Drumshanbo show positive signs

A Drumshanbo side that was blooding many newcomers to senior A volleyball put in some positive signs in two competitive games played in Kiltimagh last Wednesday

Drumshanbo V.S. vs St Brigids Loughrea 15-25 23-25 25-23

Considering it was the first competitive game since last January for all but 2 of the players, Drumshanbo produced some vintage volleyball in this match. Loughrea, who had already beaten Kiltimagh , were surprisingly strong in defense. Warmed up from that match, Loughrea duly won the first set. Then, playing very simple volleyball they came from behind to take the crucial 2^nd set which ensured that they topped the group.

Drumshanbo opened up the game very well. Daniel McGirl, making the biggest step up from cadette C last year hit a great spike. Donal Carty, also making his ‘A’ debut hit a winner at 4-3 after fooling the opposition previously with a dump down of the ball. But after 8-8 the very inexperienced Drumshanbo side found scores to get. The second set featured players that had played mostly at A. Some however had played little volleyball since last January. A stale start and confusion at the end of the set, due to lack of playing as a team, caused Drumshanbo to lose a set that was in their grasp. There was some fine moments though. Trailing 3-6 Drumshanbo attack came to life. A very long rally was peppered with Drumshanbo spikes and finally won with a telling placed ball from Brian Mulvey. Martin Beirne levelled the score at 6-6 with his winner. Leading 11-8 , Loughrea levelled came back to 13 –14 before Drumshanbo raced to 17. Each point was fought over for long rallies with Seamie McMorrow’s setting 100% accurate for his team-mates to hit down. Drumshanbo even led 22-19. The final set saw a great defensive dig up from Jack Mattynseus. Drumshanbo to ok the lead at 14-12 thanks to strong serving from Alan Benson. Dylan McGowan and Jason Glynn worked the block very well.

When Loughrea began to find weaknesses in the corner, Micheal Geoghegan was brought on as the libero and immediately sealed off the problem area. So Loughrea lost their only set of the day.

Drumshanbo V.S. vs St Louis Kiltimagh 18-25 25-21 22-25

Drumshanbo opened this set with very good net play from Declan Gilhooly and despite again being a very inexperienced side fought very hard in the 1st set. Rian Harding had his best with an ace early on and dominating the net in a comeback from 11-19 to15-19. The second set saw Jack Mattynseus’s serve causing major problems foe Kiltimagh.As Jack applied pressure Jason Glynn dominated the fromt court, starring as they went 5-1 ahead and again controlling the net area as Alan Benson served them from 11-10 to 14-10 ahead. Benson and Geoghegan provide topclass setting as McMorrow’s serve soared them to victory.

The final set saws Drumshanbo again change their line-up. Despite this they came from behind three times in the set and even led 17-14 , 19-16 and 21-19. But again inexperience let the lead slip at the very end. It was still a very promising performance against the pre season favourites for this years Senior A title.

Serves; McGirl(3), Carty(4), Mulvey(3), Beirne(5) McMorrow(15), Mattynseus(18), Benson(13) McGowan(12), Glynn (17), Geoghegan(5), Gilhooly(9), Harding (9)