22/08/2010: Grangevale 1 Rathcoole Rovers 4 (AUL 1A)

The Vale were beaten 4-1 on Sunday morning in their 1^st league outing of the 2010/11 season. However, the final scoreline flattered the visitors who led 2-1 with 2 minutes remaining but managed to score twice in the final few.

It has been a tough summer for the Grangevale management team with no less than 11 of last years squad moving on for various reasons. To their credit, they have managed to put together a very decent squad but obviously it will take time for the new look squad to gel. Sundays game was encouraging despite the result with the new signings performing well, one of which, David Long, scoring on his debut. Damo O’Callaghan was outstanding in the centre of the park working tirelessly throughout.

Next Thursday the lads visit Richmond in another league encounter, and with a couple of more new signings imminent, it shouldn’t be long before the Vale put a string of good results together.

Finally, many thanks to McSorley Transport Ltd. who generously sponsored Sundays match. If you would like information on sponsoring a game this season, please contact a club official for details. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

26/08/2010 Richmond 0 Grangevale 1 (AUL 1A)

After Sunday’s disappointing defeat to Rathcoole in their opening league fixture of the new season, the Vale bounced back on Thursday evening with a fantastic away win against a strong Richmond outfit in their new grounds in Wilton.

The fact that the Vale had a tough time in pre-season is well documented but things got a lot better last week with a number of new faces coming on board.  The first 45 minutes saw little goal mouth action with chances to a minimum for both sides. Gary Ahern was rock solid between the sticks and with Mark Hackett & club captain Dave Burke complimenting each other admirably in the centre of the defense, Richmond struggled to create much. At half time, it was very evident that the team who managed to score first could be confident of winning the game.

The Vale got the breakthrough they needed in the 53rd minute when David Long’s glancing header beat the Richmond keeper and nestled in the corner of the net. This was new arrival Long’s second goal in as many games and was well deserved for the effort he put in throughout the game. Alan McCarthy replaced Diarmuid O’Neill on 60 minutes to make his debut for the club with Neil McSorley and keith Sheehan also coming on with 10 to go. Despite a few half chances towards the end, Richmond were unable to equalise and the Vale held on for a fully deserved victory.

Club president Donie Cronin was in attendance and was thrilled that the result co-incided with his 75th birthday, making the day all the more memorable.  Next Sunday morning, the lads have a home league fixture v Passage, ko 10.45 in Pfizer’s.

29/08/2010: Grangevale 2 Passage 0 (AUL 1A)

The Vale ran out convincing winners against local rivals Passage on Sunday morning with a comfortable 2-0 win. Similar to Thursday evening, new signings were on display with Keith O’Callaghan and Shane Kennedy both starting. In fact it was a brace from O’Callaghan that gave the Vale all 3 pts with a goal in each half.

The first 20 minutes were tentative enough but once the Vale got the bit between their teeth, there was really never any doubt about who would emerge victorious. In the 30th minute, O’Callaghan gave Grangevale the lead with a super header from Dan Cronin’s delivery giving the opposing keeper no chance.

The second half saw the Vale pile the pressure on the Passage defense with Sheehan, McSorley and Kennedy all unlucky not to extend the lead. Referee Sean Barry awarded a penalty in the 75th minute following a blatant hand ball in the Passage box and O’Callaghan tucked it away confidently.

Once again, Damo O’Callaghan was immense in the middle of the park and Eric Maher, Alan McCarthy, Dan Cronin and Colin McKeon also impressed.

Next Thursday evening, the lads travel to Donoughmore for what will surely be a tricky fixture but with no less than four more new signings available, the management team will have a headache in picking a first eleven, what a difference a week makes!!!