Spartak Dynamo FC

Training for the coming weeks will be

Tuesday – 8.45 St Kilians, Roebuck Road Clonskeagh

Thursday – 9.15 St Columbas College Whitechurch

16.9.12
Spartak 1 Lakelands 4.

A game in which the Sky Blues did not do themselves justice.

Spartak imploded in this League clash. Two goals in the final minute of the first half killed off the game as a contest, making it 4-0 at half time. Lakelands scored also in the 19th and 35th minutes, and their forwards gave the Spartak back four a torrid time.

Alex Kenny had an uncharacteristic nightmare match, culpable for three of the goals. Alex had been warned early on when dispossessed and Jason Northey made a good save. In midfield Seamus McCahill and Dave Thomson were well below par, and unable to match the pace and tempo of the visitors. Neil McGowan provided some energy with covering tackles while Niall Hanratty also toiled to provide some respite for the defence in which only Aodhan McCahill played anyway close to potential. Conor Maguire worked diligently up front, and came close to scoring on a couple of first half occasions.

Lakelands eased off somewhat in the second period, allied to extra effort for the Sky Blues, and Steve Walsh pulled a goal back with 15 minutes to go. Conor Maguire was unlucky not to reduce arrears further as he intercepted and poked goalwards, but the ball was cleared.

With so many changes from last season’s line up the team is clearly still a work in progress, despite the injection of youth, as many Spartak players have not prepared fully for the season and certainly some took preparations for this match a little lightly to say the least.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Paul Kinsella 5 Aodhan McCahill 6 Alex Kenny 4 Steve Grier 5 Seamus McCahill 5 Neil McGowan 6 Niall Hanratty 6 Dave Thomson 5 Conor Maguire 7 Steve Walsh 5
Subs: Keith Kelly 5 Ken Buckley 5 Derek Ruxton 5 Dave Browne

9.9.12
St Vincents Hospital 2, Spartak 0

A dogged home side took advantage of a gift goal and defended well as Spartak chased the game; a second goal a few minutes from time, as the Sky Blues went gung-ho for an equaliser, clinched the tie.

Overall it was a tight game , well controlled by the ref, with Vincents combative and certainly more match fit. Space was denied as both sides worked hard.

Spartak had by far the greater number of chances in the first half and took the game to the home side; and yet Vincents were ahead at the break. A free kick on 28 minutes from half way drifted to the net past Brian O’Keeffe for a howler, and something which gave the home side defensive purpose.

Seamus McCahill might have put Spartak a couple of goals in front but headed first off target and then straight at the keeper. Derek Ruxton fired a snapshot just over.

Spartak pressed from the start of the second half and a turning pointcame when the home keeper took off a snap save from Neil McGowan’s effort. Spartak spared nothing in the chase for an equaliser and Dave Thomson headed over, Conor Maguire was just short of reaching Keith Kelly’s cross, Steve Grier, stretching, poked just wide as desperation mounted.

Steve Grier was pushed forward with a few minutes remaining but the 3 man defence were unable to prevent Vincents converting a cross to settle the game.

With an influx of younger players who were prominent in the match Spartak can take positives from the game; Aodhan McCahill had a good game on his debut; Steve Walsh gradually got to the pace of the game, as did Paul Kinsella. Conor Maguire foraged well in attack, but lacked sufficient support.

Form Report
Brian O’Keeffe 4 Nial Hanratty 5 Aodhan McCahill 7 Steve Grier 7 Paul Kinsella 6 Ken Buckley 5 Neil McGowan 7 Seamus McCahill 5 Steve Walsh 6 Conor Maguire 7 Derek Ruxton 5
Subs : Keith Kelly 5 Dave Thomson 5 Dave Browne 5 Anto Doyle Jason Northey

Tonight, 6th Sept, is the last night in St Enda’s. Gates close at 8 so be sure to park outside!

From next week training is on

TUESDAY – St Kilians German School, Roebuck Road at 8.45

THURSDAY – St Columba’s College, Whitechurch, at 9.15

Astro shoes only please – no boots permitted.

Spartak have pulled two home draws in the initial Leinster competitions.

Shamrock Rovers Wexfor are the visitors in the Leinster Junior Cup. They are the current Wexford Premier League Champions. A tough and challenging draw!

Glasnaoin 3rds from Ucfl Div 3b will come to Marlay for the opening round of the Shield as Spartak try to repeat (or improve on!) last year’s long run in the competition.

2.9.12
Spartak 3, Park Celtic U19s 4

Conceding two bizarre goals in quick succession after hauling back a two goal deficit was the key to losing this friendly contest at sun baked Marlay Park, which saw Spartak complete their pre season outings. Another useful run out which will help prepare for the league challenges ahead.

A first half performance devoid of energy saw the Sky Blues go two down; failure to pressurise opponents saw Park take full advantage with two smart finishes. Shane McInerney alone was willing to take the fight to the enemy before tiring in the second period.

Spartak attacked sporadically; indeed the forward play was the best aspect of the home team’s game. Conor Maguire had missed a chance when Derek Ruxton played him in, and both Derek and Conor Callis had opportunities.

There was an improvement after the interval. Niall Lennon’s pass sent Conor Maguire away on a fine run and his cross left Graham McEnroe with a simple task to pull a goal back. A penalty conceded by Seamus McCahill was then smartly saved by Jason Northey and Steve Walsh equalised on 68 minutes when his free kick deceived the keeper.

Then came those goals. Niall Lennon was adjudged to have fouled about 55 yards from goal; while the Sky Blues argued the toss and switched off, Park raced in for the lead goal. Then a Park corner, low to the near post was missed by two Spartak players before hitting the post and neatly presenting a goal to a visiting forward.

Again the Sky Bues rallied. Maguire and Ruxton were running hard at the defence and causing consternation, while Steve Walsh rekindled some of his old form. Derek Ruxton drove a free just wide and was then tripped in the box after a fine run. Seamus McCahill’s penalty lacked power and precision and was easily saved. Ruxton and McEnroe then combined beautifully in the game’s best move to lay on a goal for Conor Maguire but it was just too late.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Shane McInerney 7 Steve Walsh 7 Aodhan McCahill 6 Paul Kinsella 6 Ken Buckley 5 Seamus McCahill 6 Graham McEnroe 7 Dara Comerford 5 Conor Maguire 8 Derek Ruxton 8 Conor Callis 5 Lee Malone 6 Niall Lennon 5

30.8.12
Firhouse 18s 4, Spartak 4

A return to a regular friendly destination saw the young locals take advantage of some very flaky defending to lead 2-0 and 3-1. Mick Costello’s deflected shot looped over the keeper to reduce arrears and Neil McGowan’s header struck the crossbar before being turned in by a defender to leave it 3-2 at the break.

The early exchanges were something of a horror show for the Sky Blues defence – mind you those Firhouse Carmel young lads were “lightning quick”! Distribution from the back was laboured, slow and mostly inaccurate while the midfield struggled to get a grip on proceedings. Bobby Hayes added to the early confusion with some poor kicking but also made a few decent stops as the Spartak defence went missing.

The threat of monetary punishment had the desired effect and the second half saw a distinct improvement.
Conor Maguire and Derek Ruxton had injected some urgency into the proceedings aided by Jeff Gamble, Neil McGowan and Lee Norton as Spartak launched a series of attacks.

Messrs Maguire and Ruxton both scored good goals to put Spartak ahead and many other chances were created.

Poor midfield marking by Steve Walsh and Mick Costello saw Aodhan McCahill easily by-passed for the Firhouse Carmel equaliser.

Both sides had chances to win it, but each spurned a couple of opportunities.

Form Report:
Bobby Hayes 6 Chris Hogan 5 Barry Maguire 5 Keith Kelly 5 Martin Costello 5 Mick Costello 5 Jeff Gamble 7 Aodhan McCahill 5 Dara Comerford 5 Conor Maguire 7 Steve Walsh 5 Derek Ruxton 7 Neil McGowan 6 Steve Grier 6 Dermot Dooley 6 Jason Northey 6 Lee Dunne 5 Lee Norton 6

Training in St Kilians’ German School on Roebuck Road tonight and each Tuesday at 8.45 on astro; boots not permitted and astros must be worn.

26.8.12
JK Celtic 4 , Spartak 3

Started well and looked set to win by a clear margin against a team who were clearly not as strong as last week’s opponents in Leixlip.

Brian O’Keeffe plaed outfield for the first half and gave the Sky Blues a 3rd minute lead with a neat finish. Sloppiness at the back , allied to poor tracking from the middle, allowed the home side equalise on 20 minutes.

Jeff Gamble and Steve Walsh combined to put Graham McEnroe in to give Spartak the lead on 22 minutes but the goals continued to flow as JK equalised from the spot after Jeff Gamble was penalised for handball on 26 minutes.

Seamus Mc Cahill’s foul gave the home side a free on the edge of the box and Jason Northey was beaten to leave Spartak 2-3 down at half time.

Graham McEnroe, finding a touch of form , equalised and was then thwarted as he hesitated and was tackled when in a good position.

Lack of fitness affected concentration levels in the second half and the home side were permitted time and space on the ball, with errors allowing JK a few chances.

Some Spartak players were ineffective on the day, with Steve Walsh still dreaming of Spain as he was repeatedly caught offside, while Conor Canavan had a match to forget; Anto Doyle was ineffective and never looked comfortable on the ball. Steve Grier’s distribution became more panicky as the game progressed. Ross Kelly again had to withdraw early due to hamstring trouble.

Jk got the winner, again from a free kick, driven low past Brian O’Keeffe with a couple of minutes to go.

Despite the result, there were a few positives as Aodhan McCahill was again composed in possession, his older brother Seamus gained a bit of fitness after taking a week to recover from the last game, while Jeff Gamble played his second game in two days and showed some good touches.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Conor Canavan 4 Aodhan McCahill 7 Steve Grier 6 Seamus McCahill 6 Ken Buckley 5 Neil McGowan 7 Brian O’Keeffe 6 Jeff Gamble 6 Graham McEnroe 7 Steve Walsh 4 Anto Doyle 4 Ross Kelly 5

19.8.12
Leixlip 2, Spartak 0.

Spartak were hampered by late arrivals and alarm clock malfunctions (Conor!). There was some excuse for Steve Grier arriving late as he was fresh from Mullingar after representing Mount Merrion at the
the John Joe Nevin celebrations, and was attired accordingly.

Leixlip, who won Div 3 last season, moved the ball well but Spartak attacked with good through balls by Neil McGowan to Ross Kelly, who lacked the sharpness to make them count. Ross departed early with a tweaked hamstring and Keith Kelly had to take time out with breathing difficulties. Seamus McCahill and Dave Browne formed a shaky partnership at the back, mainly due to lack of communication, and Leixlip took the lead when Jason Northey was beaten from a narrow angle.

Aodhan McCahill was generally composed in his distribution , while Stu and Niall Hanratty never flagged for work rate. Anto was, unsurprisingly, somewhat off the pace while Conor Canavan was never decisive enough to make a big contribution.

Spartak had a few good moves, the best of which saw Stu Love clear on the left; his cross cum shot was off target. Just after half time Stu again had a chance from close in but shot weakly and straight at the keeper. Seamus McCahill had a couple of efforts, but the attempted finishes reflected Seamus’ lack of practice.

Niall Hanratty made a few good forays on the right and shot just over, as did Neil McGowan with a right footed effort, and Ken Buckley also, as the Sky Blues upped their tempo and got to the pace of the game.

Jason made a couple of decent stops as did the home keeper from Neil and Steve Grier. An equaliser looked on the cards until a late slip by Dave Browne let Leixlip in for number two.

The final move saw Keith break down the right and opt to shoot from a narrow angle rather than gift a simple tap in by squaring the ball along the 6 yard line.

Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Anto Doyle 6 Aodhan McCahill 7 Seamus McCahill 6 Dave Browne 6 Ken Buckley 6 Conor Canavan 6 Ross Kelly 5 Neil McGowan 7 Stuart Love 6 Keith Kelly 6 Steve Grier 6 Niall Hanratty 7 Alex Kenny 6