Claremorris girls lower the Banner

Claremorris girls lower the Banner


Michael Commins

EVEN Christy Moore and ‘Lisdoonvarna’ would have to take a back seat to the girls from Mount St Michael had he been present at the Volleyball final at the UCD campus in Belfield, Dublin last Thursday. The girls from the Claremorris school finally silenced the ‘Banner shout’ with a wonderful display that saw them capture the All Ireland Senior B title after a rip-roaring contest that went right down to the line.
Fortune smiled on Mount St Michael in the opening set. While Lisdoonvarna dominated the exchanges, the Mayo girls were most fortunate to snatch it on a 25-23 scoreline. Comfortably ahead in set two, they appeared to lose concentration at a critical stage of the game and this allowed the Clare team secure a series of good scores which brought them right back into contention. Indeed, they taught Mount St Michael a lesson by going on to clinch the set 21-25.
With excitement reaching fever pitch among both sets of supporters, the third and deciding set got underway. Alison Bewley had her panel well marshalled for this decisive game. The Mount St Michael girls showed wonderful commitment and devotion to the cause. They led from the outset, even though they were pushed all the way by the gallant girls from Lisdoonvarna. In the end, the large contingent of supporters who had travelled from Claremorris were on their feet acclaiming the newly crowned national champions.
It was a proud day for all of the panel and especially for the joint captains Shauna Devane and Jenny Connor who banished the memories of last year’s setback in style. The other members of the panel in action were Niamh Walsh, Claire Prenty, Chloe Neary and Vanessa Morley, all of whom contributed immensely to this fine win. The subs, who played in some of the games en route to the final against Mercy Tuam, St Louis from Kiltimagh and Mountrath (Laois) were Vicky Lynch, Claire Oates and Sarah Varley.
School principal Fionnghuala King, who has presided over many great days in the history of volleyball at Mount St Michael, said she was delighted for the girls and their coach, Alison Bewley.
“Alison did a fine job with the panel,” she said. “Two of the girls, Shauna Devane and Jenny Connor, were on the team that lost out heavily to St Brigid’s from Loughrea in last year’s final. They really spearheaded this current campaign and were an inspiration to the rest of the panel.
“The All-Ireland Final can be very daunting for panel members, playing in front of a big crowd for the very first time. There is a fair bit of pomp and ceremony to the occasion such as the introduction of each player separately. The girls got stuck in from the start in the third and crucial set and led all the way. They showed great team spirit and it was a great day for Mount St Michael.”
The team and supporters received a warm welcome home and were given a Garda escort as they arrived in town on Thursday night.