The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Badminton aplenty in County League finals
THE ladies and men’ badminton league finals played in Tralee on Wednesday last, had a bit of everything. The first final, the Division 4 ladies shield, in the Presentation Gym was between defending champions Moyvane and Listowel.
The champions got the ideal start by taking first ladies in two sets but Listowel levelled by taking second ladies in a three-set encounter with Moyvane losing that the third set on the tie break, 23-21.
Moyvane came out on top in the third ladies encounter in another three-setter on the third set score of 21-19.
Moyvane needed one more set to retain their title and that came in the fourth game with Michelle Corridan and Breda Lane retaining the Division 4 ladies shield for Moyvane.
MOYVANE: Bridgett McCarthy, Breda Lane, Louise Behan, Michelle Corridan
LISTOWEL: Jill Redmond, Linda Flynn, Rita McCarthy, Ann Moriarty
THE Division 4 men’s final in the Tralee Sports Centre saw defending champions Moyvane take on Ballyheigue, with Moyvane going for an unprecedented 7 titles in a row at this division, but all good things come to an end as a dedicated Ballyheigue side won the first three games.
Moyvane did win the fourth but in the fifth game Ballyheigue’s John McDonald and Noel Carroll captured that vital second over Moyvane’s Padraig Kearney and Barry O’Callaghan by 23-21 to ensure that the seasiders had forged a famous victory. BALLYHEIGUE: John McDonald; Kevin O’Mahony; Colm O’Carroll, Noel O’Carroll
MOYVANE: Padraig Kearney, Timmy Flaherty; Liam O’Connor; Barry O’Callaghan IN the Division 3 finals it was Moyvane against Killarney. In the men’s decider Moyvane drew first blood but then Killarney won the next two encounters to take the lead but the battling North Kerry side never yielded. They levelled the match at 2-2 and then took what looked like a match winning 3-2 lead.
In the final game Killarney won the first set but Moyvane captured the second by 22-20, but the final set saw the Killarney’s Jason Russell and Evan Horan keep their composure and win the set to tie the match. The count back of sets resulted in the title going to Killarney by one set, 8-7. KILLARNEY: Kieron Crehan, Jason Russell; Evan Horan; Liam Barry
MOYVANE: Kevin Kennelly; John Mulvihill; Chris McCarthy; Timmy Griffin
IN the Division 3 ladies final between defending champions Killarney and Moyvane of the six games played four of them went to the third set. At the half way stage it looked to be all over as the champions seemed to have their title retained when they took a 3-0 lead. But you write off Moyvane at your peril and they fought back to level the tie at 3 games each. On the count back the sides were deadlocked at 8 sets each so it was down then to count up every single point that was scored. Of the 602 points scored Moyvane scored 305 with Killarney on 297 so the title was bound for Moyvane. MOYVANE: Carmel Hudson; Michelle Kearney; Mags O’Donnell, Ciara Hudson
KILLARNEY: Jeab Workman; Sandra O’Connor; Marion McSweeney, Siobhan O’Donoghue
LISTOWEL TOURNAMENTS
THE Listowel Badminton Club hosted their annual festival of badminton last weekend which catered from the top level at Division 1 down to those gallant triers at Division 5. The most illuminating statistics saw Tom Bourke retain his two titles at Division 1 and the partnership of Maria Bradley and Padraig Hanrahan retain their mixed doubles crown at Division 5.
RESULTS
Ladies Doubles Final
Trish Herlihy (Cork) and Ruth Concannon (Kerry) defeated Miriam Rohan and Helen Browne (both Kerry) 149 to 141
Men’s Doubles Final
Tom Bourke and Donie Enright (both Kerry) defeated Fergal Hannon and Marius Tusiniski (both Kerry) 13-21; 21-17; 21-12
Mixed Doubles Final Divisions 1 & 2
Paula Hanly (Cork) and Tom Bourke (Kerry) defeat Trish Herlihy (Cork) and Donnacha Moloney (Kerry) 21-13; 21-12
Masters (Over 45) Final
Linda Flynn (Kerry) and Adham Jabar (Cork) defeated Susan O’Connell and James Sheahan (both Kerry) 21-11; 21-12
Division 3 Mixed Final
Jeab Workman (Killarney) and Philip Thomas (Listowel) defeated Michelle Kearney (Listowel ) and Tom Clear (Castleisland ) 21-15; 21-13 Division 4 Mixed Final
Breda Lane (Moyvane) and John O’Donnell (Ballyheigue) defeated Lucy Trant (Listowel) 21-19; 21-13
Division 5 Mixed Final
Maria Bradley (Castleisland) and Padraig Hanrahan (Moyvane) defeated Maria Nolan ( Moyvane) and Christy Deane ( Annascaul) 12-21; 21-16; 21-16
The Listowel committee thank their sponsors without whom it would not be possible to run this weekend and to all who gave their time to make this 47th event the success it was.
FIXTURES
NEXT weekend sees the spotlight focuses between Ballyheigue and Cork. Ballyheigue host their annual tournament on Sunday in the Community Centre and will cater for Divisions 3 (5pm start), 4 (2.30) and 5 (11.45am). A plate competition caters for Divisions 4 and 5. The Cork Badminton Association host the Munster senior and junior championships this Sunday.