16.8.12
Celtic Park 2 Spartak 3
A late comeback by the Sky Blues showed some evidence of improving fitness; particularly among those, like Stu, Derek, Ross and both Conors who all played for the second time in 24 hours.
There were pleasing aspects to the display; Niall Lennon was calm and creative in midfield; Fintan and Cathal were generally merciless at the back; substitutes Shane and Lee made effective cameo appearances. Derek Ruxton ran aggessively and crossed well.
A defensive lapse allowed Celtic Park to take the lead in a first half in which they held the whip hand. The Sky Blues came out strongly in the second half and Derek Ruxton and Lee Norton were causing problems to the home side. Ross turned in the equaliser (without falling down) before Celtic Park responded when they were able to head home a cross. Spartak continued to press and Shane was denied a penalty as he burst into the box and Conor Callis forced a good stop from the local keeper.
A corner by Lee Norton was headed in by Shane McInerney for the equaliser before Ross Kelly again did his Christy Brown impersonation to force home the winner at the second attempt while on the ground in the 92nd minute.
Form Report
Bobby Hayes 6 Barry Maguire 5 Conor Canavan 5 Fintan Grace 7 Cathal Clancy 7 Dave O Kelly 6 Niall Lennon 7 Stuart Love 7 Aodhan McCahill 6 Conor Callis 5 Ross Kelly 7 Derek Ruxton 7 Lee Norton 7 Shane McInerney 7
17 sessions/friendlies so far and we wonder why we are somewhat under prepared for the season. Only 9 players have been at 8 or more of the 17 outings.
Below 8 is certainly not good enough.
There would be enough for two decent teams if all deigned to make a regular appearance.
Rapid improvement needed! Come on lads – we can do a LOT better!
13 Martin, Conor Canavan
11 Neil McG, Fintan
10 Baz, Chop
9 Dooley, Walshie
8 Shane , Niall L
7 Hano , Mick C, Derek, Stu, Mick G(inj)
6 Conor M, Dara
5 Cathal Bobby, Aodhan
4 Rob D
3 Keith, GMac, Peter (inj) Stev OH (inj), Kevin M, Conor Cal, Lee
2 Neill B, Seamus,Adam (inj)
1 Steve Gr, Dave T, Ken B, Dan, Anto Alex
0 Paul K (Can), Tubes (Boston), Collie (inj), Breener (inj)
15.8.12
Seaford 3, Spartak 1
A slightly flattering win for Seaford; Spartak had many opportunities to score, but could not add to Ross Kelly’s lead goal, made by Derek Ruxton’s cross.
In a game played in high winds and heavy rain, Seaford proved the stronger side physically; Spartak struggled at times to hold the ball but nonetheless dominated the second period in terms of pressure without scoring. Seaford got their goals in the second period due to superior pace and also a gift third goal.
Spartak led when Ross Kelly turned in Derek Ruxton’s cross. Jason Northey made a couple of smart saves early on as the home side initially set the pace, and Seaford equalised when a poor throw in led to concession of a corner. Taken short by Seaford, the skidding cross evaded the Sky Blues defence and the local attacker slotted in .
The Sky Blues went all out for goals in the second half; a Derek Ruxton corner caused havoc but was not forced over the line; Martin Costello missed a one on one ; Derek Ruxton rounded the keeper but struck the post.
With the home keeper dropping crosses in the wet conditions Spartak missed a few opportunities to capitalise.
The Seaford second goal arrived when the forward evaded Dave Browne and then beat him for pace; the cover could do nothing to prevent the cross being converted.
With three minutes left a slip up by Martin Costello gifted goal no. 3 to the home side.
Form Report
Jason Northey 7 Conor Canavan 5 Rob Deering 5 Niall Hanratty 7 Dave Browne 5 Dermot Dooley 5 Neil McGowan 6 Derek Ruxton 7 Stuart Love 6 Ross Kelly 6 Dara Comerford 5 Martin Costello 5 Mick Costello 5 Steve Grier 5 Conor Callis 6
Spartak mustered a 16 man squad (plus a press ganged Mick Greene) to compete in the annual Willie Kissane tournament in VEC.
A tough draw saw Spartak face Knocklyon, Terenure and VEC in the 40 minute games played Saturday.
A fine defensive performance against a strong Knocklyon outfit was spoiled by late errors which saw Derek Ruxton , competently deputising for the injured Peter O’Toole, beaten twice. Peter damaged his ankle after an unnecessary challenge. Turns out to be two broken bones and two snapped ligaments. Thats Peter’s second mishap in this tournament.
Against Terenure a sloppy start saw the Sky Blues go 2 down early on; Stu Love hit the post and the second half display was better; but no way could be found through the Terenure defence. Mick Greene deputised in goal but knee damage then forced his withdrawal from the final match.
Ross Kelly took over as Spartak’s fourth keeper of the day in a game that VEC, with the aid of a couple of soft scores, won 4-2. Fine late goals by Neil McGowan from a Niall Lennon pass and then Steve Walsh, who scored a cracker after excellent foraging by Conor Maguire and a pass by Neil.
Peter O’Toole 7 Dave Browne 6 Aodhan McCahill 7 Fintan Grace 7 Keith Kelly 8 Dermot Dooley 6 Stuart Love 6
Conor Canavan 5 Niall Lennon 6 Neil McGowan 7 Dara Comerford 7 Rob Deering 7 Derek Ruxton 6 Steve Walsh 5 Conor Maguire 8 Ross Kelly 6 Mick Greene 6
Training continues Tuesday 7th Aug in St Endas from 6.45. All welcome and also if any new players are interested in joining, our LSL Saturday and Sunday sides are on the look out for new players. Our over 35s are also on the look out for new players…make contact – committee details on site.
25.7.12
Shelbourne SC 4 Spartak 1
28.7.12
Parkvale 6 Spartak 1
Fitness and commitment issues persist in the run in to the new season. In both games Spartak led but were hauled back monotonously as legs weakened.
Kevin Mannion gave the Sky Blues the lead v Shels and might have added to it, as might Derek Ruxton; second half chances fell to Martin Costello and Ross Kelly but in the second period Spartak faltered due to lack of stamina and the home side won comfortably.
Defections, injuries and unavailabilty meant Spartak had the minimum turn out against Parkvale, much stronger opponents, who were able to flood the park with fresh legs in the second period. Neil McGowan’s header from Niall Lennon’s corner put Spartak ahead, but an error allowed the home side equalise. Dermot Dooley missed a few good opportunities but tiredness came all too quickly to the Sky Blues and it was one way traffic in the second period towards a beleaguered Peter O’Toole who made a few good stops but was unable to stem the tide.
v Shels Jason Northey 5 Conor Canavan 5 Dave Browne 5 Fintan Grace 6 Dave O’Kelly 6 Niall Lennon 5 Mick Costello 5 Kevin Mannion 6 Derek Ruxton 6 Martin Costello 5 Steve Walsh 5 Ross Kelly 5 Mick Greene 5 Aodhan McCahill 5 Anto Doyle 5
v Parkvale Peter O’Toole 6 Niall Hanratty 5 Dave Browne 5 Fintan Grace 6 Seamus McCahill 6 Dermot Dooley 6 Neil McGowan 6 Steve Walsh 5 Stuart Love 5 Derek Ruxton 5 Niall Lennon 5 Ken Buckley 6
SDFC201213 fantasy football league open to all Spartak members and alumni. And a few others!
Code to join is 358783-97891.
€50 Prize for leader at end of October. To be eligible for winnings annual subs must have been paid by 31 Oct. (Thats the Chopper rule!)
We start on Week 1 (No Neill Bolger rule this year)
PS Over 35s team members are permitted to join!
Training switched from Marlay to St Endas. 6.45 Tues and Thurs.
19.7.12
Balally Celtic 3, Spartak 0
A disappointing friendly result for the Sky Blues. The performance lacked nothing in effort, but passing was below par and possession frequently squandered.
Spartak started sluggishly and when Shane McInerney was caught in possession Bobby Hayes made a smart save. Spartak’s best move of the half saw Martin Costello put the energetic Dave Thomson through on goal; but in attempting to round the keeper he over ran the ball wide.
Just six minutes either side if half time decided the game. The local number 10 outpaced Cathal Clancy to score on 42 minutes; a penalty was awarded against Bobby Hayes, unjustly, for number 2 on 47 minutes , and just a minute later a third, very soft, goal was conceded.
Martin Costello struck the bar and Ross Kelly shot over as Spartak responded. Tony Kavanagh and Aodan McCahill played well at the back in a contrast of ages; Aodan is 17, Tony is over 21!
Form Report
Bobby Hayes 5 Conor Canavan 5 Aodan McCahill 7 Tony Kavanagh 7 Cathal Clancy 6 Shane McInerney 5 Dave Thomson 6 Dave O Kelly 6 Martin Costello 6 Mick Costello 5 Mick Greene 5
Pre season training starts on 10th/11th and 12th July in Marlay.
Yes, that’s three nights in a row to start – but no running for those who arrive on time.
In any event it will have been a long break for all.
We start at 6.45 each evening.
The over 35s don’t resume training until August.
