Spartak Dynamo FC

Congrats to Paul and all the Sunday squad who beat Dunboyne 3-1 tonight in the Tom Cullen Cup Final. Well done lads !

Fantasy Winner Graham Breen €50.
Last Man standing €130 shared between Jason Doyle and Neil McGowan

The plan after the match tomorrow is to his to Diceys. Shane has had a chat with the bouncers….

Take the Lucan exit off the M50. Take the Celbridge exit off the N4 on to the R403. Follow the Celbridge Road past Weston Airport (on the right) until you reach the Orchard Garden Centre (on the right). Just opposite the Orchard Garden Centre take the left turn, Loughlinstown Road, signposted Ballyoulster AFC or Elm Hall Golf Club. Follow this road for about a mile until you come to Elm Nursing Home and the clubhouse and pitches are behind the nursing home. The gates to the grounds are signposted Ballyoulster AFC. 

The end of season awards are upon us and votes have been received in all categories. After various vote rigging attempts and efforts to vote for self and sale of votes (that’s you Jason Northey!) were discounted, the valid polls are complete.

First team player of the year saw votes for seven different players – Stuart Love, Peter O’Toole, Graham Breen, Steve Grier, Dave Browne, Neil McGowan and Alex Kenny.

Second team votes were more concentrated with just four candidates – Martin Costello, Dave (Chopper) O’Kelly , Shane McInerney and Cathal Clancy.

For the over 35s, four candidates have emerged – Gerry Doran, Ken Byrne, Tony Kavanagh and Jimmy Browne.

Clubman of the year nominations include a wide variety of candidates including former winners Frank McNamee, Jason Doyle, Barry Crowe , Paul McGowan and Dave Mohan. Also in the hunt in an effort to put a new name on the award are Mick Greene, Shane McInerney, Stuart Love, Brian Stafford and Dave Browne.

All will be revealed at the awards ceremony, which will be black tie only, to be arranged after we get the cup final out of the way! So get your speeches ready chaps, and no tears please!

Saturday AWAY to Drimnagh – MATCH OFF

Sunday team no weekend fixture – Tuesday 11th HOME to Queens Park

Over 35s Saturday game TBC – Wednesday 12th AWAY to Greenhills

Lads,

Time to think about your vote for player of the year and clubman of the year.

Which player has delivered for each team in terms of form and commitment? Which club member has done he most to help the club this season?

Will be collecting votes by text shortly.

Spartak 1 EID 5

A strange game indeed. Spartak carried out the game plan pretty well in the first half, against strong and skilful oponents (all Brazilians) and yet ended the half  0-3 down while only conceding one chance from open play; a scoreline that flattered the visitors and left the home side agitated and frustrated. The referee certainly played a big part in that lead.

The second half degenerated as the referee compounded his many errors, and Spartak paid the price for indiscipline.

Steve Browne had an early first half chance, in a game in which Spartak were needing as underdogs to score first, but missed.

On 10 minutes Martin Costello blocked a cross with an outstretched arm and the ref, after many seconds and vociferous calls from the visiting line, awarded the spot kick, which was easily converted. EID went two up from a free kick given  against Dave O’Kelly when it was clear that the forward had dived. Just on half time number three went in after a good move by EID, albeit with the aid of a deflection.  Adam Doran was profligate with a free awarded when he himself was fouled, and also made a strong run and cross from the bye line which just eluded the touch needed to convert.

Spartak gifted goal number 4 on 47 minutes when Chris Hogan, who never got to the pace of the game,  could not control Peter O’Toole’s throw and the ball was returned to the net with O’Toole still at the edge of his box.   

Spartak reduced arrears when Adam Doran shot home following a flick on from Browne.

Steve Browne was dismissed, as always seemed likely, following a build up of fouls and protests. Niall Hanratty spoiled what was up to then a good performance by followed him into the red card list following a dispute over a free kick, but not before losing control of the ball to allow goal  number 5 to be shot home, despite O’Toole getting two hands to the ball. Martin Costello particularly and Dave O’Kelly went close to getting second yellow cards; Martin’s impetuous challenges need to be curbed as he improves as a defender. 

Not an enjoyable day in a referee spoiled game.

Form Report

Peter O’Toole 6 Niall Hanratty 6 Mick Greene 6 Martin Costello 6 Dave O’Kelly 6 Shane McInerney 7 Dermot Dooley 7 Chris Hogan 5 Steve Browne 6 Adam Doran 7 Dan O’Connell 7

Subs Dave Williams 5 Mike Hull 6 Barry Maguire 6

Saturday team HOME to EID
Sunday team AWAY to Dunboyne – Thursday 6th – AWAY to Liffey Valley
Over 35s home to Greenhills on Sat in the cup

Everton 3 Spartak 1

A 15th minute screamer from 20 yards by Niall Hanratty gave Spartak the  lead in this game , but it proved not enough against the league leaders. Spartak will look back at chances missed and a penalty conceded as the turning points of the game. Shane McInerney was centrally involved in these key incidents, somewhat unluckily conceding a penalty after a scramble, and heading over when well placed from Mick Greene’s pinpoint cross. 

A second game in three days proved tough going and some players found it harder than others. Mick Greene’s lack of fitness could not carry him through while Mark Bolger was unable to fully shoulder the burden of lone front man;  however Niall Hanratty thrived on the extra game and produced a second man of the match performance in a row.

Before scoring, Spartak had gone close when Hanratty’s cross just eluded Dermot Dooley and then Mark Bolger went close with headers from Greene’s free and then again from Hanratty’s corner. Good work from Chris Hogan and Mick Costello led to the goal which Hanratty cracked home from distance.

Spartak did not retain the lead for long enough and Everton equalised with a shot from even further out, 30 yards, on 25 minutes. On 34 minutes Everton went further ahead with the penalty and early in the second half got number 3 when Cathal Clancy was pulled back when about to clear and the ball was drilled home after a corner.

Cathal Clancy made a goal line clearance and at the other end Shane McInerney then had chances from Greene set pieces but could not convert.  

Substitutes combined to almost almost reduce arrears when Barry Maguire made a chance for Dave Williams, but the shot was delayed and danger averted.

Overall a solid performance against a strong outfit who deserved to win; Spartak, the only side to beat them in the league so far,  would have needed to hold on to the lead a while longer to frustrate them and repeat the feat.

Form Report

Jason Northey 7 Dave O’Kelly 7 Mick Greene 5 Martin Costello 7 Cathal Clancy 7 Shane McInerney 6 Niall Hanratty 8 Chris Hogan 5 Mark Bolger 6 Dermot Dooley 6 Mick Costello 5

Subs Dave Williams 5 Barry Maguire 5