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!

VEC 2nds recorded their 6th win on the trot against Rathmines Roosters in Terenure to stay top of Division 2. Although we had the opposition under pressure for most of the game, it took us 65 minutes to take the lead, when Richie Rye was in the right place to poke the ball into the net following a Conor Callaghan corner kick. Frankie Nolan made the result safe when he beat the offside to score our second in the 90th minute, and ensure the 3 points. It finished 2-0. More pics. here

With our home pitch unplayable, VEC FC moved this Premier Division fixture against Shelbourne AFC to Marlay Park Astro. Unfortunately, the move back-fired, as we succumbed 1-2 to our first league defeat of the season.

Photos-vec-fc-v-shelbourne-afc-2024/(opens in a new tab)

7 months after his last hat-trick, Paddy Cook hit the back of the Kiltalown FC net three times in the first 20 minutes of the Division 2 league match in Jobstown to give VEC FC a commanding 3-0 lead by half-time. Two quick goals after the re-start – with the elements now in their favour – put the home team back in the game, but we held out for another 3 points.

VEC players celebrate a stoppage-time goal from Conor Callaghan as VEC 2nds beat top-of-the-table Malahide Utd. 2nds 2-1 in this closely contested Division 2 league game in Terenure.

In the Premier Division game on the adjoining pitch, VEC 1sts dispatched AGP FC on a scoreline of 3-2 when Oisín Kinsella came up with the goods, firstly after only 10 minutes and then on 68 minutes to finally kill off the visitors’ challenge. AGP had equalized twice on 15 minutes and 55 minutes, but in between Joey Byrne was on hand to guide the ball home just 3 minutes into the 2nd half …. and this was Joey’s 250th goal for the Club. A truly remarkable achievement – details of which are captured in a separate post!