VEC started aggressively, unsettling the visitor’s defense early on, resulting in Andy Hooke capitalising on a defensive error in the 2nd minute of this cup match. Rob Newe, with his first goal of the season, added a 2nd in the 25th minute rising highest to head in from a Seán Lynch corner. However, Quarryvale displayed great resilience pulling one back 10 minutes later and then equalising just before the break.

But in the 2nd minute of the re-start, that man Andy, this time capitalising on a poor back-pass, put VEC back in front, and there we stayed, edging out the opposition in what was a five-goal thriller, thus securing our place in the quarter-final of the Richard Knight Cup away to Harding FC.

A solitary second-half strike was enough to settle a tense semi-final encounter in Bray, as Wolfe Tone FC secured their place in the Challenge Cup final with a disciplined 1-0 victory. Despite a late onslaught from VEC, the home team’s defensive resilience proved insurmountable.

After a cagey first half with few clear-cut opportunities, the deadlock was broken in the 70th minute. A swift counter-attack down the left flank culminated in a low shot from their no. 10 that found the far corner of the net. VEC pushed forward in the closing 10 minutes, coming closest when a long-range effort from Neill Love bounced on the goal-line, struck the woodwork and somehow stayed out. Two very late chances from Paddy Cook and Andy Hooke also failed to find the net.

For VEC, the result marks a heartbreaking end to a notable cup run, with many feeling the team deserved more from their performance. They can be justifiably proud of their efforts; however, our lack of clinical finishing has to be lamented. Meanwhile, Wolfe Tone FC advance to the final, and we wish them the best of luck.