Conor Maguire through for a neat finish 10 minutes later and the game was over as a contest.

Maguire added number three on 69 minutes, but try as he might could not complete his hatrick.

A routine win and a performance which never reached the heights.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Dave Browne 7 Aodhan McCahill 7 S McCahill 7 Kelly 7 Ruxton 8 McGowan 7 Farrington 6 O Driscoll 6 Maguire 8 Walsh 6 Buckley 6 Burke 6 Malone 6