Spartak Dynamo FC

Wayside Celtic 1, Spartak 1

A good work out against a useful Wayside outfit marred only by an inept refereeing performance in the final warm up game before hostilities begin in earnest.

Graham Breen should have won a penalty (and the keeper red carded) when a horrendous high two footed lunge went unpunished early on.

Spartak began brightly and made chances when Niall Tilly’s cross was weakly fired in by Seamus McCahill. Glen Burke was wasteful with a couple of free kicks (one too floaty, one blazed wildly over) and was caught in possession too often. Hanratty and O’Kelly combined well early on down the right as Spartak took control. Rob Deering , on he break, opted to shoot from a narrow angle rather than pass to unmarked colleagues.

At the other end Wayside were thwarted on two occasions, once by Peter O’Toole and once, unluckily, by a deflection.

On the hour Wayside, after a good spell of possession as Spartak lost control of the midfield with the defence lying too deep, won the ball from Stuart Love, and, as Martin Costello unwisely backed off at the edge of the box, the ball was slipped behind Dave Browne for a straightforward goal.

Spartak pressed on with determination, if somewhat raggedly due to over carrying, but were rewarded when Breen’s flick on from Browne’s throw was tucked home by Seamus McCahill for a deserved equaliser.

Form Report
Peter O’Toole 7 Dave O’Kelly 6 Fintan Grace 6 Martin Costello 6 Paul Kinsella 7 Stuart Love 5 Niall Hanratty 6 Glen Burke 5 Niall Tilly 5 Graham Breen 6 Seamus McCahill 7
Subs : Mark Bolger 5 Dan O’Connell 6 Dave Browne 5 Rob Deering 5

Rathfarnham Punters 4, Spartak 1

Spartak conceded two goals from corners and one from a throw in a disappointing display against a strong Punters side comprising of many of their Sunday Premier players.

Spartak suffered a number of knocks with Neill Bolger, Tom O’Driscoll, Kevin Mannion and Cathal Clancy all being withdrawn during the match to join the injured list which already includes Ross Kelly, Shane McInerney, Jason Northey, Robbie Hayes and Mick Costello, while Nick Kelly’s calf injury did not survive the warm up. Derek McGoldrick, so often unfortunate with injuries, survived with no worse than some nettle stings incurred during a sliding tackle.

There were positives to the display with an excellent outing from Niall Hanratty and Kevin Mannion showing composure and some good touches. Mick Greene, deputising in goal, did not let the side down and pulled off a coule of good saves as well as showing good distribution, and Fintan Grace was his usual solid self. Rob Deering got the goal and showed some nice touches on the ball when time allowed, but was too often hustled out of it in close combat.

Form Report
Mick Greene 7; Niall Hanratty 9 Derek McGoldrick 7 Cathal Clancy 6 Fintan Grace 7 Rob Flanagan 5 Neill Bolger 6 Kevin Mannion 7 Jose Vargas 5 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Rob Deering 5 Ryan Burke 5 Dillon Burke 5 Chris Hogan 5 Mike Hull 5 Aaron Ormerod 5

Firhouse under 18s 5, Spartak 3

This match gave an opportunity to a number of players who have not had many friendly outings to date.
Unfortunately few of them looked ready for action, and were outpaced, outfought and three down at half time.
What was particularly poor was the concession of goals from corners simply due to a failure of routine defensive organisation. In general the Spartak players took the view that a restart play was an opportunity for a snooze, and were caught out repeatedly from throws and corners.
The introduction of changes at half time prompted something of a comeback, and goals from McCahill, Breen and O’Sullivan got the score back to 3-4 but McCahill also netted at the wrong end and Dillon Burke was caught out for the 5th goal.

Form Report
Jason Northey – made a couple of good stops in the second half. Missed a couple of crosses. Did not marshall his defence. Poor distribution. 4.
Barry Maguire – was generally outpaced and his passing was off. 4.
Dillon Burke – lacked aggression, stood off his man and then tended to dive in. 4.
Paul Kinsella – made some decent tackles but distribution not great and too quiet. 5.
Dave Browne – Well off the pace and distribution poor. Allowed his man to escape on key occasions. 4
Rob Flanagan – Beaten regularly in the air by a player a foot shorter.
Never got his passing going . Lacked aggression 4
Kevin Mannion – for a central midfielder did little in the way of defensive work, marking or covering and left back four unprotected. Passing poor.4.
Ryan Burke – never got any crosses in , and defensive tracking back poor. 4.
Aaron Ormerod. Tentative on the ball, no crosses and missed an easy chance inside the six yard box. 4.
Graham Breen . Encouraged throughout, but did not get going until the second half. Involved in all Spartak’s goals. 6.
Colum O’Sullivan – won the ball fairly regularly, but overran it continually and was constantly caught in possession. Passing poor. 4
Seamus McCahill – came on at half time and added energy and urgency as well as passing. 7.
Dave O’Kelly – introduced at half time to add vigour, but played poorly 4.
Mick Greene – only on for last few minutes.

Leicester Celtic 0, Spartak 0 (Leicester win 5-4 on pens)

Penalty shoot outs have been described as a lottery, however there is a proven formula to winning them – keep scoring all your penalties and wait for the opposotion to mess up or your keeper to be inspired. In this case the unlucky Peter O’Toole got fingers to four of the penalties but not enough to keep them out, while Glen Burke fell below his own standards of penalty execution with a weak effort too close to the keeper who was able to save with his feet.
Niall Hanratty, Paul Kinsella , Seamus McCahill and Steve Grier all scored with their efforts.
In the game itself, Spartak’s best chance came from a Grier – McCahill
quick throw move very early on which ended with a tantalising ball across the six yard box with no Spartak forward in sight.
Dave O’Kelly’s header was saved and Tom O’Driscoll shot over when Glen Burke’s long range free was parried out to him. The Leicester keeper also saved well from McCahill, while Burke’s effort was blocked close to the line.
Leicester had their own chances when careless play by Grier let them in and on another occasion when Spartak’s back four were caught out by a long ball.
Overall defences dominated , as would be expected in a cup semi, but Leicester held their nerve to go through to meet VEC, victors over Knocklyon, in the final.

Form Report
Peter O’Toole 6 Glen Burke 6 Martin Costello 6 Steve Grier 6 Paul Kinsela 7 Keith Kelly 6 Seamus McCahill 7 Stuart Love 6 Dave O’Kelly 6 Ger Byrne 7 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Niall Tilly 6 Niall Hanratty 6 Dave Browne 6 Dan O’Connell Niall Lennon.

Spartak 1, Aston Village 0
Spartak 4, VEC B 0
Spartak 1 Knocklyon 4

Spartak qualified for the semi finals of the annual Willie Kissane memorial tournament held in VEC today.
A very tight first game was settled by a fine Ger Byrne finish from Adam Doran’s teasing cross.
The second match was kiled off early as new boys Seamus McCahill and Keith Kelly (2) scored early goals with assists from Steve Grier, Stuart Love and Ger Byrne.
Another new boy, Niall Tilly added number 4 in the second half.
With qualification already assured, Spartak took a lax attitude into the third game and Knocklyon were 2 up inside four minutes. Spartak came back somewhat, and Stuart Love and Seamus McCahill went close. A lobbed goal on the break and a cracking drive completed Knocklyon’s total while Spartak could only respond with a Seamus McCahill header after good work by Tilly and Hanratty. Stuart Love and Ger Byrne both missed decent opportunities, but the sky blues paid the price for starting with a relaxed approach by suffering an embarrassing loss.

Spartak face a tough semi against Leicester Celtic 12.15 Sunday.

Form Report
Peter O’Toole 6 Dave O’Kelly 6 Martin Costello 5 Steve Grier 7 Paul Kinsella 7 Tom Flanagan 5 Seamus McCahill 7 Niall Hanratty 5 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Ger Byrne 6 Stuart Love 6 Adam Doran 6 Niall Lennon 5 Dave Browne 6 Niall Tilly 6 Dan O’Connell 5 Keith Kelly 7

Lads, as the premiership start looms close its time to be thinking about the Spartak Dynamo FC Fantasy league for this year. 2009 saw 29 players from within the club pit their football knowledge against each other in an entertaining competition that was won convincingly in the end by Graham Breen. Let’s see if we can get more than 29 involved this year. Entry is free and the club is again offering a few prizes with the first one being €50 FOR THE TOP SCORING TEAM IN THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER. You must be up to date on annuals and subs to claim winnings. Sign up by clicking the link below (in the links section) and take it from there. The code to join our private league is 939110-206021

Park Celtic 1 Spartak 1

Jason Northey, with five outstanding saves and blocks stood between Spartak and a heavy first half deficit. Nothwithstanding the problems of unfamiliarity and some experimentation in the line up, Spartak players were yards off the pace against a faster moving and even faster thinking Park side, who hustled for every ball and were winning virtually all the headers and 50/50 balls.
Anytime the ball went dead, Spartak went dead also , however by contrast Park were alive to opportunities from quickly taken throws and frees, and Spartak looked like being overwhelmed.
Some doughty defending from Cathal Clancy and good covering by Mick Costello helped stave off disaster, with Dillon Burke performing manfully against the local side’s best player. However on 37 minutes a slick short corner routine saw the sky blue defence unhinged and flat footed and it was 1-0 to the home side.
On a couple of rare break outs Mick Greene and Tom O’Driscoll had efforts from free kicks, while Mike Hull headed Rob Flanagan’s cross straight at the keeper.
With Glen Burke and Barry Maguire adding some composure and Tom O’Driscoll providing some much needed hold up play Spartak’s performance improved in the second half, and Northey was not as overworked.
An equaliser was conjured up on 59 minutes when Glen Burke’s free was handled – no penalty given- and when the ball came back to him
he crossed for Mick Costello to head in from a suspiciously offside looking position. 1-1.
Spartak gained in confidence and Ryan Burke’s runs caused enough problems to get the local left back red carded.
Spartak almost got an unlikely winner in injury time when Jose Vargas’ trickery allowed him to set up Mick Greene for a straightforward chance in the box. Mick’s shot was parried and Tom O’Driscoll’s efforts from the rebound and the subsequent corner were both blocked.

Form Report
Jason Northey 9 Mick Greene 5 Dillon Burke 7 Nick Kelly 6 Cathal Clancy 8 Rob Flanagan 6 Mick Costello 8 Jose Vargas 6 Ryan Burke 6 Colum O’Sullivan 5 Derek McGoldrick 5 Glen Burke 8 Barry Maguire 7 Mike Hull 5 Tom O’Driscoll 7

Griffith Rovers 3 , Spartak 2

Despite taking an early lead, Spartak fell to a pre season defeat against a tough and fast Griffith side, who scored three times just before and after the interval, and generally showed a greater goal threat.

On 9 minutes a Stuart Love pass fed Graham Breen who first timed it home following confusion in the home defence.
Rovers then missed a pont blank header from a corner before Martin Costello, lacking confidence in his left foot, spurned an open goal when the ball came to him 25 yards out. Both Dan O’Connell and Fintan Grace set the hard running Ger Byrne away but the chances were not availed of.

Spartak were confused at the back with Dave Browne and Dave O’Kelly venturing out of position and Martin Costello having a torrid time with the winger before retiring with a recurring knock. Reliant on Peter O’Toole who made a couple of good stops, the defence continued to cede chances to Griffith. Following Dave Browne’s long throw possession was lost and Spartak were short of cover, and the home side took full adantage. 1-1. Paul Kinsella’s mis header forced O’Toole to remain alert.

Spartak made wholesale changes at half time and the substitutes in central midfield, Shane McInerney and Tom Flanagan, struggled to get into the game and allowed their opponents free rein to dominate the central area where Seamus McCahill and Fintan Grace had done the battling in the first half. Consequently Griffith scored twice in as many minutes as the Spartak boat rocked, just after O’Toole again made a sharp reflex save.

Central defence was found wanting when a long cross from the Spartak left was powered home unchallenged. From a corner then the ball was laid off to a Griffith midfielder, given time and space to have a ping. O’Toole was unfortunate in tipping the shot on to the woodwork only for the ball to go in off his body.

Paul Kinsella showed his leadership qualities as Spartak’s defence steadied somewhat. Shane Corrigan, carrying a knock, missed a chance to reduce arrears from Niall Tilly’s cross.

In general Spartak were shot shy but managed to reduce arrears when Paul Kinsella bundled in Tom Flanagan’s corner on 73 minutes.

Niall Hanratty’s promptings were producing some benefits but the final touches around the box were missing and Stuart Love’s timid shot from the edge of the box was the last chance.

This was clearly a case of a friendly game where the six substitutes, in general, did not make an impact. While it was good that everyone got a run, the team suffered from the lack of continuity.

Form Report
Peter O’Toole 8 Dave O’Kelly 5 Martin Costello 5 Dave Browne 5 Paul Kinsella 7 Fintan Grace 6 Stuart Love 6 Seamus McCahill 6 Niall Lennon 5 Graham Breen 6 Ger Byrne 6 Dan O’Connell 6 Niall Tilly 5 Niall Hanratty 6 Tom Flanagan 4 Shane McInerney 4 Shane Corrigan 5.

Balally Celtic 2, Spartak 2

Spartak fielded a more experienced side and started brightly with Ross Kelly, injury free, linking the attacking moves. On 9 minutes, a long throw by Steve Grier was powerfully headed home by Dave O’Kelly. Spartak continued to press and from Kelly’s corner O’Kelly’s flick was touched over by Rob Flanagan.

The locals then came back somewhat and Fintan Grace and Mick Greene were beaten down the left but the shot from the resulting cross was comfortably taken by an alert Peter O’Toole.

Niall Tilly then had a good chance and when his shot was saved, he recovered to cross and Ross Kelly’s overhead kick was just over.

Barry Maguire, unwisely switching with Dave O’Kelly, was caught napping by a through ball and O’Toole made a fine save.

Spartak had two more good attempts when Grier’s shot was well saved and Ross Kelly might have scored when well placed.

Balally started the second half strongly and O’Toole made a brilliant save touching the ball onto the bar. However a long ball saw Fintan Grace misjudge his header and cover was in short supply which allowed the striker to finish – 1-1.

Two minutes later, on 53 minutes, Steve Grier fastened onto Neill Bolger’s free to turn and score a fine goal. Jose Vargas had a good run but his left foot shot was off target.

Further injury disruption led to the Balally equaliser when Barry Maguire had to return to the fray out of position and was caught for pace and matters were levelled.

Barry after had a good shout for a penalty when his shot was blocked by a hand and Mick Plunkett troubled the defence with a couple of great set piece deliveries. Jose had a good effort saved when Neill Bolger’s quick free put him in.

A good move saw Jason Northey blaze wide of the near post when the sky blues had men over inside. Spartak almost got the winner after a good run by Ger Byrne set Jose free but he was closed down.

A surging late run and cross by Fintan Grace was just missed by Ger Byrne while at the other end loose marking by Jason Northey at a corner led to a shot from the no 7 which was blocked and then driven home but adjudged offside.

Form report:
Peter O’Toole 8 Dave O’Kelly 8 Mick Greene 6 Martin Costello 7 Fintan Grace 7 Rob Flanagan 5 Barry Maguire 5 Steve Grier 8 Ross Kelly 8 Niall Tilly 6 Ger Byrne 6 Neill Bolger 6 Mick Plunkett 5 Jason Northey 4 Jose Vargas 6

Park Celtic 1, Spartak 1

A late long range volley from Mick Costello endured Spartak earned a deserved draw against a strong home X1.

With Paul Kinsella giving an assured performance at the back Spartak looked solid from the start and Tom Flanagan and Seamus McCahill prompted some good midfield moves.

A good ball by Dave Browne put Ger Byrne in from the left but his lofted effort hit the post. When Seamus McCahill was fouled at the edge of the box, Tom Flanagan’s free was charged down and Stuart Love could not get the loose ball back in effectively.

A fine move saw Graham Breen’s shot scrambled away and Niall Lennon was grateful to be flagged offside after missing a good chance following a flowing move involving Stu, Seamus and Graham.

Further chances fell to Stu, who volleyed wide, and Niall Lennon who saw his shot saved.

An early second half error in distribution by Paul Kinsella saw Park in, but Peter O’Toole was on hand. A good pass by Tom Flanagan put Graham Breen in, but his shot was weak.

Dave Browne, strong in the challenge, was profligate with his free kicks and sold himself a couple of times.

With Spartak utilising their subs, Park came to the fore and Peter O’Toole made a sharp save. Park took the lead when Niall Hanratty’s poor free was knocked past him and he was beaten for pace. From the resultant cross Peter O’Toole made a good stop from the shot but was helpless to prevent the rebond being knocked in.

Stuart Love header just over from Niall Hanratty’s corner and then Hanratty chipped over when clear as Spartak pressed for the equaliser.

Park hit the post on the break and the game began to look beyond Spartak, despite the many chances, until Mick Costello volleyed a dropping ball powerfully to the net from 25 yards for a super goal.

A decent performance against a strong side.

Form Report

Peter O’Toole 7 DaveO’Kelly 7 Rob Mahon 6 Paul Kinsella 8 Dave Browne 6 Tom Flanagan 7 Seamus McCahill 7 Stuart Love 6 Niall Lennon 5 Graham Breen 7 Ger Byrne 6 Mick Costello 6 Neill Bolger 6 Shane Corrigan 6 Derek McGoldrick 6 Niall Hanratty 5