The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Thrilling finals on Tournament Sunday
ON the Kerry badminton scene it was Tournament Sunday at the Killarney sports centre on Sunday last where the four annual tournaments were played off, catering for five divisions within the county.
With a sizeable entry competing patrons were served up some excellent fare with so many of the games finishing with just an ace or two being the deciding factor in such close finishes
Indeed the division 5 competition was a thriller which, like the other events on the day was run on the round robin system, saw the scores of the top two finishing level.
With the pairing of Moyvane’s Eileen Roche and Frank Flaherty (Ballyheigue) finishing level with Marie Bradley (Kingdom, Castleisland) and Mike Donovan (Annascaul) on the scoreline of 72 points each but the Junior Griffin Perpetual Shield went to Roche/Flaherty as they had come out on top in the game between both pairs.
The division 4 contest for the Mixed doubles Shield went to the pairing of Paula O’Sullivan (Ballyheigue) and Mike Reardon (Iveragh) who just pipped the pairing of Maria O’Connor (Killarney) and Sean Bradley (Iveragh) on the close scoring of 75 points to 72.
In the Division 3 competition for the Waterstone Cup (named after the late Archie Waterstone who was the first Chairman of the Kerry Badminton Association when founded in 1936) honours went to the pairing of Amanda Carmody (Moyvane) and Kieron Crehan (Killarney) who finished on 120 points and in second place were Michelle Beazley Castleisland) and Timmy Hanrahan who annexed 108 points.
No doubt but in the Kerry Badminton competitions played so far this year Crehan is the man of the moment. Three weeks ago he won the November handicap division 3 event; last Sunday week he won the Moyvane tournament with Amanda Carmody and drawn together again last Sunday he completed the notable treble. Surely an odds on bet to win a division 3 championship later on in the season.
The division 1 & 2 combined tournament on Sunday last for the Paddy Drummond Cup saw victory going to Moyvane teenager Niamh Flaherty and Tom Bourke (Castleisland) who finished on 120 points with Jennifer Keane (Killarney) and James Leane (Listowel) just 3 points behind on 117 points.
Munster Individual Championships
THE Munster Individual championships for Grades F,G, H (which would correspond with Kerry division 3, 4 and 5) will take place in the National Arena Limerick on Sunday next. Best wishes are extended to all Kerry players competing.
Kerry Leagues
THE Kerry Ladies and men’s leagues for divisions 3 and 4 have been taking place in recent weeks. All clubs are reminded that these finals will take place in the Presentation Gym, Tralee on Wednesday, January 11. All clubs are requested to complete any outstanding fixtures without delay