Drumshanbo finish on the best of notes

It was another long journey into enemy territory for Drumshanbo Volleyballers, this time Loughrea for the  Senior A Boys National league championship. It was another coach pushing a travelling team on court as fast as possible and another defeat at the start of the day for this weary Senior team. 

Yes, as expected, they lost to top of the table and holders St Brigids who had virtually the whole of last years’ team playing. But then came the sweetest victory of the season. Home side St Raphael's were favourites to take the final semi-final spot by downing Drumshanbo. 

It looked certain after the first set. Then, for the first time all year or, in their volleyball lifetime in fact, Drumshanbo came back and won the tightest of finishes, to qualify for yet  another national final appearance for the Leitrim school.

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St. Brigid's beat Drumshanbo 25-14 25-6

This was a big loss but strangely this rushed match was a big step up from last years’ meeting against an older Drumshanbo team. Then Drumshanbo were aced off the court 9-25. 

In the first set last week, after training 0-8 before they could breath, Drumshanbo were ultra competitive and fought all the way in the first set. 

The main improvement was the defence receiving the serve of libero Ruairí Grier. Gone were the opposition aces and throughout the day, and through the whole season in fact, Grier connected, and sent the ball in to start up Drumshanbo attacks.

But this St Brigid's team has been winning National titles since 2019 and blocked hugely in the second set. Darragh Lee hit five serves against them in the first set. 

Nathan Mahon and Colm O’Dwyer got their chance to turn the tide in the second set but Brigids went on to win their 14 straight set win in a row this season.

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Drumshanbo beat St. Raphael’s 23-25 25-21 16-14

This was a totally contrasting match. The first set was level 12 times. Drumshanbo opened an early lead of 9-5 where Padraig Kane was on fire, hitting four winners and serving two more. Raphael’s pegged it back at 9-9. Adam Casey set brilliantly and served at 13-12. 

Cian McCormack was flying around the back court and focusing the team as a setter when in the front. He served them 20-18 ahead. But Raphael's spiking got better and better and they edged out the set.

The early second set was the best play of the team ever. They went 8-3 and 12-5 ahead. Connor McLoughlin’s setting went from strength to strength and, after a block winner, he served Drumshanbo 17-10 ahead. Jason Lynch set up perfect for Kane. Jack Keaney came on and calmly served the team to 23. 

Cormac Rynn came back to peak form with a block and free spike winners and levelled the game with his final spike. 31 years ago his father Harry captained Drumshanbo in their first ever senior national game where they lost 0-15 2-15 to St. Raphael's! Finally, family revenge!

But there was a final set. Daniel O’Loughlin had seven serves in a row, including three aces, to give Drumshanbo a dream 6-2 lead near the start of the final set. Karl Winters probably had his best ever patch when he hit four winners to take it to 9-3. 

Unbelievably Raphael's rallied and levelled by 13-13! But a Raphael's spiking error gave Drumshanbo another set point. 

It was Cian Dennis’s turn to serve. Dennis, sorely missed against Portlaoise, hit in his tenth unerring serve of the day to end the league perfect and to give Drumshanbo a lifeline to the semi-final. 

It was the least the very enthusiastic panel deserved.

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Drumshanbo VS Panel: (Serves in brackets): Adam Casey (2), Daniel O’Loughlin (23), Cian McCormack (4), Jack Keaney (2), Padraig Kane (13), Ruairí Grier (libero) captain, Darragh Lee (5), Karl Winters (12), Conor McLoughlin(4), Nathan Mahon, Jason Lynch (1), Cian Dennis (10), Cormac Rynn (4), Colm Dwyer