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Hosts Ireland and Northern Ireland share the inaugural St. Patrick’s Challenge Trophy after a Ryder Cup style 2-2 stalemate at the Sport Ireland Campus.
The event featured u20 Men, u19 Women, Snr Women and Snr Men, with each country taking scalps each.
Results Summary:
U20 Men IRELAND 0 – 3 NORTHERN IRELAND (21-25, 16-25, 19-25)
U19 Women IRELAND 3 – 0 NORTHERN IRELAND (25-16, 25-21, 25-13)
Snr Women IRELAND 3 – 1 NORTHERN IRELAND (15-25, 25-23, 25-19, 25-19)
Snr Men IRELAND 0 – 3 NOTHERN IRELAND (22-25, 22-25, 23-25)
U20 Men Report https://youtu.be/F_UuAH83ejQ
Northern Ireland got off the mark in game 1 with a 3-nil win over the hosts 25-21, 25-16, 25-19 as Callum Grieves’ youngsters impressed.
Sam Harman opened the game and served Ireland into a quick 3nil lead before the Northerners nerves settled. The first set was evenly poised at 16 a piece when the powerful Jack McMurray down the middle and Paddy Daily on the wing stepped up to the plate and led Northern Ireland into what turned out to be a winning lead.
Northern Ireland came out all guns blazing in the second and stormed into a 10-2 lead with setter Myles Reilly controlling the game. Despite some great blocking from Sonny Yamada and Cian Humphreys Ireland couldn’t get a foothold and the Northerners were in cruise control. The theme continued in the third and ultimately final set with that combination of Reilly, McMurray and Daily dominating the court. Northern Ireland mixed the play up well hitting down the middle and out wide, and despite the best efforts of Ireland Libero Ciagan Davoren there were too many unforced errors for Andrei Molnar’s men to develop any sort of momentum or pressure.
MVP Jack McMurray
U19 Women Report https://youtu.be/BespYlJZ4EE
Munster Thunder’s Amy O’Sullivan put on a masterclass of serving as Ireland ran out straight sets winners (25-16, 25-21, 25-13) to claim the home team’s first win of the St. Patrick’s Challenge. Ireland’s number 11 combined accuracy, power and a delicate touch to get Ireland off to a rapid start and an early 4 point lead. She was ably supported by Wing Skye Haughton who targeted the line well.
Despite Zoe Hennessy’s attack at the net Northern Ireland couldn’t keep pace with the hosts when O’Sullivan returned to serve and Ireland opened up a 19-11 lead. Ireland’s setup was helped by the impressive Grace Moloney who rebuffed spike after spike – the Naas Libero composed throughout.
Into the second set and it was all change for Ireland with Yousra Kebayli, Eimear Byrne, Jillian Sweeney and Newbridge Libero Aisling O’Connor joining the fray. The home team took a little time to settle with Lucy McCartney and Emma Duke putting the pressure on Ireland’s back court communication. Captain Maria Jones stepped up with a series of quality serves to keep the visitors at arm’s length before Jess Dowling took over with an Ace and strong hitting down the middle, with Ireland pulling away to win by 4.
The third set was the Jillian Sweeney show with the tall setter coordinating a varied attack. Middle Aine Browne entered the game and took Ireland into a 19-11 lead which wasn’t to be harmed. Captain Maria Jones ended the game in style with a cheeky tip following a nice Rebecca Dobey pass and Sweeney set.
The u19 Women’s team now look to Luxembourg and the Small Countries Association Championships in April where they’ll lock horns with Northern Ireland once again.
MVP – Jillian Sweeney IRL
Senior Women Report https://youtu.be/lTNoCaAI9yc
An upset was on the cards in this game as Northern Ireland strolled the first set 25-15 and were in control in the second. UCD’s Lauren Clark settled things down with a composed display of serving to see out the tight second set before Mayo VC and team captain Mikal O’Boyle stepped up on the wing to save Ireland’s blushes.
Despite the first set loss, Ireland got off to a flier with Regina Halpin taking the hosts to a 3 point lead before Kerry Kirkpatrick took over taking Northern Ireland to a 15-6 lead. Delahunty’s time outs couldn’t stem the flow of attacks and several unforced errors, coupled with Emma Patterson’s power at the net ensured the guests cruised the first.
The second set had little rhythm, with unforced errors from both teams giving the game a scrappy feel with neither team stamping authority. Northern Ireland looked to take control at the backend with the impressive Patterson serving the North into a 23-19 lead before Clark stood up with five consecutive points.
That seemed to settle Ireland and they came into their own with teenager Ciara Lowe from Newbridge excelling, ably supported by her club mate Emma Byrne who destabilised the Northern Ireland serve.
Into the fourth and Ireland grew in confidence with Lowe’s low serve trajectory hard to handle and Clark’s blocking at the net causing blunting the Northern attack. Libero Roisin Roantree was typically busy and first Senior caps were handed out to 17 year olds Laura Connolly and Amy O’Sullivan, as well as Leaving cert student Sophie Nolan, before Halpin ended the game with an ace.
MVP: Mikal O’Boyle IRL
Senior Men Report https://youtu.be/4OetbfeaqKg
Arguably game of the day was the final one, and despite the 3 sets to nil scoreline, the match was evenly poised throughout with Aidan McDonnell’s young men going toe to toe with Peter Stewart’s more experienced charges.
Ireland showed great character to come back from 21-13 down in the first with Gareth Gilmartin’s power on the wing milking the sets from Loughrea man McDonnell. On the other wing Mallow man Peter McGlynn was putting on a show and found his stride early.
In fact it was Gilmartin’s serving that dragged Ireland from 23-18 down to 23-22 before a contentious call gave Northern Ireland set point, when the Drumshanbo man was on a roll.
There was barely two points difference between the teams throughout the second set before eventual MVP Peter Stewart got hold of the game, using all of his experience to take Northern Ireland into a winning position. At this stage Alameen Disu was introduced for Ireland and demonstrated some real hang time at the net to rebuff Stewart’s spikes. However it wasn’t to be and Northern Ireland took a two set lead.
You’d think the Ireland’s heads would drop at this stage but they upped their game with an animated Coach Andrei Molnar motivating from the bench. It’s worth noting that all of Ireland’s team bar the captain Aidan McDonnell are aged under 22, including Cillian O’Riordain who despite his tender frame displayed a wonderful technique and power on the wing. Four of the team featured in the u20 match up earlier in the day including Libero Davoren who didn’t look out of place at all.
The third and final set followed the same pattern as the previous one, with Stewart the key difference really between the teams. A spirited performance from Ireland, with the majority of the team now looking forward to the u22 CEV Championship qualifiers in Rome this Spring.
In a way it was an apt win for the North and means the inaugural St. Patrick’s Challenge Trophy is shared two apiece.
MVP: Peter Stewart NIR
