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.