The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Kerry contenders perform well at Munster Doubles in Killarney
KILLARNEY Sports and Leisure Centre played host to the Munster Doubles Championship last weekend with county champions from their respective grades going head to head in Killarney last Sunday.
The Men’s and Ladies Doubles Championships took place on Sunday morning with the Mixed Championships in the afternoon.
In the Men’s Grade C event Kerry were represented by the experienced pairing of Eric Nelligan and Tom Bourke (Kingdom-Castleisland) They beat their Waterford opponents 2 sets to 0 before drawing one set all with Cork. In their final game they defeated the Tipperary pairing 2-0 which was enough to secure the Munster title for the Kerry representatives.
There was also joy for the very talented Guiney sisters from Listowel in the Ladies Grade G Championship. A wonderful success for two young players who will surely go on to win honours at higher grades in years to come.
Also in the morning session much credit goes to Saoirse Fitzgerald (Moyvane) and Niamh Hickey (Killarney) runners up in the Ladies Grade D Championships and to Sam Hayes (Killarney) and Michelle Beasley (Kingdom-Castleisland) runners-up in the Grade E Championship.
The afternoon session brought more success to the Kerry and the Kingdom-Castleisland club in particular. Fresh from winning a county title together two days previously Ruth Concannon and Aaron Tan went on to complete a great weekend by taking provincial honours.
The Kingdom – Castleisland pairing that Concannon and Tan had beaten in the Kerry Division 2 final also had a good day on Sunday. Brid Murphy and Aidan McCarthy were runners-up in the Grade E Championships.
CPC.ie Kerry Mixed County Championships
LAST Friday saw the Kerry County Championships reach its conclusion for another season as the Division 2 and 4 Mixed Championships were played out at Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre.
In Division 2 Ruth Concannon and Aaron Tan of Kingdom Castleisland overcame the Moyvane pairing of Amanda Carmody and Timmy Noonan in two sets and then overcame Saoirse Fitzgerald (Moyvane) and Paddy Redmond (Listowel) also in two sets to reach the final.
On the other side of the draw fellow Kingdom Castleisland pairing Brid Murphy and Aidan McCarthy overcame Sandra O’Connor (Killarney) and Chris McCarthy (Moyvane) in three sets before defeating the Moyvane pair of Helen Browne and John Mulvihill in two sets.
Onlookers were treated to a wonderful final between the two Kingdom Castleisland pairings. The first set went to Murphy and McCarthy 21-14 but Concannon and Tan took the second set on the same scoreline. Watching on it was difficult to call who would take this title as the third set progressed as there was rarely more than a couple of points in it at any stage. In the end in was Concannon and Tan that finished stronger to take their first Division 2 title.
With 25 pairing taking part it would be a much longer road to a County title for the Division 4 participants. Josie Gilbert and John McDonnell (Ballyheigue) had already won two encounters before coming up against Breda Flavin and Paudie Kearney of (Moyvane). Gilbert and McDonnell won this tough contest in three sets and went on to defeat Karen Lawlor (Listowel) and Niall O’Hanlon (Causeway) in two sets to reach the final.
Maire Kennelly and Barry O’Callaghan (Moyvane) also had to come through four matches to reach the final. In the last eight they defeated fellow Moyvane pairing Michelle Corridon and Michael Collins in two tight sets before defeating Aoife Bowler (Moyvane) and Brendan O’Carroll (Causeway) in the semi-final in two sets.
The Ballyheigue pairing got off to the better start in the final and the result never really looked in doubt. In the end it finished 21-12, 21-14. McDonnell had teamed up with Kevin O’Mahony to take the men’s title earlier in the season but it was to be a first Division 4 title for Gilbert.
Kerry Masters Tournament
THE Kerry Masters (Over 40) takes place in Pres Hall Killarney on Friday April 19 at 8pm. Entries through club secretary to jamessheahan66@gmail.com by Wednesday with club, name and division. Entry is €7 per player.
Killarney and Kingdom are nominated to bring and food and all other clubs bring spot prizes.
Upcoming Events
Friday, April 19
Kerry Masters Tournament – Presentation Killarney
Monday, April 29
Division 2 and 4 Mixed Finals – Annascaul May 1
Division 3 and 5 Mixed Finals – Castleisland May 18
Kerry Badminton Association Social