The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Teenage brother and sister win senior titles
THE CPC.IE sponsored Kerry Badminton Singles County Championships for divisions 1, 3 and 5 played in Killarney last Sunday saw some of the finest badminton played in the Kerry Championshipsfor quite sometime, and in division 1 Kerry badminton history was made by the O’Flaherty family of Moyvane as the teenage brother and sister, James and Niamh, won the senior titles for the very first time.
Sixteen-year old Niamh, as far as the record books show, is the youngest player to win the ladies crown. In the opposing corner on Sunday was former title holder Edel Broderick from the Kingdom Club of Castleisland. From the outset Broderick did not know what hit her as the bubbling teenager chased every shuttle as if her life depended on it, and despite the best efforts of the former champion O’Flaherty edged home by 21-18.
The second set was almost a carbon of the first with youthful exuberance being the telling factor and the top prize for ladies badminton in Kerry was garnished by O’Flaherty on the second set score of 21-16.
The men’s division 1 decider was a repeat of last year’s final, which saw champion Tom Bourke edge out teenager James O’Flaherty in three sets.
Bourke, who has won 10 of the last 11 championships, was up against the pretender to the throne, 18-year old James Flaherty of Moyvane. The first set was a cracker, and after being tied at 20, 21, 22 and 23 points, Bourke’s experience told as he clinched the set by 25-23.
The second set was tentative but O’Flaherty eventually clinched it 21-18.
The third set was equally hard fought but once O’Flaherty gained a 11-9 lead he was never again headed and held out against the defending champion to capture his first ever senior singles Kerry title by 21-18.
It was some victory by the 18year old but spare a thought for outgoing champion. Tom Bourke has been an outstanding Kerry and Munster champion and has been a wonderful ambassador for the sport in Kerry, but like Roger Federer a few hours earlier, don’t write him off yet.
The division 5 singles events, which ran in conjunction with the senior championships, saw more exciting contests with the division 5 ladies decider between Moyvane’s Marie Kennelly and the Causeway Club secretary Josie Gilbert. The Causeway woman came good in the opening set by 21-14 and that was the same scoreline in the second set, which Kennelly won. The impetus was now with Kennelly and she made no mistake and took the set and title by 21-12.
The division 5 men’s final saw Causeway take on Annascaul and it was the top seed Brendan Carroll of Causeway that upheld his rating by overcoming Annascaul’s Donnacha O Foghlu in straight sets by 21-8, 21-11.
The men’s division 3 decider saw Annascaul’s Brendan McGovern take on the Castleisland Club player Jebin John. In the recent men’s division 3 league final both these players were on the same winning team as McGovern was on loan to Castleisland, but on Sunday last the West Kerry teenager was representing his own club and the title was his in two sets, 21-17, 21-12. This is a wonderful success story by McGovern as last season he was the division 4 winner and it is a rarity for players to be successful in different divisions in successive years.
The last final of the day was the division 3 decider, an all Killarney confrontation which saw Samira Hayes take on Niamh Hickey. There were just seven points between the sides over the three thrilling sets; Hayes took the first 21-18 but Hickey won the next two by 21-19 to claim the title.
The 2017 Championships continue with the division 2 & 4 finals in Killarney on Sunday February 19. All players are requested to enter in time, entry forms are now with club secretaries
Elsewhere, Munster Badminton returns to the Killarney Sports Centre on Sunday next where the Munster senior 2 and the Munster Graduates championships will be played off with both events to be hosted by the Kerry Association. Many ask the question who is eligible to compete in the graduates? From a Kerry perspective any player who has not played at a high level for their county would be eligible. In fact Kerry players up to division 3 should consider playing, such competition from outside players can only help one’s game. Details from Jennifer Keane at 083 3347228.
Meanwhile, this Friday the Kerry Badminton Association hold their annual quiz in O’Donnell’s Bar, Mounthawk, Tralee. All clubs are requested to support this quiz and more especially, all those players who are selected on Kerry team squads.