Report on UCFL League Team 2018-2019 - VEC FC
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Report on UCFL League Team 2018-2019
Background: Paul Hutchinson accepted the League’s offer to continue as the League team manager
for the 2018-2019 season. The UCFL were drawn in a 4-team group, needing to finish in the top 2 to
qualify for the knock-out stages. We would first play the Leinster Senior League at home, followed by
two away fixtures against the Carlow & District League and the Defence Forces. He once again
appointed Dave Spring (VEC FC) as his assistant. His Report follows:
Saturday 3rd November 2018: UCFL 0-3 Leinster Senior League
The team got off to a disappointing start with a 0-3 home defeat to the Leinster Senior League in the opening
Oscar Traynor Trophy game on the grass pitch in the Oscar Traynor Centre on Saturday
3rd November 2018. The pitch was in perfect condition. The starting 11 comprised of 5 x VEC players; 3 x
Harding IF; 2 x South William Street Celtic and 1 from Coolock Village.
[5 substitutes were used: 1 each from VEC, Harding IF, Castle Celtic, Glasnaion FC and Tallaght Utd.]. The
reserve goalkeeper from Coolock Village and a VEC defender were not used.
10 of those players were involved previously with the UCFL representative squad (See statistics at 4 below).
Brian O’Regan (Harding IF) was appointed UCFL captain.
See Report1 (from web site) and squad photo and the end.
UCFL (4-4-2) v LSL
David Frewen (VEC FC)
Dermot Blaine (Coolock Village), Brian O’Regan (C) (Harding IF), Neil Love (Sth. William St. Celtic), Gavin Murphy (VEC FC)
Shane Lyons (Harding IF), Mick Kinsella (VEC FC), Sean Murphy (Sth. William St. Celtic), Ray Jaudzems (VEC FC)
Gianmarco Fratangeli (Harding IF), Aidan Hyland (VEC FC)
Subs – Ayuba Salaudeen (Castle Celtic) for Blaine, Dave Marmion (Harding IF) for S. Murphy, Jamie Walsh (Tallaght Utd) for
Fratangeli, Andy Hedderman (Glasnaion FC) for Love, Pat Meghen (VEC FC) for Jaudzems; not used - Peter O’Brien (VEC
FC), Willie Wylie (Coolock Village).
Leinster Senior League – Gary Cleary (Booth Road), Calvin Roger (Crumlin Utd.), Gary Murphy (Crumlin Utd.), Patrick Shorthall
(Cherry Orchard), Kyle Dunphy (Crumlin Utd.), Sean O’Connor (Crumlin Utd.), Jordan Payne (Booth Road), Conor Mooney
(Crumlin Utd.), Leon Foley (Crumlin Utd.), Ian Tuohy (Crumlin Utd.), Sam Burghes (Crumlin Utd.). Subs – Dean Longhi (Crumlin
Utd.), Ian Cowzer (Crumlin Utd.), Philip Sheppard (Booth Road), Andy McNulty
Saturday 24th November 2018: Carlow and District League 2-1 UCFL
In our 2nd match, we lost out narrowly to the 2017-18 Oscar Traynor Trophy champions, the Carlow & District
League in Parkville United, Tullow Co. Carlow on Saturday 24th November 2018. It was the second season in
a row that we lost to them, following a narrow 2-3 defeat 12 months earlier after a tremendous struggle in
VEC Terenure, with Carlow going on to win the competition!
We decided to travel in cars as some players had indicated that they would have to return to Dublin
immediately after the match. We stopped off at the M9 Services Station for light refreshments before
completing the final 15 minutes of our relatively short journey and arrived in plenty of time to discuss
plans/tactics etc.
It was a much-changed team from the opening game. Only 4 players started both games due mainly to injuries
and unavailability (and one suspended): Davy Frewen, Gavin Murphy & Ray Jaudzems (all VEC), and Captain
Brian O’Regan (Harding IF). The other 7 who started comprised 4 players who were substitutes in the 1st
game: Peter O’Brien (VEC), Dave Marmion (Harding IF), Andy Hedderman (Glasnaion) and Ayuba Salaudeen
(Castle Celtic), as well as 1 each from VEC, Harding IF and Coolock Village.
[3 substitutes were used: 1 each from South William Street Celtic, Castle Celtic and Coolock Village]. The
reserve goalkeeper was Richie Hannify (VEC). Our goalscorer was Sam Jackson (VEC).
See Report 2 (from web site) and squad photo and the end.
UCFL (3-4-3) v C&DL
David Frewen (VEC FC)
Peter O’Brien (VEC FC), Brian O’Regan (C) (Harding IF FC), Gavin Murphy (VEC FC)
Dave Marmion (Harding IF FC), Bobby Haughton (Harding IF FC), Ayuba Salaudeen (Castle Celtic), Ray Jaudzems (VEC FC)
Andy Hedderman (Glasnaion FC), Sam Jackson (VEC FC), Conor Blaine (Coolock Village FC).
Subs – Conor McGreal (Castle Celtic) for Blaine, Dermot Blaine (Coolock Village) for Haughton, Neil Love (South William Street
Celtic) for Salaudeen; not used – Richie Hannify (VEC FC).
Carlow – 1. Jamie Hennessy, 2. Michael Calvey, 3. Stevie Chalto, 4. Robert Dowling, 5. Mark Boland, 6. Phil Neenan, 7. Mark
Davis, 8. Cathal Coughlan, 9. Danny Doyle, 10. Ethan O’Neill, 11. Craig Comerford (C). Subs – 12. Michael Mullen, 13, Brian
Mullen, 14. Aaron Morris, 15. Chris Gaule, 16. Roy Byrne, 18. Craig Walker.
Wednesday 19th December 2018: Defence Forces 2-1 UCFL
We concluded our campaign with a 1-2 defeat to the Defence Forces on Wednesday (19th December) night
under the lights in Crumlin Utd’s. all-weather pitch. With nothing to play for except pride, we couldn’t have
asked more from the players who put in trojan efforts against a very strong Defence Forces team that had won
their previous two matches in the group but still needed at least a draw to top the group.
This time however, 9 of the players who had played in one or both of the previous games started, with Austin
Hannon (Clontarf Ath.) (stepping in at the 11th hour replacing the ill Davy Frewen) and Dani Gonzalez (VEC)
making up the starting 11. Three substitutes were used: 2 from VEC and 1 from Glasnaion. The reserve
goalkeeper was again Richie Hannify (VEC). Our goalscorer was Aidan Hyland (VEC).
Although a few ‘cried off’, the squad was made up of 10 x VEC players and 1 each from Harding IF (captain
Brian O’Regan), Coolock Village, Glasnaion, Castle Celtic, Clontarf Ath. & Swords Manor.
UCFL (3-4-3) v DF
David Austin Hannon (Clontarf Ath)
Peter O’Brien (VEC FC), Brian O’Regan (C) (Harding IF FC), Gavin Murphy (VEC FC)
Conor McGreal (Castle Celtic), Mick Kinsella (VEC FC), Dani Gonzalez (VEC FC), Ray Jaudzems (VEC FC)
Aidan Hyland (VEC FC), Sam Jackson (VEC FC), Conor Blaine (Coolock Village).
Subs – Pat Meghen (VEC FC) for Blaine (59 mins), Neal Breslin (VEC FC) for O’Brien (65 mins), Andy Hedderman (Glasnaion)
for McGreal (75 mins), not used: Eoin Sherlock (Swords Manor), Richie Hannify (VEC FC).
Defence Forces: Gavin Mulreaney, Ben O’Donoghue, Craig Doran, Sean Guerins, Richie Barber, Rickie Fox, Derek Connolly,
Raymond McCann, Jody Dillon, Paul Sheehan, Tony Smith. Subs – Stephen Fisher, Michael Mulhall, John Paul Brennan, Frank
Carolan, Stephen Whelan
See Report 3 (from web site) and squad photo and the end.
Conclusion
Once again, it was a difficult campaign, in which only 5 of the 24 players used were involved in all 3 games:
Brian O’Regan (Harding IF), captain in all 3 games, Gavin Murphy, Ray Jaudzems & Peter O’Brien (VEC) and
Andy Hedderman (Glasnaion). Analysing the players involved in the 8 Oscar Traynor matches over the past
3 seasons, shows that 57 different players were used, with Gavin Murphy (VEC) playing in 7 of those 8 games;
Pat Meghen (VEC) and Neil Love (Sth. William) playing in 6; Aidan Hyland (VEC) and Neal Breslin (VEC)
playing in 5. See full analysis at 4 below.
As John Fraser stated at the end of his excellent reports: “… another Oscar Traynor campaign for the UCFL
team ends without a win, but there is no doubt that the performances represented an improvement after
a difficult couple of seasons which followed the loss of three of the four leading teams from the Premier
Division in 2016. Apart from a slightly crazy 20-minute spell in the first half of this year’s opening game
when 3 goals were conceded, the UCFL competed well in all 3 games against difficult opponents, the
Leinster Senior League, last year’s winners Carlow & District League and the Defence Forces, the latter
themselves beating all 3 teams and topping the group. The UCFL team improved with each game …”
The management team (myself and Dave Spring) would like to thank all the players (and their Clubs) who
participated so enthusiastically, as well as some members of the UCFL management committee for their
support along the way, particularly John Fraser’s presence and excellent reporting at all 3 games.
Paul Hutchinson
30th December 2018
1
UCFL v Leinster Senior League - Report from http://www.ucfl.ie/
03/11/2018: UCFL 0-3 Leinster Senior League.
The UCFL representative team went down to a disappointing 0-3 defeat to the Leinster Senior League in their
opening game in the Oscar Traynor competition on Saturday.
All the goals came in the first half, despite the fact that the UCFL seemed to be competing on fairly even terms for
much of that period. The LSL’s more clinical finishing was the difference between the teams, converting 3 of their 5
chances in that opening half, whereas the UCFL failed to make the most of their own admittedly more sporadic
chances, though they were undoubtedly unlucky not to score on two occasions.
The first incident of note occurred after 5 minutes when UCFL keeper David Frewen did well to stop a snap shot.
However, he was beaten on 10 minutes when the LSL’s Sean O’Connor arced a brilliant free kick from 25 yards
into the top corner.
The game continued with the UCFL competing strongly and centre forwards Aidan Hyland and Gianmarco
Fratangeli combined well on a number of occasions. Indeed, on 22 minutes, Hyland ran on and shot wide from 25
yards before he almost equalised a minute later, rising at the far post to meet a free kick, but his header back
across goal just cleared the crossbar.
Almost immediately, the UCFL were rocked backwards by a second LSL goal, Ian Tuohy converting after an initial
blocked shot landed at his feet 10 yards out, leaving the LSL with a decidedly flattering 2-0 lead.
With their tails now very definitely up, the LSL wasted no time in pressing home their advantage and Jordan
Payne, a constant threat, latched on to a fine diagonal ball over the defence and clipped it over the advancing
Frewen.
The UCFL managed to regain their composure after these setbacks and restricted the LSL to one more long range
effort before half-time which was easily dealt with by Frewen. In fact, it was the UCFL who came much closer to
scoring when Gianmarco Fratangeli controlled a cross and then saw his shot cleared off the line by an LSL
defender with the keeper beaten.
There were no further goals in the second half, with the LSL largely resorting to long range efforts as the UCFL
defence managed to keep its shape and hold the LSL forwards at bay. There were one or two fleeting chances at
the other too which could have brought the UCFL back into contention, Aidan Hyland chasing a through ball on 65
minutes only for the LSL keeper to effect a fine block at the edge of his area.
But any chance of a comeback by the UCFL was effectively ended 3 minutes later when Mick Kinsella was red-
carded after a dangerous tackle. At that stage, a rout became a real possibility, but the UCFL team dug in and
battled through the remaining 22 minutes without conceding a goal. The closest the LSL came was a shot which
drew a fine save from Frewen with 12 minutes left.
Officials (all UCFL): Keith Butterly, Graham Caswell, John Dalton.2
Carlow & District League v UCFL - Report from http://www.ucfl.ie/
25/11/2018: Carlow & District League 2-1 UCFL
The UCFL representative team lost out narrowly to 2017-18 winners, the Carlow & District League in their second
game in the Oscar Traynor competition on Saturday (24/11/2018).
In the end, Carlow were deserving winners as they enjoyed slightly more possession in their opponents’ half and
created more chances overall, but the UCFL displayed excellent organisation throughout, threatening frequently
and remained well in the game right to the end.
The opening 20 minutes were evenly contested, with Ayuba Salaudeen in particular enjoying some moments of
prominence on his first start for the UCFL team. The first chance of note fell to Carlow on 10 minutes when Mark
Davis cut in from the right and shot over from 25 yards, but the UCFL had a better opportunity after 17 minutes
when Conor Blaine played a brilliant ball over the Carlow defence only for Sam Jackson to fire hastily over.
However, Carlow took the lead on 22 minutes with an outstanding effort, although there was a touch of good
fortune about it, a free kick move being initially blocked by a UCFL defender, only for Craig Comerford to swing his
left boot at the dropping ball and connect perfectly to send an unstoppable effort into the far corner of the net to put
his side 1-0 up.
There followed an uncomfortable period for the UCFL as they sought to maintain their foothold in the game but
they managed to limit Carlow to just one chance, with Phil Neenan shooting over after 32 minutes. Indeed, the
UCFL also threatened on occasion themselves, Salaudeen’s rushed shot from the edge of the box bringing a save
from Jamie Hennessy in the Carlow goal.
If Carlow enjoyed some luck for their opening goal, the UCFL benefitted from a large slice of it for their equaliser 5
minutes before half-time when the referee inadvertently blocked a Carlow clearance, allowing the UCFL to regain
possession before working the ball to Salaudeen whose scuffed shot from the edge of the area rolled into the path
of Sam Jackson and he made no mistake from 10 yards to level the scores.
Carlow produced a quick response and David Frewen did well to tip over Stevie Chalton’s shot a couple of minutes
later and the sides reached half-tie tied at 1-1.
Carlow were first to threaten again after the break, Ethan O’Neill firing a free kick narrowly wide, though it
appeared that Frewen had it covered. But the UCFL quickly showed that they would remain competitive as Dave
Marmion drove forward before dinking a perfect ball into the area where Jackson just failed to connect with the
goal at his mercy.
Jackson had another chance after 55 minutes, racing onto a through ball, but his first touch let him down allowing
Hennessy to force him wide and the chance was lost.
However, Carlow then enjoyed a good period, with a couple of scrambles in the UCFL penalty box, the first ending
with a header just past the post and the second requiring a goal line clearance. Carlow maintained the pressure
and though Jackson again forced a save from the Carlow keeper midway through the half, it took the crossbar to
save the UCFL on 72 minutes after a fine run and shot by Danny Doyle.
But there was to be no reprieve just a minute later as Carlow attacked down the right and the low centre evaded
Frewen before being turned in from a couple of yards, despite a hint of offside.
Carlow rarely threatened in the final 15 minutes as the UCFL sought a second equaliser. The closest they came
was a run from substitute Dermot Blaine who worked his way to the bye-line with 7 minutes left before cutting the
ball back but there was no-one in 6yard box to apply the finish.
With the Defence Forces beating the LSL, the UCFL are now out of contention for the knockout stages of this
season’s competition. However, they will take significant encouragement from their performance in Saturday’s
game having pushed last season’s winners all the way. The UCFL will complete their programme with a third game
against the already qualified Defence Forces at a date and venue which will be confirmed shortly.3
Defence Forces v UCFL - Report from http://www.ucfl.ie/
19/12/2018: Defence Forces 2-1 UCFL
The UCFL concluded their 2018-19 Oscar Traynor campaign with a 1-2 defeat to the Defence Forces on
Wednesday (19/12/2018) night.
Despite the defeat, the UCFL team produced a fine performance against the best team in a difficult group on the
Crumlin Utd AstroTurf, competing well throughout the game, with a number of players particularly prominent. Mick
Kinsella, who missed the Carlow game through suspension and Dani Gonzalez were both outstanding in midfield,
while Aidan Hyland’s return made a big difference upfront.
Despite a bright and fast-paced start, there were few chances in the opening 20 minutes, with attacking moves
breaking down for both sides. However, that changed when the Defence Forces’ Jody Dillon slipped his marker on
18 minutes before attempting to round Austin Hannon, but the UCFL goalkeeper got down quickly to thwart the
danger.
The UCFL responded with a couple of efforts themselves, first Aidan Hyland’s header was palmed away by Gavin
Mulreaney and then, after a fine run down the left by Ray Jaudzems, it was Hyland again, shooting just wide at the
far post though he was ruled offside.
Approaching the half-hour mark, the Defence Forces appeared to be taking control, going close three times in
quick succession, first Derek Connolly shooting just wide, Raymond McCann doing likewise after a mistake in the
UCFL defence and then a header rebounding from the crossbar before the ball was scrambled away by the UCFL
defence.
However, the UCFL weathered that storm and responded with a few chances of their own, with Ray Jaudzems
working an opening for a shot which was saved by Mulreaney, before the latter was forced to tip over a drive from
Conor Blaine just a minute later.
With the clock reaching the 45 minute mark, the deadlock seemed set to be broken when Defence Forces
midfielder Rickie Fox was tripped inside the box. However, Fox’s penalty was not particularly well struck and
Hannon got down to his right and saved. And there was still time for the UCFL to threaten at the other end, Sam
Jackson heading over a cross from Hyland.
After an encouraging first half, the UCFL began the second half in confident manner, pushing for a breakthrough
and coming close on 50 minutes, a scrambled clearance falling at the feet of Dani Gonzalez, whose shot from the
edge of the area was tipped round the base of the post by Mulreaney at full stretch.
However, it was the Defence Forces who made the breakthrough with 54 minutes gone. A throw-in from the left
was nodded on by Dillon, Hannon was unable to hold onto it and Tony Smith was on hand to turn the ball in from
two yards.
The UCFL quickly recovered and they drew level with a deserved equaliser on 66 minutes. There seemed little
danger when a free kick was awarded 40 yards out and near the sideline, but Gonzalez’ fine free kick allowed
Hyland to steal in behind the defence and guide a header low into the keeper’s bottom right-hand corner. This
boosted the UCFL, and for the next few minutes, they began to press with increasing belief that they could grab an
unexpected winner.
However, they were undone on 74 minutes by a poor clearance which allowed the Defence Forces a chance to
attack and though Hannon did well to stop the initial shot, he had no chance with the follow-up from Dillon who
pounced to restore the Defence Forces’ lead.
The UCFL wobbled again after this setback, Paul Sheehan sending a header glancing off Hannon’s crossbar just 3
minutes later, but the UCFL again recovered gradually and pressed for a second equaliser right to the end. They
had a great chance 3 minutes into injury time but Sam Jackson’s shot was deflected just past the post and with
that, the UCFL’s last chance had gone.
And so another Oscar Traynor campaign for the UCFL team ends without a win, but there is no doubt that the
performances represented an improvement after a difficult couple of seasons which followed the loss of three of
the four leading teams from the Premier Division in 2016. Apart from a slightly crazy 20-minute spell in the first half
of this year’s opening game when 3 goals were conceded, the UCFL competed well in all 3 games against difficult
opponents, the Leinster Senior League, last year’s winners Carlow and the Defence Forces, the latter themselves
beating all 3 teams and topping the group. The UCFL team improved with each game and last night’s contest saw
a fine game played at a notably high pace and standard throughout. The UCFL would like to thank the
management team of Paul Hutchinson and David Spring, along with all the players and their clubs, for their efforts
on behalf of the League and we trust that it has been a worthwhile experience for all involved.4 Analysis of Players’ involvement.
Defence Defence
UCFL 2016-2018 Forces
Wexford AUL Carlow AUL LSL Carlow
Forces Started As Sub Total
Nov-16 Dec-16 Jan-17 Nov-17 Dec-17 Nov-18 Nov-18 Dec-18
Players Lost 1-3 Lost 0-5 Lost 1-4 Lost 2-3 Lost 1-6 Lost 0-3 Lost 1-2 Lost 1-2
1 Gavin Murphy (VEC) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 7 7
Neil Love (Sth. William St.
2 1 1 1 sub 1 sub 4 2 6
Celtic)
3 Patrick Meghen (VEC) sub sub 1 1 sub sub 2 4 6
4 Aidan Hyland (VEC) 1 sub 1 1 1 4 1 5
5 Neal Breslin (VEC) 1 1 1 1 sub 4 1 5
6 Michael Kinsella (VEC) 1 1 1 1 4 4
7 Raimonds Jaudzems (VEC) 1 1 1 1 4 4
Andy Hedderman
8 sub 1 sub 2 2 4
(Glasnaion) 1
9 Conor McGreal (Castle Celtic) sub sub sub 1 1 3 4
10 Brian O'Regan (Harding IF) 1 1 1 3 3
11 Shane Lyons (Harding IF) 1 1 1 3 3
Storm Sammons (Sth.
12 1 1 1 3 3
William St. Cel.)
13 Anthony Dunne (VEC) 1 1 sub 2 1 3
Dermot Blaine (Coolock
14 1 sub 2 1 3
Village) 1
Owen Sherlock (Swords not
15 1 sub 1 2 1 3
Manor) used / ill
16 Seamus Staunton (VEC) sub sub 1 1 2 3
17 Antonio Neto (EID) 1 1 2 2
Conor Blaine (Coolock
18 1 1 2 2
Village)
19 Davy Frewen [GK] (VEC) 1 1 2 2
Mark Mulvihill (Sth. William
20 1 1 2 2
St. Celtic)
not not
21 Peter O'Brien (VEC) 1 1 2 2
used used
22 Ricardo Pias (EID) 1 1 2 2
23 Sam Jackson (VEC) 1 1 2 2
Andrew Kilmartin (Blackrock
24 1 1 2 2
Col / VEC)
Stephen Donnelly (Aston
25 1 1 2 2
Village)
Brian O'Donovan [GK]
26 2 2
(Harding IF) 1 1
Ayuba Salaudeen (Castle
27 sub 1 1 1 2
Celtic)
28 Dave Marmion (Harding IF) sub 1 1 1 2
29 Dan Murphy (Beech Park) 1 sub 1 1 2
30 Jack French (Coolock Village) sub 1 1 1 2
31 Sean Bonner (Harding IF) 1 sub 1 1 2
32 David Alford (Aston Village) sub sub 2 2
33 Joseph Byrne (VEC) sub sub 2 2
Eddie Murray (Rathmines
34 2
Roosters) sub sub 2
Austin Hannon [GK] (Clontarf
35 1 1 1
Athletic)
Bobby Haughton (Harding
36 1 1 1
IF)not not
37 Brian Taaffe (Aston Village) 1 1 1
used used
38 Conor Shiels (Aston Village) 1 1 1
39 Dani Gonzalez (VEC) 1 1 1
not
40 Diego Amorim (EID) 1 1 1
used
41 Diego Oliveira (EID) 1 1 1
Gianmarco Fratangeli
42 (Harding IF)
1 1 1
not not not
43 Richard Hannify [GK] (VEC) injured 1 1 1
used used used
44 Ross Clarke (Swords Manor) 1 injured 1 1
Sean Murphy (Sth. William
45 1 1 1
St. Celtic)
46 Dan Kennedy (Beech Park) 1 1 1
47 Ian Weldon (Glasnaion) 1 1 1
Mark Mulvihill (Sth. William
48 1 1
St. Celtic) 1
49 Sean Byrne (Aston Village) 1 1 1
Eoin Bennis (Mid Sutton
50 sub 1 1
Sportslink)
51 Jamie Walsh (Tallaght Utd.) sub 1 1
52 Killian Finlay (VEC) sub injured 1 1
Shane Carter (Swords
53 sub 1 1
Manor)
54 Alan McCann (Castle Celtic) sub 1 1
Willie Wylie [GK] (Coolock not
55 Village) used
0
not
56 Alan Keane (GK) (VEC) 0
used
Fiachra Spellman (Coolock not
57 0
Village) usedAbove: UCFL Squad vs Leinster Senior League
Above: UCFL Squad vs Carlow & District League
Above: UCFL Squad vs Defence ForcesYou can also read
