Saturday Team – AWAY to Tymon Bawn
Sunday Team – AWAY to Seaford Rock
Over 35s – AWAY to Larkview
A few old reports to bring back memories, good and bad….
29th Feb 2004
Spartak 3 Liffey Wanderers 2
O Toole7 P Kilroy7 Grace7 D Buckley7 I Kilroy7 K Buckley7 McGowan7 O Connell9 Dunne7 D Byrne7 G Byrne7 Sub McNamee 7
An outstanding display by O Connell and a stunning late winner by McNamee were the highlights of a rip roaring battle at Marlay. O Connell scored after his interception won possession ; he passed to Byrnsie and then tucked away the square pass. Spartak’s second arrived when O Connell’s headed knock down was coolly tucked past the static keeper by McGowan.
Sweetest of all in a robust contest was the winner when OConnell’s second attempt to cross found McNamee who gleefully thumped home left footed.
4th May 2003 Griffith 1 Spartak 2
K O’Connell pen , St Leger
O’Toole 7 A Doyle 8 D O’Connell 7 K O’Connell 9 D Mohan 7 K Buckley 8 F McNamee 8 B St Leger 7 A Dunne 7 W O’Connell 7 G Byrne 7. Sub M Cooney 6
Once again Spartak fielded a side depleted by injury and absentees. Once again the players rose to the challenge and fought grittily at DCU to carve out a good result, which keeps the hunt on for runners up spot.
Griffith started as if they meant business, and O’Toole had to save smartly with Buckley tidying up the rebound. O’Toole then had to advance to narrow the angle , forcing the forward to shoot wide. Slowly Spartak gained momentum , with Anto Doyle prominent down the right. Frank McNamee went close with a towering header and then in the next attack Ger Byrne was upended in the box .Kevin O’Connell, revelling in an unaccustomed sweeper role, drilled the resultant spot kick home. Spartak then went on an attacking spree with a flowing move from Mohan, Doyle Stleger finally setting Byrne up 15 yards out, but he blazed over, when a little more coolness was called for.
Griffith came at the visitors in the second half, but Spartak were dangerous on the break with buckley a powerhouse in the middle and Doyle raiding on the right, chances were created for St Leger, Byrne and Will O’Connell who all missed when well placed to score.
The all important second goal arrived when Byrne laid a ball back to Will O Connell out on the left. His cross was neatly laid off by Dunne and St Leger volleyed powerfully home.
A nervous final five minutes was assured when Dan O’Connell, attempting to intercept a cross, blasted the ball into his own net to mark his first team debut with a spectacular own goal. However the defence held firm and the three points were in the bag.
SPARTAK TRIUMPH IN CUP THRILLER
28th November 1999
Bluebell Utd 1, Spartak Dynamo 2
Following last season’s defeat (1-0) at the hands of Bluebell in the FAI Junior Cup, it did not bode well for Spartak when they had to concede home advantage in this Leinster Junior Cup fifth round tie.
However a sprightly start by the men in claret and blue soon put the game in a different light and in the seventh minute tenacity by Kevin O’Connell (when he blocked an attempted clearance) was rewarded with a favourable rebound which took the ball beyond the home keeper. Spartak added a second after 21 minutes when a sweeping move involving Doyle, O’Connell and Dunne was finished when the latter’s driven cross was thumped home first time from the edge of the box by McGowan.
The second half began with a determined Bluebell attempting to impose their game and misplaced Spartak passes were punished by long periods of Bluebell possesion. Spartak were only rarely able to mount a attacks in the increasingly cloying conditions and were hauled back by a goal in the 59th minute when the Spartak rearguard did not deal decisively with a cross. Spartak, although defending with all their might, were on the back foot and Alan Kilroy cleared off the line on a few occasions while Alan Kavanagh in goal resorted to the unorthodox to protect the lead. Gradually the pressure was eased by a late resurgence of inventive passing and movement and Spartak finished strongly for a memorable win.
Alan Kavanagh 7 – Held onto the ball well in difficult conditions.
Declan Buckley 7 – Quick in the tackle and good covering.
Alan Kilroy 8 – Great goal line clearances and a memorable last ditch tackle..
Brian Stafford 8 – Always able to get in front of his player.
Derek Keane 7 – Kept the troops well organised .
Ken Buckley 7 Strong in midfield . Booked for dissent.
Neil McGowan 7 Took his goal well and passed accurately.
Mick Harte 7 – his strength in possession gave Spartak some breathers.
Andy Dunne 7 Never stopped working and supplied a cracking cross for the second goal.
Cameron Doyle 7 Incisive first half passing.
Kevin O’Connell 7 Hard working with Dunne. Always available for the out ball.
Liffey Valley Rangers 1 Spartak 2
Liffey, having been hammered in their last match, made numerous changes and started brightly. Their hunger for the ball completely overcame weak Spartak resistance and they dominated possession for most of the first half.
Spartak were soon one down when Paul Kinsella misjudged a cross and Glen Burke allowed his man to escape and score at the far post.
Spartak showed little appettite for the contest and were hurried into errors. Passing was sloppy and when the occasion arose, set piece delivery was very poor. Spartak seemed happy to lump it on to the willing head of the home centre half, who was dominant in the air.
Liffey were winning first ball and second ball, and of the midfielders, only Tom Flanagan was showing any resistance. While both front runners, Ger Byrne and Graham McEnroe worked hard, they were working off crumbs due to the ineptitude of those behind them.
Spartak were grateful to Peter O’Toole who saved well to prevent number 2, after Glen Burke was all too easily beaten, and Fintan Grace made some timely interventions. Paul Kinsella and Steve Grier made for a shaky central defensive combination.
As the half wore on, Spartak began to rouse themselves somewhat as the prospect of an imminent and damaging defeat began to sink in. Dave O’Kelly had a header saved and Ger Byrne headed wide.
A half time discussion changed things somewhat and even Glen Burke, emerging at least partly from first half torpor, began to attempt to match the pace and desire of the opponents. Keith Kelly, on for the injured Tom Flanagan, added some energy and battling qualities and the tide began to turn.
Liffey began to lose composure under some sustained pressure and conceded a penalty for a foul on Glen Burke, which Seamus McCahill converted for the equaliser on 68 minutes.
On 76 minutes, a great flick by Graham McEnroe put Seamus in on goal but he pulled his effort wide. Seamus and Graham had efforts blocked.
The pressure built up gradually on Liffey, as the Spartak changes began to take effect, and both Paul and especially Steve began to settle at the back. Nevertheless the quality of frees and corners from Burke and O’Driscoll remained poor.
It was only in the 78th minute when Tom O’Driscoll provided virtually the first decent set piece ball, with pace and into the near post, and was rewarded when a home defender deflected it to the net for the winning goal.
For the second week in a row, Spartak headed for the M50 grateful for all three points; the performance will need to be greatly enhanced for the visit of Iveagh Celtic to Marlay on Sunday.
Form report:
Peter O’Toole 6 Dave O’Kelly 5 Fintan Grace 6 Steve Grier 7 Paul Kinsella 5 Tom Flanagan 6 Seamus McCahill 6 Glen Burke 5 Graham McEnroe 6 Stuart Love 5 Ger Byrne 6
subs : Keith Kelly 7 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Neil McGowan 6 Niall Hanratty Rob Mahon Shane Corrigan Dan O’Connell
Saturday Team – AWAY to Balbriggan
Sunday Team – HOME to Iveagh Celtic
Esker 3 Spartak 4
Spartak overcame defensive wobbles to recover from 2-0 down and record a 4-3 win thanks to a coolly taken late winner by Dave “Chopper” O’Kelly.
Despite being tentative in the challenge Spartak created a few early chances, with Ger Byrne forcing the keeper into a fine save and Tom O’Driscoll just over with a lobbed effort under pressure. Gintaras Cibirka had the most straightforward chance but he hit the side netting and a good cross by Cibirka was just missed by Byrne.
Initially Tom Flanagan and Seamus McCahill passed well from central midfield, but later faded from the game and were caught up in the general malaise of sloppy passing, with both full backs, Dave O’Kelly and Fintan Grace, also guilty of wasting good possession along with the midfield.
Esker had some lively attackers and caught Spartak defenders on the hop to take the lead when uncertainty between O’Kelly Martin Costello and Keith Kelly allowed the no. 9 to score. Minutes later it was 2-0 when a shot from long range caught Peter O’Toole unawares after O’Kelly’s misplaced pass was intercepted.
Spartak’s defence was uncertain and prone to some poor decision making which gave Esker easy possession.
Cibirka, rusty and taking time to settle, nonetheless then made two vital interventions to get Spartak back into the match. First, Byrne finished well from Cibirka’s long pass on 42 minutes and then, in first half injury time, after Seamus McCahill tried to force his way through but was halted at the expense of a free at the edge of the box, Cibirka drove home for the equaliser.
Stuart Love had a few opportunities early in the second half, striking the post with a header but it took the intervention of Neil McGowan, just on as sub, to give the sky blues the lead on 65 minutes with a snap shot after Cibirka recovered possesion.
The game seemed well in Spartak’s control at that point; however a lack of energy and concentration was to cost dear as O’Kelly was overlapped and the cross, which seemed destined for the safety of O’Toole’s gloves, was headed in for a close range equaliser.
Mick Costello came on to good effect and when he was fouled on 83 minutes, McGowan’s free was deflected into O’Kelly’s path. A touch took him past the last man, and he then tucked the ball into the far corner for the winner.
A somewhat below par performance overall, but a good fighting spirit to come back from two down and also to get the winner when pegged back to 3-3.
Form Report
Peter O’Toole 5 Dave O’Kelly 6 Fintan Grace 5 Martin Costello 5 Keith Kelly 6 Tom Flanagan 6 Seamus McCahill 6 Gintaras Cibirka 7 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Stuart Love 5 Ger Byrne 7
Subs Niall Tilly 6 Neil McGowan 7 Mick Costello 6 Mick Greene Shane Corrigan Shane McInerney
Saturday Team – AWAY to Laytown
Sunday Team – HOME to Pioneers – AND – Tuesday 31st AWAY to Liffey Valley
Over 35’s – HOME to Portmarnock (Friendly)
Spartak 4 Mourne 0.
A comprehensive victory for Spartak, whose strikers ran Mourne ragged and wih more clinical finishing could have seen an even more embarrassing outcome for the visitors. Ger Byrne and Graham McEnroe worked really well together and the partnership tormented the Mourne defence on a hot day on a big pitch. Ger had a marvellous outing, lacking only goals, and his hounding of the defence, lung bursting runs and crosses caused havoc all day. Graham won the ball repeatedly in the air, and his skilful turns and passes opened up the visitors defence.
A frantic start to the game saw Spartak well up for the contest with vigorous interventions from Keith Kelly, Martin Costello and Seamus McCahill more than matching the visitors physical application. A good pass by McCahill sent Byrne away but his shot was too close to the keeper, who blocked.
On 24 minutes a lofted ball from Stuart Love was misjudged by the keeper and Glen Burke finished to the empty net from a tight angle. Almost immediately a throw in by Kelly was adroitly tucked home by McCahill. 2-0.
A good header by Fintan Grace gave Byrne an oportunity from close in, but he was slow to react and the ball was cleared.
On 50 minutes a nice move saw Byrne make a great run and then unselfishly pass to McEnroe for a simple finish.
Flanagan and McCahill continued to dominate the middle and plied the strikers with good supply. The back four, apart from a sloppy closing period, were on top of their opponents throughout.
Byrne and McEnroe missed a number of chances to add to the tally and Niall Tilley, on for Glen Burke, missed a straightforward chance.
The fourth arrived when Byrne’s headed effort from Burkes’ corner
was cleared off the line but McEnroe drove home, again from close range.
A bright start to the season.
Form report
Peter O’Toole 7 Dave O’Kelly 7 Fintan Grace 7 Martin Costello 8 Keith Kelly 8 Tom Flanagan 7 Seams McCahill 7 Glen Burke 7 Graham McEnroe 8 Stuart Love 7 Ger Byrne 9
Subs Niall Tilly 6 Shane Corrigan 6 Dan O’Connell 6 Neil McGowan Tom O’Driscoll Cathal Clancy
Saturday Team – Home to Swords
Sunday Team – Home to Mourne – AND – Tuesday 24th Away to Esker
Wayside Celtic 1, Spartak 1
A good work out against a useful Wayside outfit marred only by an inept refereeing performance in the final warm up game before hostilities begin in earnest.
Graham Breen should have won a penalty (and the keeper red carded) when a horrendous high two footed lunge went unpunished early on.
Spartak began brightly and made chances when Niall Tilly’s cross was weakly fired in by Seamus McCahill. Glen Burke was wasteful with a couple of free kicks (one too floaty, one blazed wildly over) and was caught in possession too often. Hanratty and O’Kelly combined well early on down the right as Spartak took control. Rob Deering , on he break, opted to shoot from a narrow angle rather than pass to unmarked colleagues.
At the other end Wayside were thwarted on two occasions, once by Peter O’Toole and once, unluckily, by a deflection.
On the hour Wayside, after a good spell of possession as Spartak lost control of the midfield with the defence lying too deep, won the ball from Stuart Love, and, as Martin Costello unwisely backed off at the edge of the box, the ball was slipped behind Dave Browne for a straightforward goal.
Spartak pressed on with determination, if somewhat raggedly due to over carrying, but were rewarded when Breen’s flick on from Browne’s throw was tucked home by Seamus McCahill for a deserved equaliser.
Form Report
Peter O’Toole 7 Dave O’Kelly 6 Fintan Grace 6 Martin Costello 6 Paul Kinsella 7 Stuart Love 5 Niall Hanratty 6 Glen Burke 5 Niall Tilly 5 Graham Breen 6 Seamus McCahill 7
Subs : Mark Bolger 5 Dan O’Connell 6 Dave Browne 5 Rob Deering 5
Rathfarnham Punters 4, Spartak 1
Spartak conceded two goals from corners and one from a throw in a disappointing display against a strong Punters side comprising of many of their Sunday Premier players.
Spartak suffered a number of knocks with Neill Bolger, Tom O’Driscoll, Kevin Mannion and Cathal Clancy all being withdrawn during the match to join the injured list which already includes Ross Kelly, Shane McInerney, Jason Northey, Robbie Hayes and Mick Costello, while Nick Kelly’s calf injury did not survive the warm up. Derek McGoldrick, so often unfortunate with injuries, survived with no worse than some nettle stings incurred during a sliding tackle.
There were positives to the display with an excellent outing from Niall Hanratty and Kevin Mannion showing composure and some good touches. Mick Greene, deputising in goal, did not let the side down and pulled off a coule of good saves as well as showing good distribution, and Fintan Grace was his usual solid self. Rob Deering got the goal and showed some nice touches on the ball when time allowed, but was too often hustled out of it in close combat.
Form Report
Mick Greene 7; Niall Hanratty 9 Derek McGoldrick 7 Cathal Clancy 6 Fintan Grace 7 Rob Flanagan 5 Neill Bolger 6 Kevin Mannion 7 Jose Vargas 5 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Rob Deering 5 Ryan Burke 5 Dillon Burke 5 Chris Hogan 5 Mike Hull 5 Aaron Ormerod 5
