Over 35’s are home to Inter Firm at 2pm. The Sunday lads are away to Rathfarnham Punters also kicking off at 2pm.
The Saturday lads are away to Carrick Rovers from Carrickmacross in Monaghan in the 5th round of the Leinster Junior Shield. The bus is LEAVING the Eden at 10.30am and there is room on the bus for a few supporters. All support would be appreciated.
7.1.11
Over 35s 2, Saturday lads 5
A good work out on grass where the seniors took a two goal lead within ten minutes, but then conceded an og. After a hopeless start, completely lacking in intensity, gradually the younger lads got on top and added four goals (and a missed penalty) to come out on top.
With seven subs rotating, the extra energy proved decisive for the saturday lads as the seniors, with a smaller squad, faded somewhat in the heavy conditions.
Jimmy Browne 8 Greg Callan 7 Tony Kavanagh 8 Brian Stafford 8 Dave Kavanagh 7 Paul Burke 7
Rory Campbell 9 Shea McClafferty 7 Colm Reid 7 Steve Mongey 7 Paddy Hughes 7 Graham Johnston 7 Robbie 7 Brendan Mooney 7 Matt Grimes 7
Jason Northey 5 Chris Hogan 5 Mick Greene 5 Cathal Clancy 6 Martin Costello 6 Fintan Grace 6 Adam Doran 7 Niall Lennon 5 Niall Hanratty 5 Shane McInerney 5 Neill Bolger 5 Derek Ruxton 6 Steve Walsh 6 Conor Maguire 7 Ross Kelly 7 Conor Canavan 6 Derek McGoldrick 6 Mick Costello 5
8.1.11
Sunday X1 2, Sat X11 5
A number of Saturday players opted to stay in bed for this work out, so the side was bolstered by the addition of Alex Kenny and Barry Crowe to make up a 12 v 11 game. Perhaps on this performance Barry could be persuaded to do a Paul Scholes?
Those of the Saturday lads who made football a low priority may come to regret the decision as there were a number of convincing performances to build up a 4 goal lead against the (very) sluggish Sunday lads with goals by Niall Lennon 2, Steve Walsh and Derek Ruxton.
As for the Sunday boys, who also had a few missing in action, they lacked energy and cohesion and were easy prey, giving away goals through a series of errors. A late comeback attempt reduced arrears to 4-2, as Steve Grier and Graham Breen scored, while Seamus McCahill hit the post, but a last minute Jose Vargas goal completed the rout.
Peter O’Toole 5 Paul Kinsella 5 Ciaran Keogh 6 Steve Grier 6 Dave Browne 6 Ken Buckley 5 Neil McGowan 6
Conor Canavan 5 Ger Byrne 5 Graham Breen 6 Seamus McCahill 5
Jason Northey 7 Niall Hanratty 7 Alex Kenny 8 Dave O’Kelly 7 Fintan Grace 7 Barry Crowe 8 Niall Lennon 7 Derek Ruxton 8 Jose Vargas 6 Ross Kelly 6 Steve Walsh 7 Conor Maguire 7
Married Men 2, Single Men 7
With twenty three turning out, and only 8 single men at kick off time, a few hasty visits to Reno were arranged and Messrs Mohan, McClafferty and Vargas, who opened the scoring, were switched.
An early highlight was Niall Lennon chomping on a breakfast roll as part of a (brief) warm up routine; it was not effective, and little was seen of Niall during the match.
With Dave Mohan playing full time in the hockey goals, a tactic which the married men eschewed to their cost, a distinct advantage accrued to the single men, who scored a few tap ins into open goals, while Dave effectively blocked the goal.
While it was close up to half time, the second half scoring was one sided, and the married men ended up frustrated.
Next training sessions are Thursday and Sat, both in Columbas, at 2pm
The annual post Christmas match is on in St Columbas College on 27th Dec – 2pm start. Be there for 1.45.
Its the married (or under thumb pressure) X1 against the young (ish) free and single selection.
In the first match last Tuesday, Jose Vargas team of out of towners (A mexican/italian/culchie mix) beat Chris Hogan’s local Rock Stars by 4-2. Winners opening goal came from Mike Hull, who outpaced Shane McInerney to slot home, while Jose outwitted a bemused Ken Buckley for the second. Mike and Jose added goals later with John McCluskey (returning to the fold after a long absence), Niall Hanratty and Keith Kelly getting goals back, but late misses by Adam Doran , Niall Hanratty and Keith Kelly meant there was no equaliser.
The Thursday game was an intriguing set up. It has been said that defending is the easy part, with goal scoring the more difficult art. So the Goalpoachers (those who have scored regularly for Spartak) were up against the Shot Shy Select (Those who haven’t). The latter lived up to their name and failed to trouble Jason Northey in the first half, while Frank McNamee, Shea McClafferty, et al ran riot at the other end to build up a 5-0 half time lead. Experienced stoppers Dave Browne, Paul Kinsella, Ken Buckley, Ciaran Keogh, Conor Canavan and Shane McInerney had an off night defensively. Neil McGowan might have made it 6 but shot inexplicably wide of an open goal. The second half proved a bit more evenly contested and the Shot Shys certainly missed a few, but the game finished 7-1, with Jose Vargas drilling the final nail from a tight angle.
Bonus Prize : Signed Republic of Ireland Jersey – Shane McInerney
Christmas Hamper – Pat Doyle
Drinks Hamper – Mark Mohan
Wine Hamper – Aine Kenny
Turkey and Ham – Anto Doyle
Food Hamper – Colm Reid
Signed Snow Patrol T Shirt – Caoimhe Lloyd
Signed Snow Patrol T Shirt – Dave O’Kelly
Car Kit – Joe McCluskey
Vodka & Chocolates – Ray Kearns
Car Kit – Glen Byrne
Sports Bag – Tom Driver
Body Warmer – Gay O’Toole
T Shirt and Hoodie – Dave O’Kelly
Golf Umbrella – Rosemary Lavelle
Golf Umbrella – Bobby Byrne
This Tuesday in Kilians
Challenge match
Jose Vargas captains the Out of Towners Select X1 versus Chris Hogan’s Local Rock Stars.
Promises to be a keenly fought contest.
Kick off at 9pm in Kilians.
A very pleasant evening was had by all in the comfortable surroundings of the Eden on Sat 17th.
A Big Thanks to the Eden management and staff for their hospitality and kind assistance on the night with the raffle, which was more sucessful than in recent years.
Thanks also to the ticket salesmen on the night: Anto Doyle, Dave O’Kelly, Niall Hanratty, Martin Costello and Keith Kelly.
Those who made donations to the prize fund are also appreciated: Ross Kelly, Neill Bolger, Jason Northey, Neil McGowan, Martin Costello, Mick Greene, Fintan Grace, Edo Maino, Jose Vargas, Derek Keane. And not to forget the big sellers: Glen Burke, Fintan Grace, Neill Bolger, Derek Keane, Dave O’Kelly and Edo Maino. And Mr John Delaney of the FAI , for the Ireland jersey!
A big thank you to those who have contributed prizes so far, including Ross Kelly, Mick Greene, Bobby Hayes, Andy Dunne, Edo Maino and Martin Costello. More donations are welcome.
Also thanks to those who have returned tickets and cash so far in particular top sellers so far Fintan Grace, Neill Bolger, Glen Burke and Edo Maino.
Many chose not to brave the elements for training Tuesday night (it was a bit cold and windy for wimps alright!) so please bring tickets and cash to Kilians on Thursday. Best to get as many tickets sorted before Sat so we can concentrate on the social side of the evening.
10.12.11
Spartak 2, Inchicore Athletic 1.
Two fine first half finishes clinched a spot in the 5th Round of the Leinster Junior Shield for the Sky Blues.
This tie was considered by the LFA to be a virtual shoo in for Inchicore, one of the famous old names in junior soccer and who are having a powerful season in the LFL, but it was Spartak’s drive and energy which saw off their more fancied opponents to register their most impressive result of the season so far.
Spartak threatened first with two Steve Walsh free kicks and also when Mick Costello flicked on Chris Hogan’s throw, Conor Maguire’s effort was too close to the keeper. In between Bobby Hayes took off a good save to deny the visitors.
On 17 minutes Conor Maguire was denied by the keeper at the expense of a corner, from which Niall Hanratty’s perfectly flighted ball was emphatically headed home by Martin Costello.
At this point Spartak’s defence began to look shaky for a while; errors by Fintan Grace and Martin Costello were reprieved when the striker fired over; Cathal Clancy cleared off the line after a scramble; and a fine cross was turned wide by the Inchicore no.9 from 5 yards with Chris Hogan struggling to get across to cover.
Chris Hogan and Niall Hanratty combined well going forward down the right and were unlucky not to see at least one cross converted.
On 42 minutes came a goal of rare quality. Hard work by Neill Bolger and Mick Costello saw Conor Maguire take possession 25 yards out. His lofted pass was chased by Steve Walsh, whose close control artfully outwitted two defenders before he rifled it home.
Unsurprisingly Inchicore came out all guns blazing for the second period, but it was Spartak on the break who had a Neill Bolger effort disallowed for offside, with the keeper departing injured after the clash, and both players booked.
Inchicore then had a period of dominance marked strangely by a reluctance to shoot when in good positions, and marked by a couple of big misses. On 64 minutes a prolonged game of head tennis in the Spartak box was finished by a visiting forward who scored.
As second half became a war of attrition in heavy conditions the Spartak defence became more resolute and there were some fine tackles and blocks to deny chances.
On the break Niall Lennon and Steve Walsh had chances to stretch the lead but were thwarted.
Bobby Hayes then killed off a number of attacks by some fine takes from dangerous crosses.
Anyone got a road map for Carrickmacross?
Form Report
Bobby Hayes 8 Chris Hogan 7 Fintan Grace 7 Martin Costello 8 Cathal Clancy 8 Mick Costello 7 Niall Lennon 7 Niall Hanratty 7 Steve Walsh 8 Conor Maguire 8 Neill Bolger 7
Subs Derek McGoldrick 6 Shane McInerney Mick Greene
The Christmas night out is on Sat 17th Dec in the Eden.
The fund raising raffle will take place on the night, for Bumper Hampers and a signed Ireland Jersey .
Full marks to Keith Kelly, Ciaran Keogh, Tony Kavanagh and Neill Bolger who have already returned tickets and cash. Please get those tickets sold and back to the club – Thanks!
Also we have received prize donations from Bobby Hayes and Ross Kelly. More are welcome…..
Keep up the good work!
