Spartak Dynamo FC

The Sky Blues will be led out on Friday 24th May by captain Fintan Grace for a final against long time competition favourites Crumlin United under 19s, who have cruised through their league and this competition (so far). Despite their youth , Crumlin present formidable opposition.

The game is a 7.30 kick off in John Hyland Park Baldonnel, home of St Francis FC. Looks like being a gala occasion at a fine ground.

Directions:
From M50 take Red Cow exit and proceed past Newlands Cross
Take exit 2 for Baldonnel, turn right over the bridge at the top of the ramp
Straight through the first roundabout, take a left at the second roundabout, and John Hyland Park is 300 yards on the left.

7.4.13
Jobstown 2 Spartak 1

Basic defensive errors proved the undoing of the Sky Blues in this fixture. Having taken the lead when Derek Ruxton’s shot went in with the aid of a deflection after good work by Conor Maguire, and Stephen Walsh lobbing over when he looked odds on to score, the good work was undone by poor defensive organisation.

Keith Kelly fired in a free which Seamus McCahill had gone forward; the other defenders, Dave Browne and Aodhan McCahill had the job of covering one forward. Keith’s free was cleared and Aodhan’s attempted header only improved the position for the Jobstown striker who ran fifty yards, easily outpacing Dave Browne, to clip neatly over the advancing Jason Northey; earlier Jason had saved well when Dave Browne missed his clearance and Jason had to be on his toes as his back four were sloppy at times.

Jobstown enjoyed plenty of possession but clear chances were few and far between.

The winning goal arrived from a corner when Lee Malone’s man evaded him to power in a header.

A last minute corner by Alan Farrington was touched on to the bar by the home keeper and Neil McGowan was unable to apply the finishing touch from an acute angle.

There were positives from the game in the continuing return from injury of Thom and Keith; but a workmanlike performance was spoiled by basic, and very avoidable, defensive errors.

Form Report
Jason Northey 8 Keith Kelly 6 Aodhan McCahill 5 Seamus McCahill 5 Dave Browne 4 Derek Ruxton 5 Neil McGowan 6 Niall Hanratty 5 Alan Farrington 5 Conor Maguire 6 Stephen Walsh 5
Thom O’Driscoll 5 Lee Malone 5

6.4.13
Leinster Shield Quarter Final
Spartak 3, St Pats Ath u-19 2

Spartak began shakily and were quickly two goals down. Players seemed overawed by the occasion and forgot to perform the basics. Indeed a fluent St Pats could have been more than two ahead as they were creating all the running with the Sky Blues unable to intervene. The first half hour of this game was strewn with unforced errors by the men in Sky Blue who were taking all the wrong options.

The outlook seemed bleak for the home side until a magical burst of two goals in the 41st and 43rd minutes in what were Spartak’s first two attacks. Chris Hogan’s throw in gave Stephen Barr the option to play it back to him; instead Stephen made a dart for the bye line and pulled the ball back for Martin Costello to finish from close range. Just over a minute later Martin won the ball in mid field and prodded a through ball which Jeff Gable, hitherto very subdued, raced on to and coolly slotted past the advancing keeper.

This rocked the visitors and Spartak began the second half in something approaching form. Normal service was resumed with a great deal more concentration being brought to bear on the game. The winning goal arrived on the hour mark when Shane McInerney found Conor Callis on the left; Conor’s cross was deflected into the path of Jeff Gamble and Jeff’s left footed first time finish gave the keeper no chance and was worthy of winning the game.

The Spartak back four then found renewed confidence and battled to keep a wave of Pat’s attacks at bay. At the other end Stephen Barr might have scored with a headed effort .

Always a great result when coming back from two down to win.

Form Report
David Marlow 6 Chris Hogan 6 Fintan Grace 6 Sean Doyle 6 Cathal Clancy 7 Shane McInerney 6 Dermot Dooley 5 Jeff Gamble 7 Martin Costello 7 Stephen Barr 6 Conor Callis 6 Anthony Doyle 5 Mick Costello 5 Steve O Hara 5 Joe Roe Ross Kelly

21.4.13
Spartak 1 Blessington 2

The league leaders, in pole position for the title, met a Spartak side who gave them a fright in their quest for honours with a decent performance.

The visitors took the lead on 10 minutes and added number two from a free kick which deceived Jason Northey after 26 minutes.

Although Dave Browne had a header saved in between the goals, for a while it looked as if Bblessington would add considerably to their scoreline but , thanks to increased efforts by the Sky Blues, that did not happen.

Derek Ruxton fired over after a move involving Dave Browne and Conor Maguire.

In teh second half Blessington concentrated on protectin their two goal advantage, with Spartak having the better chances. Conor Maguire fired wide and then when Keith Kelly’s free was fumbled Derek Ruxton shot over.

On 66 minutes after a short free Coor Maguire’s effort came back off the post and Seamus McCahill knocked in to reduce arrears.

However Blessington dug in with the game becoming feisty and the Sky Blues could not find what would have been a deserved equaliser.

Form Report –
Jason Northey 5 Niall Hanratty 7 Dave Browne 7 Seamus McCahill 7 Keith Kelly 7 Derek Ruxton 7 Neil McGowan 7 Steve Walsh 7 Conor Maguire 7 Thom O’Driscoll 6 Ken Buckley 6

Well known referee Jimmy Hollowed passed away suddenly this week. There will be a minute’s silence before all LSL games this weekend.

Jimmy was a character and a gentleman who regularly refereed Spartak matches, and was famous for talking his way through games.

He will be missed.

RIP.

Training Tues 2nd and Thurs 4th April in St Enda’s

Games v St Pats Ath U-19s – L J Shield Q.F – Sat in Marlay
v Jobstown Sun away
v AIB Monday – Marlay
v Beechwood – Tuesday – Marlay- now Tuesday 16th

Over 35s away to Fassaugh Sat and home to Terenure (Wed)

Reminder that the quiz takes place in Firhouse Community centre this Thursday 21st March.

Make up a team, or if you are Johnny No Mates we will find a team for you on the night!

The 2013 AGM takes place in the Eden on Wed 20th March at 9pm.

Agenda

– Minutes of 2012 AGM
– Chairman’s report
– Financial Report
– Elections
– Any Other Business

Members who paid annual subscriptions before 31/12/12 are eligible to attend and vote.

Any members who wish to submit amendments/motions may do so, in writing, to the Secretary not later than 3 days prior to the meeting.

3.3.13
Virginia Celtic 0, Spartak 3

Spartak advanced to the 6th round of the Leinster Junior Shield with a clear win over a sporting Virginia side in Carlanstown.

The trip outside the capital proved a testing one for the Sky Blues, some of whom are geographically challenged, with many of the players wandering the back roads of Meath for some time before eventually stumbling on the venue. One piece of good luck from the sojourn is that Cathal Clancy has now been engaged by Bord Failte to write a tourist guide to Carlanstown!

The key to the win was a well marshalled Sky Blue back four, which restricted the locals to few chances, despite Virginia enjoying most of the possession.

Spartak got a tonic start when the home team made an awful hames of dealing with a long ball from Sean Doyle after just two minutes, and Stephen Barr was able to poke the ball in after hesitancy from the centre back and keeper.

The home side had a chance when a Cathal Clancy miskick conceded a corner, but Chris “Tubes” Hogan headed the ensuing header off the line with David Marlow beaten. Cathal Clancy was having a torrid time when an error allowed a chance for the locals but they denied by a very tight offside call. Cathal then vented his frustration in a tackle which brought a yellow card.

Stephen Barr drove a free into the wall after Dermot Dooley was fouled. at the other end Chris Hogan made a good block before almost undoing the good work with a poor pass which gave Shane McInerney no chance; the ball was switched to the local number 8 who might have done better than firing wide from a good position.

The Sky Blues were tussling well for possession but found it difficult to get passing moves together, with hard won possession too readily frittered away thoughout the first half.

Having started the first half on the best possible note, the feat was repeated on 48 minutes when Spartak delivered another sucker punch to the locals after Dermot Dooley was again fouled. This time Sean Doyle picked out Stephen Barr, running free from his marker, and who headed powerfully to the net.

Virginia almost found a way back into the game after David Marlow took umbrage to a challenge by retaliating; it might have been a dismissal and a penalty, but the ref satisfied himself with a lecture and a yellow card.
The home side then had an indirect free ten yards out courtesy of the Spartak keeper, but failed to capitalise.

The home side had no option but to chase the game but were caught on the break when a Glen Burke cross was finished by Martin Costello on 71 minutes. There was still time for Stephen Barr to miss two good chances to add to the total, but he was leg weary and lobbed one over and chipped the second effort wide.

A clean sheet and a three goal margin represented a satisfactory day’s work, especially as the overall performance was not the most fluent.

Form Report
David Marlow 6 Chris Hogan 7 Fintan Grace 7 Sean Doyle 8 Cathal Clancy 6 Shane McInerney 6 Anto Doyle 5 Steve O’Hara 6 Dermot Dooley 6 Stephen Barr 7 Martin Costello 6 Glen Burke 6 Niall Lennon 5 Mick Costello 5 Lee Malone Jeff Gamble

24.2.13
Seafordrock 6, Spartak 4

A game Spartak should have had wrapped up turned against them with a key dismissal in the 46th minute.

With Steve Grier able to play only after the expert ministrations of Niall Tilly, and Messrs Thomson, McGowan and Farrington missing for a variety of reasons, Spartak went down to only their second defeat in the last ten games against their higher ranked opponents in the Lummy O’Reilly Cup. With Marlay snow covered, the match was switched on the morning and both teams headed to Rockfield Park.

A superb attacking performance was ruined by the concession of goals which should have been easily avoidable.

It took just two minutes for the Sky Blues to take the lead, when Derek Ruxton turned a Dave Browne throw into the path of Steve Walsh, who scored at the second attempt. But the locals were level when a corner, struck low, evaded Thom O’Driscoll and Niall Hanratty to travel across goal and was finished via the crossbar despite Jason Northey getting a finger to the close range effort.

Steve Grier headed over from Niall Hanratty’s free and on 14 minutes Niall Hanratty scored via a deflection to restore the lead. Jason Northey took off a save which was strictly for the cameras as Seaford had a long range shot.

Spartak continued to look dangerous in attack with sweeping moves as Hanratty, McCahill and Ruxton worked well in the middle with Maguire and Walsh always dangerous and during this purple patch Steve Walsh might have added to his total on two occasions, forcing saves from the home keeper.

Some sloppy passing at the back by Dave Browne and Paul Kinsella saw Niall hanratty concede a free which flew wide.

On 43 minutes Spartak scored a magnificent goal to go 3-1 up. Derek Ruxton intercepted and then drilled a 40 yard pass to Conor Maguire, isolated on the left; Conor held it up well against superior odds, and then added the flourish by picking out Steve Walsh’s run through the middle. A neat finish by Steve completed a fine move.

Just before and after the break proved crucial; the home side reduced arrears when a looping shot beat Jason Northey after some untidy defensive work, but the real drama came in the first minute of the second half. A home attack was thwarted by a couple of saves by Northey; then a local forward fired towards goal. Paul Kinsella was covering the goal line and looked well placed to head clear; but for some inexplicable reason he became the villain of the piece when he raised his hands to save, resulting in a straight red card and a penalty. While Jason Northey got his hand to the spot kick, it was not enough to keep it out.

So from 3-1 up to 3-3 and a man down.

The Sky Blues regrouped and a glorious move by Conor Maguire and Seamus McCahill gave Steve Walsh a clear chance running in from the right, but his effort was wide. Then on 55 minutes Conor Maguire gave Spartak the lead again by drilling a free kick into the top corner.

Conor was then fouled in the box but the ref was not interested.

The goalfest continued on 75 minutes when Seafordrock equalised with a soft shot with Jason Northey unsighted. The ten men were showing signs, not surprisingly, of fatigue and at 4-4 would have settled for extra time. Not to be. On 85 minutes the striker accelerated past Dave Browne and clipped the ball past the advancing Northey; an attempted goal line clearance only resulted in an air shot. 4-5!

Spartak had no option but to press forward and the 6th goal to the home side saw Dave Browne fouled while attempting to clear, but the goal was allowed.

A bittersweet match which saw Spartak play some exhilarating football but in which they were undone by individual defensive errors.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Paul Kinsella 4 Aodhan McCahill 6 Steve Grier 7 Dave Browne 6 Derek Ruxton 8 Thom O’Driscoll 5 Seamus McCahill 7 Niall Hanratty 6 Conor Maguire 8 Steve Walsh 8
Subs: Ken Buckley