St Michael’s College ends 11-year wait for national volleyball title
VOLLEYBALL may not be the first sport that comes to mind when one mentions Kerry, but that didn’t stop St Michael’s College in Listowel achieving national glory in recent days – even after an absence of more than 10 years from the game.
The school’s Under-16 boys defeated St Brigid’s, Loughrea, by two sets to nil in the All-Ireland cadet final in Kilkenny last Wednesday (25-22, 25-23) – with an impressive comeback in the second set underlining the fact that the team had bottle as well as skill.
Under the captaincy of MVP Jack McElligott and guidance of teacher Theresa Murphy, the team reclaimed a title they last won in the 2007 championship – which, as it happens, was the school’s last participation in the sport until very recently.
But for all the time that has passed, the pedigree is clearly still there going by last Wednesday’s win, which followed a superb come-from-behind win against Kiltimagh the week previous.
“It was a very tight match,” Theresa explained.
“The boys played extremely well. We were down 17-22 in the second set, but fought back [to win the set, 25-23].
Theresa also explained to The Kerryman that all of the team will be eligible to compete again next year – meaning there could and probably should be a bright future ahead for the school when it comes to the sport.
She was also heartened by the response of the school itself, with supporters travelling in great numbers to the final in Kilkenny last Wednesday.