Ireland U20 women win in Scotland

Ireland’s U20 women’s Volleyball team claimed victory in Glasgow, where the very first edition of the Celtic Challenge was held this past weekend, after completing a fine comeback in the fourth set. The year 2024 will be truly special for Ireland and this group of young, promising players – since the Final Round of #EuroVolleyU20W is due to be co-hosted by Ireland and Bulgaria. Therefore, their success in Glasgow over their neighbours from Scotland bodes well for their eagerly anticipated European campaign on home soil. 

Trailing 16-21, the match looked set for a tiebreaker, but brilliant service work from Eimear Byrne (Gardians VC and Holy Family Secondary School Newbridge) dragged Ireland back into the set, with her impressive club and school teammate Jess Dowling on fire to see out the win 25-22 and 3-1 (25-12, 25-18, 13-25, 25-22). 
 
Ireland took control early in the match dominating with some hard hitting down the middle from Laura Connolly (Dublin VC) and smart play from youngster Avril MacHale.  

The victory was not enough for Ireland to win the first ever Celtic Challenge, as hosts Scotland claimed wins in the U20 Men, senior men’s, and senior women’s matches. The Ryder Cup style format gave one point for each match win.

However, the three-nil defeat in the U20 men’s game could not have been any closer with just a two-point margin in each set (26-24, 25-23, 25-23). Those two teams will meet again at the end of January as Ireland will host the Small Countries Association U20 Men Championship, which doubles as a first-round qualifier for the European Championship in this age group, in Dublin.
 
Young Ballymun setter Tobias Liujkx came to the fore on debut, ably supported by Luke Shudell and captain Ruairi Grier.

Both senior matches ended 3-0 with Ireland women losing 25-23, 25-13, 25-18 and the men 25-13, 25-22, 25-20.

Irish teams are back in action next week as they travel to Vaduz, Liechtenstein to play the hosts and San Marino in a triangular series.