Kilkenny City Vocational School volleyballers triumph at All-Ireland Championships

Last Wednesday, volleyballers from Kilkenny City Vocational School (KCVS) braved the cold to travel up to Dublin and claim two All-Ireland Championship victories for Kilkenny!

The senior finals took place in the National Indoor Arena, with KCVS senior boys and girls competing against strong opposition but emerging victorious in both games.

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Shamrocks 1-16 Ballygunner 0-16

The senior boys stormed to a first set victory of 25-16 under the direction of former Scottish international and coach Debbie O'Connor and with the assistance of Mark Croghan, Aoife Doyle, and Brian Brennan.

Their counterparts Trinity Comprehensive fought back to secure the second set 14-25.

This set up a nerve-racking third set decider, the levels of concentration, precision and technical ability form the KCVS boys was immense resulting in a victory on a score line of 15-12.

Simultaneously, the girls played their match against the Convent of Mercy.

It was a nail-biting first set which both teams fiercely contesting each point, but Mercy ultimately prevailed 27-25.

The girls had to refocus and dig deep and in the second set they began a passionate comeback and won with a score of 25-17.

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Clonduff (Down) 0-12 James Stephens 1-6

The girls entered the arena calmly for the decisive set, which was first to 15 and required a two-point margin of victory.

KCVS girls showed their versatility and strength to stop Mercy gaining any real traction.

While encouraging supporters watched both games nervously, the girls reached 15-15.

They then produced spike after spike while managing to maintain composure, and with a few miraculous scores, they won 18-16.

"With both finals secured in the third set our hearts where in our mouths," a school spokesperson said.

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"The school would like to congratulate all the players and their coach on their outstanding victories and express its enormous pride in both teams. 

"Double All Ireland Champions, while we may not have much sun these days, KCVS continues to rise and grow in strength."

Welcoming back our All-Ireland Champions at KCVS today. We are so proud of you all and your incredible achievements! Well done to each and everyone of you!! pic.twitter.com/wS8gaZ1FlQ

— Kilkenny City Vocational School (@KCVS_tweet) December 15, 2022

The teams returned to their school as heroes, receiving a guard of honour from pupils and staff (see above).