The Irish Junior Women’s Volleyball team travelled to Shaan, Liechtenstein on Easter Sunday to participate in the 2008 Small Nations European Championship finals.
Ireland v Malta
There was great excitement as Jennifer Corrigan, captain, led her team out on day 1 of the competition to play against Malta. Ireland was leading in set 1 12-11 but unfortunately could not hold onto the lead and lost set 1 25-15. Nerves were obvious in set 2, but Ireland over-came these in set 3 to compete in a very close encounter.
Final scores Malta 3 Ireland 0 (25-15, 25-13, 25-20)
Ireland’s player of the match: Gayla Stanley
Ireland v Cyprus
Day 2 saw Ireland take on Cyprus, eventual runners-up in the competition. The score on the day did not reflect the high level and excitement of the match that took place. Ireland lost 3-0 (25-14, 25-4, 25-10) but all spectators were enthralled by set 1 and 3 where Ireland matched the skills of a very good Cypriot team, but unfortunately could not win the long rallies that were the talking point of the match.
Irelands player of the match: Fionnuala Nevin
Ireland v Liechtenstein
It is always difficult to play the home team, with the noise and number of spectators. The Irish girls felt the pressure of the enthusiastic crowd in set 1 and 2, but went out in set 3 all guns blazing, to take the set 25-22. Liechtenstein were obviously rattled in set 4 but managed to pull themselves together to win the match 3-1 (25-14, 25-14, 22-25, 25-16). It was another good performance by Ireland and the first 4-setter match of the competition
Ireland’s player of the match: Aisling Croghan
Ireland v Luxembourg
Ireland suffered a blow at training before the Lux match and lost their Opposite player, Sinead Croghan to injury.
Having resolved themselves with this disappointment, Luxembourg was a huge opposition to face, with a player on the team actively competing with the senior team. The eventual winners of the competition, Luxembourg were stronger in terms of player development and their experience of competition and previous success was evident from their play.
Their attacking took its toll on the Irish squad, with one player taken off injured as a result (luckily not a serious injury).
The result reflects the higher level of skills of the Lux team, while also the fighting spirit of the Irish team in set 2. Luxembourg won 3-0 (25-9, 25-15, 25-9).
Ireland’s player of the match: Edel Nolan
Ireland v Northern Ireland
This was the match we had all been waiting for in the week. Ireland having beaten Northern Ireland a week before the competition to win the inaugural Annual Volleyball Cup, left NI out for revenge.
The first set was evenly balanced, with Ireland narrowly winning by 2 points. Set 2 was equally competitive but Ireland feeling the confidence of the set already won, attacked and served very strongly to take the second set. Ireland lost focus in set 3 to lose it by 5 points, and never recovered their confidence from this.
Northern Ireland won the match 3-2 (24-26,18-25,25-20,25-16,15-9).
The Senior Women Squad had a busy Saint Patrick’s weekend with four matches against Premier Women teams and visiting German club team, Marl.
The highlight of the weekend came on Saturday when the Seniors met Marl on the main court in DCU at 2pm, in front of a large crowd of supporters. The Seniors beat Marl 3-0, but not without a tough battle in the first two sets.
Setter Aileen Minihan led the Irish offence with varied attacks, and 2 quick kills of her own early in the first set. Captain Gemma Garvan and opposite player Tara Dawson kept long rallies alive with their quick defence of Marl middle hitters Martina Becke and Britta Frees. Aided by the passing of libero Louise McConnell, wing hitter Olive Rossiter scored 3 kills to bring Ireland to a 19-13 lead.
Not willing to give up easily, Marl fought back behind the strong service of Kathrin Zilske and net play of Silke Arms to tie the score at 19-19. Unforced errors for both sides, followed by a kill for Marl setter Sarah Marks, and another for Irish setter Minihan, tied the score again at 21-21. Garvan gave Ireland the lead for good with a kill from the wing, and the Seniors held on for a 25-21 win.
Set 2 began with the two teams neck and neck to 11-11. Ireland’s Jana Langford led her squad’s defence against the strong attack of Marl’s Verena Moritz, while Irish middle Elke Wohlleben connected for 2 early kills. Miriam Gormally helped the home team to pull away 19-13 with her quick middle attack. Marl gained a few points on Irish errors, but Pamela O’Donnell stopped Marl’s attack from starting again with her brilliant net play. Jennifer Corrigan came off the bench to add her own block, and Ireland never looked back, winning the set 25-20.
The German side were no match for Ireland in set 3. Fantastic service by Elke Wohlleben kept Marl’s passing under pressure, and pushed by Gormally’s 4 kills at the net, Ireland jumped to a fast 12-2 lead. Marl was unable to catch up, as Garvan and Dawson added 5 service points each. Substitute Edel Nolan registered a kill near the end of the set before Gormally ended the set with a stuff block at the net, Ireland on top 25-8.
Well done to the Senior Women, and Good Luck in the upcoming Small Nations European Qualifying Tournament in May!
Squads Raffle - WINNERS!!
The 2008 national raffle also took place with the following winners:
Padraig Harrington book with 4 green fees for Portmarnock Golf Links - Caileen Meehan, Claremorris, Mayo
Signed Irish National Team rugby jersey by the 2007 Triple Crown winning team - Val Murphy, Glasnevin, Dublin
Signed Dublin jersey- Frances Tansey, Dublin
2 nights for 2 people B&B plus 1 dinner in Mount Wolsley 4 star hotel - Ms Ruane, Claremorris, Mayo
Ipod Nano 4GB with speaker clock radio for Ipod - Daniella Delaney, Hollymount, Mayo
Signed Wilson golf gloves and picture by Padraig Harrington, Danny Hynes, Loughrea Golf Club
Mobile phone and digital camera - Brian Lonergan, Dublin
Beauty hamper and Eur100 all for one voucher - Amy Carr, Artane, Dublin
Eur150 cheque from Anglo Irish Bank - Joseph Rossiter, Artane, Dublin
Eur150 cheque from Anglo Irish Bank - Maureen Meehan, Claremorris, Mayo
Ipod and Beauty hamper - Fergal Cahill, Dublin
Dinner for 2 at Saba restaurant, Dublin - Denise Carter, Dublin
Dinner for 2 at Cruizos restaurant, Dublin - Jennifer Hoole, Dublin
Eur50 voucher for Divan Suds beauticians, with hot styling brush and beauty hamper - Sinead Devane, Straffan, Kildare
Hamper from Batchelors - Ms Power, Claremorris, Mayo
Beauty hamper - Adrian Gannon, Dublin
Beauty hamper - Stevie Nohilly, Dublin
Wexford jersey - Brian Lonergan, Dublin
Very large Easter egg - Kathleen O'Donnell, Castlebar, Mayo
Kilkenny jersey - Sean Fitzpatrick, Kill, Kildare
Junior Ladies in Luxembourg, October 2007
Read the Junior Ladies' report of their trip to Luxembourg recently here >>
National Teams
Volunteers sought for National Teams Management Group
Applications are sought for positions on the National Teams Management Group of the Volleyball Association of Ireland.
This Committee will be responsible for the administration and financial affairs of 4 National squads. They will provide a link between the Head Coaches, Managers and the Executive Board.
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There was great excitement as Jennifer Corrigan, captain, led her team out on day 1 of the competition to play against Malta. Ireland was leading in set 1 12-11 but unfortunately could not hold onto the lead and lost set 1 25-15. Nerves were obvious in set 2, but Ireland over-came these in set 3 to compete in a very close encounter..jpg)
This was the match we had all been waiting for in the week. Ireland having beaten Northern Ireland a week before the competition to win the inaugural Annual Volleyball Cup, left NI out for revenge..jpg)
