Ireland u20 Men 3:2 Scotland u20 Men (24-26, 25-18, 25-23, 18-25, 15-12)
Ireland u20 Women 3:0 Scotland u20 Women (25-18, 25-19, 25-18)
Ireland’s u20 Men’s and Women’s teams defeated Scotland, at an electrifying Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena on Sunday.
The Men’s game was a thriller, with Ireland trailing 12-8 in the tie-break before storming back with 7-consecutive points. Dalkey Devils’ David Stedile was the main man with his block sealing the win. Lachlan Donnell’s calmness under pressure and variety of serve, kept the Scots guessing during those vital moments.
Ireland started strong with Roi Valdez serving the team into a 5-nil lead, before Ally Jack’s timeout proved effective and Scotland were soon in front. The visitors took the first set 26-24 before Ireland stormed the second 25-18. Carrick Crows’ Mark Bumatay ball control and accuracy proving the difference.
Ireland stole another tight set 25-23 with Pierce McFarlane a monster at the net, before Scotland regained composure and were comfortable in the 4th. After four sets, both teams were on 92pts…it was that tight.
Into the fifth and Scotland started brightly racing into an formidable lead. Captain Ruairi Grier kept his team, and the crowd energised with the come back on. Valdez was finding Stedile nice angles and the young man had the finesse and power to take his team home.
An incredible match and amazing atmosphere. Watch it back here.
On to the Women’s game and Ireland were clinical and comprehensive. Eimear Byrne and Laura Connolly were strong in the middle with Gabi Smolen, Jess Dowling, Laura Brumnjak and Rebecca Dobey powerful on the outsides. Ireland looked in control for the majority of the match with each player off the bench adding energy.
There was a debut for young Galway libero Aoibhin McDonnell who impressed, connecting well with both Emer Phelan and Aislinn Carey at the net.
Impact Macroom outside Daria Smolen served well with Favour Williams also coming on to court to hit hard.
It was a good run out for the youngsters who will now crank up the work under new Head Coach Graham Bell.
