In a 16 minute spell between the 39th and 55th minutes, Aidan Hyland scored the perfect hat-trick (left foot; right foot; header) to ensure that VEC gained all three points against Dunshaughlin Youths in Terenure on Saturday.
Tom Wrynne added the 4th in the 88th minute as VEC ran out 4-1 winners in this pre-season tournament.
A spirited performance from VEC in Terenure on Wednesday wasn’t enough as we failed to score despite plenty of possession. But at least there were signs of improvement as the 17 players in the squad begin to gel together. The only goal in the game came from the penalty spot (click on pic.) early in the 2nd half to give Clondalkin Celtic all three points in this pre-season tournament. We move on!
It took Aidan Hyland just 24 minutes on his return to action after a serious injury to get on the scoresheet for VEC, with a delightful diving header against Aston Village in Terenure on Saturday. Click on image.
With the lock-down also delaying his return, it was great to see him back in VEC for his first game since May 2019. Also good to see Neal Breslin and Tom Wrynne return to the fold as VEC ran out 5-3 winners in this UCFL Pre-Season Tournament. The other scorers were Jack Nolan (again), Tom Wrynne, Ray Jaudzems and Seamus Staunton.
With just one previous goal for VEC back in January 2019, Jack Nolan scored two spectacular goals in the 18th and 78th minutes, helping us on our way to a comprehensive 6-0 win away to Atletico Malahide. Oisin Kinsella had opened the scoring in the 12th minute, with captain Seamus Staunton netting a penalty in the 22nd minute, followed one minute later by a Ryan Brady strike on his debut! Then Jeff de Castro in the 83rd minute, with his first for VEC, curled a beautiful effort into the top right corner to make it 6. Click on pic. to enlarge
While it wasn’t the result we would have liked, it was great to be back playing football again last Saturday, after a gap of 10 months.
Even though we conceded an opportunist goal to Shelbourne AFC 10 minutes into the 2nd half, it seemed only to be a matter of time before we would score, based on our possession, but alas that goal never came despite some good chances. The visitors then scored their second in the dying minutes to take all three points in this UCFL Pre-Season Tournament. We move on!
The UCFL’s Pre-Season Tournament kicks off for VEC on Saturday 12th June 2021 with a home game against Shelbourne AFC, while VEC 2nds first game will be away to Roc Celtic on ‘the Lawns’ in Ballyfermot on Wednesday 16th June 2021. Further details under Fixtures.
VEC FC will play 7 games up to 24th July and VEC FC 2nds will play 8 games up to 28th July.
‘Hope is returning’ said the Taoiseach today (29th April) as the Government announced that “outdoor training for adults can recommence in pods of a maximum of 15 people with effect from 10th May”.
Also that from 7th June, “outdoor sports matches can recommence but with no spectators”. Gyms, swimming pools and leisure centres can also reopen for individual training.
So, VEC training continues on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 7.00pm in the ETB (VEC) Sportsgrounds in Terenure – in pods of 15.
Training also on Saturday starting at 10.30am.
Having made his International debut for the Turks and Caicos Islands national football team in 2011, VEC FC player Jack McKnight played the full world cup qualifying match at left back against Nicaragua last night. Unfortunately, the team lost 7-0 in this CONCACAF first round Group E qualifier match. Well done Jack!
Update: Jack also played a full game in the next match on 30th March 2021 against Belize, where the Turks and Caicos Islands suffered a 5-0 defeat. Both matches were played in the Dominican Republic due to Covid-19 restrictions.
See article in the Sun Newspaper here.
[Click on team line-up and squad below to enlarge]
Back l to r: Juan Vassallo; Russell White; Shane Reddin; Richie Burke; Brian O’Keeffe; Gildas Oliver; Josh Caffrey; Jack McKnight; Paddy Prizeman.
Front: Conor O’Neill; Karl Reck; Mattie Wallace; Garry Curran; Paul Smith; Darragh Kelly; Simon Roche. [Missing/injured: Sean O’Shea; Adam Flynn].
Plan for Living with Covid-19
No indoor or outdoor gatherings permitted involving “collective team training” except for professional and elite sports. So unfortunately, for the month of January, we are back to individual training only.
Also, no matches or events are to take place, save for professional and elite sports.
Under the Covid-19 restrictions, “non-contact training in pods of up to 15” is still permitted. We got three Thursday training sessions in before Christmas.
Unfortunately, “no matches or other sporting events can take place” yet.