Spartak Dynamo FC

The plan after the match tomorrow is to his to Diceys. Shane has had a chat with the bouncers….

Take the Lucan exit off the M50. Take the Celbridge exit off the N4 on to the R403. Follow the Celbridge Road past Weston Airport (on the right) until you reach the Orchard Garden Centre (on the right). Just opposite the Orchard Garden Centre take the left turn, Loughlinstown Road, signposted Ballyoulster AFC or Elm Hall Golf Club. Follow this road for about a mile until you come to Elm Nursing Home and the clubhouse and pitches are behind the nursing home. The gates to the grounds are signposted Ballyoulster AFC. 

The end of season awards are upon us and votes have been received in all categories. After various vote rigging attempts and efforts to vote for self and sale of votes (that’s you Jason Northey!) were discounted, the valid polls are complete.

First team player of the year saw votes for seven different players – Stuart Love, Peter O’Toole, Graham Breen, Steve Grier, Dave Browne, Neil McGowan and Alex Kenny.

Second team votes were more concentrated with just four candidates – Martin Costello, Dave (Chopper) O’Kelly , Shane McInerney and Cathal Clancy.

For the over 35s, four candidates have emerged – Gerry Doran, Ken Byrne, Tony Kavanagh and Jimmy Browne.

Clubman of the year nominations include a wide variety of candidates including former winners Frank McNamee, Jason Doyle, Barry Crowe , Paul McGowan and Dave Mohan. Also in the hunt in an effort to put a new name on the award are Mick Greene, Shane McInerney, Stuart Love, Brian Stafford and Dave Browne.

All will be revealed at the awards ceremony, which will be black tie only, to be arranged after we get the cup final out of the way! So get your speeches ready chaps, and no tears please!

Greenhills 3 Spartak 0

With the hosts starting the game with only 9 players, Spartak had the chance to press home the numerical advantage but comprehensively failed to do so, despite the level of experience on view and indeed showed lttle appetite for the contest from the off. Set up for a tight game Spartak were content to play deep against one attacker, and with wide men Jason Doyle and Ray Grady unable to make any impression with crosses or runs the front two were left isolated. Spartak’s passing generally was ragged in a lack lustre first half performance in which central midfielders Brian Stafford and Frank McNamee were unable to impose themselves on the game.
As Greenhills came up to strength with late arrivals, they began to take control of the middle with some good interchanges, but it was not until Jimmy Browne’s catastrophic error in dropping the ball that they took advantage and scored. The lead was doubled when the Spartak defence was caught on the turn with no cover. Spartak made changes which improved things somewhat and Paul Burke clipped the bar with one effort.

More changes at half time gave Spartak some impetus and Shay McClafferty had a good effort saved. The hard running of Paul Tormey was not sufficiently supported by his colleagues to make the required breakthrough as Spartak came into the match for the first time and Fintan Grace might have shot instead of passing when clear in the box. Rory Campbell delayed his shot when in a good position and the chance was lost.

Greenhills wrapped it up when Paul Burke found himself behind his back four and played the hosts onside to score.

Overall a tame surrender with hardly a shot fired in anger.

Form Report

Jimmy Browne 4 Shay McClafferty 5 Gerry Doran 5 Dave Mohan 4 Greg Callan 5 Brian Stafford 5 Jason Doyle 4 Frank McNamee 5 Paul Tormey 7 Rory Campbell 5 Ray Grady 4
subs Paul Burke 4 Ken Byrne 4 Tom Maher 6 Barry Crowe 6 Fintan Grace 6

Saturday AWAY to Drimnagh – MATCH OFF

Sunday team no weekend fixture – Tuesday 11th HOME to Queens Park

Over 35s Saturday game TBC – Wednesday 12th AWAY to Greenhills

Lads,

Time to think about your vote for player of the year and clubman of the year.

Which player has delivered for each team in terms of form and commitment? Which club member has done he most to help the club this season?

Will be collecting votes by text shortly.

Saturday team HOME to EID
Sunday team AWAY to Dunboyne – Thursday 6th – AWAY to Liffey Valley
Over 35s home to Greenhills on Sat in the cup

Lusk 1 SDFC 4

After the disappointment of a wasted trip to Lusk last week with a no show from the referee, the over 35’s made the same journey again this Saturday and recorded an impressive victory.

From the start Spartak showed a strong competitive edge and immediately took the game to the opposition. Early shots from Frank McNamee, Ken Byrne and a good running and pressure game from the front two of Rory Campell and Jason Doyle signaled the intent in the away side.  Chris Andrews made a couple of excellent runs and caused a lot of problems early on.  Spartak had further chances when Shay McClafferty and Tom Maher went for the same ball at the back post and Ken Byrne’s shot brought an excellent save from the keeper.

For most of the first half Spartak were on top but could not convert the possession into a goal. Lusk did look dangerous on the break but their attacks were comfortably dealt with by the back four line up of Gerry Doran, Tom Maher, Brian Stafford and Paul McGrath. The final chance of the half fell to Frank McNamee who volleyed over.

Right from the second half kick-off Spartak again laid down a marker with Ray Grady having a powerful shot just over. Gerry Doran started numerous passing movements down the left wing and Paul McGrath and Colm Coffey were combining neatly on the right. The deadlock was finally broken on 50 minutes when a clever interchange between Rory Campbell and Ray Grady put the latter through to finish with a low shot under the keeper. Ray was also the instigator of the second goal a few minutes later when after a great run along the end line he pulled the ball back for Paul Thormley to blast a shot was was saved by the centre half’s outstretched hand. A straight red was issued and Gerry Doran made no mistake from the spot kick.

Lusk were handed a lifeline with 20 to go when a harmless shot spun out of Jimmy Browne’s grasp for an easy tap in goal. Symptomatic of the attitude on the day Spartak bounced right back a few minutes later when Paul Thormley turned and placed a shot into the bottom left hand corner. The scoring was completed when Ray Grady broke down the left and played a great cross for Paul Thormley to notch his second of the game.

In fairness to Lusk they continued to battle until the end and it required good defensive work from the back four and midfielders to prevent any further scoring.

Overall a very satisfying win that was fully deserved given the positive and competitive attitude on the day.

The spartak panel was Jimmy Browne, Brian Stafford, Paul McGrath, Shay McClafferty,  Colm Coffey, Paul Thormley, Frank McNamee, Rory Campbell,  Ray Grady,  Jason Doyle, Tom Maher, Gerry Doran, Ken Byrne, Chris Andrews.

Saturday Team- AWAY to Phoenix – Monday 26 April AWAY to Everton

Sunday Team – AWAY to Meath Rangers in the Cup Semi-Final

Over 35’s – AWAY to Greenhills

Spartak 0, Greenhills 1

Spartak, having had the better of first half exchanges, faded in the second period and despite some fine late saves from Jimmy Browne, Greenhills forced the winner in the 87th minute. 

Probably Spartak’s best move and chance came in the second minute when Paul Tormey swept the ball wide to Liam Cullen, on the overlap, and his cross was met by Rory Campbell in the six yard box. Unfortunately the header was just too high.

An assured performance at the back restricted the visitors attack in the opening period, and Spartak, with five men strung across the middle,  had more chances on the break, with claims for a penalty when lone striker Campbell was impeded and then Tormey’s downward header rebounded unluckily over the bar.  

Spartak’s pattern was upset as substitutions for tiring players were made, and few chances were created in the second period. McNamee’s header from Doran’s free was well gathered by the keeper but other set pieces proved less productive as advantage was taken of a free at the edge of the box and corner kick overhit. Rory Campbell’s penchant for running into offside positions also upset attacks on occasion.

With just one in attack for the home side, Greenhills were able to move the ball from defence easily, and pushed more men forward as time wore on.

Tony Kavanagh, who was assured at the back, had to retire with hamstring problems and that seemed to unsettle the balance of the defence to the extent that Jimmy Browne was forced to make two smart saves to deny the visitors.

With Spartak seeming to settle for a point, a deflection on a long ball took out the central defenders and the visiting winger was through. Jimmy Browne took off another splendid block but then an unfortunate tangle between Browne and Ken Byrne, as they both scrambled to clear,  allowed the forward to slot home.

No reward on this occasion for a solid, if unadventurous, performance.

Form Report

Jimmy Browne 8 Liam Cullen 7 Gerry Doran 7 Tony Kavanagh 8 Dave Mohan 7 Paul Burke 6 Mark Byrne 5 Paul Tormey 6 Rory Campbell 6 Frank McNamee 6 Ken Byrne 7 Senan O’Duchan 6 Shay McClafferty 4 Leon David 5 Greg Callan 6