VEC 2nds take Portmarnock Scalp!

In an extraordinary Cup match, VEC 2nds from Division 2 advanced to the next round of the Challenge Cup by defeating Premier Division newcomers Portmarnock AFC in a penalty shoot-out.

With scores level (3-3) after 90 mins. and (4-4) after extra time, VEC won by 5 goals to 4 in the shoot-out with Simon Roche, Richie Burke, Mattie Wallace, Brian O’Keeffe and Jack McKnight all succeeding from the spot.

Dramatic Win in FAI Junior Cup

Ray Jaudzems rocket in the 62nd minute gave VEC the lead in the 2nd round FAI Junior Cup match against Booth Road Celtic. The home team equalized 5 minutes later from a ‘dubious’ penalty award, but VEC battled away and scored a deserved winner in the 90+3rd minute through a Seamus Staunton penalty to advance to the next round.

Huge Goal from Shocko!

Mattie Wallace’s attempt (left) was parried by the Harding goalkeeper Timo Meyer in the 57th minute, only for Conall O’Shaughnessy to bury the rebound for the only goal of the game – giving VEC all three Premier Division points against Harding IF in Benildus College. Trojan work was put in by all including Joey Byrne (right) late in the game, ensuring that the home team didn’t get back into it.

Mixed Day for VEC

In the Premier Division, a depleted VEC FC lost 3-1 to a very energetic AGP team in Lucan. The home team led 2-0 at half time after two breakaway goals on 12 and 34 minutes, but VEC pulled one back in the 67th minute through Juan Vassallo. A mix up in the VEC defense in the 86th minute led to an own goal which scuppered any chance of a possible draw.

In Division 2, an event-filled game saw VEC’s Gary Curran score his 2nd goal in 2 games to open the scoring and put VEC on the front foot with a poachers effort. Then the home side rallied and nabbed a back post equalizer with just 12 mins left. However, Conor O’Neill was introduced for VEC and managed to repeat his late heroics from last weekend by bagging an 87th minute winner for Sean OShea’s men!

Dramatic Draw for VEC 2nds

A well-worked goal in the 45+2nd minute, finished by Karl Reck brought VEC back into the Division 2 match against Frankfort FC in Terenure, after the visitors had opened the scoring in the 34th minute.
A defensive mix-up in the 70th minute gifted a 2nd goal to the visitors against the run of play. However, VEC battled on to the very end and were rewarded with an equalizer deep into stoppage time, as Russell White smashed the ball home to claim a well deserved point for the home side.
[This was Russell’s second goal for VEC, having scored his first virtually 2 years ago to the day]

Cup Draws & Dates 2019-2020

The draws/dates for the O’Neills.com Challenge Cup & the Richard Knight Cup are below:
Details for the Shields for the Premier Division & Division 2 will follow.

Challenge CupScheduled
VEC 2nds
Round 1 VEC 2nds 4-4 Portmarnock AFC aet. VEC won 5-4 on penalties 28th September
Round 2VEC 2nds 6-1 Mid Sutton Sportslink2nd November
Last 16Ath. Malahide 4-3 VEC 2ndsAfter extra time
VEC 1sts
Round 2 (4-3 on pens.) VEC 1sts 2-2 Harding IF 2nds 1st February
Last 16Oldbury FC 1-3 VEC 1sts (aet)6th March
Quarter
Final
Dunshaughlin Youths 1-1 VEC 1sts
VEC lost 3-4 on penalties.
25th July
Richard Knight Cup
Round 1VEC 4-0 Castle Celtic22nd February
Last 16VEC 0-0 Beech Park FC
VEC lost 2-4 on penalties.
22nd July
FAI Junior Cup
Round 2Booth Road Celtic 1-2 VEC FC28th September
Round 3Kilbarrack Utd. (disqualified) v VEC FC (Re-instated)19th October
Round 4VEC 1-1 Rosemount Mulvey FC
VEC FC 4-5 Rosemount Mulvey on Penalties
Wed. 18th December

VEC Top of Premier Division

Ray Jaudzems opened the scoring for VEC after 22 minutes before Oldbury FC equalized with a speculative strike 6 minutes later in this Premier Division clash. Man-of-the-Match Mick Kinsella restored VEC’s lead on 52 minutes, followed by Ray’s second in the 82nd minute, only for the visitors to score a consolation goal with 4 minutes remaining. It finished 3-2 with VEC taking all 3 points.

Frustrating Outcome for VEC 2nds

A smash & grab by Sandford St. Mary’s gave them all 3 points in VEC 2nds first league game of the season in Tymon Park.

Garry Curran had given VEC the lead in the 32nd minute, a lead we held on to until 20 minutes from the end, when the home team scored the equalizer and then the winner in the 85th minute. But by this stage, VEC should have been out of sight only to miss three great opportunities to extend our lead and then to be denied on two occasions by inaccurate offside calls by the referee.