On the day that VEC goalkeeper Richie Hannify returned to action after nearly a year lay-off, he could do nothing about AGP’s two goals in a game that VEC eventually won 3-2.

Joey Byrne opened the scoring for the home team with a delightful header from a perfect Jordan Howard cross in the 14th minute (pic.) while Seamus Staunton restored VEC’s lead 3 minutes into the second half and Pat Meghen scored the final goal as VEC advanced to meet St. Mary’s Boys in this Pre-season Tournament Final on 7th August.

Meanwhile VEC 2nds upward spiral continued with a comprehensive 5-3 win over Stedfast Utd. on the same day. VEC’s goals came from Ryan Brady (2), Eoin Sweeney, Colm McSharry and Manny Mansuk.

Goals from Tom Wrynne in the 32nd minute and Seamus Staunton five minutes later set VEC on their way to a 2-1 win over Glasnaion FC in Terenure on Saturday.

Although the visitors pulled one back in the 55th minute, it wasn’t enough as there were no further scores despite a few good chances that we had to wrap it up … meaning that we spent the final 10 minutes defending our lead. In the end … 3 points! Click on image to enlarge. Click here for more.

Jamie Ryder (pic.) scored 2 good goals as VEC 2nds recorded their first win in the UCFL Pre-Season Tournament in Terenure on Wednesday.

Ronan Corbett added a lovely third goal making it 3-1, before the visitors Tamh-Leacht FC made it 3-2 with the last kick of the game, giving VEC keeper Tim Gleeson no chance from the penalty spot.

Click on Fixtures/Results for more photos.

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!