Spartak Dynamo FC

23.2.13
Spartak 4, Broadford 0

An impressive performance by the Sky Blues in blizzard conditions in Marlay, with the pitch entirely snow covered by the game’s end.

An indifferent start to the match saw both sides cancel each other out, with few chances. Broadford had the first, when Shane McInerney ceded possession close to his own goal and the visitors resulting shot hit the side net. Shane then was yellow carded shortly afterwards for expressing his views to the referee.

Anto Doyle and Dermot Dooley combined to force a corner which was fruitless. On 22 minutes a 35 yard shot from Sean Doyle changed the course of the game. He gathered the ball from a throw in and, with the keeper off his line, fired home a superb goal.

Spartak now had a spring in their step and looked a great deal more dangerous, while Broadford strove to recover from the blow of going a goal behind. Anto Doyle’s throw was headed against the post by Dermot Dooley, and then a fine ball by Cathal Clancy gave Paul Byrne the chance to cross, but it was beyond any support and went across goal.

Persistence paid off for goal number two, on 44 minutes, with Paul Byrne and Anto Doyle doing the donkey work to give Dermot Dooley a chance; he was hauled down by the visitors number 5 and Fintan Grace displayed his usual calm in dispatching the spot kick.

At the start of the second half Broadford were given an opportunity to get back in the game when David Marlow was adjudged to have carried the ball outside the box; fortunately for Spartak, the free was struck just past the post.

A Paul Byrne flick gave Martin Costello a chance but the keeper got a touch to his effort, however the ref gave a goal kick; Paul Byrne then had a shot wide before he played in substitute Glen Burke to score expertly with his first touch on 62 minutes and effectively kill off the game as a contest. As Broadford pressed on, Martin Costello dispossessed the keeper but shot wide of the empty goal from an angle.

Lee Malone and Martin Costello then combined to give Cathal Clancy a glorious opportunity but his header was wide.

In the final minute a burst by Paul Byrne was blocked by the keeper, with the ball running loose in the box to the supporting Shane McInerney running in on the open goal. Having carefully considered all options, Shane finally walked the ball in for number 4 to administer the coup de grace.

One of the Sky Blues better performances , showing a greater will to battle in tough weather conditions, with a clean sheet and a four goals to improve the goal difference.

Form Report:
David Marlow 8 Chris Hogan 8 Fintan Grace 8 Sean Doyle 8 Cathal Clancy 8 Shane McInerney 8 Steve O’Hara 8 Martin Costello 8 Dermot Dooley 8 Anto Doyle 8 Paul Byrne 9
Subs Glen Burke 7 Lee Malone 7 Joe Roe Conor Callis

17.2.13
Spartak 2, Knockmitten 0

The fact that the match was played at all was a surprise, given the battering the pitch took in the titanic cup battle with Blessington the week before; the short dry spell ensured the pitch was playable, but bumpy.

Neil McGowan missed the game as daughter Juliana arrived at kick off time, and with Niall Hanratty otherwise engaged, Paul Kinsella took the captain’s armband while Seamus McCahill and Thom O’Driscoll returned to the line up. In Thom’s case it was a first start in almost a year due to a frustrating and persistent injury.

Jason Northey was called into action in the first minute almost before the Spartak defence noticed the game had started.

Steve Walsh was finding space on the right, and got the ball past the keeper but the defender cleared; Steve then fluffed his lines after being set up by Dave Thomson and Alan Farrington. A nice move between Walsh and Conor Maguire saw Thom O’Driscoll lose out to a defender in contesting the cross, but on 14 minutes the Sky Blues took a deserved lead when Alan Farrington neatly cushioned a flick on into Steve Walsh’s path and he drilled in from 18 yards.

Some sloppy work at the back saw Steve Grier dispossessed but luckily Seamus McCahill was on hand to dig him out of trouble.

Dave Thomson had a couple of good headed efforts, one just wide, and the other off the crossbar, from set pieces before Thom O’Driscoll celebrated his return by forcing home from close range on 26 minutes after a Seamus McCahill flick on.

Knockmitten then tried an audacious long range effort which Jason Northey pushed over the bar.

The second half was scoreless, with Paul Kinsella’s neat header from Steve Walsh’s pass chalked off for offside. Generally there were few chances, with the conditions mitigating against both sides. Despite some sloppy defending on both sides, the score remained at 2-0.

A welcome three points with 11 matches played, which brings the Sky Blues up to fifth place, having been bottom of the table after losing the first three games.

Form Report (Barry’s this time)
Jason Northey 7 Paul Kinsella 5 Aodhan McCahill 7 Steve Grier 6 Dave Browne 6 Alan Farrington 6 Seamus McCahill 6 Thom O’Driscoll 6 Dave Thomson 7 Conor Maguire 6 Steve Walsh 7
Subs : Ken Buckley 6

16.2.13
Leicester Celtic 2, Spartak 0

The Sky Blues recent good run came to a shuddering end on Saturday. Some poor approach play in the final third, particularly in a one side first half, proved costly to the Sky Blues. Leicester took the lead with virtually their first chance on 44 minutes, negating all that had gone before.

Spartak will reflect on a first half when they lacked the ruthlessness to kill off opponents who were on the ropes. Too many tentative final passes; poor quality crosses; and not enough runners from midfield in support of the front men. In short, too little ambition, and too many players not willing to step outside their comfort zone.

Spartak opened brightly, and Leicester had to defend furiously as Paul Byrne had an effort blocked on the line, Shane McInerney was also thwarted at the expense of a corner, Dermot Dooley forced a save and Martin Costello tried to find Paul Byrne when a shot seemed on.

Cathal Clancy at the back made a couple of errors, with Shane McInerney there to tidy up on one occasion while Leicester crossed harmlessly on the other.

Fintan Grace’s through ball put Conor Callis racing clear and cutting in from the left; however his side footed effort on goal was disappointingly tame.

Chris Hogan had a few opportunities to cross, but his best effort found the top of the net – on the wrong side. Pressure from Dermot Dooley and Paul Byrne saw the latter caught by a defender in the box; but the ref did not award what seemed a solid penalty shout

The Leicester goal came from a crisp finish when the Sky Blue defence switched off completely.

In the second period, Spartak showed a slightly greater sense of urgency, although now the home side had something to defend, and set themselves accordingly. Anto Doyle and Chris Hogan combined to put Paul Byrne through, but the home keeper was quick off his line and saved well. Sean Doyle teed up Stephen Barr for a shot which whizzed just wide with the keeper well beaten, and Sean Doyle’s header from Chris Hogan’s cross was too close to the keeper. There was another good penalty claim when Paul Byrne was tackled in the act of shooting; the defender got none of the ball, but knocked Paul off balance. No luck this time either.

Leicester were not without chances in the second period, mostly caused by basic defensive lapses.

Leicester went down to ten men towards the end, but it was Spartak who conceded on 88 minutes, when a Mick Costello goal kick was returned into acres of space between defence and keeper, and the forward ran in to clip past the advancing Spartak custodian to put the cap on a frustrating afternoon.

Form Report
Mick Costello 6 Chris Hogan 4 Fintan Grace 5 Sean Doyle 6 Cathal Clancy 4 Shane McInerney 4 Anto Doyle 4 Conor Callis 4 Dermot Dooley 5 Paul Byrne 5 Martin Costello 4
Subs Stephen Barr 6 Steve O’Hara 5 Niall Lennon 5

9.2.13
Spartak 3, Cloghertown 2

The visitors, lying third in the table before the game, arrived late and Spartak took full advantage of their laxity by starting like the proverbial house on fire, creating numerous early chances. Dermot Dooley and Paul Byrne combined to give Martin Costello a clear chance, but his shot was saved; moments later an Anto Doyle throw was flicked on but Martin lifted his effort over the bar. Another Doyle throw travelled across the box to give Conor Callis an opportunity, but he drilled his shot too close to the keeper, who blocked. Martin Costello then broke as the visiors defence erred, but his touch was a tad heavy and the keeper gathered. A couple of good crossing opportunities were missed by Chris Hogan on the overlap as Spartak pressed.

When Spartak finally scored (and this was only the 12th minute!) a free kick by Sean Doyle made the keeper look the favourite but Paul Byrne proved the braver and got the vital touch.

Some poor defending from a throw in gave the visitors a soft equaliser against the run of play on 18 minutes, and a mix up between Fintan Grace and stand in keeper Mick Costello almost proved costly. Cloghertown also had a fine header just wide.

At the other end a Sean Doyle free again presented an opportunity, this time to Cathal Clancy, but he failed to direct the ball on target. Then a great Conor Callis run and cross presented Martin Costello with his best chance so far, but his effort lacked power and the keeper gathered his shot.

The second half was no more than a couple of minutes old when a sweeping move gave the visiting forward a clear run on goal and he made no mistake. 1-2.

Stung by this unexpected reverse, Spartak had a few good efforts; Fintan Grace’s effort was smothered, Paul Byrne saw his shot saved, and Sean Doyle fired a free just over.

The introduction of Niall Lennon and Niall Hanratty on 67 minutes gave the Sky Blues renewed energy and proved decisive. Hano’s first touch, running on to a sublime Sean Doyle pass, forced in the equaliser. Sean Doyle’s free then gave Martin Costello a heading opportunity at the back post, but he nodded just wide.

Conor Callis was sent away on the left by Niall Lennon, and cutting back onto his right foot fired just wide of the far post as Niall screamed for a return on the edge of the box. Another Callis run on 78 minutes saw him tumbled in the box and the imperturbable Fintan Grace slotted home from 12 yards via the post for the winning score. In the aftermath of the kick, the visiting keeper capped a bad day by getting a red card.

The 10 men of Cloghertown made a decent fist of trying to equalise, and forced a few corners; also a mix up in the home defence saw Cathal Clancy back pass to Mick Costello from close range to concede a free in the box.

But Spartak were not to be denied their comeback win.

Form Report
Mick Costello 7 Chris Hogan 6 Sean Doyle 8 Fintan Grace 6 Cathal Clancy 6 Shane McInerney 6 Anto Doyle 6 Conor Callis 7 Dermot Dooley 6 Paul Byrne 7 Martin Costello 6 Niall Hanratty 7 Niall Lennon 7 Ross Kelly 5

2.2.13
Spartak Div 3 7, Spartak over 35s 2

With bad weather halting league games for yet another weekend, a two hour work out on the astro proved a test too extreme for the older Spartak players, who nevertheless gave a strong performance until the energy ran out. A regulation game would have meant a closer contest. However the game gave many players on both sides a chance to brush up on fitness.

Initially played at a pace more suited to the Father Ted Over 75s, some players took it into their hands to step up the tempo. Conor Callis was bright and sharp on the right, scored and assisted, and is showing clear signs of improvement; when his decision making matches his skill he will be a player to watch.

Paul Thormley for the seniors displayed good hold up skills and scored a memorable goal, embarrassing David Marlow in the process with a 40 yard effort. David later redeemed himself somewhat with a good save from Paul Burke’s close range effort. Ken Byrne, in his first game for months, showed glimpses of his old (should that be young?) self and Dave Whelan took his goal well after a Keith Kelly and Lee Malone mix up.
Stephen Barr scored a fine volley from outside the box to restore a lead at 2-1.

Paul Byrne, in a deeper role, joined up the dots effectively with clever intercepts and accurate passing.

Some of the scores were soft or embarrassing – we won’t name the culprits here.

Overall a good day.

Form Report
Div 3: David Marlow 6 Chris Hogan 6 Fintan Grace 6 Lee Malone 6 Sean Doyle 6 Martin Costello 6 Stephen Barr 6 Conor Callis 7 Paul Byrne 8 Ross Kelly 6 Thom O’Driscoll 6 Keith Kelly 6 Joe Roe 6 Niall Lennon 6 Mick Greene 6

Over 35s
Jimmy Browne 6 Tony Kavanagh 7 Greg Callan 6 Paul McGrath 7 Dave Mohan 6 Brian Farrelly 6 Tom Maher 6 Paul Thormley 8 Ken Byrne 7 Bernard McGuiness 6 Dave Whelan 6 Graham Johnston 7 Leon David 6 Paddy Hughes 7 Shea McClafferty 6 Paul Burke 6

In a rain interrupted season so far only a few players have played 10 or more games

Conor Maguire, Neil McGowan, Steve Walsh, Leon David, Paul McGrath, Tom Maher, Seamus McCahill , Aodhan McCahill and Niall Hanratty have all reached double figures.

On goals scored Conor Maguire leads on 7, with Graham McEnroe on 6. As Graham is now London based he is unlikely to add to this total, leaving Neil McGowan and Brendan Mooney, both on 4, as next best.

Full details on site.

5.1.13
Spartak 3, Booterstown 1

The first outing of the year saw Spartak win comfortably despite some profligate finishing. Good approach play was generally not matched by the end product and quite a few players were notable for some glaring misses.

The Sky Blues opened on a hot streak and an early trio of goals saw them stamp their superiority. Conor Callis with two and an og when Ross Kelly’s cross was turned in by a defender.

Moves were generally slick and fluent, with the defence having little to do until the concession of a penalty late on by Sean Doyle.

A useful exercise in blowing away the Christmas cobwebs.

Form Report; David Marlow 6 Chris Hogan 5 Conor Canavan 6 Fintan Grace 6 Sean Doyle 7 Steve OHara 7 Neill Bolger 5 Conor Callis 7 Dermot Dooley 7 Ross Kelly 5 Paul Byrne 7 Lee Dunne 6 Martin Costello 5 John McCluskey 5 Graham Breen 5

13.1.13
Spartak 3, Larkview 1

There are not many games where both centre backs get on the scoresheet, but Messrs Grier and McCahill both featured, Steve with his first of the season, and Seamus with his first for many years on a frosty morning in Marlay. The visitors continually harangued the ref, and received numerous yellow cards, finally getting a red with ten minutes left. The Sky Blues were restrained in contrast.

Spartak took the lead on 10 minutes, when Steve Grier’s throw in was cleared back to him on the right. Stepping inside a defender he fired to the far corner with his left foot. 1-0.

A good break saw Neil McGowan and Conor Maguire combine to give Aodhan McCahill, racing forward from left back, a chance, but the baby of the team fired straight at the keeper.

Larkview equalised from a break after a Neil McGowan pass went astray; the defence was caught square and although Jason Northey raced out, blocked and forced the striker wide, his defensive colleagues did not have the presence of mind to cover the goal.

Conor Maguire struck the bar with a decent effort and a Steve Walsh free whistled past the post while Paul Kinsella and Neil McGowan combined to put in Niall Hanratty but he dragged his shot wide. Conor Maguire was having no luck with set pieces and fired some poor deliveries which were easily blocked.

On 40 minutes the Sky Blues regained the lead; mistakes in the visiting defence gave Neil McGowan a chance to lob the keeper from 30 yards; but his effort, miscued, turned into a perfect pass for Conor Maguire who fired home.

The visitors began the second half in determined mood; however they were thwarted both by Jason Northey’s good saves, sterling defensive work, and their own limitations.

On the hour Spartak added a goal. Neil McGowan’s corner saw Conor Maguire’s shot blocked. The ball fell to Seamus McCahill six yards out and he fired home for his first goal since records began! Or April 2011 to be precise.

That was more or less that and the home side kept their shape and discipline to see out the result.

Form Report
Jason Northey 8 Paul Kinsella 7 Aodhan McCahill 7 Steve Grier 8 Seamus McCahill 7 Derek Ruxton 7 Neil McGowan 7 Niall Hanratty 6 Dave Thomson 7 Conor Maguire 7 Steve Walsh 7
Subs: Stuart Love 6 Thom O’Driscoll 6

12.1.13
Spartak 2, Esker 1.

A scrappy match on a brisk January day saw the Sky Blues maintain their recent winning form, although the performance was not of the top quality.

Early on Esker could have been out of sight; they took the lead on just 2 minutes amid midfield laxity and defensive chaos, and almost doubled the lead a minute later when they clipped the bar.

Spartak’s first attack saw a corner by John McCluskey pulled back to Shane McInerney on the edge of the box, but his shot was high. Paul Byrne then robbed a defender and put McCluskey through, but he shot too early and wide.

Cathal Clancy had a few eventful moments; a great run onto a Sean Doyle free gave him a free header, but the connection was more shoulder than head, and went over. Then in a comical mix up with David Marlow, Cathal caused panic in the home rearguard, but the danger was averted.

Dermot Dooley swept home following a corner to equalise on 25 minutes and Conor Callis eschewed a few good crossing opportunities as Spartak found something approaching their rythm, although struggled in midfield throughout, with Anto Doyle exhibiting a predilection for finding touch more regularly associated with Ronan O’Gara.

Paul Byrne put in some fine work to let John McCluskey in from the right but he shot over. Then the decisive moment oddly, had its origins in Conor Canavan’s sliced clearance which conceded a corner. From the corner David Marlow gathered the ball and his long kick was headed by Paul Byrne to the wing; Sean Doyle had to battle to win the ball and gave a fine pass to Paul, who scored at the second attempt. An excellent breakaway goal.

Spartak battled it out to the end, and the main scare when Conor Canavan, thinking he heard a whistle, caught the ball just outside the box. The free kick was wasted and the three points were safe.

Form Report
David Marlow 6 Sean Doyle 7 Conor Canavan 5 Fintan Grace 6 Cathal Clancy 6 Shane McInerney 6 Anto Doyle 6 Conor Callis 5 Dermot Dooley 7 Paul Byrne 8 John Mcluskey 6
Subs Steve O’Hara 6 Mick Costello 6 Stepen Barr 6 Chris Hogan Martin Costello Lee Dunne

2.12.12
Spartak 3, Dundrum 0

A fine team performance on a cold and damp morning in Marlay with much to admire – apart from the time keeping!

Goals from Neil McGowan, Niall Hanratty and Steve Walsh sent Dundrum, who were in third place at kick off, home empty handed.

Some neat approach play by Dave Thomson, Aodhan McCahill and Steve Walsh gave Neil McGowan the chance to open the scoring with his right footed shot from 20 yards just too high for the keeper.

Spartak played some bright football in a tight contest and created chances for Steve Walsh, who saw his free saved, and Dave Thomson, who fired over.

More than anything, this game was a triumph for hard work and while Derek Ruxton epitomised the work ethic, his midfield colleagues toiled alongside to great effect. Dave Thomson had a fine outing while Niall Hanratty came strongly into the picture as the game wore on. The guile of Steve Walsh and Neil McGowan provided excellent support for frontman Conor Maguire, who did not score but nonetheless had one of his best days in Sky Blue.

After the interval a lapse in concentration by Dave Browne allowed the forward in, but he fired straight into the grateful arms of Steve Grier, deputising capably in goal. Dundrum began to press but could not find the final touch and Spartak were restricted to break outs.

Aodhan McCahill was continually capable of playing the out ball to relieve defensive pressure while big brother Seamus marshalled the defence and provided good distribution. Paul Kinsella was tigerish as he returns to form and fitness while Dave Browne won many head to head battles.

On the hour mark a throw in by Paul Kinsella was neatly controlled on his chest by Conor Maguire with his back to goal; he squeezed a pass through the crowded area where Niall Hanratty pounced gleefully to slot the ball into the corner. 2-0.

In the last minute a fine run by Conor Maguire and pass by Neil McGowan saw Steve Walsh finish insouciantly from the edge of the box to cap a fine morning’s work.

A highly satisfying team performance.

Form Report
Grier 7 Kinsella 7 A McCahill 8 S McCahill 8 Browne 7 Ruxton 8 McGowan 8 Thomson 7 Hanratty 7 Maguire 9 Walsh 8 O’Keeffe