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.

Two similar goals in the 60th & 70th minutes from VEC’s leading goal-scorer Paddy Cook helped us reach the semi-final of the Challenge Cup against a dogged Old Bawn side. Shane O’Connor had opened the scoring in the 25th minute with a characteristic header from a corner.  The visitors only goal came in between Paddy’s two goals.  We now play Wolfe Tone FC in Bray next Wednesday.

Skillfully evading the off-side trap, VEC’s man-of-the-match Paddy Cook scored this equaliser in the 67th minute, after the home team had taken the lead with a penalty in the 35th minute. It was no more than we deserved where all VEC players played with great heart and desire throughout. Alas, Roc regained the lead just 2 minutes later and then scored their third – again from the penalty spot – with the last kick of the game in the 90+5th minute, which was a little harsh after staying toe-to-toe with the league leaders right to the end.

With the VEC pitch declared unplayable, this Premier Division match was switched to Ringsend Park and a depleted VEC team held their own up to half-time after a few good chances. Then shortly after the re-start, Harding took the lead and increased it with a penalty in the 76th minute, before their 3rd in the 90th minute secured them the 3 points

We congratulate Colin Power on playing his 100th competitive game for VEC FC last Saturday against Blackforge FC, helping the team reach the last 16 of the Richard Knight Cup. Colly marked the occasion with  some excellent saves and a ‘clean sheet’, with the Club’s top goal-scorer Joey Byrne scoring the only goal of the game.

Joey Byrne rolled back the years with a spectacular left foot volley (and his first of the season) after just 5 minutes, to put us ahead in this Challenge Cup game in Sean Walsh Astro, before Pavee equalised in the 30th minute, but that was the end of their scoring!
Paddy Cook (pic.) then took over with a hat-trick for VEC, scoring his first in the 42nd minute and adding two more in the 60th & 72nd minutes. In between, Andy Hooke scored in the 70th minute and then impact sub. ‘Swannie’ Sweeney banged in two more in the final 10 minutes, when the opposition had effectively thrown in the towel. Next up in the Challenge Cup is Larkview 3rds at home.

With just 13 fit players, and having lost one through injury after only 10 minutes, we certainly had our backs to the wall for large periods of this first game of the season against fellow newcomers to the 2025-26 Premier Division, St. Mary’s Sandyford. But when Paddy Cook skillfully evaded three challenges before crossing for Swannie Sweeney to score the only goal of the game in the 32nd minute, we defended magnificently, denying the visitors any chance of an equalizer, despite endless pressure.

Conor Lewis beat 2 defenders down the right and sent a bullet of a shot to the roof of the net, just 15 seconds into this Shield game in VEC against Harding FC 2nds. We then missed a penalty in the 26th minute, and paid for it, as the visitors equalised mid-way through the 2nd half. However, we won the penalty shoot-out 5-4 to gain an extra point in this round-robin Shield competition.

3 magnificent saves in the penalty shoot-out in Albert College by VEC Keeper Colin Power ensured that VEC FC progressed to the quarter-finals of the Richard Knight Cup, after the teams had finished level at 1-1 after 90 mins. and after extra-time.

Pat Meghen’s penalty in the 4th minute had us leading up to the 38th minute when Shelbourne AFC equalised. While we had the better chances thereafter, there were no further goals. However, we eventually advanced – winning the shoot-out 6-5. More details & 2 saves here.