VEC players will be disappointed to have squandered our 33rd minute lead with just 14 minutes remaining, but Larkview’s 2nd half performance rightly earned them a point in this top of the table clash.

With the only goal of the game, Joey Byrne (out of shot) fires VEC into the lead in the 62nd minute, returning us to the top of the Division 1 table.
But it was an inspiring performance from man-of-the-match – goalkeeper Colin Power – with a number of outstanding saves, that ensured we took all 3 points. Solid performances from his defenders also greatly contributed to this deserved win. See League Table.

Classic hat-tricks from Pat Meghen (between the 50th & 65th minutes) followed by Paddy Cook (between the 73rd & 85th minutes) were the order of the day in our last league match before the Christmas break in Walkinstown. The home team started well and went ahead half way through the first half, only for Antoine Daubigny to level matters 5 minutes before the break. Then came the second-half with some excellent VEC performances resulting in the ‘Pat-trick’ & the ‘Paddy-trick’, deservedly putting us back up to 2nd place in the league table. A great team effort overall.

With the second of his two goals today, Pat Meghen became only the 12th VEC player to reach the 100 mark in our 50-year history [see goal here]. That was in the 33rd minute to put us 3-1 ahead, having scored his first and our second goal 10 minutes earlier.

A dreadful start saw us down 0-1 in the 2nd minute, but Antoine Dubigny’s superb 13th minute strike levelled matters at that point. Unfortunately we conceded one on the stroke of half-time and again in the 55th minute, making it 3-3. With a severely depleted squad on the day, the lack of reinforcements for tired bodies was the making of our downfall, as the visitors’ pressure in the final 10 minutes paid off and they scored the winner near the end. Goals Scored Overall

With a well-executed high press two minutes after the re-start, Paddy Cook won the ball back after aggressively closing down Dublin Hospitals FC’s goalkeeper’s space, cutting off his passing lanes and forcing him into the mistake that lead to the only goal of this cup match. This was a closely contested game, with the sides scoreless at the break: however, Paddy’s opportunist goal – his first of the season – ensured that we advanced to the 3rd Round of the FAI Junior Cup – away to St. Francis FC.

Goals from Tshepo Monsho in the 18th, 60th and 76th minute put VEC well on the way to three league points against Shelbourne SSC in Terenure on 31st August. Read full match report.

Then, just 4 days later, again in Terenure, Pat Meghen got in on the act with his own hat-trick, as VEC overcame Blackforge 2nds to claim 3 further points. Read full match report.

Not Head, Heart & Hands! More like the definition of working hard and getting it done, which is – “Be Humble; Stay Hungry; Always Hustle” – or was it just VEC’s 3 H’s: Houlihan, Hester & Howard who scored our 3 goals against Coolock Village today to move us to mid-table in the Premier Division. Well done Alonso, Jay & Jordan!

Man-of-the-match Neill Love is congratulated after slotting in the winning penalty for VEC against Boghall Rovers, after this Richard Knight Cup match finished 4-4 after extra-time. 4-1 down after 60 minutes (Rob Newe scored our goal) meant we had it all to do to stay in the Cup. Player/manager Carl O’Gorman’s first goal for the Club soon after gave us hope and then that man Love rose high to score from a corner, before an exquisite strike from Shane O’Connor with just 8 minutes remaining brought the match to extra-time. In the shoot-out, Oisin Kinsella, Conor Lewis, Joey Byrne and Neill Love all converted for VEC, while the home team had two of their penalties saved by Richie Hannify.

Two 0-0 results on the same day was quite unique! Not the results we wanted in both games, but that was not for the want of effort! However, a point was enough to keep VEC 2nds at the top of Division 2 after a strong performance against a well-organised Drumcondra side, whilst VEC 1sts just missed that last bit in front of goal, despite a convincing first half performance and a powerful finish against Atletico Malahide in the Premier Division.

Paddy Cook turned this game into his personal playground, netting 4 goals for VEC with the finesse of a seasoned pro, leaving his manager and spectators in awe and our opponents Brookview Utd. scratching their heads in disbelief. His performance was a masterpiece that will be talked about for a few years hours. (btw 1 of those 4 goals was an o.g. which he claimed). Jerry Clancy, Frankie Nolan, Mano Mansuk & Andy Howell were the other scorers in this 8-0 league win!