Spartak Dynamo FC

27.9.14
Knockmitten Utd 2, Spartak 7

Spartak made light of a number of absentees to score a resounding win. Bobby Hayes, Keith Kelly and Conor Keegan were all marked absent, while the injured Shane McInerney had to be content with a touchline role. The redoubtable Tony Kavanagh rolled back the years to make an appearance as the over 35s were idle. Mick Young was also unavailable for selection – confusing reality with the virtual life he stayed at home to watch television and admire Phil Jagielka’s fine strike.

The opening exchanges did not augur well; Chris Hogan wasted no time in delivering a couple of foul throws, and on 15 minutes Mick Costello raced from his goal to the left hand side to make a timely clearance. Alas his fellow defenders were sound asleep and the ball was returned quickly to the Spartak net before Mick could recover his ground.

A fine move involving Niall Hanratty and Niall Lennon saw Jeff Gamble deliver an inviting cross which was headed home by Adam Doran for the equaliser. Jeff had earlier missed a close range header from Fidel Benson’s cross but Spartak took the lead when Mick Leslie battled for the ball at the edge of the box, and the ball dropped for Jeff Gamble to fire home. Just on half time Adam Doran stretched Spartak’s lead with a great effort from the half way line, reminiscent of David Beckham’s goal many years ago.

The Spartak midfield trio of Niall Lennon, Adam Doran and Fidel Benson took complete charge in the second period. Spartak were now rampant and Jeff Gamble scored following a good pass by Niall Hanratty.

Ciaran Keane, who up to this point had not done himself justice, then scored from close range from a move started by Mick Costello and carried on by Hanratty and Gamble; and then Ciaran fired in a fine cross converted by Gamble for number 6.

Jeff Gamble got his fourth goal courtesy of a surging run and cross by Fidel Benson and Niall Hanratty fired over from close range while Dave O’Kelly struck the post as Spartak attacked at will.

Knockmitten scored a consolation from the spot after a defensive mix up to bookend the scoring.

Biggest win in a while and man of the match must go to Jeff Gamble for finding his finishing touch so well, but Niall Lennon ran him close with an assured midfield display, aided by Adam Doran and Fidel Benson.

Form Report
Mick Costello 7 Conor Canavan 6 Chris Hogan 6 Niall Hanratty 7 Dave O’Kelly 7 Ciaran Keane 6 Adam Doran 8 Jeff Gamble 8 Niall Lennon 8 Fidel Benson 7 Mick Leslie 7
Subs: Tony Kavanagh 6 Rafal Sarwinski 6

20.9.14
Spartak 2, Cherryfield 4

Spartak’s opening home game did not produce any better result than the previous two away games as the team, missing players from last season, is only starting to come together as a unit.

In a fine move, Fidel Benson, Jeff Gamble and Ciaran Keane combined well and the latter’s cross was headed down to Shane McInerney but he could only make a weak connection.

The Sky Blues began promisingly enough, but approach play was spoiled by the poor quality of crosses, mostly lobbed in and easy meat for the visiting keeper, with Chris Hogan, Niall Lennon and Dave O’Kelly among the guilty men.

On 27 minutes Cherryfield went ahead from a free header from a corner, awarded instead of a free out for a clear foul on Chris Hogan.

Bobby Hayes took off a fine save just on the break, tipping the ball around the post; he was even more disappointed than the opposition that the ref awarded a goal kick!

The second half saw the game become quite open, with both sets of defences looking porous. Spartak equalised when a Conor Keegan free was knocked back by Niall Lennon to give Dave O Kelly the simplest task from a yard out, but Cherryfield restored their lead five minutes later from a break out. Jeff Gamble responded with a fierce shot, but unfortunately too close to the keeper, who parried.

Jeff Gamble sent Kevin O’Connell in to equalise from a narrow angle with 18 minutes remaining but almost immediately Cherryfield scored from a clearly offside position.

The remaining minutes were frantic; Bobby Hayes saved well after a poor back pass by Dave O’Kelly; Cherryfield added a fourth and Jeff Gamble was fouled in the area but no penalty awarded.

The team remains a work in progress as new players bed in and fitness improves.

Form Report
Bobby Hayes 6 Barry Maguire 5 Chris Hogan 6 Conor Keegan 7 Kevin O Connell 7 Shane McInerney 5 Niall Lennon 5 Fidel Benson 5 Dave O’Kelly 5 Jeff Gamble 6 Ciaran Keane 5.
Subs: Mick Greene 5 Mick Young 5 Evans Sarpong 5

6.9.14
Glasnevin 4 Spartak 2

Spartak surrendered a half time lead to the local side and, despite a late rally when clear chances were missed, could not salvage anything from this game, mainly due to a serious lack of defensive concentration.

Missing a number if players, Spartak’s woes were increased when Kevin Loftus and Chris Hogan somehow contrived to be late for kick off, necessitating a further reshuffle of resources.

One unusual feature of the match was the supply of under inflated footballs by Glasnevin, which affected both sides. The referee was indifferent when this was pointed out, and the game proceeded.

Neither side started with confidence and the opening exchanges were tentative, but it was Spartak who took the lead on 15 minutes when Keith Kelly’s cross was turned in by Ciaran Keane at the second attempt after the keeper parried his first effort. Keith was then lucky not to be last man when yellow carded after losing possession. Shane McInerney broke up a Glasnevin attack at the cost of a free which Mick Greene parried but the home striker fired over. Keith Kelly was caught in possession but luckily the ensuing goal attempt was wide.

Fidel Benson fired over after connecting with Jamie Stewart’s cross, but at the other end Glasnevin struck the bar with Shane McInerney clearing off the line.

Some poor concentration at back by Spartak gave Glasnevin the chance to score almost immediately at the start of the second period and the striker made no mistake. In response Chris Hogan’s cross was fired over a couple of yards out by Ciaran Keane after Evans Sarpong held it up well.

A couple of disastrous defensive errors gave the home side goals in the 53rd and 60th minutes, as Spartak lost their defensive shape. 1-3.

Spartak then refocused and created some clear chances of their own. Shane McInerney tried to bundle in following a corner and then headed just wide from the next flag kick. A good run by Aodhan McCahill sent Ciaran Keane through racing in from the left but he pulled his shot wide. Evans Sarpong fired in a shot that was saved, and a number of Fidel Benson crosses just failed to meet their intended target.

A clearly offside goal gave the home side a 4-1 lead, before the ever versatile Mick Greene came out of goal to reduce arrears with a well struck direct free kick. Spartak then staged something of a grandstand finish, with the best chance coming when Conor Keegan’s header was pushed on to the bar by the keeper but Shane McInerney, following up kneed the rebound over the bar from a yard out.

Form Report
Mick Greene 7 Barry Maguire 6 Aodhan McCahill 7 Keith Kelly 6 Conor Keegan 6 Shane McInerney 6 Jamie Stewart 5 Niall Lennon 5 Evans Sarpong 6 Fidel Benson 6 Ciaran Keane 6
Subs: Chris Hogan 5 Kevin Loftus 5

23.8.14
Sallynoggin Pearse 3, Spartak 0

A combination of poor defensive decisions and some

Sallynoggin had the best of the first half and made plenty of inroads down their right flank, where Chris Hogan had an unhappy time. Keith Kelly and Martin Costello shored up the defence, but it was poor distribution by the latter that allowed the home side to break and take the lead on 18 minutes; just before that the home right winger had struck the post.

Despite having less possession, with Shane McInerney and Ken Buckley trying to man the pumps in central midfield, Spartak had a glorious chance to equalise when Jeff Gamble sent Ciaran Keane through one on one, but the finish was dragged wide.

Worse followed on 26 minutes when a Chris Hogan throw in was directed into a nest of home players; the consequent cross was converted.

Bobby Hayes made a good stop at the start of the second period when the right winger again got in behind. Again Gamble squared for Keane, but with the home keeper scrambling the shot was screwed wide.

Conor Callis belatedly came into the game and hit the bar with one effort and had another blocked, and then when Aaron Ormerod put him through he lifted the ball past the keeper but wide.

The third home goal finished the game as a contest and resulted from a poor throw out by Bobby Hayes from which Spartak never got possession, and the home side struck a good shot from the edge of the box.

Form Report
Bobby Hayes 6 Conor Canavan 6 Chris Hogan 4 Keith Kelly 7 Martin Costello 7 Shane McInerney 6 Ken Buckley 6 Conor Callis 6 Mick Greene 6 Jeff Gamble 6 Ciaran Keane 6
Subs: Dermot Dooley 7 Aaron Ormerod 6

6.8.14
Mt Merrion u18s/19s 1, Spartak 1

A late penalty miss by Seamus McCahill denied the Sky Blues a friendly victory over the Paul Burke managed Merrion side. Overall a draw was a fair result in a lively contest on the Benildus Astro.

A neatly taken Ross Kelly goal gave Spartak the lead early on but the locals equalised before the break when Jeff Gamble lost possession as Spartak broke well and fast, leaving scant cover, and Spartak were duly punished.

Niall Lennon had an industrious evening and passed well; Paul Kinsella and Martin Costello kept things tight at the back, and Conor Callis’ speed kept the Merrion defence on the back foot. Indeed a more direct approach by Conor might have paid dividends, but he did provide a couple of highlights, rounding the keeper only to have is shot blocked on the line, and later winning the penalty with his persistence.

Lee Malone, Fergus Burke and Stuart Love all had stints in central midfield, and all looked in need of the run to build fitness and sharpness. Ross Kelly toiled up front, showed good touches and had his goal as a reward for his efforts, but 45 minutes proved enough as he works towards fitness.

Jeff Gamble excited and frustrated his colleagues, often in the same move, and too often opted for the riskier passing option. Mick Greene filled two positions in turn adequately, first in goal and then at full back, while on the other flank Dave Browne had to resort to any available methods to combat the opposing winger’s pace.

A resourceful display and a decent step towards the oncoming season.

Man of the Match : Paul Kinsella

Form Report
Mick Greene 6 Lee Malone 5 Dave Browne 5 Paul Kinsella 7 Martin Costello 7 Fergus Burke 5 Jeff Gamble 5 Conor Callis 7 Ross Kelly 6 Niall Lennon 7 Stuart Love 5 David Kernan 7 Jason Northey 6 Seamus McCahill 6 Chris Hogan 6 Kevin Loftus 6

23.7.14
Celtic Park 3, Spartak 0.

The scoreline did not reflect the game as a whole; Spartak dominated the opening period in Beaumont Convent but failed to get on the scoresheet. Celtic Park fielded eleven fresh players at half time, and aided by a very soft penalty decision, went on to win.

In the last 20 minutes Spartak strove to get back in the game, throwing caution to the wind, and Ross Kelly and David Kernan each missed good chances close in. David Kernan and Jeff Gamble worked valiantly to get the attack going and showed decent stamina and skill.

The first half saw Spartak move the ball well and Kernan, Jeff Gamble and Conor Callis displayed energy and movement, but without applying the final, decisive, touch. In midfield Lee Malone and Shane McInerney kept the supply line to the front line going and supplied defensive cover.

Conor Callis shot over after an excellent move by Gamble and Lee Malone; Conor Canavan, sent clear by Malone, fired a cross over with men well placed inside; Shane McInerney’s cross found Jeff Gamble but his close in effort was cleared for a corner. Shots by Malone and Callis went close, and there were several goalmouth scrambles.

In defence there was little to do apart from a lapse when Chris Hogan was caught in possession, but Jason Northey advanced to block.

On 50 minutes the penalty was award for a push by Paul Kinsella and Celtic Park’s fresh team began to take control. A very soft second goal gave them a two goal advantage and the third goal was a result of Spartak going for broke in attack.

Positives in general play from the first half, but punishment often follows when teams don’t press home their advantage.

Man of the match : David Kernan

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Chris Hogan 6 Ciaran Keane 7 Paul Kinsella 7 Dave Browne 6 Shane McInerney 6 Conor Canavan 6 David Kernan 8 Lee Malone 6 Jeff Gamble 7 Conor Callis 6
Subs: Kevin Loftus 6 Luke Foley 5 Aaron Ormerod 5 Stuart Love 5 Ross Kelly 5

First Pre Season training session takes place, as a one off, on Firhouse Carmel’s pitch beside Scholars pub on Thursday July 10.

Season starts on 16/17 August, with friendlies before then.

We start on Thursday at 7.15.

A bumper turn out ensured that the tournament was an all round success, both as a charity fund raiser and in terms of organisation on the day. An enjoyable day all round, and a good tribute to our late colleague.

Thanks to all who took part.

Roll on next year.

The Dave Mohan Memorial Tournament takes place this Sunday 25th May in the Postal Club on Kiltipper Road. The first round of matches kickoff at 10:30am. All fees must be paid in advance. We ask that all teams are at the venue 30 mins before their first game. There will be a raffle on the day. Tickets are €10 and there are some very decent prizes. There is also a full bar in the Postal Club which also serves food.

Details of draw and schedule of games for Dave Mohan Memorial Tournament which is in the Postal Club, Kiltipper, on Sunday 25th May. First games kick off at 10.30 am.

GROUP A

Ireland (Shea’s Monday night team)
Sweden (Jason Doyle)
France (Brian Farrelly)
Belgium (Mick Costello)
Ireland v Sweden

France v Belgium

Ireland v France

Sweden v Belgium

Ireland v Belgium

Sweden v France

GROUP B
Wales (Greystones 1)
Portugal (Ger Byrne)
Holland (Dundrum 1)
Scotland (Brian Burgess)
Wales v Portugal

Holland v Scotland

Wales v Holland

Portugal v Scotland

Wales v Scotland

Portugal v Holland

GROUP C
Poland (Greystones 2)
Serbia (Dundrum 2)
Greece (Larkview)
Spain (Paddy Hughes)
Poland v Serbia

Spain v Greece

Poland v Greece

Serbia v Spain

Poland v Spain

Serbia v Greece

GROUP D
Italy (Spartak Over 35’s)
Denmark (Stephen Carr)
Ukraine (Dave Browne)
Germany (Graham Breen)
Italy v Denmark

Ukraine v Germany

Italy v Ukraine

Denmark v Germany

Italy v Germany

Denmark v Ukraine

GROUP D
Italy (Spartak Over 35’s)
Denmark (Stephen Carr)
Ukraine (Dave Browne)
Germany (Graham Breen)
Italy v Denmark

Ukraine v Germany

Italy v Ukraine

Denmark v Germany

Italy v Germany

Denmark v Ukraine

Group Time Pitch Team Team
A 10:30 1 Ireland Sweden
B 10:30 2 Wales Portugal
C 10:30 3 Poland Serbia
D 10:30 4 Italy Denmark

Group Time Pitch Team Team
A 11:20 1 Ireland France
B 11:20 2 Wales Holland
C 11:20 3 Poland Greece
D 11:20 4 Italy Ukraine

Group Time Pitch Team Team
A 12:10 1 Ireland Belgium
A 12:10 2 Sweden France
B 12:10 3 Wales Scotland
B 12:10 4 Portugal Holland
Group Time Pitch Team Team
A 10:55 1 France Belgium
B 10:55 2 Holland Scotland
C 10:55 3 Spain Greece
D 10:55 4 Ukraine Germany

Group Time Pitch Team Team
A 11:45 1 Sweden Belgium
B 11:45 2 Portugal Scotland
C 11:45 3 Serbia Spain
D 11:45 4 Denmark Germany

Group Time Pitch Team Team
C 12:35 1 Poland Spain
C 12:35 2 Serbia Greece
D 12:35 3 Italy Germany
D 12:35 4 Denmark Ukraine
1/4 FINAL 1 1/4 FINAL 2 1/4 FINAL 3 1/4 FINAL 4

13:10 Pitch 1 13:10 Pitch 2 13:10 Pitch 3 13:10 Pitch 4
Winner A Runner Up B Winner B Runner Up A Winner C Runner Up D Winner D Runner Up C

SEMI FINAL 1 SEMI FINAL 2

13:40 Pitch 1 13:40 Pitch 2
Winner 1/4 Final 1 Winner 1/4 Final 2 Winner 1/4 Final 3 Winner 1/4 Final 4

SHIELD SEMI FINAL 1 SHIELD SEMI FINAL 2

13:40 Pitch 3 13:40 Pitch 4
3rd Place Group A 3rd Place Group B 3rd Place Group C 3rd Place Group D

FINAL 3rd / 4th Place Play Off

14:10 Pitch 1 14:10 Pitch 2
Winner Semi Final 1 Winner Semi Final 2 Loser Semi Final 1 Loser Semi Final 2

SHIELD FINAL SHIELD 3rd / 4th Place Play Off

14:10 Pitch 3 14:10 Pitch 4
Winner Shield Semi Final 1 Winner Shield Semi Final 2 Loser Shield Semi Final 1 Loser Shield Semi Final 2