Tournaments see over one hundred compete

THE annual November Handicaps Badminton tournaments commenced the Kerry Associations individual adult competitions at the Killarney Sports Centre on Sunday last which catered for all divisions within the county and with just short of one hundred players competing, which included quite a large number of beginners playing competition for the first time,it proved to be a great start for the new season.

On the courts of play the Killarney club players were the most prominent throughout the four finals played. The East Kerry Club did not have a representation in the division 5 decider but Killarney were represented in the other three deciders played, indeed both the division 3 and 4 finals saw Killarney with a double representation in each contest.

Results

DIVISION 5 Mixed final; Sheenra O’Neill (Iveragh) and Padraig Hanrahan (Moyvane) defeated Laura Sheahan (Listowel) and Liam Harty (Causeway) 20-21; 21-15; 21-15

Division 4 Mixed Final; Jeab Worknan (Killarney) and John McDonnell (Ballyheigue) defeated Rita McCarthy (Listowel) and Liam Barry (Killarney) 20-21; 21-17; 21-18.

Division 3 Mixed final; Carmel Hudson (Moyvane) and Kieron Crehan (Killarney) defeated Sandra O’Connor (Killarney) and Brendan McGovern (Annascaul) 21-10; 21-10.

Division 1&2 Mixed final; Brid Murphy and Tom Bourke (both Kingdom, Castleisland) defeated Sinead Galvin (Killarney) and Aidan McCarthy (Kingdom) 2118; 21-16.

Both Killarney and Thurles will be the focus of Badminton aattention this coming weekend. The Kerry juvenile committee will host their even doubles County Championships this coming Saturday in Killarney in which all age groups will be catered for in both girls and boys events.

With the large numbers of both girls and boys playing the game of Badminton within Kerry at the moment huge numbers are expected on Saturday next with the programme due to commence at 11 am.

Thurles town in County Tipperary, birth place of the GAA, but always a strong Badminton fortress also, will host the 70th annual Butterfield Cup competition on Sunday next.

At the time of entering these notes it is not sure how many of the Munster Counties will be competing, but five teams did contest this prestigious event last year where Waterford captured the cup after 28 years defeating Tipperary in the decider.

Kerry will again be lining out a team this year and in fairness, the Kerry squad have been in training in recent times. Many of the Kerry panel felt that they could have won the Butterfield last year and despite the unavailability of some of last season’s side Kerry will once again have a tried and trusted panel available to do battle in Thurles on Sunday next.

The Kerry panel is as follows; Edel Broderick, Mary Falvey, Niamh Flaherty, Sinead Galvin, Maeve Twomey,Tom Bourke, Eric Nelligan, Fergal Hannon, James Flaherty and Gio Gaudino. Team manager; Michael Crossan.

All division 2 to division 5 players are reminded to note that the Moyvane Club will host their annual tournament on Sunday week, November 27.

Entry forms are now with club secretaries.