Pictured: Gemma Brady (Doora-Barefield), Caitríona Ní Riordain (Doora-Barefield) Aislinn Carey (Doora-Barefield) Amy O’Sullivan (Ennis) Doireann Ní Bhraoin (Sixmilebridge)
A STRONG Clare contingent will represent Ireland on the international volleyball stage this summer as Ireland’s Senior Women’s and Men’s National Teams prepare for major competitions at home and abroad.
Ireland’s Senior Women’s National Team will travel to Andorra from June 25th–28th to compete in the CEV Small Countries Association (SCA) Championship, where a squad of 14 players will compete against Liechtenstein, Faroe Islands, Malta, Iceland, San Marino, Northern Ireland, Scotland and hosts Andorra. The tournament champions will be crowned SCA Champions.
Clare is strongly represented within the Irish women’s senior squad, with several players proudly flying the flag for county and country including, Gemma Brady (Doora-Barefield), Caitríona Ní Riordain (Doora-Barefield) Aislinn Carey (Doora-Barefield) Amy O’Sullivan (Ennis) Doireann Ní Bhraoin (Sixmilebridge)
Also representing Clare within Ireland’s volleyball pathway is Sophia Lynch (Ennis), who is currently involved with Ireland’s Under-20 programme. All girls also began their Volleyball journey in Colaiste Muire Girls Secondary School, Ennis.
Clare is also represented on the Ireland Senior Men’s National Team through Cillian O’Riordain of Doora-Barefield, who will compete in the Men’s SCA from June 5th to June 7th, in Northern Ireland.
Following the tournament in Andorra, Ireland’s Senior Men’s and Women’s teams will host the Four Nations Tournament at the University of Limerick Sports Arena from July 31st to August 2nd, with Ireland competing against Northern Ireland, England and Scotland.
Representing Ireland at senior international level comes with significant financial costs, including travel, accommodation, training camps and competition expenses. To support preparations for the summer campaign, the team has launched a fundraising drive to help players and staff compete on the international stage.
As part of the fundraising effort, members of the team will be bag packing at Dunnes Stores, Ennis, on Friday, May 22nd, and are encouraging the local community to come along and support Clare athletes preparing to represent Ireland.
For the Clare players involved, representing Ireland marks years of dedication and commitment to the sport, while also highlighting the growing success of volleyball within the county and the strength of pathways for young athletes progressing to international level.
Supporters can also contribute through the team fundraiser:
https://gofund.me/91affe37e
