Spartak Dynamo FC

22.4.12
Spartak 0, RSFC 3

Spartak, somewhat depleted by injuries, found themselves up against it with RSFC clinching promotion on the day with a display of composure and calm distribution.

Hard though the midfield trio worked to stem the tide, they could not make up for the overall superiority of the visitors. The quality of passing from the back was the biggest contrast between the sides and gave the RSFC midfield time and space continuously.

A soft opening goal settled any anxiety RSFC may have felt and they finished off the Sky Blues with two excellent breakaway goals in the second half.

Spartak struggled to create opportunities and had to wait for the final minutes for their bets chance, set up by Neil McGowan for Graham Breen to fire over.

The day was also marred by an injury to the visiting full back who fell awkwardly, while Keith Kelly left the fray early with a groin injury and Seamus McCahill battled on , bloodied but unbowed, after a clash of heads.

Form Report
Peter O’Toole 5 Keith Kelly 6 Ciaran Keogh 5 Paul Kinsella 5 Alex Kenny 7 Dave Browne 5 Neil McGowan 6 Seamus McCahill 6 Stuart Love 6 Graham Breen 5 Ger Byrne 5
Subs: Steve Grier 5 Ross Kelly 5 Conor Canavan 6

18.4.12
Alpine Express 1, Spartak 1

This midweek fixture featured ref Jimmy Hollowed perform in his own inimitable syle, but he was outshone on the night by an eccentric performance by linesman Glen Burke, who seemed to become overexcited with the responsibility of holding the flag, and at times waved it as if guiding local planes in to land.

Spartak opened the scoring when Conor Maguire’s shot was parried and Ger Byrne celebrated his 30th birthday by tapping in. Before that, a reflex save by Peter O’Toole prevented Alpine scoring but they were soon level when a mix up between Steve Grier and Dave Browne allowed an effort which went in via a post.

Alpine had the better of the opening half and could have been well ahead. But the Sky Blues showed to better effect in the second half. Conor Maguire was guilty of seeking a touch too many on a few opportunities, and also missed a sitter close in.

Seamus McCahill had a couple of decent efforts saved while Ross Kelly had a looping header cleared off the line and Stuart Love just failed to squeeze home from a tight angle.

Form Report
Peter O’Toole 7 Paul Kinsella 5 Dave Browne 5 Steve Grier 6 Alex Kenny 8 Steve Walsh 6 Neil McGowan 6 Seamus McCahill 6 Conor Maguire 5 Thom O’Driscoll 5 Ger Byrne 5
Subs: Dave O’Kelly 6 Stuart Love 5 Ross Kelly 5

15.4.12
Shamrock Bhoys 2, Spartak 0.

A highly controversial goal just 11 minutes form the end gave unbeaten Premier league champions Shamrock Bhoys the breakthrough as extra time loomed.

As the ball was played into the box, the home forward, clearly offside, struck the post; the ball ran along the line where Peter O’Toole clutched it; the ref, 30 yards away, awarded a goal. It has to be said the ref had a decent game overall, but what a decision to give in a tight game.

Overall it was a fine match; Spartak survived some scary first half moments as the home side enjoyed supremacy but the Sky Blues came back strongly in the second period.

Peter O’Toole made a series of reflex saves to keep his side in the game, and the defence worked overtime. The tempo of the game was frenetic and the pace was unrelenting, and Spartak matched the hosts for energy and commitment in a fine display.

Both sides had chances. It has to be said the hoem side had more, but for Spartak Ger Byrne struck the woodwork; Steve Grier was inches wide with a header; Graham Breen and Neil McGowan had a flurry of shots saved in the same attack; Seamus McCahill’s inviting cross drifted across the six yard line without getting the final touch. Steve Grier’s free was well saved.

Just as extra time loomed , came the vital, controversial, breakthrough for the home side. Spartak had no option to push on and gamble, leaving themselves open for the second goal on 87 minutes.

The Sky Blues had given their all and left nothing on the pitch; no more can be asked.

Form Report
Peter O’Toole 8 Keith Kelly 7 Ciaran Keogh 7 Steve Grier 9 Alex Kenny 9 Ken Buckley 7 Neil McGowan 8 Seamus McCahill 8 Dave Thomson 6 Graham Breen 8 Ger Byrne 6
Subs: Dave Browne 6 Glen Burke 5 Paul Kinsella Conor Canavan Anto Doyle

11.4.12
RSFC 3, Spartak 1

Although beaten in the end by a better side on the night, Spartak can feel aggrieved about the award of the vital first goal on 51 minutes which saw the ball kicked from Peter O’Toole’s hands; seems the ref was the only one who thought it was not a foul. This breakthrough gave the home side the impetus and confidence at a stage when the Sky Blues were staging a decent rearguard action and could not be faulted for work rate against a side beaten just once this season and Alex Kenny and Paul Kinsella were formidable at the heart of the defence.

Spartak found it difficult to retain possession in the final third; Graham Breen was too often isolated and lacked support. Dave Thomson was booked harshly early on and was somewhat constrained, while Ger Byrne and Conor Maguire featured only sporadically. Conor provided an occasional attacking threat, but his link up play was sometimes sloppy.

Peter O’Toole made a couple of fine saves, but will rue the concession of the second goal volleyed from the edge of the box, however he could legitimately complain that the scorer was not closed down.

In truth, Spartak were confined mainly to half chances, with Conor Maguire going close twice and the ball just eluding Neil McGowan following a corner.

In summary, Spartak will have to show a great deal more to progress in Sunday’s cup quarter final.

Form Report
Peter O’Toole 6 Keith Kelly 6 Dave Browne 5 Paul Kinsella 7 Alex Kenny 7 Seamus McCahill 6 Neil McGowan 6
Conor Maguire 5 Dave Thomson 5 Graham Breen 5 Ger Byrne 5
Subs: Anto Doyle 5 Graham McEnroe 6 Derek Ruxton 5 Thom O’Driscoll

Wed 11th – away to RSFC League

Thurs 12th v Firhouse u-18s – Friendly

1.4.12
Spartak 3 Meath 1

Meath, at the bottom of the table and desperately fighting relegation, played the better football for the greater part of the game, went a goal up, and were somewhat unlucky not to be further ahead before a late revival saw the Sky Blues come out on top.

Spartak, placing some distance recently between themselves and the spectre of relegation, came into the game in good form, but did not reproduce that form on the day.

The visitors had two penalty claims for handballs against Alex Kenny and Paul Kinsella, and the second shout looked a fair one, with Paul’s hands raised in John Terry fashion to block the shot. Graham Breen will feel hard done by when he turned in the rebound from a Neil McGowan corner; the ball looked to be well over the line to everyone but the ref.

Steve Grier was caught in possesion but, luckily, the forward’s shot was off target.

The Sky Blues saved the best move of the match for the 88th minute when Steve Grier, under pressure, found Ger Byrne with a clearance. Neat combination play between the three substitutes saw Glen Burke lay the ball back for Neil McGowan, who evaded a challenge before slotting home.

The wait for some good football from the Sky Blues proved an arduous one, as Spartak were lack lustre in the first half, with a lack of quality passing from the back. When the full backs overlapped, the final ball was not good enough and the midfield only operated in fits and starts. The best chance fell to Dave Thomson, through on goal but the keeper blocked.

The introduction of Glen Burke and Neil McGowan on 65 minutes, along with a changed formation, quickly paid dividends as the Meath defence caved under pressure. An o.g. gave Spartak an equaliser and when the keeper fumbled a cross to drop the ball a yard out, Glen Burke almost apologetically poked the ball over the line.

A considerable improvement in performance will be necessary to match RSFC in the next match

Form Report:
Peter O’Toole 5 Paul Kinsella 5 Dave Browne 5 Steve Grier 6 Alex Kenny 7 Ken Buckley 5 Dave Thomson 5 Keith Kelly 5 Seamus McCahill 7 Graham Breen 6 Conor Maguire 5.
Subs: Glen Burke 7 Neil McGowan 7 Ger Byrne 7 Ciaran Keogh Conor Canavan

A new pitch has come available for Spartak to play their home games on from the beginning of next season. It might need a bit of work in one of the goal mouths but it is worth pursueing.

Swindon trip goes ahead. 25th May Friday, late flight to Bristol 9.15pm to avoid guys having to get the day off. €46 euro at the moment.

Training in Marlay today Tues 3rd at 7pm. No training Thursday, Kilians closed this week.

Lads,

Cost of flight to Bristol with Ryanair – return -25th/27th May – €38!!!!

25.3.12
Sallynoggin 0, Spartak 2

A belated seasonal awakening has seen the Sunday lads obtain 8 wins from last 13 cup and league games and this form and confidence was evident in a straightforward win over the homesters in balmy conditions. This run of form has seen the team rise from bottom of the division to a somewhat more respectable 8th of 14. Had players put in the work pre season the team could well be talking in terms of promotion; as it is, safety is the prerogative and a tough away cup quarter final against the favourites also awaits.

Despite the many missing men (Ciaran Keogh, Thom O’Driscoll, Graham McEnroe, Glen Burke, Conor Canavan, Ger Byrne Anto Doyle – Anto at least turned up to support ) the win was carved out in a brisk first half which saw Conor Maguire score the second while, somewhat fortunately, winning the penalty from which Keith Kelly gave the Sky Blues the lead.

Peter O’Toole, for once, had a quiet day between the posts and was untroubled with fine protection from the back four. The main threats from the home side came from corners and frees, but in the main these were dealt with adequately. The best opportunity came from an early free needlessly conceded by Ken Buckley which was headed over from close range.

Seamus McCahill featured strongly in the opening half with a high work rate but faded later as lack of recent training drained his legs.

The summer’s day atmosphere and unaccustomed heat meant the second half was played at a more leisurely pace with Spartak conceding ground and relying on breaks. Substitute Dave Thomson (did you know the clocks went forward?) provided energy and application but his crosses let down the good approach play

Form Report
Peter O’Toole 6 Paul Kinsella 7 Dave Browne 7 Steve Grier 8 Alex Kenny 8 Ken Buckley 7 Neil McGowan 6 Conor Maguire 7 Keith Kelly 6 Graham Breen 6 Seamus McCahill 7
Subs: Dave Thomson 6 Ross Kelly 6 Steve O’Hara 6