Spartak Dynamo FC

6.10.12
Spartak 2, Swords Celtic 0.

A topsy turvy turnaround week for the Sky Blues, who came badly unstuck in the previous game against Sallynoggin Pearse, but recovered strongly to inflict defeat on the league leaders.

On a fine day in Marlay, with the pitch in good condition, the game featured quite a bit of good football and Spartak will be well pleased with the points, while the visitors will wonder how they failed to convert so many chances; this was a reversal of the trend and the outcome three weeks ago when Swords came out on top.

Swords had lost for the first time the previous week, and looked short of confidence in front of goal, while the home side were resolute in their efforts to atone for a tame display the week before.

Naill Lennon, Neil McGowan and Adam Doran combined calmly to probe the Swords defence; in general the Spartak side played a pleasing brand of controlled football in the first half, while Shane McInerney busied himself breaking up Swords play.

Spartak created many first half chances, but failed to capitalise. Neill Bolger, a busy presence up front, lobbed wide when in the clear; he also shot wide when Niall Hanratty put him through, and was denied a stone wall penalty when he was felled racing into the box. Hanratty was then put clear by Adam Doran, but shot wide.

The home defence proved vulnerable to the ball over the top, and Steve Grier, capable stand in keeper, had to come to the rescue on a few occasions. When Steve was beaten, Mick Costello made a timely goal line clearance.

In the second half Chris Hogan and Adam Doran, so effective in getting forward from full back in the first half, played it long to a greater extent and Spartak did not look quite as cohesive. A great run and finish by Neill Bolger on 49 minutes edged the Sky Blues in front.

Costello headed over from McGowan’s free kick before, on 69 minutes, sub Lee Dunne combined with McGowan and Hanratty before Mick Costello fired home spectacularly from the edge of the box.

Steve Grier brought off a fine tip over save to keep Swords at bay as the visitors frustration grew and finally the no. 7 saw red for a bad challenge on Hanratty.

Two fine goals, a clean sheet and three points against the leaders. A good day’s work.

Form Report
Steve Grier 8 Chris Hogan 7 Adam Doran 8 Fintan Grace 7 Keith Kelly 7 Shane McInerney 7 Niall Lennon 8 Niall Hanratty 7 Neil McGowan 7 Mick Costello 7 Neill Bolger 7
Subs: Lee Dunne 6 Joe Roe 5 Barry Maguire 5

29.9.12
Sallynoggin Pearse 8, Spartak 1

This game, on the old sloping pitch at Rochestown Avenue, was overshadowed by an injury to keeper Bobby Hayes which necessitated a trip to hospital; Bobby bravely dived at the forward’s feet and sustained a nasty head injury. Luckily the visit entailed no more than stitches to repair the damage.

The score at the time of Bobby’s departure was 1-1, Adam Doran having headed an equaliser from Niall Lennon’s free after the Sky Blues had uncharacteristically conceded from a corner.

The thankless task of replacing Bobby fell to Mick Greene, who had the misfortune to receive little protection from his team mates, and who, due to injury, was severely restricted.

Spartak’s misfortune did not end at Bobby’s injury; due to cry offs a number of players carrying knocks had to turn out and the second half took its toll as the home side, in a clinical display of finishing, drove home their advantage. Everything Sallynoggin hit went in, while, remarkably in such a one sided score, Spartak had many chances themselves to score but finished ineptly.

Joe Roe would not have been flattered with a hat trick, Neill Bolger volleyed over with the keeper out of position, with Adam Doran, Shane McInerney and Niall Lennon all having efforts to add to the score.

So a poor defensive display and equally poor at the other end.

To record that the home side were bottom of the league prior to this game, and that this was their first win, only adds to the pain.

Form Report
Bobby Hayes 7 Chris Hogan 4 Adam Doran 7 Fintan Grace 5 Keith Kelly 5 Shane McInerney 5 Niall Lennon 4 Conor Callis 4 Dermot Dooley 5 Joe Roe 4 Neill Bolger 4
Subs: Mick Greene 5 Glenn Dowling 5

22.9.12
Spartak 1, Leicester 3

After the neat brand of football played in the previous game against the league leaders, Spartak put on a deeply disappointing display.

The game as a spectacle was ruined by a poor referee who favoured neither side but got in the way of a decent contest with bizarre decisions. While Spartak, having less of the play, were punished slightly less than Leicester it made for a frustrating afternoon for both sides.

The midfield battle was lost early; early injury to Steve O’Hara didn’t help but the Leicester midfield did as they wished throughout the game, with superior fitness a telling factor. Dermot Dooley and Graham McEnroe, so influential in good display in the Swords match, were sorely missed for composure and quick passing.

An early Leicester goal arrived when Dave O’Kelly was caught wrong side of the winger ; his defensive colleagues were unable to prevent the cross being converted but Spartak quickly equalised after a fine run by Conor Callis, who drew the keeper and presented Jeff Gamble with a tap in for his first Spartak goal.

Leicester then scored two in three minutes without reply; the Sky Blues defence did not look like a solid unit for this period of the game.

Spartak rallied and had a brief bright spell before half time ; Shane McInerney will wonder how he did not force the ball over the line from a yard out when a score that would have brought the Sky Blues back into the game seemed inevitable ; Jeff Gamble and Joe Roe also had chances, while Mick Costello headed over.

Second half fatigue affected the Sky Blues more than Leicester, compounded by an irresponsible red card for Dave O’Kelly, and only Conor Callis presented an attacking threat; but he lacked support. Leicester always carried the greater threat and Cathal Clancy was relieved to see his interception rebound off the home crossbar.

A day on which very few players in Sky Blue can look back on with satisfaction.

Form Report:
Bobby Hayes 6 Chris Hogan 5 Dave O’Kelly 4 Fintan Grace 5 Cathal Clancy 5 Shane McInerney 5 Jeff Gamble 5 Conor Callis 7 Joe Roe 5 Mick Costello 5 Steve O’Hara 5
Subs: Mark Brady 6 Conor Canavan 5 Barry Maguire 5

Training for the coming weeks will be

Tuesday – 8.45 St Kilians, Roebuck Road Clonskeagh

Thursday – 9.15 St Columbas College Whitechurch

15.9.12
Swords Celtic 3 Spartak 1

Early dominance by the Sky Blues was not matched with goals and the home side led 1-0 at the break, despite midfield superiority by Spartak.

Dermot Dooley, Graham McEnroe and Jeff Gamble controlled most of the first half, with some fine overlapping runs and crosses by Chris Hogan and good ball carrying by Conor Callis.

A fine passage of play saw Joe Roe’s header placed too close to the keeper and then when Dooley and Gamble combined well to put Roe through on goal, he struck the post with his effort. Dermot Dooley then volleyed just wide.

After a rare break by Swords, Bobby Hayes presaged a period of Swords pressure with a poor throw out; and from the resulting corner a home player headed just over.

Swords took the lead , very much against the run of play ,on 39 minutes, when the winger eluded Chris Hogan to cross and the striker turned to convert.

The second half began with almost a reprise of the goal when the winger again beat Chris Hogan all too easily and the no.8 shot wastefully wide.

All three subs for Spartak had a considerable impact as tired legs were replaced.

A neat move involving McEnroe, Callis and Conor Maguire gave Dermot Dooley a great chance, but he shot over with a left footed effort.

Swords were proving dangerous on the break as the Sky Blues pressed for an equaliser; Hayes saved and also made an oufield foray, but the game turned against Spartak when Conor Callis’ volley was blocked and the home side immediately broke to score.

Not to be outdone, the Sky Blues responded strongly and McEnroe converted a penalty after a foul on Niall Lennon and then almost immediately Mark Brady had a chance to equalise; his shot was saved and again the home side broke to score, and clinch the game.

Spartak, despite playing the neater football on the day, were left to rue chances missed and some loose defending.

From Report
Bobby Hayes 6 Chris Hogan 5 Conor Canavan 5 Paul Kinsella 6 Cathal Clancy 6 Dermot Dooley 7 Conor Callis 6 Jeff Gamble 7 Graham McEnroe 7 Joe Roe 5 Mick Costello 5
Subs: Niall Lennon 7 Conor Maguire 7 Mark Brady 5

8.9.12
Spartak 4 Walkinstown 2

An explosive start to this game on a scorching day in Marlay Park saw Spartak go two up inside 11 minutes; Adam Doran’s pass was fired into the bottom corner by Graham McEnroe on 4 minutes and then when Adam was fouled in the box, Fintan Grace scored from the spot.

Mick Costello’s header nicked the bar and Joe Roe’s shot was saved as the Sky blues looked to increase their lead. As the pace dropped the visitors edged their way back into the game and it took some good defensive work to block a couple of eforts; alas on 31 minutes an isolated Walkinstown attacker was surrounded by three Sky Blues, but won a penalty. 2-1.

Mick Costello headed home at the start of the second half, but the goal was ruled out. A decisive moment came on 49 minutes. Dave O’Kelly’s cross was cleared for a throw, which Dave quickly took and found Graham McEnroe on the move; he outpaced the defence to score a fine goal with an angled shot.

Walkinstown fought back and had some big misses, allied to some last ditch defending and smart reflex saves from Bobby Hayes but on 60 minutes Joe Roe headed in from Adam Doran’s corner to make it 4-1. The concession of a soft goal on 71 minutes kept the game alive but the Sky Blues finished in good stead.

Business as usual with a reshaped side after a difficult pre season. Next up are Swords, who have a 100% record so far.

Form Report
Bobby Hayes 7 Dave O’Kelly 6 Conor Canavan 6 Fintan Grace 6 Cathal Clancy 6 Shane McInerney 7 Joe Roe 6 Conor Callis 7 Adam Doran 7 Graham McEnroe 8 Mick Costello 7
Subs: Ross Kelly 6 Lee Norton 5 Chris Hogan 5 Barry Maguire Neill Bolger Dara Comerford

Tonight, 6th Sept, is the last night in St Enda’s. Gates close at 8 so be sure to park outside!

From next week training is on

TUESDAY – St Kilians German School, Roebuck Road at 8.45

THURSDAY – St Columba’s College, Whitechurch, at 9.15

Astro shoes only please – no boots permitted.

Spartak have pulled two home draws in the initial Leinster competitions.

Shamrock Rovers Wexfor are the visitors in the Leinster Junior Cup. They are the current Wexford Premier League Champions. A tough and challenging draw!

Glasnaoin 3rds from Ucfl Div 3b will come to Marlay for the opening round of the Shield as Spartak try to repeat (or improve on!) last year’s long run in the competition.

2.9.12
Spartak 3, Park Celtic U19s 4

Conceding two bizarre goals in quick succession after hauling back a two goal deficit was the key to losing this friendly contest at sun baked Marlay Park, which saw Spartak complete their pre season outings. Another useful run out which will help prepare for the league challenges ahead.

A first half performance devoid of energy saw the Sky Blues go two down; failure to pressurise opponents saw Park take full advantage with two smart finishes. Shane McInerney alone was willing to take the fight to the enemy before tiring in the second period.

Spartak attacked sporadically; indeed the forward play was the best aspect of the home team’s game. Conor Maguire had missed a chance when Derek Ruxton played him in, and both Derek and Conor Callis had opportunities.

There was an improvement after the interval. Niall Lennon’s pass sent Conor Maguire away on a fine run and his cross left Graham McEnroe with a simple task to pull a goal back. A penalty conceded by Seamus McCahill was then smartly saved by Jason Northey and Steve Walsh equalised on 68 minutes when his free kick deceived the keeper.

Then came those goals. Niall Lennon was adjudged to have fouled about 55 yards from goal; while the Sky Blues argued the toss and switched off, Park raced in for the lead goal. Then a Park corner, low to the near post was missed by two Spartak players before hitting the post and neatly presenting a goal to a visiting forward.

Again the Sky Bues rallied. Maguire and Ruxton were running hard at the defence and causing consternation, while Steve Walsh rekindled some of his old form. Derek Ruxton drove a free just wide and was then tripped in the box after a fine run. Seamus McCahill’s penalty lacked power and precision and was easily saved. Ruxton and McEnroe then combined beautifully in the game’s best move to lay on a goal for Conor Maguire but it was just too late.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Shane McInerney 7 Steve Walsh 7 Aodhan McCahill 6 Paul Kinsella 6 Ken Buckley 5 Seamus McCahill 6 Graham McEnroe 7 Dara Comerford 5 Conor Maguire 8 Derek Ruxton 8 Conor Callis 5 Lee Malone 6 Niall Lennon 5

30.8.12
Firhouse 18s 4, Spartak 4

A return to a regular friendly destination saw the young locals take advantage of some very flaky defending to lead 2-0 and 3-1. Mick Costello’s deflected shot looped over the keeper to reduce arrears and Neil McGowan’s header struck the crossbar before being turned in by a defender to leave it 3-2 at the break.

The early exchanges were something of a horror show for the Sky Blues defence – mind you those Firhouse Carmel young lads were “lightning quick”! Distribution from the back was laboured, slow and mostly inaccurate while the midfield struggled to get a grip on proceedings. Bobby Hayes added to the early confusion with some poor kicking but also made a few decent stops as the Spartak defence went missing.

The threat of monetary punishment had the desired effect and the second half saw a distinct improvement.
Conor Maguire and Derek Ruxton had injected some urgency into the proceedings aided by Jeff Gamble, Neil McGowan and Lee Norton as Spartak launched a series of attacks.

Messrs Maguire and Ruxton both scored good goals to put Spartak ahead and many other chances were created.

Poor midfield marking by Steve Walsh and Mick Costello saw Aodhan McCahill easily by-passed for the Firhouse Carmel equaliser.

Both sides had chances to win it, but each spurned a couple of opportunities.

Form Report:
Bobby Hayes 6 Chris Hogan 5 Barry Maguire 5 Keith Kelly 5 Martin Costello 5 Mick Costello 5 Jeff Gamble 7 Aodhan McCahill 5 Dara Comerford 5 Conor Maguire 7 Steve Walsh 5 Derek Ruxton 7 Neil McGowan 6 Steve Grier 6 Dermot Dooley 6 Jason Northey 6 Lee Dunne 5 Lee Norton 6