Training in St Kilians’ German School on Roebuck Road tonight and each Tuesday at 8.45 on astro; boots not permitted and astros must be worn.
25.8.12
Spartak Over 35s 3, Spartak (youths!) 2
Despite being without the likes of Tony Kavanagh and Paddy Hughes, the more experienced cohort of Sky Blues had enough about them to outwit the younger element in a gently paced encounter.
A cracking early goal by Barry Maguire was about as good as it got for the younger crew, as they failed to build on early supremacy with Martin Costello and Jeff Gamble profligate with openings and midfield content to sit deep, despite being comfortably on top in the opening half. The seniors sat deep and Paul McGrath and Brian Stafford were generally comfortable in defence.
Gradually the seniors established midfield supremacy and the work rate of the younger team fell away with the younger midfield trio of Lee Malone, Shane McInerney and Jeff Gamble all short of match practice and consequently very rusty.
The second half saw the flow of the game change and a typically languid finish by Gerry Doran equalised before Martin Costello gifted Graham Johnston the chance, well taken, to put the Seniors ahead.
Somewhat stung, the younger lads pressed forward and Martin Costello fired wide with Greg Callan helpless after a rebound from Shane McInerney’s shot. A break by Cathal Clancy gave Jeff Gamble to chance to bundle home, before Rory Campbell tapped in the winner following a corner in which Fintan Grace sustained a knock which luckily proved not serious.
On the upside Martin will have 3 months to recover from recent exertions and on this evidence he needs it!
Form Report:
Over 35s:
Greg Callan 6 Brian Stafford 8 Tom Maher 6 Dave Mohan 6 Paul McGrath 8 Graham Johnston 7 Brian 6 Rory Campbell 6 Steve Mongey 6 Collie Reid 6 Leon David 6
The Youths:
Mick Costello 5 Barry Maguire 5 Conor Canavan 5 Fintan Grace 7 Cathal Clancy 5 Shane McInerney 5 Conor Callis 5 Shea McClafferty 6 Martin Costello 5 Jeff Gamble 6 Lee Malone 5 Mick Greene 5.
18.8.12
Aston Village 3 Spartak 0
The squad for this game, in a friendly on the day when the season started, was: : Bobby Hayes, Dan O Connell Cathal Clancy Rob Deering Niall Lennon Shane McInerney Niall Lennon Neill Bolger Dermot Dooley Mick Costello Kevin Mannion Ross Kelly Dara Comerford Lee Norton.
Oh no, that’s just the list of those 14 (FOURbloodyTEEN!) who were not available to play or who did not bother their behind to show up or answer a text. None of these players were injured. When so many “regulars” decide to pull out or, more precisely, not make that extra little effort to get there, disaster lies just around the corner. Such a lack of commitment by the Saturday boys is not sustainable and speaks volumes for their lack of ambition and desire at this crucial stage of pre season.
That the local team benefited from two offside goals and a cruel deflection to win the game is probably neither here nor there.
The lads who were there put in a decent shift in very warm conditions and kept the game competitive; the experienced duo of Fintan and Tony at the heart of the defence were excellent and Conor Canavan, a volunteer keeper, made some fine stops.
Conor Callis might have given the Sky Blues the lead after getting past the keeper, but his weak left footed effort allowed the keeper to recover; he also forced the keeper into a good save later. Aodhan McCahill was pressed into a midfield role and did not look out of place while Jeff Gamble did well until lack of fitness told.
Martin Costello and Tony Kavanagh answered late calls to ensure we did not have the ignominy of pulling out of the game and sullying the club’s reputation. For poor Martin the bright sunshine did not agree with him following his last day at work.
Form Report
Conor Canavan 7 Dave O Kelly 6 Barry Maguire 5 Tony Kavanagh 8 Fintan Grace 8 Aodhan McCahill 7 Martin Costello 6 Jeff Gamble 6 Conor Callis 6 Edo Maino 5 Paul McGowan 4
16.8.12
Celtic Park 2 Spartak 3
A late comeback by the Sky Blues showed some evidence of improving fitness; particularly among those, like Stu, Derek, Ross and both Conors who all played for the second time in 24 hours.
There were pleasing aspects to the display; Niall Lennon was calm and creative in midfield; Fintan and Cathal were generally merciless at the back; substitutes Shane and Lee made effective cameo appearances. Derek Ruxton ran aggessively and crossed well.
A defensive lapse allowed Celtic Park to take the lead in a first half in which they held the whip hand. The Sky Blues came out strongly in the second half and Derek Ruxton and Lee Norton were causing problems to the home side. Ross turned in the equaliser (without falling down) before Celtic Park responded when they were able to head home a cross. Spartak continued to press and Shane was denied a penalty as he burst into the box and Conor Callis forced a good stop from the local keeper.
A corner by Lee Norton was headed in by Shane McInerney for the equaliser before Ross Kelly again did his Christy Brown impersonation to force home the winner at the second attempt while on the ground in the 92nd minute.
Form Report
Bobby Hayes 6 Barry Maguire 5 Conor Canavan 5 Fintan Grace 7 Cathal Clancy 7 Dave O Kelly 6 Niall Lennon 7 Stuart Love 7 Aodhan McCahill 6 Conor Callis 5 Ross Kelly 7 Derek Ruxton 7 Lee Norton 7 Shane McInerney 7
17 sessions/friendlies so far and we wonder why we are somewhat under prepared for the season. Only 9 players have been at 8 or more of the 17 outings.
Below 8 is certainly not good enough.
There would be enough for two decent teams if all deigned to make a regular appearance.
Rapid improvement needed! Come on lads – we can do a LOT better!
13 Martin, Conor Canavan
11 Neil McG, Fintan
10 Baz, Chop
9 Dooley, Walshie
8 Shane , Niall L
7 Hano , Mick C, Derek, Stu, Mick G(inj)
6 Conor M, Dara
5 Cathal Bobby, Aodhan
4 Rob D
3 Keith, GMac, Peter (inj) Stev OH (inj), Kevin M, Conor Cal, Lee
2 Neill B, Seamus,Adam (inj)
1 Steve Gr, Dave T, Ken B, Dan, Anto Alex
0 Paul K (Can), Tubes (Boston), Collie (inj), Breener (inj)
15.8.12
Seaford 3, Spartak 1
A slightly flattering win for Seaford; Spartak had many opportunities to score, but could not add to Ross Kelly’s lead goal, made by Derek Ruxton’s cross.
In a game played in high winds and heavy rain, Seaford proved the stronger side physically; Spartak struggled at times to hold the ball but nonetheless dominated the second period in terms of pressure without scoring. Seaford got their goals in the second period due to superior pace and also a gift third goal.
Spartak led when Ross Kelly turned in Derek Ruxton’s cross. Jason Northey made a couple of smart saves early on as the home side initially set the pace, and Seaford equalised when a poor throw in led to concession of a corner. Taken short by Seaford, the skidding cross evaded the Sky Blues defence and the local attacker slotted in .
The Sky Blues went all out for goals in the second half; a Derek Ruxton corner caused havoc but was not forced over the line; Martin Costello missed a one on one ; Derek Ruxton rounded the keeper but struck the post.
With the home keeper dropping crosses in the wet conditions Spartak missed a few opportunities to capitalise.
The Seaford second goal arrived when the forward evaded Dave Browne and then beat him for pace; the cover could do nothing to prevent the cross being converted.
With three minutes left a slip up by Martin Costello gifted goal no. 3 to the home side.
Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Conor Canavan 5 Rob Deering 5 Niall Hanratty 7 Dave Browne 5 Dermot Dooley 5 Neil McGowan 6 Derek Ruxton 7 Stuart Love 6 Ross Kelly 6 Dara Comerford 5 Martin Costello 5 Mick Costello 5 Steve Grier 5 Conor Callis 6
Spartak mustered a 16 man squad (plus a press ganged Mick Greene) to compete in the annual Willie Kissane tournament in VEC.
A tough draw saw Spartak face Knocklyon, Terenure and VEC in the 40 minute games played Saturday.
A fine defensive performance against a strong Knocklyon outfit was spoiled by late errors which saw Derek Ruxton , competently deputising for the injured Peter O’Toole, beaten twice. Peter damaged his ankle after an unnecessary challenge. Turns out to be two broken bones and two snapped ligaments. Thats Peter’s second mishap in this tournament.
Against Terenure a sloppy start saw the Sky Blues go 2 down early on; Stu Love hit the post and the second half display was better; but no way could be found through the Terenure defence. Mick Greene deputised in goal but knee damage then forced his withdrawal from the final match.
Ross Kelly took over as Spartak’s fourth keeper of the day in a game that VEC, with the aid of a couple of soft scores, won 4-2. Fine late goals by Neil McGowan from a Niall Lennon pass and then Steve Walsh, who scored a cracker after excellent foraging by Conor Maguire and a pass by Neil.
Peter O’Toole 7 Dave Browne 6 Aodhan McCahill 7 Fintan Grace 7 Keith Kelly 8 Dermot Dooley 6 Stuart Love 6
Conor Canavan 5 Niall Lennon 6 Neil McGowan 7 Dara Comerford 7 Rob Deering 7 Derek Ruxton 6 Steve Walsh 5 Conor Maguire 8 Ross Kelly 6 Mick Greene 6
Training continues Tuesday 7th Aug in St Endas from 6.45. All welcome and also if any new players are interested in joining, our LSL Saturday and Sunday sides are on the look out for new players. Our over 35s are also on the look out for new players…make contact – committee details on site.
25.7.12
Shelbourne SC 4 Spartak 1
28.7.12
Parkvale 6 Spartak 1
Fitness and commitment issues persist in the run in to the new season. In both games Spartak led but were hauled back monotonously as legs weakened.
Kevin Mannion gave the Sky Blues the lead v Shels and might have added to it, as might Derek Ruxton; second half chances fell to Martin Costello and Ross Kelly but in the second period Spartak faltered due to lack of stamina and the home side won comfortably.
Defections, injuries and unavailabilty meant Spartak had the minimum turn out against Parkvale, much stronger opponents, who were able to flood the park with fresh legs in the second period. Neil McGowan’s header from Niall Lennon’s corner put Spartak ahead, but an error allowed the home side equalise. Dermot Dooley missed a few good opportunities but tiredness came all too quickly to the Sky Blues and it was one way traffic in the second period towards a beleaguered Peter O’Toole who made a few good stops but was unable to stem the tide.
v Shels Jason Northey 5 Conor Canavan 5 Dave Browne 5 Fintan Grace 6 Dave O’Kelly 6 Niall Lennon 5 Mick Costello 5 Kevin Mannion 6 Derek Ruxton 6 Martin Costello 5 Steve Walsh 5 Ross Kelly 5 Mick Greene 5 Aodhan McCahill 5 Anto Doyle 5
v Parkvale Peter O’Toole 6 Niall Hanratty 5 Dave Browne 5 Fintan Grace 6 Seamus McCahill 6 Dermot Dooley 6 Neil McGowan 6 Steve Walsh 5 Stuart Love 5 Derek Ruxton 5 Niall Lennon 5 Ken Buckley 6
SDFC201213 fantasy football league open to all Spartak members and alumni. And a few others!
Code to join is 358783-97891.
€50 Prize for leader at end of October. To be eligible for winnings annual subs must have been paid by 31 Oct. (Thats the Chopper rule!)
We start on Week 1 (No Neill Bolger rule this year)
PS Over 35s team members are permitted to join!
