Spartak Dynamo FC

11.8.16
Spartak 5, Phonewatch 0

The Sky Blues played a friendly against a Phonewatch team who are heading to Spain shortly to play in a tournament.However the first half pace saw Spartak score three without reply, through Ger Byrne, Steve Walsh and Dave Hacynskyj.

The pace dropped somewhat in the second half, but Geoff Gamble laid a goal on for Dave Kernan, while Ger Byrne fired in from Steve Grier’s pass.

A decent workout and an introduction to season 2016/7 for Messrs McCullagh, Grier and Walsh, all of whom looked in need of a run.

Form Report: Steve Grier 6 Cian Donohoe 6 Paul Kinsella 5 Keith Kelly 5 Karl McCullagh 6 Stu Love 5 Geoff Gamble 6 Dave Kernan 6 Niall Lennon 7 Ger Byrne 7 Rob Collins 6 Dave O Kelly 5 Kevin O’Toole 6 Steve Walsh 5 Dave Hacynskyj 5

13.8.16
Aston Village 4, Spartak 1

With a number of debutants and some who were a little ring rusty, Spartak were tentative in the opening stages. Gradually the Sky Blues rallied and were unlucky not to take the lead, albeit against the run of play, when a penetrative pass by Owen McCormack put Ronan Sharkey clear of the cover. However the keeper got enough on the shot to turn the ball onto the inside of the post. The hosts took the lead in the 42nd minute, and added to that lead on the hour, although there was a suspicion of offside.

Spartak tired somewhat and the hosts added two more before Ciaran Keane fired in a consolation score.

Form Report: Conor Robinson 7 Zach Colman 6 Barry Maguire 5 Mick Greene 5 Cian Donohoe 8 Fintan Grace 6 Gary Bridges 6 Gerry McGuinness 6 Mick Leslie 5 Owen McCormack 6 Darren Ritchie 7 Ben Johnson 6 Liam Caffrey 5 Ronan Sharkey 5 Ciaran Keane 6 Conor Callis 4 Bruno Martins 5 Chris Hogan 5 Geoff Gamble 5

15.8.16
Seaford Rock 3, Spartak 2

A poor first half display saw Spartak overwhelmed by a speedier home side. Sporadic attacks saw Conor Callis fire wide, while Ciaran Keane missed the only presentable chance. Meanwhile, desperate defending was the order of the day with late blocks, a fine Kevin Loftus save, and the width of the crossbar keeping Seaford out, until they took the lead from a corner. A second goal early in the second half seemed to put the hosts well in control, but Spartak fought back. Steve Browne slotted in from Darren Ritchie’s flick on, while Conor Callis missed after a fine run. Man of the Match Dave O’Kelly finished off a move he himself had started but the home side secured the winner with minutes remaining, from what might have been an offside position.

Form Report
Kevin Loftus 7 Chris Hogan 5 Mick Greene 5 Fintan Grace 7 Dave O’Kelly 8 Shane McInerney 6 Joe Dowling 5 Mick Leslie 5 Darren Ritchie 6 Gary Bridges 5 Conor Brady 5 Conor Callis 5 Ciaran Keane 5 Barry Maguire 5 Steve Browne 6

16.8.16
Spartak 1, Terenure College 2

Spartak opened well and seemed aout to overwhelm the opposition, but some poor decision making and lack of sharpness saw a number of opportunities go abegging. Karl McCullagh nodded in fro Steve Walsh’s corner after good pressure from Geoff Gamble, and a Ger Byrne lob bounced onto the crossbar. Keith Kelly fired over with the defence in disarray.

Gradually Terenure gained a foothold and equalised following poor marking at a corner. Worse was to follow when Jason Northey’s pass saw Karl McCullagh dispossessed and Terenure went on to make it 2-1.

Few chances of note were created by either side in a lacklustre second period, although Steve Walsh went close from a free kick.

A disappointing performance overall.

Form Report
Jason Northey 5 Dave Browne 5 Darragh Logue 6 Paul Kinsella 5 Karl McCullagh 5 Kevin O’Toole 5 Geoff Gamble 6 Keith Kelly 5 Steve Grier 5 Stuart Love 5 Steve Walsh 5 Ger Byrne 6 Cian Donohoe 5 Kevin Caldwell 5 Rob Collins 5 Aodhan McCahill 6

Peamount 1, Spartak 3

Goals from Mick Leslie, Owen McCormack and an og gave Spartak a win in the opening friendly. There were encouraging performances from debutants Cian Donohoe, Darragh Logue and Ben Johnson. Of particular satisfaction was the fine display by Stuart Love on his recovery from a cruciate knee injury. Aodhan McCahill was also welcomed back after his erasmus year in Germany. Keith Kelly was solid at the back while Mick Greene did a decent job deputising in goal.

Form Report
Mick Greene 7 Cian Donohoe 7 Darragh Logue 7 Keith Kelly 7 Dave Browne 6 Niall Lennon 6 Aodhan McCahill 6 Neil McGowan 5 Ben Johnson 7 Owen McCormack 7 Stuart Love 8 Kevin O’Toole 6 Dave Kernan 6 Mick Leslie 6 Mick Young 6 Dan Crowe 8 Darren Ritchie 5

Castle Celtic 3, Spartak 3,

Mick Leslie continued his goalscoring run with two well taken scores as Spartak came back from 3-1 down; A late Darren Ritchie header secured a draw in a tight match. Spartak conceded some soft scores and did not match the physicality and strength of the Castle players.

Bobby Hayes 5 Cian Donohoe 7 Keith Kelly 7 Aodhan McCahill 7 Mick Greene 6 David Kernan 6 Tom O’Driscoll 6 Martin Costello 6 Mick Young 5 Darragh Logue 6 Mick Leslie 7 Darren Ritchie 7

VEC Tournament
Spartak 1, CYM Beechwood 1 – CY won on pens

Spartak dominated their higher ranked opponents everywhere but on the scoreboard. Indeed it took a late, long range screamer from Niall Lennon to equalise after Dave Browne had unluckily conceded an early penalty. Spartak struck the woodwork on three separate occasions and, with greater incisiveness could have won the game handsomely. Overall the performance was the best we have seen in pre season so far.

Spartak had only a 50% success rate on penalties as Owen McCormack and Neil McGowan had their spot kicks saved, while Mick Leslie and Geoff Gamble succeeded with their efforts.

Martin Costello 6 David Kernan 7 Dave Browne 6 Paul Kinsella 7 Aodhan McCahill 7 Mick Young 7 Geoff Gamble 7 Niall Lennon 7 Stuart Love 7 Owen McCormack 7 Mick Leslie 6 Cian Donohoe 7 Neil McGowan 6 Lee Malone 6 Dave Hacynskyj 6

Spartak 1, VEC 5

Lack of fitness, and some poor defending, handed this game to VEC. Two early low crosses were not dealt with, and Spartak were 2 down after just 4 minutes. Aodhan McCahill got a consolation score, but Spartak conceded two rash penalties and a further goal from play in the second period to end the day on a weak note after a fine earlier showing.

Martin Costello 6 Cian Donohoe 6 Paul Kinsella 5 Lee Malone 5 Aodhan McCahill 5 Dave Hacynskyj 5 Niall Lennon 6 Mick Young 5 Stuart Love 6 Geoff Gamble 6 Owen McCormack 5 Dave Kernan 5 Dave Browne 5 Mick Leslie 5 Neil McGowan 5

The annual trophy matches in the Dave Mohan Tournament take place on Saturday 23 rd July in the Postal Club in Kiltipper.

The format is 6 a side astro; squads of up to 8 players are allowed.

Group format followed by knockout stages for both trophy and shield.

Kick off Saturday is at 2pm.

A look back on a notable 24 hours in Spartak’s history.

On 15th May 1991 Spartak’s Saturday side beat Claremont Rangers 2-1 in the Kemp Trophy final. Mario Borza got both goals. The following evening a Dave Mohan goal saw Spartak’s Sunday lads beat St Nicholas, who were the team of prison wardens, 1-0 in the Vere Deane Cup Final.

The line ups were:

V Claremont Rangers
Jimmy Browne, Tim O’Sullivan, John Curtin, Paul Burke, Mick St Leger, Liam Brady, Paddy Brady,Leo Gartlan, Mario Borza, Peter Mahony and Frank Keegan. Subs were Martin McGorian and Bobby Long

v St Nicholas

Sean Lynam, Liam Cullen, Gerry Doran, Derek Keane, Tom Maher Dave Mohan, Ken Byrne, Dave Murphy, Dave Keegan, Barry Crowe, Dave Pender. Subs : Paul Burke and Mario Borza

A notable achievement by the lads and a memorable couple of evenings.

10.5.16
Spartak 4, Alpine Oldchurch 5

Another remarkable game between these teams. This game was played out in an absolute downpour. Spartak showed seven different starters than in the recent meeting, due to injuries and absentees.

Both teams had promotion hopes, with a victory vital for both to maintain that challenge.

The Sky Blues were shell shocked by a fast starting visiting squad and fell three goals behind in the opening ten minutes.

Gradually a remarkable fightback ensued, and Spartak clawed their way into a 4-3 lead at half time. Dave Kernan was stooped at the expense of a penalty, which Steve Grier converted; then Steve Browne calmly finished form Grier’s cross. Up popped Niall Lennon with two well taken goals, the first a chip over the stranded keeper, the second a close in finish following a flick on.

The second half turned on a soft goal conceded from a free kick; this equaliser gave the visitors the encouragement they needed to go on and score the winner.

Despite Spartak’s frantic efforts to equalise, the game slipped away. In the final play, Karl McCullough should have been awarded a penalty for a bad foul while he attempted to shoot, but the ref did not agree.

Form Report
Jason Northey 5 Dave Browne 4 Tom O’Driscoll 5 Steve Grier 6 Karl McCullagh 5 Kevin O’Toole 5 Neil McGowan 4 David Kernan 7 Niall Lennon 7 Ger Byrne 6 Steve Browne 6
Subs: Keith Kelly 6 Graham Campbell 5 Mick Leslie 5

After a hectic round of voting, nominations have now been finalised for the main awards for the season just ended.

Presentations will be made to the winners on Saturday evening in the Eden.

Dave Browne and Steve Grier will receive their awards for 200 appearances. Dave (Daithi) started out with 13 appearances in 2005/6 and finished 2014/15 on the 199 mark. Steve also started in 2005/6, with 14 appearances that season.

Clubman of the year shortlist consists of Shea McClafferty, Barry Crowe, Colm Reid, Chris Hogan, Paul McGowan and Mick Greene.

The Sunday player of the year will be chosen from the following nominations – Steve Walsh, Karl McCullagh, Ger Byrne , Dave Kernan, Neil McGowan, Steve Grier and Paul Kinsella.

The Saturday award saw votes tightly bunched resulting in the following shortlist: Fintan Grace, Greg Byrne, Niall Lennon, Mick Leslie and Geoff Gamble.

For the over 35s the main contestants are Paul McGrath, Terry Fallon and Gerry McGuinness.

Stats will be available on the night, which show most appearances for the season was 34 by Geoff Gamble, followed by Mick Leslie on 31 and Messrs Grier, Browne, Hogan and Kernan on 25 each.

19.4.16
Jobstown Celtic 5, Spartak 2

A cup quarter final set for a midweek date suited neither team; but it was the home side who won the contest in emphatic manner.

Steve Grier had a header saved and Spartak had a few cursory efforts in a first half marked by two crucial errors by the Sky Blue full backs. Each erred in turn, with Paul Kinsella conceding a penalty in an effort to cover for the first, while the second saw the local forward sweep in after a calamitous error.

When a rash foul by Paul Kinsella saw the home side fire in a free from a narrow angle, all looked lost.

The Sky Blues finally roused from slumber, and Steve Grier fired against the post. When Tom O’Driscoll was fouled Keith Kelly fired in from the spot.

But Jobstown responded almost immediately with a fourth which effectively ended the contest.

In due course a fifth was added before Steve Grier was fouled and Jeff Gamble scored, again from the spot.

Spartak, although hampered by injuries, simply did not turn up for this one, and could not match the efforts made in the previous round.

Form Report
Jason Northey 4 Dave Browne 5 Niall Hanratty 4 Paul Kinsella 5 Karl McCullagh 5 Tom O’Driscoll 5 Neil McGowan 6 Dave Kernan 5 Steve Grier 7 Ger Byrne 5 Martin Costello 5
Subs: Keith Kelly 6 Jeff Gamble 6 Mick Young 4

14.4.16
Alpine Oldchurch 4, Spartak 5.

Even the genesis of this fixture was unusual. The league gave short notice, then SDCC called pitches off for the week before changing their minds on Wednesday for this Thursday midweek fixture.

In any event the Sky Blues made a flying start, Jeff Gamble, sent away down the right by Dave Kernan,centred for steve Walsh to clip home. Kernan then conceded a foul from which the homesters equalised.

Spartak did not take long to re-establish supremacy, with Ger Byrne knocking in from Walsh’s free, before Neil McGowan finished a Byrne cross. 3-1 a the break, with Spartak’s midfield of McGowan, Mick Leslie and Niall Lennon well on top.

A dream start to the second period ensued when Jeff Gamble made it 4-1, taking advantage of a poor back pass, and then Dave Kernan tapping in at the back post following a knockdown.

With Niall Lennon and Niall Hanratty carrying knocks, substitutions were made early in the second period.

Whether it was the comfortable lead, or the forced changes, is not certain; but the Spartak team took their collective foot off the pedal, and as a result the home side scored twice in quick succession to reduce arrears.

A fourth goal left Spartak clinging precariously to what had been a comfortable lead and as the game became frantic and physical the referee seemed to lose control of proceedings.

at 5-4 wih 20 minutes remaining, the odds were on the home side procuring an equaliser, but the Sky Blues recovered enough of their composure to hold on, with Jason Northey missing from two yards after Mick Leslie’s free gave him the chance to settle matters.

Form Report
Greg Byrne 6 Dave Kernan 6 Niall Hanratty 6 Paul Kinsella 6 Martin Costello 6 Mick Leslie 6 Neil McGowan 6 Jeff Gamble 8 Niall Lennon 8 Ger Byrne 6 Steve Walsh 6
Subs: Lee Malone 4 Dave Browne 5 Jason Northey 4

10.4.16
Spartak 2, Glasnevin 3

No less than three vital goal decisions in the final few minutes of this game swung the tie in the visitors favour.
Firstly a goal should have been awarded after a rebound saw the ball cross the Glasnevin goal line by more than a yard; the referee turned down the appeals; then Steve Walsh, in injury time, scored what surely would have been a winner following good work by Dave Kernan and Jeff Gamble, but was, incredibly, given offside. To add insult to injury Glasnevin then scored an unlikely winner from a blatantly offside position.

Spartak played the entire first half in peripatetic fashion, seeming to expect that the visitors would simply lie down and allow the Sky Blues claim a handy three points in the promotion race. The visitors, embroiled in a relegation fight, had other ideas, and tackled accordingly.

Spartak created no clear chances in the first half, as Glasnevin sat deep and easily repelled the home attacks, such as they were.

Minutes before half time, a fast break by the visitors saw the forward round Jason Northey to reach the bye line, before squaring across the open goal. The hapless Martin Costello, racing back, hacked his attempted clearance to the net for an unfortunate own goal.

Substitutes Steve Grier and Jeff Gamble imbued the home side with some urgency, and a powerful Neil McGowan effort was saved by the goalie’s feet in instinctive fashion. Kevin O’Toole had a chance but produced a tame effort.

Then came three goals in a three minute spell within the last ten minutes. Neil McGowan fired in right footed from the edge of the box to equalise, but almost immediately Dave Browne was caught napping by the winger who raced away, then crossed for a scoring header. 1-2 with less than 10 remaining.

Spartak had regained their fighting spirit, and when Mick Leslie’s drive was parried, Jeff Gamble headed in a second equaliser.

Then came the injury time twist in the tale, as joy turned to despair following those decisions.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Dave Browne 4 Niall Hanratty 4 Paul Kinsella 5 Martin Costello 5 Kevin O’Toole 6 Neil McGowan 6 Dave Kernan 5 Keith Kelly 5 Tom O’Driscoll 5 Steve Walsh 5
Subs: Jeff Gamble 7 Steve Grier 7 Mick Leslie 7

5.4.16
Spartak 5, Terenure Rangers 0

Spartk huffed and puffed for an hour in the first midweek game in Marlay before making the breakthrough against a stubborn Terenure Rangers side, who had the two best chances of the opening half. Jason Northey saved the first effort, while a weak punch from Jason gave the visitors a glorious chance from close range which they blazed over.

Passes were slow, crosses poor. When the goalkeeper fumbled a Dave Browne cross, there was no Spartak player near enough to take advantage. Jeff Gamble displayed some trickery, but the final ball was too often poor.

Spartak began the second half in more determined mood. Jeff Gamble sent Dave Kernan though from the right, but his shot was weak. Neil McGowan and Jeff Gamble over elaborated when an early shot might have proved effective; Jeff Gamble tried a spectacular overhead kick which was well saved.

At the other end, an error by Neil McGowan gave the visitors a chance, but Jason Northey saved.

Gradually Terenure were being worn down by waves of attacks, but it was not until the introduction on the hour of Steve Walsh, who had missed a number of recent games for various reasons, that the pressure told. Almost immediately he scored from close range.

Dave Browne and Ger Byrne combined to provide Neil McGowan with number 2, and when another Dave Kernan run was stopped at the expense of a corner, Steve Grier heading in from the flag kick.

As Terenure wilted, Spartak found their rythm and when Jeff Gamble was fouled at the edge of the box, Steve Walsh found the top corner with his free.

As injury time approached, Thom O’Driscoll laid on a one on one for Steve Walsh, who completed his first hat trick of the season, moving him on to 11 goals for the season, one ahead of Steve Grier but adrift of Jeff Gamble on 17.

A nap hand and a clean sheet on a satisfactory evening.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Dave Browne 7 Niall Hanratty 6 Steve Grier 6 Martin Costello 7 Kevin O’Toole 6 Neil McGowan 6 Dave Kernan 6
Thom O’Driscoll 6 Ger Byrne 6 Jeff Gamble 7
Subs: Steve Walsh 7 Keith Kelly 6 Neil Walsh 6