BADMINTON NOTES
The Ladies and mens Badminton league finals played in Tralee on Wednesday night last certainly had a bit of everything.
Firstly , great credit due to everyone, players, mentors and the many supporters of all teams, who braved the torrential rain on the night to attend the Presentation Gym in Tralee to witness these 4 finals which are sponsored by both Agri Auto Parts of Tralee and Listowel, and Speedys Bar, Moyvane.
It was that same rain that almost caused a damper, in every sense of the word, to the nights proceedings as a leak in the roof in the Gym looked like causing havoc to the nights badminton as one court was deemed unplayable and it would take many hours to try and finish 4 finals in the 3 playable courts.
But panic did not set in. A phone call to the Tralee Sports Centre saw that body make 2 courts available which was an instant source of relief to all concerned .
So the teams of the Ballyheigue and Moyvane division 4 men coupled with the Killarney and Moyvane division 3 ladies packed their bags and faced the elements once again as they made the journey to the sports centre.
The Kerry Association wish to sincerely thank those concerned in the Sports Centre for getting them out of trouble at such short notice.
The first final to take to the floor in the Presentation Gym was the Ladies of both Moyvane and Listowel. In this decider Moyvane were defending champions after putting paid to the ambitions of Ballyheigue in last years final in their quest for 4 in a row
The champions got the ideal start by taking first ladies in two sets but Listowel levelled by taking second ladies in a thrilling three set encounter with Moyvane just losing out that the third set on the tie break 23-21 but Moyvane came out on top again in the third ladies encounter in another enriching three setter on the third set score of 21-19.
The Moyvane tails were now up as they knew all they need was one more set to retain their title and that duly came in the fourth game with Michelle Corridan and Breda Lane guaranteeing that the div. 4 ladies shield was to stay in Moyvane for another year but a gallant Listowel team can be proud of their efforts
Teams
Moyvane; Bridgett McCarthy (Capt.), Breda Lane, Louise Behan, Michelle Corridan
Listowel; Jill Redmond, (capt), Linda Flynn, Rita McCarthy, Ann Moriarty,
The division 4 mens final mens final played in the Tralee Sports Centre saw defending champions Moyvane take on Ballyheigue. Indeed, Moyvane were defending champions here also and indeed were going for an unprecedented 7 titles in a row at this division but as the Kerry footballers in the nineteen seventies/eighties and the Kilkenny hurlers of the noughties found out, all good things must come to an end, this final as a fighting and dedicated Ballyheigue side laid down a marker from the outset by capturing the first 3 games Moyvane did win the fourth game to narrow the gap but in the fifth game Ballyheigues John McDonalds and Noel Carroll captured that vital second over Moyvanes Padraig Kearney and Barry O’Callaghan by 23-21 to ensure that the sea siders had forged a famous victory.
The Division 4 Mens League Final took place at Tralee Regional Sports Complex Wednesday 10 January
The Ballyheigue Division 4 Team who won the final L/R, : Noel Carroll, John McDonnell, Colm Carroll, Kevin O’Mahony, Colm Griffin.
Teams
Ballyheigue; John McDonald; Kevin O’Mahony; Colm O’Carroll (capt); Noel O’Carroll;
Moyvane; Padraig Kearney (capt);Timmy Flaherty; Liam O’Connor; Barry O’Callaghan
In both the division e finals it was Moyvane v Killarney and these sides certainly bring out the best in each other. Killarney had fallen to Castleisland in this final last year and were hoping to one better in 2018.
In the mens decider at the Pres Gym it was Moyvane that drew first blood but then Killarney won the 2 following encounters to take a 2-1 lead.
However the battling North Kerry side never yielded. Not alone did they level the match at 2 all but in the penultimate encounter they took what looked like a match winning 3-2 lead. What a match the final game proved to be.
Killarney won the first set but Moyvane captured the second by 22-20 but the final set saw the Killarney pairing of Jason Russell and Evan Horan keep their composure and by winning the set they tied the match at 3 games each.
The count back of sets took place and this resulted in the title going Killarney bound by just the one single set,8 to 7, in a truly great contest
Teams
Killarney; Kieron Crehan, (capt);Jason Russell; Evan Horan; Liam Barry
Moyvane; Kevin Kennelly; John Mulvihill; Chris McCarthy; Timmy Griffin
Last year’s division ladies final which saw Killarney dethrone Moyvane was described by those present as an epic contest but if there is such a phrase as “Super Epic”, this was indeed it .
Of the 6 games to be played no less than four of them went to the third set for decision. This was a supercharged encounter but at the half way stage it looked to be all over as the champions Killarney seemed to have their title retained when they took no less than a 3-0 lead.
But you write off Moyvane at your peril. Was it complacency that set in to Killarney, it is only the players themselves that could answer that but quicker that one say “never say die” those gallant Moyvane ladies had fought back to level the tie at 3 games each.
What an extraordinary comeback but it was not yet over. On the count back of sets the sides were found to be still deadlocked at 8 sets each.
So it was down then to count up every single point that was scored in the match. In this it was found that a full total of 602 points and of these Moyvane had scored the grand total 305 with Killarney registering a total of 297 so the titlewas once again bound for Moyvane afyer this super-epic confrontation of two wonderful badminton teams.
Teams
Moyvane; Carmel Hudson; Michelle Kearney ;Mags O’Donnell (capt); Ciara Hudson
Killarney ; Jeab Workman; Sandra O’Connor; Marion McSweeney, Siobhan O’Donoghue (capt)
It was, indeed, a most rewarding nights badminton
Listowel Tournaments
The Listowel Badminton Club hosted their annual weekend of Badminton on Sat/ Sunday last and at the close of play on Sunday evening the Listowel executive reflected on a most successful weekend which catered from the top level at division down to those gallant triers at division 5
The most illuminating statistics of the weekend 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
Overall results as follows;
47th annual Mixed doubles final Divisions ! &2;; Paula Hanly (Cork) and Tom Bourke ( Kerry) defeat Trish Herlihy (Cork) and Donnacha Moloney (Kerry) 21-13;21-12
Ladies doubles
Trish Herlihy (Cork) and Ruth Concannon (Kerry) defeated Miriam Rohan and Helen Browne (both Kerry) 149points to 141 points
Mens Doubles; Tom Bourke and Donie Enright (both Kerry) defeated Fergal Hannon and Marius Tusiniski (both Kerry)
13-21;21-17;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 for the Mary Keane Shield
Jeab Workman (Killarney) and Philip Thomas (Listowel) defeated Michelle Kearney (Listowel ) and Tom Clear (Castleisland ) 21-15; 21-13
Div 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 wish to sincerely thank their sponsors for their kind contributions without which it would not be possible to run this weekend and also sincere thanks to all who gave their time to make this 47th event the undoubted success it was and included here, of course, are the most important people of all,the many players who competed over the two days.
Forthcoming fixtures
Next weekend sees the Badminton spotlight focus between beautiful Ballyheigue and the rebel County of Cork. Following on from Listowel last weekend the progressive Ballyheigue Club host their annual tournaments on Sunday next in the local Community Centre and will cater for divisions 3,4 and 5. The timetable sees division 5 commence at 11.45 am; division 4 at 2.30 pm and division 3 at 5 pm. A plate competition will cater for both divisions 4 and 5 Entry forms have now been distributed to all Clubs.
The Cork Badminton Association host both the Munster senior and junior championships also on Sunday next. Best wishes are extended to all Kerry players who will compete in both events
