Mixed success for Kerry competitiors at Munster Badminton Championship
KILLARNEY and Ballyheigue venues were the main focus of Badminton attention on Sunday last with Munster Championship fare being the attraction in Killarney and the progressive Ballyheigue club hosted their annual tournaments for divisions 3, 4 and 5.
The Munster championships in Killarney proved to be a mixed bag for the Kerry players. The senior 1 competition saw Dingle’s Ciara O’Connor retain her ladies doubles title in fine style with Waterford partner Gemma Tobin. Their final opponents were the Clare/Limerick combination of Ciara Dwyer and Caroline Brown but the defending champions were always in control winning in two sets by 21-15; 21-12.
Miss O’Connor also had another title to defend - the mixed doubles - and along with her Waterford partner they reached the decider where their opponents were the Clare/Cork pairing of Moya Ryan and Conor Hayes. O’Connor/ Walsh lost the opening set 21-11 but levelled the tie winning the second 21-17. In the third set the defending champions led 11-9 at the change of sides but Ryan/ Walsh battled back and came good when it mattered most and won the tie and title by 21-17.
It was not a great senior championships for the defending champion of two titles Castleisland Club man, Tom Bourke. He relinquished his singles title at the semi-final stage to the eventual winner, Waterford’s Eoin Walsh, and in the men’s double with his club partner Eric Nelligan they had one of those off days where nothing went right for them.
From a Kerry viewpoint the match of the day was the ladies junior singles final which Killarney’s Sinead Galvin take on Moyvane’s Elaine Hudson, a finalist at this level last year.
Galvin took the first set by 21-17 but what a dynamic set the second one proved to be. The sides were level seven times between 11 each to 20 each where the tie-break was played. They were level again at 21 each and 22 each but Galvin garnished those two vital points to win the set and the Munster title by 24-22.
The Junior mixed doubles final saw defending champion Listowel’s Fergal Hannon battle his way to the final partnered by Castleisland’s Marion Rohan but they lost out by 21-17; 22-20 to a Limerick pairing.
In the men’s junior doubles decider Kerry were represented by Moyvane’s James Flaherty who was partnered by Corks Brendan Nyham but they fell to former Killarney member Fred Klok and Kristian O’Connor, both playing out of Cork, in 2 sets. So, overall Munster Championships 2016 was not such a bad one for the Kerry players.
Ballyheigue Tourament
All roads led to Ballyheigue last Sunday where the local club hosted their annual tournament for all players in divisions 3, 4 and 5. With 75 players competing from all around the county it was a great day for the local club and the action was fast and furious throughout.
RESULTS
Division 5 mixed final: Aine Knightly [Annascaul] and James Beasley [Kingdom Castleisland] defeated Marie Kennelly [Moyvane] and James O’Mahony [Causeway] 21-19; 21-16.
Division 5 Plate final: Jennifer Murphy [Listowel] and Padraig Hanrahan [Moyvane] defeated Lilian Holmes [Ballyheigue] and Joe Carroll [Causeway] 21-15; 21-19.
Division 4 Mixed final: Linda Burke [Ballyheigue] and Paul Hayes [Listowel] defeated Claire Cahill [Kingdom Castleisland] and Patsy O’Connor [Ballyheigue] 21-12; 21-17.
Division 4 Plate final: Marie Flynn [Kingdom Castleisland] and Brendan McGovern [Annascaul] defeated Linda Flynn [Listowel] and Kevin O’Mahony [Ballyheigue] 21-15; 21-17.
Division 3 mixed final: Carmel Hudson [Moyvane] and Mariusz Tusinski [County Club Tralee] defeated Jeanelle Griffin [Moyvane] and Tim Griffin [Ballyheigue] 21-15; 21-14.
CPC.IE County Championships
The second phase of the CPC. ie sponsored Singles County Championships take place at the Killarney Sports Centre this Friday where the titles for divisions 2 and 4 disciplines for ladies and men are up for grabs. At the time of writing it is almost certain that the competition in both division 4 grades will be hotly contested with a large entry and division 2 should be equally compelling. All competitors, co-ordinators and court helpers are requested to be on call for 7.30pm.
Butterfield Cup
The Butterfield Cup, which is Munsters,second oldest team event which commenced in 1947, after the Haynes Cup, will take place in Cappoquin, Co. Waterford on this coming Sunday and Kerry travel to the Decie county as defending champions following their great win in Killarney last year.
However, after many retirements, especially in the ladies sector, this could be described as a new look Kerry side but under player/manager, Eric Nelligan, the panel have put in a lot of training in recent times. The Kerry squad is Ciara O’Connor, Edel Broderick, Marion Rohan, Jennifer Murphy, Sinead Galvin, Niamh Flaherty, Eric Nelligan, Tom Bourke, Gio Gaudino, Fergal Hannon and James Flaherty.
It is known that five counties will take part it this years event, Clare being the exception, and this would be the largest county entry for some years.
All Kerry players who compete in the County Masters (over 40) competition are requested to note that the date has been changed to Friday, March 18 and to be played in the Presentation Gym Killarney to commence at 8pm.
Juveniles
The Kerry juvenile singles championships for both boys and girls in all age groups will take place at the Killarney Sports Centre this coming Saturday Feb 6 commencing at 11 am. All players are requested to check it to the desk by 10.45am.