Spartak Dynamo FC

Lads,

Time to get cracking on your selection.

Prizes will be announced by committee (subject to annuals being up to date!)

Hot shots Ryan Burke, Ross Kelly and fallen idol Graham Breen all looking for good performance this season.

Among the seniors, only Frank McNamee seems to have retained any brain cells and concentration levels sufficient to challenge. Oldies, get the nurse to help you with this if confused!!!

Have mailed on the code to join SDFC201112.

27.7.11
Shelbourne SC 2 Spartak 2

Spartak had the satisfaction of recovering from a two goal half time deficit to gain parity with the homesters.

Martin Costello spurned a glorious chance early on, when, looking well offside, he rounded the keeper, but delayed his effort long enough for the keeper to recover.
Jason Northey caused problems with a poor lofted throw out, but redeemed his error with a good save, and then flapped at a corner after poor defendingby his back four. He was again in action when Mick Greene was outpaced and made a smart save from the resultant effort.

The home side took the lead when a Dave Browne throw was intercepted and the quick break saw Spartak short of cover.
On 42 minutes, a nice move put Martin Costello through one on one, but his effort was delayed and finally delivered at optimum height for the keeper.
To add insult to injury , the Spartak back four were then caught square for the home forward to take full advantage.

Spartak had to change their approach and did so with a renewed effort to play the ball on the ground. The moves began to flow and Graham McEnroe smacked an efort off the crossbar, and a Chris Hogan effort drifted onto the woodwork. Arrears were reduced when Martin Costello turned in Mick Greene’s corner. Mick also provided the through ball to allow Martin to equalise on 58 minutes.

Spartak’s defence lived dangerously and when Niall Hanratty was caught the locals missed a good chance. They also missed an easy one when Robbie Hayes tipped an effort onto the bar, but the home forward fluffed he rebound, and Barry Maguire was on hand to clear.

A good move led to Graham McEnroe putting in a tempting cross, but the Spartak forwards did not make the required runs to get a touch.

Its always better to recover from a deficit, and the Light Blues showed plenty of resolve in the second half after an indifferent opening period.

Form Report:
Jason Northey 6 Barry Maguire 6 Mick Greene 7 Niall Hanratty 5 Mick Young 7 Shane McInerney 6 Graham McEnroe 7 Ross Kelly 6 Derek McGoldrick 6 Martin Costello 7 Ger Byrne 6 Robbie Hayes 6 Chris Hogan 6 Dave Browne 6 Mick Costello 6.

26.7.11
Celtic Park 1, Spartak 2

Spartak did just enough to come out on top of a close encounter where a slower paced second half saw the game open up and yield a host of chances.

All the scores came in a four minute burst just after the interval. A crisp move involving Graham Breen, Glen Burke and Chris Hogan saw Martin Costello, starting up front, slot home. An error by Dave O Kelly gave the home side an opening which they duly took just a minute later, but on 50 minutes Burke and Breen again combined to set up Niall Hanratty. He fired home from the edge of the box, finding the net somewhat more easily than he located the pitch!

Spartak started scrappily and almost conceded twice early on, firstly when Dave Browne was caught out of position, and then when the Sky Blue defence got into a tangle. On neither occasion could the locals take advantage, with Peter O’Toole tidying up effectively.

Most of the creative play for Spartak in the first half emanated from Anto Doyle, always looking to get a passing move going and linking efectively with new boy Conor Canavan, who himself was composed in possession. Dave O’Kelly used the ball well coming out from the back. Graham Breen worked hard up front, but often lacked support.

Celtic Park then shot wide from a good opportunity after Mick Greene was caught ball watching. Mick, however, may have to give lessons in crossing and corner taking after two good efforts by him contrasted with Glen Burke and Doyle’s efforts on the other side.

Spartak’s second half surge was spurred by some good runs by Keith Kelly and Glen Burke. From one move Niall Lennon slpped the full back but then allowed the defender to get back at him before he could shoot. Lennon and Costello both missed from close range after another Kelly run and cross.

Chris Hogan had two long range speculative cross/cum/shots – one startled the keeper by hitting the frame of the goal, and the other was palmed away.

Concentration was slipping in the Sky Blues defence and headers were missed by Browne and O’Kelly; both tended to stand off as the game progressed, allowing time and space to the opposition forwards and leading to chances, while Hogan had to recover smartly after playing the home forwards on side.

Another decent effort, which will help to build fitness and sharpness.

Form Report: Peter O’Toole 7 Conor Canavan 7 Mick Greene 6 Dave O Kelly 7 Dave Browne 6 Shane McInerney 6 Keith Kelly 7 Anto Doyle 6 Stuart Love 6 Graham Breen 7 Martin Costello 6 Niall Lennon 6 Niall Hanratty 6 Chris Hogan 6 Glen Burke 6

20.7.11
Balally 0, Spartak 1

A fine individual score by Ger Byrne, allied to some decent defending, combined with good saves from Robbie Hayes to give the Sky Blues a win in the first pre season friendly. The home side were somewhat wayward in their finishing, and a more clinical approach might have got them into the game as the Spartak defence was sometimes split as a unit.

Ger’s goal was a typical effort, as his industrious work nicked the ball from a defender before racing on and clipping in a low shot to the corner of the net from just outside the box in the 19th minute.

Early pressure from Balally led to a couple of goalmouth scrambles in the Spartak goalmouth, and when Dave O’Kelly was beaten, the local forward blazed over. Robbie Hayes made a fine save to deny a goal when Dave Browne was beaten and then O’Kelly recovered well after being caught under the ball on another occasion.

Gradually Spartak got to the tempo of the game, and the front two of Graham Breen and Byrne caused discomfort to the home defence. Stuart Love, captain for the eveining, and Shane McInerney both toiled manfully in midfield but lacked the creative touches. Anto Doyle and Steve Walsh on the flanks were often bypassed and did not unduly worry the home defence.

Mick Young came on for his first appearance as Spartak rotated the substitutes, and he made a favourable impression, coming in for some rough treatment. Indeed the referee flashed a number of cards to the home side. Spartak had other chances, with Steve Walsh shooting over after a good move, and Mick Greene’s excellent corner caused havoc but was not finished. On half time, Byrne shot over from a good position.

The second period saw both sides come close. Adam Doran had a nice cameo appearance, with his volley from Niall Hanratty’s cross being well saved , Breen just wide with a side footer from his corner, and after a good Doran run and cross Rob Deering cut back to Niall Lennon who could only square the ball across the goal. Dan O’Connell looked comfortable in possession and had a few bright runs, without delivering the final ball.

A lovely break by Steve Walsh and Lennon resulted in Walsh racing in to shoot wide. As gaps in the Spartak rearguard appeared, Balally blazed wide, hit the bar, and were foiled by a great clearance by Barry Maguire.

With 6 subs and regular rotation, Spartak players had the luxury of never being under undue physical pressure, and adapted easily to the changes.

Overall a decent workout, and a good squad performance.

Robie Hayes 7 Barry Maguire 6 Mick Greene 6 Dave O Kelly 7 Dave Browne 7 Shane McInerney 6 Stuart Love 6 Anto Doyle 5 Steve Walsh 5 Graham Breen 6 Ger Byrne 7 Niall Hanratty 5 Niall Lennon 5 Rob Deering 5 Adam Doran 7 Dan O Connell 6 Mick Young 6.

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.