Spartak Dynamo FC

In the annual post Christmas games, the married men came out winners for the first time in many years against the singles. The spirit of seasonal giving was in evidence with the single mens defence repeatedly gifting passes to the married attackers, with John McCluskey and Neil McGowan scoring almost at will and racing into a four goal half time lead. Resistance from the single men was weak generally despite a fine save by Shane McInerney while the late arrival of Paul Kinsella steadied the ship somewhat.

The married men then played deep in the second half (Dave Mohan at centre half was almost on the tennis court behind the goal) and the single men staged a mini comeback, scoring twice from the spot with Coffey junior scoring a cracking goal. However Mark Byrne and Shea McClafferty added goals for the hen pecked to clinch the win.

Paul Kinsella then led the Drunks to an ignominious double figure defeat against the Sober Skunks in the second game, and got injured in the process to add injury to insult, with Dave Mohan’s sober men victorious including Stuart Love who was celebrating the arrival of son Jake and showing no ill effects from the ordeal.

Seamus McCahill patrolled the Drunks midfield like a much more relaxed Dimitar Berbatov while Tony Kavanagh was left regretting the failure of his earlier attempt to infiltrate the sober team.

Christmas games on 27th and 29th in columbas. Both at two o clock.
On 27th the annual titanic contest between the free and single and a thumb pressure selection.
Drunks v Skunks takes place on 29th.

The annual Christmas raffle took place in the Eden on 22nd Dec.

Thanks to those who donated prizes especially Fintan Grace, Derek Ruxton, Derek Keane, Ross Kelly,Neill Bolger, Mick Greene, Tony Kavanagh and Shane McInerney.

Most of the hard work on the night was done by Derek Keane, assisted by Dermot Dooley and Anto Doyle for ticket sales. Good work lads.

Big sellers of tickets were Tony Kavanagh, Neill Bolger, Jason Doyle, Derek Keane, Fintan Grace who all sold well above their quota. Well done.

Thanks and well done to all who sold tickets, and to those who didn’t – shame on you!

Results:

Signed Ireland Jersey – B Coghlan
Luxury Hamper – Barry Crowe
Drinks Hamper – Mary c/o Eden
€100 Voucher – Michael Healy
Wine Hamper – Tony Harris
Festive Hamper Michael Hogan
Meat Voucher – Gerry Keane
Vodka – Peter Brennan
Wine – Donal Breen
Wine – Fiona McCarthy

Thanks to all those who have already returned tickets and cash – Tony Kavanagh especially made a big effort with €120 worth of tickets sold.

To those who have not yet done so – if you could drop them in ahead of Saturday that would be a big help. As a last resort bring them Saturday.

We are in need of donations re hampers so let me know if you are in a position to help. Thanks to Mick Greene who was first in on this score.

Again, Thanks to all.

Details of Physio used recently and recommended by Thom O’Driscoll

We would like to offer all club members a consultation rate of €40 (Normally €60 per session)
Get in touch now! See our contact details below.
Kevin Sheerin BSc, MISCP, MCSP 087-27-27-287 kevinsheerin2@gmail.com
If you are interested in seeing the facilities at the clinic, please visit:
www.facebook.com/sheerinphysiotherapyclinic

Saturday 22nd Dec is the date for the Christmas night out, when we will also be staging our annual raffle. Should be a good night and some may venture into town later.

Please bring tickets and cash to friendly Sunday or to Kilians Tuesday for the first of he Christmas Matches.

Its Everton v Liverpool – or Mick Greene select v Dave Mohan and pals.

Mixed sides, Sat Sun, over 35s

If not a supporter of either choose the one you least dislike!

See you Tuesday.

18.11.12
Sallynoggin Pearse 1,Spartak 2

A burst of attacking play mid way through the first half and some determined second half defending saw Spartak gain all three points in Sallynoggin thanks to goals from wing men Adam Doran and Steve Walsh.

Missing from the previous encounter with Coill Dubh were Messrs (the right word in some cases?) Hanratty, Grier, Kenny, McEnroe and Love. So it was necessary to revamp the side and the incomers made a decent impression with Derek Ruxton putting in a good shift in midfield alongside Ken Buckley while Aodhan McCahill looked fresh after his German holiday and Dave Thomson made a rare personal appearance!

Spartak started in somnambulant mood and it took some time before they became fully alert following some vocal encouragement.

Then came a period when the Sky Blues played cool, calibrated and precise football with wing men Adam Doran and Steve Walsh to the fore.

Steve Walsh forced a save from the keeper when in a good position following approach play by Conor Maguire and Neil McGowan. Adam Doran gave the Sky Blues the lead with a controlled, angled volley on 21 minutes after a cross by Steve Walsh had evaded the home defence. Just three minutes later a sublime pass from Ken Buckley sent Aodhan McCahill on the overlap from left back and his cross was swept to the net by Steve Walsh.

Adam Doran retired with a knee injury and Dave Thomson substituted; while Dave was solid in his defensive work, the Sky Blues’ attacking threat was diluted by the change.

The home side began to get a grip on things and Spartak incurred a couple of yellow cards. On 38 minutes Sallynoggin reduced arrears when a free kick, half cleared, was knocked back in to an unmarked forward just 8 yards from goal.

The second half yielded no more goals for either side; Spartak were dogged and determined in defence and, lying deep, barricaded themselves in. Dave Browne headed a dangerous cross over; Jason Northey tipped a headed effort over the bar; Seamus McCahill slid in for an immaculately timed penalty box challenge as the home side pressed. Defensive resilience paid off.

In attack a lack of support and, at times, some overcarrying of the ball prevented Spartak from adding to their total, as Steve Walsh, so influential early on, faded.

Paul Kinsella, on his way back from injury, made an invaluable contribution with goal line clearances in the same attack as the home side threw everything forward.

So Spartak have gone from losing their first three games to a four match unbeaten run.

Upcoming is the game versus the league leaders and title favourites, Liffey Valley.

From Report
Jason Northey 7 Aodhan McCahill 7 Seamus McCahill 7 Dave Browne 7 Ken Buckley 7 Neil McGowan 7 Derek Ruxton 7 Adam Doran 7 Conor Maguire 7 Steve Walsh 7 Paul Kinsella 7 Dave Thomson 7

Training Tuesday only in Kilian’s – no training Thursday due to Quiz Night.

Thursday is Quiz Night in Firhouse Community Centre. A full attendance is expected!

4.11.12
Coill Dubh 3, Spartak 3

Spartak returned to scene of last years cup mauling by a strong local side, who have just entered the LSL after success in the Kildare league. There were many detours en route. Its difficult enough for some of our lads to find Marlay!

Needless to say as a result the Sky Blues had the worst possible start and it took only two minutes for Alex Kenny to concede a penalty and the lead goal. The back four were struggling; Niall Hanratty was dispossessed and Alex cleared off the line; Seamus McCahill was all too easily beaten but the locals fired wide; Dave Browne was watching proceedings from afar for a while before finally taking a decisive role.

Gradually Spartak settled down and began to weather the storm. Conor Maguire won a free and Seamus McCahill fired the cross just over. On 23 minutes Dave Browne advanced with the ball into space and fed Conor Maguire whose pass picked out the run of Neil McGowan; Neil’s shot, although touched by the keeper, was too strong and nestled in the corner of the net. A flowing move by Niall Hanratty Steve Walsh and Neil McGowan saw Conor Maguire just unable to direct his header onto the goal.

The threat from Coill Dubh continued and they took the lead from a simple ball over the top and a first time finish as confusion reigned in the Spartak defence. Alex Kenny departed injured and Ken Buckley came on to good effect with Steve Grier dropping back. Spartak then had a lucky escape as a forward evaded Hanratty and McCahill but slipped at the vital moment and Jason Northey saved. Neil McGowan then fired a shot just over.

Coill Dubh had a free well saved by Jason Northey but the Sky Blues then had their best spell. Stuart Love, eventually carded, Neil McGowan and Ken Buckley all put in some decent challenges and the tide began to turn. A long ball from Dave Browne gave Conor Maguire a chance which came to nothing and then a Browne- Walsh- Maguire move saw Steve Walsh’s shot saved at the expense of a corner. Conor Maguire then had a free kick deflected over and a super ball by Steve Walsh gave Stuart Love a great opportunity but his touch was too strong and the chance evaporated.

On 68 minutes came the game’s pivotal moment. A sweeping local move saw the no.11 bear down on goal from the right; his shot was too close to Jason Northey who saved well. From the breakout Dave Browne fed Graham McEnroe, who exchanged passes with Conor Maguire before controlling the return ball perfectly and languidly knocking it past the local keeper. 2-2 instead of 1-3!

It got better two minutes later; again Conor Maguire chased a long Dave Browne ball but was taken down from behind – penalty. Conor himself stepped up and made no mistake.

Coill Dubh equalised with a soft goal on 79 minutes as Spartak dropped deep. In truth there were quite a few hairy moments for Spartak as the local side came in search of the winner. In particular a deflected effort which hit the post and spun back across goal.

Urged on by Barry Crowe the ref finally blew the final whistle after a jittery last few minutes and Spartak were happy to take a point; particularly after a 5-1 defeat in the cup to the same team last year.

Pleasing features of the game included the creative play and combo of Walsh, Maguire and McGowan while Steve Grier did well in midfield and then in defence. In general the effort was excellent and players worked hard and covered well for each other. The unbeaten run now is three games, a good improvement after a shaky start to the season; with plenty of further potential for improvement.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Niall Hanratty 7 Dave Browne 7 Alex Kenny 5 Seamus McCahill 7 Graham McEnroe 7 Neil McGowan 8 Steve Grier 8 Stuart Love 7 Conor Maguire 7 Steve Walsh 8 Ken Buckley 7 Derek Ruxton 5