Spartak Dynamo FC

Dave Mohan sadly passed away at 6.30 am this morning, 31st January 2014 following the effects of a heart attack last week.

The sense of shock and sadness among his clubmates is evidence of the esteem in which he was held.

Dave joined Spartak in 1987 and has been ever present, as current over 35s manager, as a player, helper, and general driving force.

A larger than life character, he was a tough opponent on the pitch and a magnificent tackler and header of the ball. A knee injury had restricted his appearances in recent times, but luckily never affected his pace! Dave also played regularly in goal, where he was proficient.

Dave won leagues and cups with the club, but undoubtedly the highlight of his playing career was scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 victory in the 1991 LSL Vere Deane cup final; not just the winner, but a 35 yard drive that saw the ball nestle in the top of the net, caught by the stanchion. Truly a Roy of the Rovers moment. A goal that many would have been proud to score.

On many club trips Dave was a popular and central figure, and was often the ringmaster behind a practical joke for the unwary!

However the lasting legacy Dave leaves with the club is his day to day drive and enthusiasm to get things done, whether arrange games, find refs, mark football pitches and all the other bits and pieces required but unnoticed by many.

He has left us at the all too young age of 44 and he will be sorely missed.

Sincere condolences to his Mam and Dad, wife Jill and children, brother Paul and sister Andrea from all connected to Spartak.

12.1.14
Seaford Rock 2 , Spartak 6

A worthwhile Astro Friendly in UCD gave a good run out to both sides, with Spartak’s better finishing seeing off the more wayward Seaford side, who saw a penalty at a crucial stage saved by Niall Hanratty.
Spartak’s opening goal was driven in by Neil McGowan after a lovely move involving Seamus McCahill, Derek Ruxton and Steve Walsh. A rare goal by Ken Buckley, finishing a cross by Ruxton, saw the Sky Blues lead 2-0 at the break.
Seaford then missed the penalty, conceded by Ken Buckley, before Steve Grier hammered in from Thom O’Driscoll’s corner kick. Seaford pulled one back from a free harshly awarded against Keith Kelly.

The final five minutes saw goals fly in at both ends, as tiredness set in. Steve Walsh laid on one for Derek Ruxton and then Steve Walsh drilled home after a good pass from Neil McGowan , who himself drilled in a loose ball for number 6. In between a mix up between Thom O’Driscoll and Mick Leslie let Seaford in for their second.

Form Report
Steve Grier 8 Conor Keegan 6 Niall Hanratty 6 (7 for keeper!); Seamus McCahill 8 Paul Kinsella 7 Fergus Burke 7 Neil McGowan 8
Keith Kelly 6 Derek Ruxton 7 Ken Buckley 7 Steve Walsh 7 Thom O Driscoll 6 Mick Leslie 6

Jan 4th and 5th 2014
Sat boys 4, Over 35s 0
Tallaght City 3, Spartak 0

A late goal burst by the Sat lads saw off a tiring over 35s outfit, who had given as good as they got until the final quarter.
Goals by Mick Leslie, and Jervis Mulhall with two from Dave Berry made up the scores.

On Sunday a much sharper Tallaght City side had an easy win, making light of the extremely windy conditions to easily outplay the Sky BLues, who showed little appetite for the match

Form Report
Sat -Mt Costello 7 O Kelly 6 Hogan 5 Doyle 7 Grace 6 Mc Inerney 6 Leslie 5 Callis 5 Gaynor 5 Berry 7 Greene 5 Gibney 6 Keegan 6
Sun – Northey 6 Malone 4 Hogan 5 Mt Costello 6 Browne 5 Burke 5 Buckley 5 Leslie 4 Gaynor 5 Walsh 5 McGowan 5 McInerney 5 Greene 5

9 Nov Ballyfermot (away) -2-2
16 Nov Killinardden (away) 2-4
23 Nov Larkview ( home) 4-4
30 Nov Harding (away) 1-3
14 Dec Caragh Rangers 1, Spartak 4

After a fine burst of form , November was not a good month for the over 35s, starting with a draw against Ballyfermot and who let a two goal lead slip against Larkview while slipping up away to Harding and Killinarden.

However a fine away performance against Caragh on the windiest day of the year got back in the groove and the Over 35s now lie third in the division.

Brian Farrelly is top scorer for the Seniors with 10 so far, and Paddy Hughes with 8 and Brian Burgess with 6 are in close attendance. Gerr Doran’s goal against Caragh allows him to join son Adam on the goalscoring chart.

The leading club goalscorers as at the mid season break are:

11 Steve Walsh
10 Brian Farrelly
8 Paddy Hughes
6 Brian Burgess
6 Jeff Gamble
5 Thomas Gaynor
5 David Berry
4 Eugene Duff
4 Neil McGowan
4 Kevin O Connell
4 Stephen Barr

15.12.13
Leixlip 2, Spartak 3

Spartak edged this close encounter on the Leixlip Astro in the last game before the Christmas break.

In truth better finishing would have clinched the game earlier for the Sky Blues, who had to come back from 2-1 down in the last quarter to win. Steve Walsh was particularly profligate in this regard and Spartak’s top scorer, on another day, could easily have had a hat trick.

Martin Costello betrayed the edginess going into this game by conceding a free, and a yellow card, early on. Ken Buckley, who later settled well, set the local winger away with a loose ball but the shot was wasteful.

Spartak made the breakthrough mid way through the half when Neil McGowan was fouled and Stev Walsh flighted the free kick for Seamus McCahill to glance home.

Having taken the lead Spartak, never comfortable defensively on the day, conceded on the half hour when after an error by Lee Malone, his central defensive colleagues were all too easily beaten by a forward run and the equaliser was inevitable – 1-1.

Steve Walsh and Neil McGowan missed a couple of chances between them before a Leixlip breakaway from a Spartak corner saw Mick Greene pull off a vital stop.

The second half saw some fine attacking play by Spartak, with Walsh, McGowan, Derek Ruxton and Stuart Love combining well; but Steve Walsh was off goalscoring form and missed quite a few opportunities; then on 67 minutes Leixlip converted a free kick to lead against the run of play.

Spartak responded and redoubled their efforts to get something from the game.

With 15 minutes to go Seamus McCahill burst forward and when his shot was blocked Derek Ruxton slotted in for the equaliser. Neil McGowan and Steve Walsh were shipping some heavy tackles and on late tackle saw the home side receive a double punishment as the defender got a second yellow and Walsh’s free was forced in by Stuart Love for the winning goal and the vital three points.

Form Report
Mick Greene 7 Lee Malone 5 Dave Browne 6 Seamus McCahill 6 Martin Costello 6 Fergus Burke 6 Neil McGowan 7 Ken Buckley 6 Derek Ruxton 7 Stuart Love 7 Steve Walsh 7
Subs : Conor Callis 5 Paul Kinsella 5 Mick Leslie 5 Dermot Dooley

Friday 20th December in the Eden will see Spartak’s night out and of course the vital fundraising raffle.

A kick about prior to the social end of the night will take place on the Marlay Astro at 7pm.

Please make sure to get tickets and cash in well before the 20th so we can concentrate on the social aspect on the night.

8.12.13
Spartak 1, Meath Rangers 4

Usually a goal with the last kick of the game produces a dramatic outcome; not so on this occasion as Martin Costello’s neatly taken effort was scant consolation for what had gone before.
December conditions were ideal for good football, but unfortunately Spartak had left their appetite at home. Meath did not have to be at their best to easily overcome a Sky Blue team that was far off the pace.

One down at the break, when both full backs were exposed in the same move, not for the only time, and only a couple of saves from Jason Northey kept the scoreline at a reasonable level from which to launch a comeback.

When Steve Walsh’s effort from a free kick cannoned off the underside of the bar, Spartak’s best chance of an equaliser diminished as Meath began to boss the game.

Goals for the visitors were sure to follow and so, as Spartak legs tired and concentrion dropped even lower, they followed on quick succession with hardly token resistance, while Jason Northey saved a penalty conceded by Dave Browne to keep the score down.

One of those games you wish never happened; and particularly disheartening after a few decent displays. The after match atmosphere was glum and some hard work required to get the performance levels back up.

Form Report:
Jason Northey 7 Dave Browne 4 Paul Kinsella 4 Dave O Kelly 6 Martin Costello 5 Fergus Burke 5 Neil McGowan 4 Niall Hanratty 4 Derek Ruxton 4 Thomas Gaynor 4 Steve Walsh 5 Lee Malone 5

7.12.13
Leicester Celtic 1, Spartak 1.

Another clash with table toppers Leicester, who have lost just one game all season.

Heavily beaten in Marlay earlier by the same opponents, Spartak set out to rectify the situation with grit and determination.

Stand in keeper Mick Costello’s bravery cost him dearly after 15 minutes, when a knee to the head forced him off; Mick Greene proved a capable deputy.

The centre back pairing of Sean Doyle and Stephen Barr were rock like in their determination to keep the hosts at bay; and Leicester were subdued for the first half. Indeed Spartak had better opportunities as Stephen Barr’s header from Sean Doyle’s corner came back off the bar, while earlier Dave Berry had lobbed over from Shane McInerney’s pass and Conor Keegan fired too close to the keeper after a fine passing move.

Leicester finally upped the tempo and eventually made te breakthrough mid way through the second half, but a thumping Dave O Kelly header from Sean Doyle’s flag kick levelled matters. Leicester had further chances, but Spartak maintained their attacking threat and Conor Callis and Jervis Mulhall were both fouled on the break in dangerous positions.

Overall a satisfying performance.

Form Report
Mick Costello 7 Dave O Kelly 7 Chris Hogan 7 Sean Doyle 9 Stephen Barr 9 Shane McInerney 7 Fintan Grace 7 Conor Keegan 7 Jervis Mulhall 7 Mick Leslie 7 Dave Berry 7 Mick Greene 7 Conor Callis 7

17.11.13
Beechwood 2, Spartak 2

Another fine Spartak performance against a top 4 side on the Marlay Astro saw the points shared; Spartak looked to be reasonably in control until at 1-1 Martin Costello’s error gave the home side a soft score; but were grateful for the point when a brilliant Jason Northey save from a point blank effort foiled Beechwood at the death.

Beechwood started like a house on fire with the right winger giving Dave Browne a torrid time; but a combination of blocks and clearances kept out the danger, until a poor Neil McGowan pass gave away possesion to the home left winger; he was faced with several Sky Blue clad defenders but scored with some ease.

On the half hour mark some good pressing work saw Thomas Gaynor intercept and play a 1/2 with Derek Ruxton before sweeping home from 18 yards.

Spartak improved considerably in the second half with a McGowan cross coming back off the inside of the post and Thomas Gaynor making good runs on the left in support of the raiding Steve Walsh.

With the home side taking the lead on 61 minutes against the run of play, it took till the 79th minute when a Gaynor foray saw his cross touched on by Paul Kinsella for Stephen Barr to force in from close range.

A Ruxton – Walsh move gave Barr a clear sight of goal but he fired over for what was Spartak’s best opportunity for a winner; but Northey saved the day right at the end.

Form Report
Jason Northey 8 Paul Kinsella 7 Dave Browne 5 Sean Doyle 7 Martin Costello 6 Fergus Burke 7 Neil McGowan 6 Derek Ruxton 6 Thomas Gaynor 7 Thom O’Driscoll 6 Steve Walsh 7
Sub Stephen Barr 6

1.12.13
Spartak 4, Sallynoggin Pearse 3

Spartak had to rely on two late goals to clinch this game after going two up inside the opening nine minutes.

Stev Walsh was tumbled in the box by the keeper after just 50 seconds and Stephen Barr made no mistake from the spot. On 9 minutes a quick Paul Kinsella throw gave Steve Walsh room to manoeuvre the ball onto his left foot and lash it home from 20 yards.

Keith Kelly , on the burst, then chose the wrong option, passing to a tightly marked Derek Ruxton, who could only shoot weakly at the keeper.

Then things went very sour for the Sky Blues; Sallynoggin pulled one back as the defence backed off; then a sloppily conceded corne by Jason Northey saw an equaliser as the flag kick, half cleared, was smashed in. From a Spartak throw, possession was gifted to the visitors and Fergus Burke tripped the forward. It seemed outside the box, but the ref pointed to the spot . Luckily the kicker saw his shot crash off the post and fly to safety.

But Sallynoggin were not to be denied their lead and a quick ball turned back into the box saw the chance converted. 2-3 down and injuries forced off Keith Kelly and Stephen Barr.

The second half saw a better Spartak performance overall, with chances created for Martin Costello and Steve Walsh as Spartak sought an equaliser. With just 4 minutes left a Derek Ruxton pass sent Stev Walsh into the box on the right; he was clipped – peno! Up stepped Sean Doyle on this occasion to equalise.

But relief was soon to turn to joy on 88 minutes as , after a foul on Niall Hanratty, Sean Doyle whipped a quick free in Steve Walsh’s direction; with the keeper advancing off his line Steve neatly placed the ball over his head and into the top corner.

A very welcome three points indeed.

Form Report
Jason Northey 6 Paul Kinsella 7 Dave Browne 6 Sean Doyle 7 Martin Costello 6 Fergus Burke 7 Stephen Barr 7 Niall Hanratty 6 Derek Ruxton 6 Keith Kelly 6 Steve Walsh 9
Subs : Lee Malone 5 Dave O Kelly 6