The U16 School Championships come to a close January 23rd at the NUIG Kingfisher Sports Centre, Galway City.
The largest of our school competitions will pit twelve teams from across Ireland against each other in Division A, B and C Finals.
This year a remarkable 388 matches has brought us to the final day.
Let’s find out more on who will be representing their schools and direct links for LIVE streaming.
All games will be streamed through Volleyball Ireland YouTube Channel
U16 Boys A – St Brigid’s College, Loughrea VS Sutton Park School, Dublin. 12.00pm
Sutton Park School have done enough this year to suggest that they could be currently the top boys volleyball school in Ireland. A final appearance in Senior A, coupled with their U16’s Division A appearance on Tuesday certainly makes for a compelling argument. However, they will need to overcome Ireland’s most successful volleyball school in St Brigid’s College if they hope to take home the title. A mammoth battle ahead not to be missed!
Watch Live – https://youtube.com/live/oBMxPaK1k40?feature=share
U16 Girls A, St Brigid’s College, Loughrea VS Colaiste Muire, Ennis. 10.30am
HERE WE GO AGAIN! A repeat of the 2022/23 FINAL is on. St Brigid’s Girls ensured a remarkable achievement for the school by having teams in both Division A finals this academic year. This group certainly has the experience from two finals in the last two years of competition. Junior A (21/22) and U16 A (22/23). They will be hoping third time lucky as they take to court in their home county. Colaiste Muire came out victorious in last year’s meeting of the two teams (17-25, 25-20, 15-5) and certainly have the experience to bring it back home again as they go for their third final in row at this age and level.
Watch Live- https://youtube.com/live/jeW2EYH8a8U?feature=share
U16 Boys B, St Vincent’s Castleknock VS Drumshanbo VS, Leitrim. 10.30am
St Vincent’s Castleknock has not taken long to establish themselves in school volleyball. The Dublin school in just a few short years of starting has racked up multiple final day appearances at Junior and now U16 level. If successful they will be the first Dublin school to be crowned Boys B Champions, this century. It’s a case of new versus old, as their opponents on the day are Drumshanbo VS. A school that needs no introduction and victors of many many finals over the last 30 years.
Watch Live – https://youtube.com/live/wwMVMKd38VI?feature=share
U16 Girls B, Nord Anglia IS, Dublin VS Holy Family SS, Newbridge. 12.00pm
Nord Anglia International School hope to make some history of their own on January 23rd as they journey west for their final with Holy Family SS. An incredible display of volleyball throughout their campaign seen them power through the group stages as well as overcoming a tight semi-final to earn their place on the day. Standing in the way of glory and hoping for a first U16 B title to add to their already extensive list of titles is Holy Family SS. The girls will be looking to use the experience of their school attendance at finals, over the years, to give them one final push when it matters.
Watch Live – https://youtube.com/live/l_Ad2–FWMA?feature=share
U16 Boys C, Presentation College, Athenry VS Ardee Community School, Louth. 1.30pm
Ardee Community School will make the 434km round trip having the satisfaction of knowing they are the first Louth school to qualify for a National Final. They won’t be satisfied with just that, and will be hoping to write themselves into the history books as first Champions! Another new school to (Boys) Final Day is Presentation College, Athenry. They will be searching for one last performance from the lads that has given them so much success already this year. Ultimately putting their boys firmly on the map in one of Ireland’s fastest growing volleyball towns.
Watch Live – https://youtube.com/live/bYQh6dcdZzc?feature=share
U16 Girls C, Assumption SS, Dublin VS Our Lady’s Bower, Athlone. 1.30pm
It’s an all Leinster Final in Girls C. Albeit with the border school of Our Lady’s Bower. Bursting onto the scene and making huge strides in beach volleyball they followed up last season with a fantastic win at the VLY. Junior Championships. Trying to stop them from two titles in two years is first time finalists Assumption SS, Dublin. The team has been quietly going about their business dispatching opponents from Dublin, Leitrim, Waterford and Louth to rightfully seal their position. History is in the making!
Watch Live – https://youtube.com/live/uq-CBHODnpE?feature=share
Good luck to all teams and thank you to the rest of the schools that have supported volleyball this year so far.
