March always represents a huge month in cross border volleyball activity. The St Patrick’s Challenge featuring international teams from NIR & IRL is to be hosted in Craigavon on March 15th and tickets can still be purchased HERE
Prior to the weekend there is the matter of the All Ireland School Finals to be decided. Similar to the Challenge the finals are rotated annually from country to country. This year we head to the National Indoor Arena, Dublin as IRL host four finals on Wednesday, March 12th.
All Matches Streamed LIVE on https://www.youtube.com/@VolleyballIrelandVLY
Senior Boys- Douglas CS VS Campbell College, 12.30pm
It is the turn of a new name this year to represent Irish schools. Douglas CS emerged as National Champions after a tense final back in December, and a semi final in which they beat the defending All Ireland champions, Patrician HS. It was the first National final for the Cork school and therefore a first time appearance in the All Ireland. Although IRL Schools have taken home this title over the last two years, this is a hotly contested category with both IRL and NIR sharing the spoils at 3 titles each in the last 6 outings.
Senior Girls – Rockford Manor VS Portadown College, 12.30pm
Once again it is a first time appearance for the Dublin school at this level. Rockford have had amazing Senior campaign, going undefeated from September – December and still going strong in Schools Cup. The team would dearly love to add this accolade to their growing list of achievements for this academic year.
U16 Boys- Portlaoise College VS Portadown College, 11am
The last time the finals were in Dublin Portlaoise College were in attendance with the same category. On that day there were not successful but will hope to change the history books and bring back their first ever All Ireland title to Laois. Similar to Seniors, this category is closely contested with IRL Schools pipping NIR 10 to 9 in terms of wins since the records began back in 03/04.
U16 Girls- Colaiste Muire VS Dalriada School, 11am
Certainly no stranger to these finals are the girls from Ennis. They have represented in four of the last five years across Senior and U16. They will be keen to overcome the same school they faced last year in a tense affair which went the way of the IRL Champions 25–21, 27–29, 15–10.
Referee Appointments
- Dave Dalton
- Colette King
- Evrim Genc Oguz
- Paulo Thomaz
Volleyball Ireland would like to take this opportunity to thank Paul McIlwaine for his tremendous support and work in helping to bring about this very special event each year. We wish Paul the very best of luck as he steps down from his role as a NIVB Schools coordinator.
