Drumshanbo "Loughed" but "Allen" had the key as Leitrim school top Junior A seedings competition

Drumshanbo Vocational School ensured their place in the All-Ireland Schools Junior A competition when their “Allen” team got the better of a tough Elphin Community College in last week’s seeding matches.

With enough players for two teams, manager Aidan Shannon divided his players into two teams called “Lough” and “Allen” but it didn’t look good for the Leitrims school when Elphin A won a convincing three set clash over the “Lough” team.

But, after trailing badly in their third, the “Allen” team came from behind against Elphin A and went on to win all matches. It means Drumshanbo will have a team in Junior A once more.

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As well as manager on the day Aidan Shannon, these were managed at various training sessions by Fiachra Guihen, Kevin Smith and Shane Hegarty and coached by Irish International Senior captain Gareth Gilmartin, Irish U 20 player Ruairi Grier and various members of the cadette panel. 

Referees on the day were Nicolas Marquez and Marcos Fallon Alonso

The Drumshanbo VS “Allen” team. (Back, from left) Senan McGowan, Adam Winters, Ryan Gilmartin, Daire McCabe, Luke Ruddy Ronan Connolly, Nathan Piech. (Front) Joshua Keville, Marcel Zelias, Oisín Mulvey Gildea, Ronan Guckian

Elphin CC A beat Drumshanbo VS /Lough 23-25 24-26 15-10

The first match of the day was unbelievably close with the first set level 10 times. All players played their part. Sean McGreevy and Kyle Guckian starred at the net. Keelan Gaffney served and set well. Tadu Higgins passed and set very well. Cillian Rogers came on at the back and handled the low balls. Oisín McGarry was everywhere and saved the first set with aces.

In the second set, Cody O’Brien served Drumshanbo back into the game from 0-6 to 9-6. Krystian Cabaj and Conor Deegan came on and made timely interceptions. Fiontán Rynn improved the whole set. Louis Glancy came on and got to a difficult pass.

In the third set, Elphin raced away 10-5 and couldn’t be caught.

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Drumshanbo (Allen) beat Elphin A 25-23 21-25 17-15: Drumshanbo Allen started in spectacular fashion with brilliant combination attacks from Daire McCabe and Ronan Connolly. Elphin came back from 5-12 to 8-12. Then Oisín Mulvey Gildae’s serve put theM 19-8 ahead and it looked all over leading 20-9. But Elphin found a weak spot with strong serving and levelled 22-22. Ryan Gilmartin came on and steadied the ship.

In the second set Nathan Piech showed good reactions and Ronan Guckian set well but Elphin came from behind and levelled. Elphin looked all set to top the group leading 11-3 in the final set. First Marcel Zelias hit three aces. Then, down at match point 10-14, Luke Ruddy served 4 to level it and Drumshanbo sneaked a victory.

The Drumshanbo VS “Lough” team with coach Aidan Shannon. (Back, from left) Louis Glancy, Krystian Cabaj, Fiontán Rynn, Cody O’Brien, Sean McGreevy, Kyle Guckian. (Front) Conor Deegan, Oisín McGarry, Tadu Higgins, Keelan Gaffney, Aaron McDonagh, Cillian Rogers

Drumshanbo (Lough) beat Elphin CCB 25-12 25-7: Elphin B were not as strong, but, in the second set Aaron McDonagh, who seldom put a foot wrong in play all day, served 7 in a row, which was part of his 100% serve record for the day.

Drumshanbo Allen bt Elphin B 25-14: By this stage, Elphin B were improving and they took a shock lead of 7-5. Joshua Keville’s serve restored order to make it 20-9 and Adam Winters finished the match with 3 aces.

Drumshanbo Allen beat Drumshanbo Lough 25-22 25-21: The day ended with a huge rivalry match, where the play ebbed and flowed throughout and Allen’s victory meant slipping ahead of Elphin for the day.

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Panels: (Serves in Brackets)

DVS Lough: Krystian Cabaj (5), Conor Deegan, Keelan Gaffney (16), Louis Glancy (1), Kyle Guckian (19), Tadu Higgins, Aaron McDonagh (16), Oisín McGarry (21), Sean McGreevy (4), Cody O’Brien (24), Cillian Rogers (2), Fiontán Rynn (1)

DVS Allen: Ronan Connolly (9), Ryan Gilmartin (1), Ronan Guckian (4), Joshua Keville (17), Daire McCabe (10), Oisín Mulvey Gildae (20), Nathan Piech (6), Luke Ruddy (9), Adam Winters (7), Marcel Zelias (6). Unable to play: Senan McGowan Daniel McManus