Volleyball Association of Ireland

Women's CEV Small Nations Junior Championship Finals '08, March 23rd 2008

Report:

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).

Ireland’s player of the match: Denise Gaule

The team:
Jennifer Corrigan, Edel Nolan, Denise Gaule, Aisling Gale, Sinead Croghan, Aisling Croghan, Chloe Campbell, Grainne McNieve, Eadaoin O’Flanagan, Gayla Stanley, Fionnuala Nevin, Caileen Meehan