The VLY Association Cup reaches a pivotal point on February 21st and 22nd, as the Cup Semi-Finals take centre stage at TUD Tallaght, with all matches streamed live. With silverware on the line and legacies at stake, the stage is set for another unforgettable chapter in VLY Cup history.
Looking Back: Semi-Finals 2025
Last season’s semi-finals were packed with narrative and quality.
On the men’s side, DVC Bravo vs Trinity College Dublin and Aer Lingus vs Dalkey Devils delivered high-level contests. At the time, Aer Lingus entered as reigning Cup champions (2024), but it was Dalkey Devils who would ultimately emerge as the new force in men’s volleyball, going on to lift the Cup in 2025 and complete a historic double.
On the women’s side, the semi-finals featured Galway vs Gardians and UCD vs Santry Calypso. The latter was a rematch of the 2024 Cup Final, a rivalry that Santry once again controlled. That momentum carried forward, as Santry Calypso went on to defend their title in the 2025 Cup Final, reinforcing their dominance at the top of the women’s game.
The 2026 Semi-Finals: New Stories, Same Stakes
As we arrive at the 2026 VLY Association Cup Semi-Finals, familiar names return, but with fresh challengers and new dynamics.
Men’s Cup Semi-Finals
DVC Bravo vs Balbriggan Eagles
Balbriggan Eagles are the story of the season. Newcomers to the Premier Division, they’ve settled in seamlessly and currently sit second in the league. Their rise has been swift, and this semi-final represents a huge opportunity to announce themselves on the Cup stage.
Dalkey Devils vs TRVC Mars
Dalkey Devils enter once again as the benchmark. Unbeaten in the Premier Division, reigning Cup champions, and double winners last season, the question isn’t whether they are favourites, but whether anyone can stop them. TRVC Mars will need something special to derail Dalkey’s relentless form.
Women’s Cup Semi-Finals
Santry Calypso vs Gardians
A repeat of last year’s Cup Final and a rivalry that keeps delivering. Santry and Gardians currently sit first and second in the Premier Division, and with recent history between them, this semi-final feels like a final in its own right.
DVC Lions vs Munster Thunder
DVC Lions return to a semi-finals after finishing runners-up in last year’s Grand Finals, where they narrowly lost out to Santry Calypso. Munster Thunder, meanwhile, are new to the Premier Division after promotion from Division 1.
The Big Question
As the semi-finals approach, one question hangs over the competition:
Can anyone take the crowns from Santry Calypso and Dalkey Devils?
With hungry newcomers, evolving rivalries, and everything on the line, the answers will come on court. The VLY Association Cup Semi-Finals promise drama, intensity, and a glimpse of who may define the season ahead.
TUD Tallaght
February 21st & 22nd
Live Streamed on the Volleyball Ireland YouTube Channel – Volleyball Ireland – YouTube
The road to the Cup Final starts here!
