Badminton’s Adam nets three National titles
ADAM McAllister from Sligo City Badminton Club won all three titles at the Under 17 National Championships which took place recently in Waterford.
Adam had won two titles at the Leinster open earlier in January went one better when he claimed the treble at the National u17 Championships.
Adam started off with the singles easily steamrolling through the competition to face off against his Doubles partner Brian O’Mahony, Brian tried his best to reverse his fortunes against his partner who had beaten him the month previous. With both players knowing each other’s game so well points were hard to come by. After an intense final McAllister came out on top with a hard fought 2- 0 victory ( 21- 15, 21- 16). Adam and Brian joined forces for the Boy’s Doubles where they blew away any opposition. Winning 21- 11, 21- 10 in the Quarter Finals and then 21- 11,21- 11 in the semi- finals. David Barton and Oisín Dwyer faced off against Adam and Brian in the final. Adam and Brian continued their domineering ways taking the first set 21- 9. Oisín and David fought bravely in the second set but just came up short as Adam and Brian took the set 21- 19. Adam then partnered with Rachael Woods of Lisburn in the mixed doubles. In the semi- finals they faced off against Brian O’Mahony and his partner Clodagh Dunne. Brian again had no luck against his doubles partner as Adam and Rachel saw them off 21- 18, 21- 15. The final of the U17 Mixed Doubles had a special feeling about it. On one side you had two players attempting to complete a clean sweep of trophies ( Rachael and Adam) while on the other side of the net was two players that had impressed throughout the nationals ( Rebecca Woods and Des Duggan). Both sets of players were showing their full abilities and this led to a very entertaining game. In both games the winning mentality of Rachael and Adam was able to pull away late in both sets to cruise to victory winning ( 21- 14, 21- 14). Both Adam and Rachael claimed Treble wins after Rachael had already taken the Girls’ Doubles and Girls’ Singles.
Adam’s coach and mentor Sligo’s Jonathan Dolan who was in Waterford to offer support was delighted for his protégé. International Player and Coach Jonathan said: “Adam is a hard worker and his dedication to training is really paying off. He’s a huge talent and I look forward to helping him progress.”
This brilliant success comes shortly after the announcement of Adam’s selection to play on the Irish Under 19 Team travelling to France for the Junior European Championships in April. A delighted Adam added: “I would like to thank Paul Lynch for introducing me to badminton and coaching me for years in Ballaghaderreen. I would like to thank Jonathan Dolan for all his coaching and belief in me. Paul Dolan and all the Sligo City Badminton players who have given me such a great club in which to play and enjoy Badminton. My family for their support, especially my mother for driving all around the country for matches and training. St Nathy’s College and all the people of Ballaghaderreen for the support and encouragement. George Fitzgerald of Health Quarters Gym in Ballaghadarreen for the strength and conditioning training. Emer Tansy for all the physio work. Having all these people behind me helping me on has brought me this win. I am really looking forward to representing my country in France in April as part of the Under 19 Team playing at the European Championships.”