Spartak Dynamo FC

11.2.17
Spartak 1, Corduff 4

In atrocious conditions in Marlay, Spartak missed many scoring chances to have this game sealed in the first half.

A first half header from Mick Young gave the Sky Blues the lead, but the visitors equalised when the ball was pulled back from an out-of-play position just before half time. The referee, unfortunately, was on the half way line, and allowed the score to stand.

Even allowing for this setback, Spartak should have been out of sight by then, after taking the lead, with good chances missed by Ciaran Keane, Owen McCormack and Dave Haczynskyj. Mick Greene, deputising in goal for the injured Greg Byrne, made a couple of decent stops.

Corduff, emboldened by the equaliser, took the lead early in the second period with a breakaway goal.

The Sky Blues then laid siege to the visitors goal, Dave HAczynskyj firing wide of an unguarded goal, Owen MCCormack too slow to pass to an unmarked Conor Callis, Conor Brady firing over from a rebound, and OWen McCormack fireing a few efforts too close to the keeper.

As conditions deteriorated, Corduff scored a third as Spartak pushed on; Mick Greene made a fine save from another attack. Corduff added a fourth in injury time.

Failure to take straightforward chances at key stages of the game proved to be Spartak’s undoing.

Form Report
Mick Greene 7 Chris Hogan 5 Cian Stenson 8 Mick Young 6 Darren Ritchie 6 Shane McInerney 7 Sean Molloy 6 Conor Canavan 5 Ciaran Keane 5 Dave Haczynskyj 5 Owen McCormack 5
Subs: Conor Callis 5 Geoff Abraham 5 Conor Brady 5 Leo Bradley 5

Maurice Timmins, who passed away suddenly on 22nd February, was closely associated with Spartak in the ’80s and ’90s.

While he played for Spartak occasionally, Maurice’s main role was as physical trainer. He led his charges on lengthy runs around the Churchtown and Rathfarnham areas on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The toughness of those runs were recalled recently by some former players, who winced at the memory!

It was also noticeable how many players developed sudden hamstring strains and had to sit out the runs, only to miraculously recover to full fitness for the football at the end…they got little sympathy from Maurice!

Maurice gradually drifted away from Spartak as he concentrated on his real love, marathon running, and completed over 200 marathons, some in far off places.

Maurice is fondly remembered as a cheerful and dedicated individual, and his contribution to Spartak was a valuable one.

May he Rest in Peace.

10/12/16
Corduff 3, Spartak 6

A very heavy and bumpy pitch did not make for the greatest spectacle, but both sides attempted to play a passing game; errors aplenty at the back on both sides resulted in a pre Christmas goal fest.

Sean Molloy opened the scoring with a neat effort after his pressing saw Spartak gain possession; Gary Bridges provided the pass and Sean did the rest. Chris Hogan was having a ropy start, uncertain in positioning, and while rescued initially by Greg Byrne’s save, his offside appeal fell on deaf ears as he allowed a forward a free run in to equalise.

Spartak now became sloppy after conceding and Liam Caffrey made a good saving tackle when Gary Bridges was caught in possession, while the home side also fired a decent chance wide. The Sky Blues took a half time lead when an alert Mick Leslie charged down the keeper’s kick. The ball ran to Sean Molloy on the edge of the box, and he coolly took a touch before firing home.

A rip roaring start to the second period saw Spartak race into a 4-1 lead. Owen Marron won a corner, and Mick Leslie’s flag kick was turned in by Darren Ritchie. A minute later, good work by Mick Leslie gave Owen Marron a chance, which he fired in from outside the box.

Corduff did not lie down, and soon reduced arrears, but Sean Molloy’s flick on put Mick Leslie in. 5-2.
Again the home side came back, but Darren Ritchie clinched the deal after approach work by Owen Marron and sub Dave Kernan.

Form Report
Greg Byrne 7 Chris Hogan 5 Cian Stenson 6 Liam Caffrey 6 Darragh Logue 6 Gary Bridges 6 Owen Marron 7 Sean Molloy 8 Leo Bradley 5 Darren Ritchie 7 Mick Leslie 8
Subs: Conor Callis 6 Dave Kernan 6

3.12.16
Spartak 1, East Wall Rovers 2

East Wall edged this that contest in Marlay, although Spartak will be left rueing a number of opportunities missed.
A free kick by Leo Bradley was deflected by a defender against the bar, only to drop to Geoff Abraham – but his tame effort did not trouble the keeper. Owen McCormack, straight through on goal, was called back for a dubious offside.

A defensive mix up gave East Wall the lead, which they doubled on the hour mark with a decent header.

The introduction of the three substitutes gave Spartak the impetus for a fightback, and Bulelani Dunjana turned in Ciaran Keane’s cross to half the deficit.

Sean Molloy had an effort saved, Geoff Abraham fired over, Leo Bradley headed wide at the back post, and Dave O’Kelly headed over from a corner.

Not quite enough to force extra time.

Form Report
Greg Byrne 8 Mick Greene 5 Cian Stenson 7 Gary Bridges 7 Dave O’Kelly 6 Shane McInerney 6 Geoff Abraham 5 Leo Bradley 5 Mick Leslie 7 Owen McCormack 6 Sean Molloy 6
Subs: Conor Brady 5 Ciaran Keane 6 Bulelani Dunjana 6

12.11.16
Spartak 5 Earl Celtic 7

No, it wasn’t a rugby match despite the strange scoreline!

Its certainly one of the oddest matches seen in Marlay for many years. It looked as if each back 4 had never met their teammates previously, as every attack by both sides looked like producing a score.

Spartak, apart from scoring five goals, missed a number of chances; crosses by Mick Leslie were headed off target by Leo Bradley and Shane Cunningham; Conor Callis fired wide when clean through; Ciaran Keane fired wide from a good position.

Leo Bradley fired a decent hat trick, and Mick Leslie scored a neat goal. Gary Bridges’ long range effort was the pick of the bunch for the Sky Blues. Spartak found themselves 4-3 down at half time, and Earl made it five very early in the second period; Spartak struck back and scored twice to equalise; indeed at this point it seemed there could only be one winner, but a break by Earl saw a very soft goal conceded, even by the standards of the day, and Earl added one more as they surged past a bewildered Sky Blues defence.

It is probably better to draw a veil over the concession of so many scores; in Spartak’s case the defending was deplorable from front to back.

A bad day at the office.

Form Report
Bobby Hayes 6 Chris Hogan 5 Dave O’Kelly 4 Liam Caffey 4 Cian Stenson 4 Eric Barber 5 Shane Cunningham 5 Gary Bridges 6 Ciaran Keane 4 Leo Bradley 7 Mick Leslie 7
Subs: Conor Callis 5 Shane McInerney 5 Sean Molloy 5

29/10/16
Spartak 1, Rush 2

A Steve Grier throw in was deflected onto the rush crossbar and off the lien as Spartak strove for the opening score.
Rush showed plenty of intent also, forcing Bobby Hayes into a good save before hitting the woodwork themselves.

Conor Brady’s weak effort was not enough to effect a breakthrough, and Shane Cunningham fired wide from decent position, before putting Conor Brady in to finish neatly.

But a low cross was converted by Rush on 37 mnutes to denythe Sky Blues an interval lead, and in the first minute of the second period Mick Leslie failed to clear and Rush made it two.

Both sides had half chances, Spartak pushed on for an equaliser and left the back door somewhat open. Sean Molloy and Geoff Abraham had the best opportunities, but did not trouble the visiting keeper.

A disappointing performance.

Form Report
Bobby Hayes 6 Cian Stenson 6 Mick Leslie 4 Steve Grier 6 Liam Caffrey 6 Gary Bridges 5 Owen Marron 5 Conor Brady 5 Shane Cunningham 5 Darren Ritchie 5 Owen McCormack 7
Subs: Sean Molloy 5 Bulelani Dunjana 5 Geoff Abraham 5

22.10.16
Spartak 1, Walkinstown 2

A late and controversial penalty (seen only by the referee) gave the visitors the narrowest of wins against a Spartak team who put up a decent show and deserved something from the game.

Owen McCormack’s effort looked to be enough to enough to get a point in a tight game, and it was particularly galling to lose the match in such fashion.

Walkinstown have been involved in many low scoring games, and this was no exception, with chances at a premium.

A bitter pill to swallow.

Form Report
Bobby Hayes 7 Chris Hogan 7 Cian Stenson 8 Liam Caffrey 6 Dave O’Kelly 6 Shane McInerney 7 Leo Bradley 6 Mick Leslie 5 Shane Cunningham 6 Darren Ritchie 6 Owen McCormack 8
Subs: Conor Callis 6 Sean Molloy 6 Conor Brady 6

15.10.16
Spartak 5, Sandford St Marys 3 (AET)

Spartak advanced to the second round of the Leinster Junior Shield courtesy of this extra time win over their UCFL based oppponents in a tough game in Marlay Park

The rule allowing additional substitutes benefited Spartak, who were able to use four men from the bench to contribute in decisive fashion with Conor Callis, Shane McInerney and Leo Bradley all scoring. Shane’s goal was vital, an equaliser minutes from the end to force extra time.

Greg Byrne had to be in fine form for the Sky Blues as the visitors piled pressure on. Owen McCormack equalised after and early lead goal put Spartak behind.

Robbie Kennedy fired Spartak in front before the visitors charged back into a 3-2 lead.

After Shane McInerney’s key effort, Conor Callis and Leo Bradley scored fine efforts to clinch victory.

Form Report
Greg Byrne 8 Chris Hogan 6 Cian Stenson 5 Liam Caffrey 4 Darren Ritchie 4 Rob Collins 5 Sean Molloy 5 Conor Brady 5 Mick Leslie 5 Owen MCCormack 7 Robbie Kennedy 8
Subs: Leo Bradley 8 Shane McInerney 7 Conor Callis 7 Shane Cunningham 4

8.10.16
Mt Merrion Youths 0, Spartak 0

A superb Greg Byrne save, late on in the game, ensured Spartak earned a point in a tough battle at Rosemount.

Overall it was a game of few chances, with each team working hard to deny time and space to their opponents.

Rob Collins and Owen Marron worked hard in the middle for Spartak, while Dave O’Kelly had one of his better games in the heart of the Sky Blue defence. Up front Spartak were hampered when Dave Haczynskyj had to go off after a bad tackle.

Darren Ritchie created a couple of second half chances, but clear opportunities were few and far between for both sides.

A point apiece was a fair result.

Form Report
Greg Byrne 9 Chris Hogan 7 Cian Stenson 7 Liam Caffrey 7 Dave O’Kelly 8 Rob Collins 7 Owen Marron 7 Bule Dunjana 5 Dave Haczynskyj 6 Owen McCormack 6 Rob Kennedy 6
Subs: Darren Ritchie 6 Shane Cunningham 6 Sean Molloy 5

1.10.16
Spartak 4, Newlands/Castle Park 3

Having fallen behind on the stroke of half time, Spartak surged ahead in a much improved third quarter display, before letting it slip and having to rely on a late winner.

The first half saw the Sky Blues have chances through Conor Brady and Rob Kennedy, but both efforts were saved, and when a poorly executed Spartak free allowed a break out by the visitors, the chance was taken and Spartak were one down.

Spartak began the second period in exhilarating fashion; Conor Brady had the first chance, but his touch deserted him close in. Then a quick fire burst of three goals put the Sky Blues in temporary command.

Liam Caffrey sent Rob Kennedy away on the left, and Owen Marron converted the cross. Shane McInerney’s pass put Owen McCormack through for number two, and then Rob Kennedy provided Owen Marron with number three. Owen McCormack then had an effort cleared off the line.

The visitors seemed to be overwhelmed, but Spartak took their collective foot off the pedal; a point blank header reduced arrears, before the almost inevitable equaliser arrived.

Sean Molloy had two chances, one hitting the post, before a pass from Chris Hogan gave Dave Haczynskyj the chance to fire home from just inside the box for a fine winning goal, with just two minutes to spare.

Form Report
Greg Byrne 7 Cian Stenson 6 Liam Caffrey 6 Dave O’Kelly 7 Fintan Grace 6 Owen Marron 7 Shane McInerney 7 Rob Collins 6 Rob Kennedy 8 Owen McCormack 7 Conor Brady 6
Subs: Dave Haczynskyj 7 Sean Molloy 7 Chris Hogan 6