Spartak Dynamo FC

Meath Rangers 4, Spartak 4

Spartak won 4-2 on penalties

If Carlsberg did comebacks, they wouldn’t dream of scripting this many in one game.

An incredible cup semi final in which Spartak were never ahead until the shoot out. Two nil down at half time, 3-2 down with 5 minutes of extra time left, 4-3 down until the last kick of the game, and then behind in the shoot out. All part of a days work for this squad!

The first half was not a happy period for the baby blues. After two minutes,  a Meath forward rounded Peter OToole , who forced him wide, and shot against the frame of the goal. On 7 minutes, Glen Burke wandered infield and lost possession, the centre backs stood off to allow a shot and Spartak were one down.

Spartak had not woken up and Meath looked the likelier to add to their total.

Graham Breen put a header over from a corner and then Spartak finally put a move together with Graham McEnroe crossing for Graham Breen to slam against the post; Ger Byrne’s effort from the rebound was blocked. McEnroe then had a shot blocked by the advancing keeper.

On 36 minutes Spartak went two behnd when an overlap on the left evaded Burke and Anto Doyle and the cross was converted.

Just before half time Glen Burke had a big chance running in from the right but dragged his shot wide.

Possibly the game’s turning point came right on 45 minutes when a fine Meath move tore the Spartak defence apart but O’Toole made an astonishing save.

The solid defensive skills of Kevin O’Toole were sacrificed at half time in favour of the more attack minded Will O’Connell who added passing and energy to the mix. Spartak responded immediately and Breen’s header was just over. Meath were far from subdued and struck the woodwork again before, on 56 minutes, Burke volleyed home after good work by O’Connell to reduce arrears.

On 61 minutes Burke equalised from the penalty spot after Steve Grier was fouled following an amazing passage of play where somehow Meath had scambled clear a number of efforts.

Meath then had a  goal disallowed which brought relief to the Spartak defence. Breen was fouled when through by the keeper but the ref chose not to award anything.  A tiring Anto Doyle was replaced by Stuart Love.

On to extra time and the first half was relatively quiet – but the second period more than made up and yielded four goals. Fintan Grace came on at the start of the second period for Rob Mahon who had taken a  knock. At this point both Tom Flanagan and Graham Breen were virtual passengers due to knocks.

Will O’Connell lost possession and Dave Browne rashly dived in but was beaten and the Meath player drilled home. 

Not to be denied Fintan Grace headed down for fellow sub Stuart Love to force the ball home. 3-3.

The drama was not over yet, as with just a minute left Glen Burke, lagging behind , played on a host of Meath players and Spartak were 3-4 down.

Spartak pressed on desperately and were awarded an indirect free kick in the box in injury time in extra time and Grier drilled home to equalise again.

 And so to penalties. Stand in skipper Fintan Grace crowned an impressive cameo by firmly converting, then the power of Steve Grier’s effort eluded the keeper’s fingers. When Graham McEnroe’s penalty was saved, Spartak were in trouble again.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man – Peter O’Toole saved the next two Meath penalties; meanwhile Tom Flanagan slotted home so it fell to Glen Burke to drill home the winning penalty.

So many villains, so many heroes! (and some were both!!) Spartak have reached their first final since 1991 when both first and second teams won cups on successive nights.

The final is against Dunboyne and will be played midweek of 17th May, probably Wednesday.

Form Report

Peter O’Toole 8 Glen Burke 7 Rob Mahon 6 Steve Grier 7 Dave Browne 6 Graham McEnroe 7 Tom Flanagan 6 Anthony Doyle 6 Ger Byrne 7 Graham Breen 7 Kevin O’Toole 6

Subs Will O’Connell 7 Stuat Love 7 Fintan Grace 7.

14 Responses to “If Carlsberg did comebacks….”