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
