Northern Ireland’s U18 boys and girls completed their CEV SCA Qualifier campaign at the National Indoor Centre, Dublin, gaining invaluable international experience across three intense matchdays against some of the region’s strongest opposition.
For the boys, the week was a significant milestone – a first taste of tournament volleyball at this level, with constant lessons around handling sustained serve pressure, staying composed in tight moments, and finding ways to score against physical blocks and high-tempo transition. For the girls, the campaign showed real growth and resilience, highlighted by a strong derby win over Ireland and a place in the Bronze Medal match – a step forward built on the legacy and cohesion developed last season.
Day One: Early tournament lessons — and a big derby win for the girls
Boys: Ireland 3–1 Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland opened against Ireland and produced several bright moments, including key stretches in which the team found rhythm in serve receive and created pressure of its own. Michael Maguire’s impact off the bench with a strong service run helped swing momentum, and the introduction of Peter Young added valuable offence in the key moments.
Ireland’s sustained quality ultimately told, however, with their serve pressure and wing attacking controlling long phases of the match and making it difficult for Northern Ireland to build consistent scoring runs.
NI Player of the Match: Charlie Poole (Captain)
Siobhán Healy (Boys Head Coach) said:
“We had flashes of what we can be, and we also got a clear picture of the level of consistency required in this environment. The key for us is learning quickly – managing the pressure moments better, staying composed in tight stretches, and taking the positives forward into the next matches.”
Girls: Scotland 3–0 Northern Ireland
The girls’ opener against Scotland delivered early learning moments, with Northern Ireland showing good fight and energy but struggling to gain sustained control as Scotland grew into the match. Miya McCalmont and Katie Boyd produced strong spells through serving and attacking intent, while Katie McCaw delivered a standout defensive performance from libero.
NI Player of the Match: Katie McCaw
Girls: Northern Ireland 3–1 Ireland
Northern Ireland responded superbly in the derby against Ireland, delivering a high-effort, composed performance to win 3–1 in a match that featured long, tight sets and plenty of momentum swings. Katie Boyd and captain Miya McCalmont were outstanding, supported by excellent first contact and control from Katie McCaw. Northern Ireland also got a clutch contribution from Ava Stove late in the third set as the match moved into decisive territory.
NI Player of the Match: Katie Boyd
Karl Gale (Girls Head Coach) said:
“Match 1 – the team started very nervously, making a series of errors from the service line. Once we corrected this, we were able to play our way into the match. We gave ourselves a great opportunity to win set 2, but couldn’t quite get over the line. Set 3 was an opportunity to give the whole squad court experience.
Match 2 – always tough to play two matches in a day, especially when the second is a derby match against Ireland in their home venue. The girls gave everything to come through some really long sets to eventually win deservedly 3–1. Katie Boyd and our captain, Miya McCalmont, were outstanding, with excellent serve and receive from Katie McCaw.”
“Togetherness. Relentless Effort. Pride in our shirt.”
Day Two: Tournament favourites set the standard as NI battle through a demanding schedule
Boys: Iceland 3–0 Northern Ireland
Day Two began against an Iceland side widely viewed as tournament favourites. Iceland’s early dominance came through heavy serve pressure and strong efficiency in transition, and while Northern Ireland produced encouraging passages – particularly when first contact stabilised – Iceland’s wing attackers proved decisive across the three sets.
Siobhán Healy said:
“Iceland showed the standard at this level — the pressure they apply, and how quickly they convert. For us, it’s about taking those lessons immediately and bringing them into the next match with intent.”
Boys: Faroe Islands 3–1 Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland then delivered a strong start against the Faroe Islands, with Peter Young and Sam Hoey providing sound attacking output and Finn Paul distributing well to bring the middles into play early. A difficult moment in set two – an unfortunate nosebleed for Finn Paul – disrupted momentum, allowing the Faroes to build control through their service game.
Charlie Poole later stepped in to run a smart offence, keeping NI competitive and helping the wing hitters stay effective. Injuries to Sam Hoey and Peter Young in the fourth set proved a formidable challenge late on, but the group continued to compete hard through to the end. Patrick Stecyk also delivered significant contributions in key phases.
Girls: Iceland 3–0 Northern Ireland
The girls faced a very strong Iceland side and found it difficult to gain a foothold against a team that controlled the match with stable reception and consistent attacking. Despite the scoreline, the fixture provided a valuable benchmark – and the girls did enough across their campaign to earn a place in the Bronze Medal match.
Karl Gale said:
“We knew Iceland would be a huge test. The important thing was staying connected, staying brave, and taking the learning into the matches that followed – the group kept competing and earned the chance to play for bronze.”
Day Three: Scotland decides final placings as NI finish with pride and experience gained
Boys: Scotland 3–0 Northern Ireland (4th/5th Play-off)
Scotland started strongly to take set one 25–15. Northern Ireland responded well in set two and put themselves in a winning position, leading 22–16, but Scotland finished the set with composure to turn it and take it 25–22 – a key momentum swing.
With the match moving away, Siobhán Healy used set three to broaden experience and give international minutes to athletes who will be important moving into the next cycle. At the same time, Scotland’s right-side attacking remained a consistent scoring outlet.
NI Player of the Match: Jamal Toriola
Siobhán Healy said:
“Set two showed what we’re capable of when we stay composed and execute well. The learning for us is turning those good moments into complete sets. We also wanted to give opportunities and exposure to players who will be vital moving forward – that’s a big part of building this programme.”
Girls: Scotland 3–0 Northern Ireland (Bronze Medal match)
Northern Ireland started brightly in the Bronze Medal match, with captain Miya McCalmont driving early intent through serving and attacking pressure. Scotland grew into the contest through increased service pressure, limiting NI’s ability to stay in system, and found success through strong middle attacking in transition to take the first set 25–17.
Northern Ireland competed well in the second and stayed in touch for long spells, but Scotland managed the key moments to edge it 25–22. NI threw everything into the third set, but Scotland’s consistency saw them close out the match.
NI Player of the Match: Beth Evans
Karl Gale said:
“I’m proud of how the girls approached the bronze medal match – they came out with real intent and kept fighting. Scotland were very strong, but the experience of playing for a medal, and the way this group stayed connected through the week, is a step forward for us.”
Callum Grieve (NI Volleyball Performance Manager) said:
“This week has been a tremendous opportunity for our programme. Having both our U18 boys and U18 girls representing Northern Ireland simultaneously in a CEV tournament is a major step forward for the pathway and a proud moment for everyone involved.
For the boys, it’s been a huge learning experience – their first exposure to international volleyball at this level, with every match showing them the standards, physicality and consistency required. We’ve also seen real glimpses of potential and character, particularly in how they responded to pressure and kept competing.
For the girls, there was a real sense of continuity and growth. They’ve been able to build on the legacy and togetherness developed last year, and that showed in the way they responded with a big win over Ireland and earned the chance to play for bronze. Across both squads, the resilience, effort and pride in the shirt were clear, and that’s exactly what we want to keep building on moving forward.”