Spartak Dynamo FC

13.4.14
Sallynoggin 1, Spartak 0

After an early flourish which produced chances for Steve Walsh and Stuart Love, Spartak dropped to a low level of performance. A soft goal conceded by a close in finish following a free out wide proved to be the only score. The free which should have been properly defended, was conceded by a rash David Kernan challenge and had a penalty been awarded it would not have been a surprise. The forward fell outside the box, having been felled just inside. Golakeeper and back four stand indicted for a casual approach to defending the kick.

Spartak’s big chance of an equaliser fell to Stuart Love, running in from the left early in the second period, but with the keeper off his line Stuart opted to square it and the pass was intercepted and the chance lost.

Though increasingly desperate efforts were made to somehow forge an equaliser, it was in fact the home side who looked dangerous o the break, with Spartak lacking creativity and guile on the day.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 David Kernan 6 Aodhan McCahill 5 Paul Kinsella 6 Dave Browne 6 Neil McGowan 5 Stuart Love 5 Ken Buckley 5 Steve Walsh 5 Jeff Gamble 5.
Subs: Paul Byrne 5 Victor Pires 5

6.4.14
Spartak 5, Beechwood 5

A cracking game with a cracking finish. Neil McGowan equalised on 92 minutes with a 35 yard top corner effort, but Spartak still found time, just two minutes later for Steve Walsh to hit the post with free kick in the dying seconds.

Needless to say defences were not on top here; but after Beechwood raced into a 2-0 lead it was the Sky Blue centre backs, Sean Doyle and Paul Kinsella, who took turns joining the attack to each get on the scoresheet. Seamus McCahill, Steve walsh and Neil McGowan combined to give Sean Doyle to chance to fire home; and then McCahill and Walsh combined to send Paul Kinsella through for a neat score.

Beechwood had taken the lead from a free conceded by an over zealous Kinsella in the first minute and a free header then made it two. But the first half comeback was complete when Derek Ruxton shot home from an angle after playing a one two with McCahill.

A mix up between Jason Northey and Mick Leslie saw Beechwood equalise; then a fourth showed up the Spartak defence in a poor light. Spartak fought back strongly and a Walsh corner was cleared to Fergus Burke he crossed fro Stuart Love to nod in, via the bar, to make it 4-4.

A deflected shot gave Beechwood the lead , but McGowan’s late, long range came to the rescue and Walsh almost won it with the last kick.

Form Report
Jason Northey 5 David Kernan 7 Mick Leslie 5 Sean Doyle 7 Paul Kinsella 7 Fergus Burke 7 Neil McGowan 7 Seamus McCahill 7
Stuart Love 7 Derek Ruxton 7 Steve Walsh 8
Subs: Dave Berry 5 Ken Buckley 5 Mick Young 5

23.3.14
Spartak 0, Ballybrack 5

The scoreline here did not reflect the balance of play, as the Spartak players ruefully reflected at the final whistle.

It was a bad day at the office for the Sky Blues. Steve Grier suffered a painful, and season ending, knee injury following a tackle which brought a lenient yellow card; Neil McGowan struck the post with a penalty at 0-1 after Paul Kinsella was taken down; and was then knocked out, in full view of the referee, during an off the ball incident as the visitors scored their second from a corner kick.

A fine header had given the visitors the lead; and their third was also of high quality. As Spartak pushed on to try to reduce arrears, they were severely punished on the break.

But the overriding feeling from this game was what might have been with some rigorous refereeing. Spartak were left, literally, to lick their wounds.

Form Report
Jason Northey 5 Sean Doyle 6 Paul Kinsella 5 Martin Costello 6 Steve Grier 6 Fergus Burke 6 Neil McGowan 6 Niall Hanratty 5 Derek Ruxton 6 David Kernan 7 Steve Walsh 5
Subs: Ken Buckley 5 Mick Leslie 5 Jeff Gamble 5

A tournament in commemoration of the late Dave Mohan will be held in the Postal Club in Kiltipper on Sunday 25th May.

There will be 16 teams playing in a 6 a side astro competition. Max players per squad will be 8 and entry fee is €120 per team.

Outside teams will be invited and a big turnout is anticipated from Spartak players both current and past.

Spartak Dynamo FC AGM will be held on Monday 31st March 2014 at 9pm in the Eden House.

Agenda

– Minutes of 2013 AGM
– Chairman’s report
– Financial Report
– Elections
– Any Other Business

Members who paid annual subscriptions before 31/12/13 are eligible to attend and vote.

Any members who wish to submit amendments/motions may do so, in writing, to the Secretary not later than 7 days prior to the meeting

7.3.14
Fassaroe 4, Spartak 3

When the home side took an early 2-0 lead with just 17 minutes gone the omens did not look good for the Sky Blues. Indeed, despite Steve Walsh pulling one back with a neat finish, the home side added two more before the interval. Spartak did have one more first half effort when Steve Walsh shot just wide.

Fassaroe had finished four from four with some decent finishing.

Far from being shell shocked Spartak began the second half with a flourish and produced some of their best football of the season in the third quarter. Chance followed chance as Derek Ruxton and Fergus Burke took a grip on the middle of the park, with Neil McGowan and Steve Walsh combining well up top.

Walsh had an effort saved after McGowan’s pass set him free, then Fergus Burke fired over after the goalkeeper fumbled a cross. Ruxton and McGowan combined to send Walsh in to reduce arrears. On 64 minutes a long Grier throw caused sufficient confusio for Neil McGowan to force home from a narrow angle; 3-4 and an entirely diffrenet complexion on the contest, which now swung in Spartak’s favour.

Martin Costello intercepted a clearance and fired towards goal; Fergus Burke seemed well place to slot in but seemed to think he was offside and that hesitation proved decisive.

Spartak laid siege to home territory but, showing too much anxiety, persisted with too many high balls against a powerful aerial defence which just about held out.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Paul Kinsella 6 Dave Browne 6 Steve Grier 6 Martin Costello 6 Fergus Burke 7 Neil McGowan 8 Niall Hanratty 6 Derek Ruxton 8 Dave Kernan 6 Steve Walsh 8

2.3.14
Dundrum 2, Spartak 3

Spartak’s comeback from two goals down was completed in the 84th minute when the home keeper could not hold Steve Walsh’s free kick and Mick Leslie was on hand to drill home.

Played in a downpour which churned the Meadowbrook and turned the game into a muddy relegation battle which Spartak just about deserved to win.

The Sky Blues went two down in the first half despite having the greater number of chances; Steve Walsh hit the bar, Seamus McCahill’s header was too tame to test the keeper, and several Walsh free kicks sailed into promising areas without a Spartak player applying the finishing touch.

Dundrum broke to great effect twice and neat finishing saw them race into a two goal lead. Adam Doran, deputising in goal for the suspended Jason Northey, had a fine game but was helpless to prevent the scores.

Just before half time Spartak were grateful to to the persistence shown by Stuart Love which saw him shake off two challenges before scoring to reduce arrears.

Dundrum started the second half in better and there were scary moments in the Spartak penalty area. Martin Costello risked the ultimate sanction when taking down a player on the edge of the box, but a yellow card was deemed sufficient.
A fine move by Seamus McCahill and Neil McGowan gave Steve Walsh the opportunity to fire home the equaliser from the edge of the box.

Then came Mick Leslie’s winner which moved the Sky Blues out of the danger zone on goal difference.

Spartak finished in attacking mode but Fergus Burke drove wide from a good position.

Form Report
Adam Doran 8 Paul Kinsella 7 Dave Browne 5 Seamus McCahill 7 Martin Costello 7 Fergus Burke 7 Neil McGowan 7 Steve Grier 7 Stuart Love 7 David Kernan 7 Steve Walsh 7
Subs: Mick Leslie 7

23.2.14
Spartak 2, Leixlip 2

There were some key controversial decisions which affected this game and both sides will be left feeling aggrieved. Leixlip’s first goal was given despite being 15 yards offside; then Leixlip had a goal awarded, but then disallowed, after confusion over an offside decision.

Spartak could not however not argue with Jason Northey’s dismissal for a impeding a forward when both had missed the ball, and having gone 2-1 down with ten men showed character to stage a comeback.

Spartak were in full control in the first half and when Neil McGowan’s header was pushed on to the bar by the keeper, Derek Ruxton was on hand to fire the rebound home. But the SKy Blues made the near fatal error of taking the foot off the gas with neither full back venturing forward in support and generally taking the easy option with passes when more incisive work was needed.

It was one all at half time and after Derek Ruxton took up his position between the posts, Leixlip took the lead after a corner.

A burst from the back by Seamus McCahill led to the equaliser. Seamus fed the ball to Neil McGowan, and a neat pass gave Steve Walsh the chance to beat his man and slot home.

With ten men Spartak had shown character; a lack of kiler instinct had proved costly in the first half.

Form Report
Jason Northey 4 Lee Malone 5 Dave Browne 5 Paul Kinsella 7 Seamus McCahill 7 Fergus Burke 7 Neil McGowan 7 Niall Hanratty 5 Derek Ruxton 7 David Kernan 7 Steve Walsh 7
Subs Ken Buckley 6 Mick Leslie 6

Dave Mohan sadly passed away at 6.30 am this morning, 31st January 2014 following the effects of a heart attack last week.

The sense of shock and sadness among his clubmates is evidence of the esteem in which he was held.

Dave joined Spartak in 1987 and has been ever present, as current over 35s manager, as a player, helper, and general driving force.

A larger than life character, he was a tough opponent on the pitch and a magnificent tackler and header of the ball. A knee injury had restricted his appearances in recent times, but luckily never affected his pace! Dave also played regularly in goal, where he was proficient.

Dave won leagues and cups with the club, but undoubtedly the highlight of his playing career was scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 victory in the 1991 LSL Vere Deane cup final; not just the winner, but a 35 yard drive that saw the ball nestle in the top of the net, caught by the stanchion. Truly a Roy of the Rovers moment. A goal that many would have been proud to score.

On many club trips Dave was a popular and central figure, and was often the ringmaster behind a practical joke for the unwary!

However the lasting legacy Dave leaves with the club is his day to day drive and enthusiasm to get things done, whether arrange games, find refs, mark football pitches and all the other bits and pieces required but unnoticed by many.

He has left us at the all too young age of 44 and he will be sorely missed.

Sincere condolences to his Mam and Dad, wife Jill and children, brother Paul and sister Andrea from all connected to Spartak.

12.1.14
Seaford Rock 2 , Spartak 6

A worthwhile Astro Friendly in UCD gave a good run out to both sides, with Spartak’s better finishing seeing off the more wayward Seaford side, who saw a penalty at a crucial stage saved by Niall Hanratty.
Spartak’s opening goal was driven in by Neil McGowan after a lovely move involving Seamus McCahill, Derek Ruxton and Steve Walsh. A rare goal by Ken Buckley, finishing a cross by Ruxton, saw the Sky Blues lead 2-0 at the break.
Seaford then missed the penalty, conceded by Ken Buckley, before Steve Grier hammered in from Thom O’Driscoll’s corner kick. Seaford pulled one back from a free harshly awarded against Keith Kelly.

The final five minutes saw goals fly in at both ends, as tiredness set in. Steve Walsh laid on one for Derek Ruxton and then Steve Walsh drilled home after a good pass from Neil McGowan , who himself drilled in a loose ball for number 6. In between a mix up between Thom O’Driscoll and Mick Leslie let Seaford in for their second.

Form Report
Steve Grier 8 Conor Keegan 6 Niall Hanratty 6 (7 for keeper!); Seamus McCahill 8 Paul Kinsella 7 Fergus Burke 7 Neil McGowan 8
Keith Kelly 6 Derek Ruxton 7 Ken Buckley 7 Steve Walsh 7 Thom O Driscoll 6 Mick Leslie 6