Volleyball

Ireland edge Iceland in five-set thriller to open SCA Championship

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Article Sat, Jun 28 2025

The women’s national team of Ireland delivered a dramatic opening to the Small Countries Association (SCA) Championship with a pulsating 3-2 victory (21-25, 25-22, 25-23, 22-25, 16-14) over Iceland, before cruising past Northern Ireland in a dominant straight-sets win to top the rankings early.

Team Ireland claimed two wins in as many matches on the opening day of the SCA event in Dublin

The host nation had to dig deep in their opener against Iceland, eventually clinching the deciding set 16-14 after saving three match points in a nerve-shredding tie-break. The atmosphere inside the Sport Ireland Campus was electric as Fiona Rigby came off the bench midway through the fifth set and served Ireland across the finish line with ice-cool precision. Her pinpoint deliveries and steely composure turned the tide just when Iceland looked poised to snatch victory. Ireland captain Emily Frazell showed calm leadership throughout, while opposite hitter Emma Byrne made crucial plays at key moments.
 
But the star of the night for Iceland was 15-year-old prodigy Inga Björg Brynjúlfsdóttir, who stunned the crowd with a fearless, MVP-worthy performance that belied her age.
 
Coach Mark Delahunty’s tactical switch to bring in Rigby at a decisive moment paid off handsomely, showcasing Ireland’s growing depth. 
 
Earlier in the day both San Marino and Scotland set down markers with comprehensive 3-0 victories over Iceland and Northern Ireland respectively.
 
These victories mean two SCA nations are now in the top 50 of the FIVB World Rankings with Ireland 48th and Scotland 49th.

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