Spartak Dynamo FC

24.9.16
Tymon Bawn 4, Spartak 0

The fact that Spartak mustered their first shot on target on 89 minutes is evidence of the below par performance. Disrupted by numerous absentees and cry offs, Spartak fielded just three of the previous week’s starting eleven.

The level of disjointment was evident throughout, as the Sky Blues sough in vain for a blend, hampered by the fact that several players were way off form.

Tymon hit the post in a dull first half, which meandered to a close without any player putting his stamp on the match.

But an early second half score gave the home side confidence, although Spartak had probably their best chance of the day to equalise when Geoff Gamble headed Owen Marron’s cross wide from close in.

Eventually the home side got completely on top, and scored at their ease as the Sky Blues wilted in the autumn rain.

Form Report
Jason Northey 5 Bulelani Dunjana 4 Fintan Grace 5 Keith Kelly 5 Karl McCullagh 5 Rob Kennedy 5 Owen Marron 5 Geoff Gamble 4 Mick Leslie 4 Darren Ritchie 5 Owen McCormack 4
Subs: Steve Browne 4 Ciaran Keane 4 Conor Brady 5

17.9.16
Spartak 0, Balbriggan 0

The Sky Blues departed Marlay after a battling draw against the north Dublin visitors, who had the majority of chances, including striking the woodwork twice.

However Balbriggan met stubborn resistance in the form of Shane McInerney in midfield and the excellent Greg Byrne in goal, who made vital saves.

It took a while for Spartak’s defence to settle, and several early opportunities were afforded to Balbriggan, but the Spartak goal remained intact. At the other end , Cian Stenson headed over and Darren Ritchie fired wide after being set up by Stenson and Fintan Grace. Ritchie and Dave Haczynskyj set up Cian Stenson who advanced on the keeper; the keeper got enough on it to deflect it wide.

The indefatigable McInerney had his own chance of glory in getting on the end of a move by Owen McCormack and Dave O’Kelly, but his effort was too close to the keeper. Fintan Grace was foiled twice by goal line clearances.

But with Balbriggan making far more opportunities, overall the Sky Blues can be happy with a point.

Form Report
Greg Byrne 9 Chris Hogan 5 Fintan Grace 6 Liam Caffrey 5 Cillian Lalor 6 Shane McInerney 8 Dave O’Kelly 6 Cian Stenson 6 Dave Hacyzinskyj 6 Darren Ritchie 5 Owen McCormack 6
Subs: Joe Dowling 6 Conor Brady 6 Ciaran Keane 6

29/8/16
Spartak 1, St Josephs 4

Spartak went down fighting to a fine St Joseph’s outfit, who must be favourites for promotion.

The visitors took the lead from a penalty conceded by Jason Northey, despite his vigorous protests that the striker had contrived a foul by falling into him.

While Spartak battled well, they lacked the pace and passing power of the visitors; nonetheless the Sky Blues put up a decent performance in the face of adversity, and made the opposition work hard for their win.

Form Report
Jason Northey 8 Chris Hogan 6 Cian Stenson 8 Mick Young 7 Kevin O’Toole 7 Owen Marron 6 Gary Bridges 6 Karl Davis 5 Darren Ritchie 5 Mick Leslie 5 Owen McCormack 6
Subs: Shane McInerney 6 Cillian Lalor 6 Ciaran Keane 6

27.8.16

Spartak 4, Mount Merrion Youths 6

An extraordinary collapse by Spartak, who had raced into a three nil lead. Between the 43rd and 47th minutes the visitors were allowed to score four times in a many minutes to turn the game around following a series of individual errors, and although Ciaran Keane fired in a long range equaliser, Mount Merrion pulled away in the last minutes.

It all looked so different in the approach to half time. Conor Callis had stroked home from Geoff Gamble’s pass before Gamble added two more fine efforts.

Spartak conceded from a corner after 43 minutes, and then a terrible mix up under a long ball gave the visitors s walk in goal.

Chris Hogan, attempting to prevent conceding a corner, was robbed and in the first minute of the second period it was 3.3
and a minute later the Spartak defence obligingly allowed Mt Merrion to add number four.

The shell shocked Sky Blues tried to rally, and Ciaran Keane fired in over a stranded keeper to equalise.

As Spartak pushed forward in search of further goals, the vistors used their pace to add numbers five and six against a dispirited home side.

Form Report
Mick Greene 5 Chris Hogan 4 Cian Stenson 6 Fintan Grace 4 Liam Caffey 5 Gary Bridges 5 Geoff Gamble 8 Mick Leslie 5 Conor Callis 4 Darren Ritchie 5 Ben Johnson 4
Subs: Ciaran Keane 5 Steve Browne 4

22.8.16
Sallynoggin Pearse 2 , Spartak 3

Excellent goalkeeping by Greg Byrne, and when he was forced off though injury, Kevin Loftus took over and was coolness itself, although Kevin was much less troubled by direct efforts as the Spartak defence knitted together to restrict opportunities. Greg made quite a few great saves in the opening period as the home side strove to get back in the game after Spartak’s two goal burst in the opening 9 minutes.

Mick Leslie turned in Chris Hogan’s cross before Dave Hacyzynskyj added number two with the help of a slight deflection.

Sallynoggin gradually hauled themselves back into the game and eventually equalised, but were also profligate with their chances.

Mick Young poked in the winner via the post following a corner, and as darkness fell, Spartak manned the pumps to repel an increasingly frustrated home side.

The foundation for the victory lay in the tireless work of Rob Collins and Owen Marron in midfield, while the back four were a solid combination, with brave blocks by Liam Caffrey and Fintan Grace.

Impressive competitive debuts from Liam, Ben, Cian, Rob and Owen.

From Report
Greg Byrne 9 Chris Hogan 7 Cian Stenson 8 Fintan Grace 8 Liam Caffrey 8 Rob Collins 8 Owen Marron 8 Ben Johnson 7 Dave Haczynskyj 8 Darren Ritchie 7 Mick Leslie 8 Mick Young 7 Kevin Loftus 7 Geoff Gamble 7

11.8.16
Spartak 5, Phonewatch 0

The Sky Blues played a friendly against a Phonewatch team who are heading to Spain shortly to play in a tournament.However the first half pace saw Spartak score three without reply, through Ger Byrne, Steve Walsh and Dave Hacynskyj.

The pace dropped somewhat in the second half, but Geoff Gamble laid a goal on for Dave Kernan, while Ger Byrne fired in from Steve Grier’s pass.

A decent workout and an introduction to season 2016/7 for Messrs McCullagh, Grier and Walsh, all of whom looked in need of a run.

Form Report: Steve Grier 6 Cian Donohoe 6 Paul Kinsella 5 Keith Kelly 5 Karl McCullagh 6 Stu Love 5 Geoff Gamble 6 Dave Kernan 6 Niall Lennon 7 Ger Byrne 7 Rob Collins 6 Dave O Kelly 5 Kevin O’Toole 6 Steve Walsh 5 Dave Hacynskyj 5

13.8.16
Aston Village 4, Spartak 1

With a number of debutants and some who were a little ring rusty, Spartak were tentative in the opening stages. Gradually the Sky Blues rallied and were unlucky not to take the lead, albeit against the run of play, when a penetrative pass by Owen McCormack put Ronan Sharkey clear of the cover. However the keeper got enough on the shot to turn the ball onto the inside of the post. The hosts took the lead in the 42nd minute, and added to that lead on the hour, although there was a suspicion of offside.

Spartak tired somewhat and the hosts added two more before Ciaran Keane fired in a consolation score.

Form Report: Conor Robinson 7 Zach Colman 6 Barry Maguire 5 Mick Greene 5 Cian Donohoe 8 Fintan Grace 6 Gary Bridges 6 Gerry McGuinness 6 Mick Leslie 5 Owen McCormack 6 Darren Ritchie 7 Ben Johnson 6 Liam Caffrey 5 Ronan Sharkey 5 Ciaran Keane 6 Conor Callis 4 Bruno Martins 5 Chris Hogan 5 Geoff Gamble 5

15.8.16
Seaford Rock 3, Spartak 2

A poor first half display saw Spartak overwhelmed by a speedier home side. Sporadic attacks saw Conor Callis fire wide, while Ciaran Keane missed the only presentable chance. Meanwhile, desperate defending was the order of the day with late blocks, a fine Kevin Loftus save, and the width of the crossbar keeping Seaford out, until they took the lead from a corner. A second goal early in the second half seemed to put the hosts well in control, but Spartak fought back. Steve Browne slotted in from Darren Ritchie’s flick on, while Conor Callis missed after a fine run. Man of the Match Dave O’Kelly finished off a move he himself had started but the home side secured the winner with minutes remaining, from what might have been an offside position.

Form Report
Kevin Loftus 7 Chris Hogan 5 Mick Greene 5 Fintan Grace 7 Dave O’Kelly 8 Shane McInerney 6 Joe Dowling 5 Mick Leslie 5 Darren Ritchie 6 Gary Bridges 5 Conor Brady 5 Conor Callis 5 Ciaran Keane 5 Barry Maguire 5 Steve Browne 6

16.8.16
Spartak 1, Terenure College 2

Spartak opened well and seemed aout to overwhelm the opposition, but some poor decision making and lack of sharpness saw a number of opportunities go abegging. Karl McCullagh nodded in fro Steve Walsh’s corner after good pressure from Geoff Gamble, and a Ger Byrne lob bounced onto the crossbar. Keith Kelly fired over with the defence in disarray.

Gradually Terenure gained a foothold and equalised following poor marking at a corner. Worse was to follow when Jason Northey’s pass saw Karl McCullagh dispossessed and Terenure went on to make it 2-1.

Few chances of note were created by either side in a lacklustre second period, although Steve Walsh went close from a free kick.

A disappointing performance overall.

Form Report
Jason Northey 5 Dave Browne 5 Darragh Logue 6 Paul Kinsella 5 Karl McCullagh 5 Kevin O’Toole 5 Geoff Gamble 6 Keith Kelly 5 Steve Grier 5 Stuart Love 5 Steve Walsh 5 Ger Byrne 6 Cian Donohoe 5 Kevin Caldwell 5 Rob Collins 5 Aodhan McCahill 6

Peamount 1, Spartak 3

Goals from Mick Leslie, Owen McCormack and an og gave Spartak a win in the opening friendly. There were encouraging performances from debutants Cian Donohoe, Darragh Logue and Ben Johnson. Of particular satisfaction was the fine display by Stuart Love on his recovery from a cruciate knee injury. Aodhan McCahill was also welcomed back after his erasmus year in Germany. Keith Kelly was solid at the back while Mick Greene did a decent job deputising in goal.

Form Report
Mick Greene 7 Cian Donohoe 7 Darragh Logue 7 Keith Kelly 7 Dave Browne 6 Niall Lennon 6 Aodhan McCahill 6 Neil McGowan 5 Ben Johnson 7 Owen McCormack 7 Stuart Love 8 Kevin O’Toole 6 Dave Kernan 6 Mick Leslie 6 Mick Young 6 Dan Crowe 8 Darren Ritchie 5

Castle Celtic 3, Spartak 3,

Mick Leslie continued his goalscoring run with two well taken scores as Spartak came back from 3-1 down; A late Darren Ritchie header secured a draw in a tight match. Spartak conceded some soft scores and did not match the physicality and strength of the Castle players.

Bobby Hayes 5 Cian Donohoe 7 Keith Kelly 7 Aodhan McCahill 7 Mick Greene 6 David Kernan 6 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Martin Costello 6 Mick Young 5 Darragh Logue 6 Mick Leslie 7 Darren Ritchie 7

VEC Tournament
Spartak 1, CYM Beechwood 1 – CY won on pens

Spartak dominated their higher ranked opponents everywhere but on the scoreboard. Indeed it took a late, long range screamer from Niall Lennon to equalise after Dave Browne had unluckily conceded an early penalty. Spartak struck the woodwork on three separate occasions and, with greater incisiveness could have won the game handsomely. Overall the performance was the best we have seen in pre season so far.

Spartak had only a 50% success rate on penalties as Owen McCormack and Neil McGowan had their spot kicks saved, while Mick Leslie and Geoff Gamble succeeded with their efforts.

Martin Costello 6 David Kernan 7 Dave Browne 6 Paul Kinsella 7 Aodhan McCahill 7 Mick Young 7 Geoff Gamble 7 Niall Lennon 7 Stuart Love 7 Owen McCormack 7 Mick Leslie 6 Cian Donohoe 7 Neil McGowan 6 Lee Malone 6 Dave Hacynskyj 6

Spartak 1, VEC 5

Lack of fitness, and some poor defending, handed this game to VEC. Two early low crosses were not dealt with, and Spartak were 2 down after just 4 minutes. Aodhan McCahill got a consolation score, but Spartak conceded two rash penalties and a further goal from play in the second period to end the day on a weak note after a fine earlier showing.

Martin Costello 6 Cian Donohoe 6 Paul Kinsella 5 Lee Malone 5 Aodhan McCahill 5 Dave Hacynskyj 5 Niall Lennon 6 Mick Young 5 Stuart Love 6 Geoff Gamble 6 Owen McCormack 5 Dave Kernan 5 Dave Browne 5 Mick Leslie 5 Neil McGowan 5

The annual trophy matches in the Dave Mohan Tournament take place on Saturday 23 rd July in the Postal Club in Kiltipper.

The format is 6 a side astro; squads of up to 8 players are allowed.

Group format followed by knockout stages for both trophy and shield.

Kick off Saturday is at 2pm.

A look back on a notable 24 hours in Spartak’s history.

On 15th May 1991 Spartak’s Saturday side beat Claremont Rangers 2-1 in the Kemp Trophy final. Mario Borza got both goals. The following evening a Dave Mohan goal saw Spartak’s Sunday lads beat St Nicholas, who were the team of prison wardens, 1-0 in the Vere Deane Cup Final.

The line ups were:

V Claremont Rangers
Jimmy Browne, Tim O’Sullivan, John Curtin, Paul Burke, Mick St Leger, Liam Brady, Paddy Brady,Leo Gartlan, Mario Borza, Peter Mahony and Frank Keegan. Subs were Martin McGorian and Bobby Long

v St Nicholas

Sean Lynam, Liam Cullen, Gerry Doran, Derek Keane, Tom Maher Dave Mohan, Ken Byrne, Dave Murphy, Dave Keegan, Barry Crowe, Dave Pender. Subs : Paul Burke and Mario Borza

A notable achievement by the lads and a memorable couple of evenings.

15.5.16
Willows 0, Spartak 5

The Sky Blues quickly established midfield dominance in this game, affording the front players plenty of opportunities to score, but, particularly in the first half, the Sky Blues were profligate in their efforts to score.

A particular feature was a reluctance to shoot with weaker foot, and it was ironic that midfielder Thom O’Driscoll scored the opening goal with his weaker right foot, volleying in from the edge of the box after Dave Browne’s long throw was cleared to him.

Before that, Jeff Gamble and Conor Callis had vied with each other for most chances spurned; both hit the woodwork from close in, but they both had several weak efforts.

Willows occasionally threatened, but Jason Northey was rarely troubled, and well protected by his back four.

The second period saw Conor Callis miss a one on one, before once again racing forward to pull the ball back to Jeff Gamble, who laid on for Thom O’Driscoll to fire in number two.

Almost immediately Jeff Gamble finally got on the scoresheet, looking suspiciously offside, from an excellent through ball by Chris Hogan.

Steve Grier had a volley cleared off the line, before Owen McCormack and Gamble added numbers four and five as Willows wilted.

Substitute Ciaran Keane then blazed over when through one on one for the final clear chance of a match which had yielded many scoring opportunities.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Chris Hogan 7 Fintan Grace 7 Steve Grier 7 Dave Browne 7 Shane McInerney 7 Conor Callis 6 Jeff Gamble 7 Niall Lennon 7 Tom O’Driscoll 8 Mick Leslie 6
Subs: Ciaran Keane 5 Owen McCormack 7 Tom Maher 6