The curtain has closed on the VLY Grand Finals 2026, and what a weekend it was.
Across three unforgettable days at the National Indoor Arena, Sport Ireland Campus, Irish volleyball was showcased at its very best. Packed stands, chants echoing through the arena, emotional victories, five-set thrillers and breakthrough moments, the volleyball community truly showed up in full colour.
From youth finals to Premier Division title deciders, the 2026 Grand Finals delivered storylines worthy of the biggest stage.
Schools Final – Coláiste Muire Shine Bright
The weekend opened with the Girls Schools Final, where Coláiste Muire defeated Rockford Manor 3-1 in an impressive display of composure and attacking quality.
Leading the way was MVP Carla Ortiz, whose standout performance helped drive Coláiste Muire to the title and set the tone for the weekend ahead.
This win means Coláiste Muire has claimed every school volleyball title available this year. League Champions at Junior, U16, and Senior levels, followed by triumph in the Senior Cup.
An outstanding achievement! Coláiste Muire have firmly established themselves at the top of school volleyball in Ireland!
Gardians Panda Complete Their Rise
Division 2 Women Final
Gardians Panda def. IVI Vixens 3-1
(22:25, 25:20, 25:21, 25:19)
Gardians Panda have been building momentum all season, and after navigating the play-offs successfully, they completed the job at the Grand Finals.
After dropping the opening set to IVI Vixens, Panda responded brilliantly, controlling the next three sets with disciplined volleyball and strong defensive organisation to become Division 2 Women Champions.
SETU Carlow Survive an Instant Classic
Division 2 Men Final
SETU Carlow def. BMP Titans 3-2
(22:25, 25:22, 29:27, 26:28, 16:14)
One of the matches of the weekend.
Two evenly matched sides pushed each other to the limit in a five-set marathon filled with momentum swings and clutch moments. SETU Carlow held their nerve in a dramatic deciding set to finally edge out BMP Titans and lift the trophy.
The final set alone captured everything great about finals volleyball, tension, atmosphere, and relentless determination.
Dalkey Devils Go Back-to-Back!
Premier Men Final
Dalkey Devils def. Tallaght Rockets 3-0
(25:22, 25:17, 25:18)
The champions remain on top.
After a season where they were pushed harder than ever, including losing out in the Association Cup to Tallaght Rockets – Dalkey Devils responded in the biggest match of the league season to retain their Premier Men’s crown.
Standing opposite them were Tallaght Rockets, fresh off their giant-killing Cup run and full of confidence after eliminating Dalkey earlier in the season. But this time, Dalkey were clinical.
With powerful serving, disciplined blocking, and championship composure, they closed out the match in straight sets to become back-to-back Grand Finals champions.
Kildare Edge a Youth Epic
Girls U18 Final
Kildare def. Kilkenny Spartans 3-2
(18:25, 25:22, 25:27, 25:22, 15:13)
One of the most emotional matches of the weekend saw Kildare and Kilkenny Spartans produce a thrilling five-set battle.
Every set was fiercely contested, momentum shifted constantly, and neither side backed down. In the end, Kildare found the final push they needed to claim the title in dramatic fashion.
A brilliant showcase of the future of Irish volleyball.
The Queens of the Jungle Finally Claim the Crown!
Premier Women Final
DVC Lions def. UCD 3-0
(25:19, 31:29, 25:10)
After seasons of hard work and determination, DVC Lions finally got their hands on Premier Division silverware.
The “Queens of the Jungle” entered the final determined to make this their moment after previous near misses. Against an experienced UCD side, Lions produced a fearless performance.
The second set proved decisive – a dramatic 31:29 battle that could easily have shifted the match the other way. Instead, Lions took control from there and stormed through the third set to secure the title.
A landmark victory for the club.
Kilkenny Spartans Continue Their Youth Success
Girls U16 Final
Kilkenny Spartans def. Santry Legends 2-0
(25:13, 25:21)
After narrowly missing out in the U18 final earlier in the day, Kilkenny Spartans bounced back strongly in the Girls U16 Final.
They delivered two composed performances to secure the trophy and underline the strength of their youth development programme.
Santry Comets Deliver on the Big Stage
Girls U18 Premier Final
Santry Comets def. CVA 3-1
(26:24, 25:7, 24:26, 25:18)
Santry Comets produced a high-level performance to become Girls U18 Premier Champions.
After edging a tense opening set 26:24, Comets exploded in the second set before CVA fought back strongly to extend the contest. But Santry regained control in the fourth to close out the title.
RCSI Complete Their Grand Finals Journey
Division 3 Women Final
RCSI def. OVC Mermaids 3-1
(19:25, 25:13, 25:16, 25:23)
After losing the opening set, RCSI settled into the match superbly, controlling the tempo and producing increasingly confident volleyball to turn the match around.
Their consistency and resilience earned them the Division 3 Women’s title.
Dalkey Devils Add Another Trophy
Boys U18 Final
Dalkey Devils def. CVA 3–0
(25:20, 26:24, 25:22)
Dalkey Devils continued their remarkable weekend by adding the Boys U18 title to their growing collection.
CVA pushed them hard throughout, particularly in a dramatic second set, but Dalkey’s composure in the key moments proved decisive.
Cork Lions Roar to the Title
Division 3 Men Final
Cork Lions def. Octopus 3-2
(25:22, 23:25, 19:25, 25:15, 15:10)
Another five-set thriller closed out the Division 3 Men competition.
Cork Lions looked in trouble after Octopus stormed into a 2-1 lead, but Lions responded brilliantly, dominating the fourth set before closing out the fifth to become champions.
A fittingly dramatic finish to the Grand Finals!
The Grandest Finals
This year at the Volleyball Ireland Grand Finals 2026, the community showed up in its truest form.
The chants echoed through the National Indoor Arena.
Supporters packed the stands.
Players left everything on the court.
This was more than a finals weekend – it was a celebration of volleyball in Ireland.
A huge thank you to every player, coach, referee, volunteer and supporter, who helped make the event possible.
You are the real MVPs.
Relive the Action
Watch every match back now on the Volleyball Ireland YouTube channel:
The 2026 season delivered unforgettable moments.
And the future of Irish volleyball has never looked brighter.
