Spartak Dynamo FC

8.12.12
Castle Park 2, Spartak 2

A blistering opening spell by wide man Conor Callis saw Spartak take the initiative against the Sat Div 3 leaders. After only 4 minutes a run and cross by Conor led to the first goal, with Byrne scoring from the edge of the box. Spartak continued to press and Cathal Clancy went close with a header which was blocked.

The game was not well controlled by the ref and this led to a spate of yellow cards for both sides. Some players on both sides were lucky to escape harsher censure.

Spartak’s right flank of Chris Hogan and Anto Doyle were struggling against their direct opponents and Castle’s equaliser came from a cross from the other side which Chris looked well placed to head clear; but he missed his header and a Castle player finished. 1-1.

Anto Doyle was then caught in possession but the forward shot over, while at the other end Stephen Barr put Dermot Dooley in from the left, but Dermot, not trusting his left foot shot into the side net with his right. Marlow saved well when confronted with a batch of forwards meeting a low cross; there was more than a hint of offside.

John McCluskey replaced the injured Conor Callis at half time and put in a display that defied the years, not to mention the heart and knee operations.

The Sky Blues then had their best attacking spell ; Shane McInerney finished neatly on 59 minutes after running on to a Byrne flick on before a great Byrne run saw sub Jeff Gamble have a great opportunity, but he shot weakly. Barr was next, coming in from the left, but again reluctance to use the “swinger” let him down.

The Castle goalie then presented Byrne with a the ball however the shot was too close and the keeper saved. Cathal Clancy then volleyed over from a corner.

The Spartak defence worked hard, ably supported by a hard running midfield; although Fintan Grace was reluctant to be too cruel to the ball with his clearances on occasion!

With 13 minutes left, and Spartak looking comfortable, the unfortunate Chris Hogan handled in the box to give Castle the equaliser from the penalty spot. Castle up to then had not threatened much in the second period but they mustered one late attack which saw the shot whizz just wide.

One of Spartak’s better performances despite conceding two soft goals.

Form Report
Marlow 7 Hogan 5 Doyle 7 Grace 7 Clancy 8 McInerney 7 A Doyle 5 Callis 8 Dooley 7 Byrne 8 Barr 7 McCluskey 7 O’Hara 6 Gamble 5 Kelly Canavan

1.12.12
Spartak 1, Liffey Valley 4

This was a game in which the Sky Blues should have been out of sight after overpowering the visitors for almost the entire first half.

After a fine first half, the Sky Blues could only look at the quality of finishing to ascertain why hey were not several goals ahead. A succession of corners, crosses and throw ins led to numerous chances. Byrne, Callis, Barr and Costello all fired wide or over from good positions. Byrne had a goal disallowed, somewhat unluckily. The most glaring miss came from Barr, who knocked over an open goal from just a yard or two out.

Spartak continued to press in the second period but were caught stretched when over committing to a corner and Liffey equalised.

This gave the visitors renewed hope and spirit and as Spartak continued to recklessly press high up the pitch and with 12 minutes remaining Cathal Clancy was isolated and caught in possession; 1-2!

The game played out as Spartak heads went down and Liffey added two further breakaway goals to advance to the next round.

A game of two halves indeed, and Spartak must learn from the perils of playing a high line.

Form Report
Marlow 6 Hogan 5 S Doyle 6 Grace 5 Clancy 5 McInerney 6 A Doyle 5 Callis 5 Barr 6 Byrne 7 Costello 5
McCluskey 4 Malone 4 Roe 4

25.11.12
Spartak 2 Liffey Valley 5

The Sky Blues met more than their match against a strong Liffey Valley side who lost no time in taking an early lead on 5 minutes when a Dave Browne clearing header was volleyed in. Spartak attacked and had shots blocked by McGowan and Walsh.

But on 36 minutes the visitors added number 2 and then almost immediately Aodhan McCahill conceded a penalty; however Jason Northey came to the rescue with a save.

Things went from bad to worse however and Liffey soon added to their total to lead 5-0; a humiliation was on the cards but some consolation was gained when Conor Maguire dispossessed a defender to go through and score, and then Derek Ruxton scored with a fine header from Steve Walsh’s corner.

A dismal display defensively.

Form Report
Northey 6 Kinsella 6 A McCahill 7 Browne 5 Kenny 6 Ruxton 8 McGowan 6 S McCahill 5 Hanratty 5 Maguire 6 Walsh 6 O’Driscoll 5

24.11.12
Castleknock Celtic u-19s 1, Spartak 3

A satisfying performance in progressing in the Leinster Junior Shield as goals by Dooley, Byrne and Barr saw off the local youngsters.

An early burst saw Spartak on top with McInerney and Doyle bossing the middle and Dooley running strongly in support of lone front runner Byrne, who was effective throughout. Dooley stooped to nod the Sky Blues into the lead following Mick Costello’s flick on.

Then Spartak made the fatal mistake of relaxing and dropping the tempo which allowed the locals to assert themselves. The home left winger began to give Chris Hogan a tough time and an equaliser came from that source before the break.

For much of the second half the game was even and the locals voiced the opinion that they would be in better shape for extra time; however substitute John McCluskey had a snap shot, which caught the keeper off his line. The keeper made a hames of his attempted catch and Barr had a simple task to put Spartak ahead. Byrne added a deserved goal to seal the victory.

From Report: Doyle 7 Hogan 5 Canavan 6 Grace 6 Clancy 7 McInerney 7 A Doyle 7 Gamble 7 Dooley 8 Byrne 8 Costello 5
McCluskey 6 Barr 6 Malone 6

In the annual post Christmas games, the married men came out winners for the first time in many years against the singles. The spirit of seasonal giving was in evidence with the single mens defence repeatedly gifting passes to the married attackers, with John McCluskey and Neil McGowan scoring almost at will and racing into a four goal half time lead. Resistance from the single men was weak generally despite a fine save by Shane McInerney while the late arrival of Paul Kinsella steadied the ship somewhat.

The married men then played deep in the second half (Dave Mohan at centre half was almost on the tennis court behind the goal) and the single men staged a mini comeback, scoring twice from the spot with Coffey junior scoring a cracking goal. However Mark Byrne and Shea McClafferty added goals for the hen pecked to clinch the win.

Paul Kinsella then led the Drunks to an ignominious double figure defeat against the Sober Skunks in the second game, and got injured in the process to add injury to insult, with Dave Mohan’s sober men victorious including Stuart Love who was celebrating the arrival of son Jake and showing no ill effects from the ordeal.

Seamus McCahill patrolled the Drunks midfield like a much more relaxed Dimitar Berbatov while Tony Kavanagh was left regretting the failure of his earlier attempt to infiltrate the sober team.

Christmas games on 27th and 29th in columbas. Both at two o clock.
On 27th the annual titanic contest between the free and single and a thumb pressure selection.
Drunks v Skunks takes place on 29th.

The annual Christmas raffle took place in the Eden on 22nd Dec.

Thanks to those who donated prizes especially Fintan Grace, Derek Ruxton, Derek Keane, Ross Kelly,Neill Bolger, Mick Greene, Tony Kavanagh and Shane McInerney.

Most of the hard work on the night was done by Derek Keane, assisted by Dermot Dooley and Anto Doyle for ticket sales. Good work lads.

Big sellers of tickets were Tony Kavanagh, Neill Bolger, Jason Doyle, Derek Keane, Fintan Grace who all sold well above their quota. Well done.

Thanks and well done to all who sold tickets, and to those who didn’t – shame on you!

Results:

Signed Ireland Jersey – B Coghlan
Luxury Hamper – Barry Crowe
Drinks Hamper – Mary c/o Eden
€100 Voucher – Michael Healy
Wine Hamper – Tony Harris
Festive Hamper Michael Hogan
Meat Voucher – Gerry Keane
Vodka – Peter Brennan
Wine – Donal Breen
Wine – Fiona McCarthy

Thanks to all those who have already returned tickets and cash – Tony Kavanagh especially made a big effort with €120 worth of tickets sold.

To those who have not yet done so – if you could drop them in ahead of Saturday that would be a big help. As a last resort bring them Saturday.

We are in need of donations re hampers so let me know if you are in a position to help. Thanks to Mick Greene who was first in on this score.

Again, Thanks to all.

Details of Physio used recently and recommended by Thom O’Driscoll

We would like to offer all club members a consultation rate of €40 (Normally €60 per session)
Get in touch now! See our contact details below.
Kevin Sheerin BSc, MISCP, MCSP 087-27-27-287 kevinsheerin2@gmail.com
If you are interested in seeing the facilities at the clinic, please visit:
www.facebook.com/sheerinphysiotherapyclinic

Saturday 22nd Dec is the date for the Christmas night out, when we will also be staging our annual raffle. Should be a good night and some may venture into town later.

Please bring tickets and cash to friendly Sunday or to Kilians Tuesday for the first of he Christmas Matches.