The first U18 boys blitz of 2022 took place earlier today in Loughrea, Galway. A fully booked competition gathered teams from Leinster, Munster and Connacht to determine which club/school would be crowned winners on our first of four scheduled blitzes.
Two pools of four teams each competed throughout the morning session.
Traveling north were two teams from the new club Cork Volleyball Academy. Under the guidance of head coach Antonio Barros both teams took vital wins in the pool stages with CVC 1 beating Senior A school champions and hosts St Brigid’s College. Both Cork teams however finished 3rd giving themselves a tougher opponent come the quarters.
Galway Volleyball Club travelled with three teams really demonstrating the great youth work currently underway in the city. A mixed set of results seen teams place 2nd and 4th in Pool B. While GVC 1 also secured a 4th place in Pool A.
Yet another new club emerging this year and fresh off a Senior B boys championship win for many of their players Portlaoise Pandas ensured they wouldn’t be leaving too early with some fine volleyball from the first whistle. Their pool could only be separated by points difference and Cork, themselves and table toppers St Brigid’s College all tied on 2 wins of 3.
St Brigid’s also brought a second younger team that completed our eight entries. The cadets were able to manage their games well under coaching from Mary Barrett to secure yet another top spot for the college before going onto the knockouts.
The quarter finals saw Galway losing GVC 3 and GVC 2, but head coach Danny Brzyszcz did see his GVC 1 set up a semi final clash after a tense 25-22 win over the Brigid’s cadets.
As we moved in the latter stages, St Brigid’s would face off once more against the only team that had beaten them in the pools. As the game went on, the college players grew in confidence and eventually ran out a 2-0 winners. The other semi final was a closer affair and although Galway took the first set Portlaoise hit back 25-22, 15-10 to set up a second final in as many months for the players from Laois.
The final had everything we hoped for. Both teams bringing lots of power and accuracy in their hitting to register points for their teammates. St Brigid’s however proving just too much on the day and they’re declared winners 2-0.
Other boys’ events will be organized in the next few months in venues around the country. Follow VLY social media next week for new details on the next blitz.
