By Colm Griffin
Haynes Shield
Three teams took part in the Haynes Shield event last Sunday in Kinsale including Kingdom Castleisland representing Kerry with the assistance of a couple of guest players from Listowel.
In the first match of the day Lakewood of Cork overcame Kilmacthomas of Waterford 7-5. The Waterford team then faced up to the Kerry representatives.
Kingdom tied the first Men’s Doubles pairing 1 set all (Fergal Hannon and Michael Crossan) but then when 3-1 up with Patricia O Herlihy and Ruth Concannon winning both sets in the first ladies doubles. It was 3-3 again after the second men’s doubles but the Patricia O Herlihy then teamed up with Niamh Hickey to win both sets in the second ladies doubles and restore a 2 point lead.
It was all down to the 2 mixed game now. Fergal Hannon and Niamh Hickey proceeded to give the Kerry outfit an unassailable lead by taking both sets in their encounter and Ruth Concannon and Paddy Redmond took a set in the final mixed meaning Kingdom won by 8-4 in the end and the Waterford outfit were eliminated.
Now it was down to a straight shootout between Lakewood of Cork and the Kingdom club for the title just a week after Kerry were heavily beaten by Cork opponents in the Butterfield Cup.
This would be a great chance for some of the Kerry Butterfield team to exact revenge and restore the pride of Kerry Badminton. Kingdom through Fergal Hannon and Michael Crossan got off to a great start taking both sets in the first men’s doubles and Patricia O Herlihy and Ruth Concannon retained the 2 point gap by taking a set in the first ladies doubles.
Kingdom were on fire now though and when Michael Crossan and Paddy Redmond took both sets in the second men’s doubles they were 5-1 up and on the verge of taking the title.
As it transpired it was not necessary for the mixed games to take place as Patricia O Herlihy and Niamh Hickey won both sets and Kingdom at 7-1 up could not be beaten and took the Haynes Shield title back to both the Kingdom county and the Kingdom club.
Moyvane Tournament
Moyvane was the place to be for top Kerry sports action last Sunday afternoon as not only did it play host the 33rd year of the annual Moyvane Badminton tournament it was also to play host to the North Kerry Championship final in Gaelic Football
As ever and despite it’s close proximity to Christmas the Moyvane Tournament attracted a big crowd and it was a great day of competition in all divisions.
The final of the Div 1 and 2 combined event was an all Moyvane affair with John Mulvihill and Helen Browne coming out on top as they overcame a strong effort from Christopher O Donoghue and Amanda Carmody.
In the Division 3 final experience overcame youth as William Flaherty and Rita McCarthy playing up from Division 4 overcame Cathal O Donovan and Ciara Hudson in two close sets.
In Division 4 Josie Gilbert continued an impressive start to the season when partnering Barry O Callaghan. The duo proved too strong for Grace Guiney and Padraig Barrett although they were pushed all the way in the second set.
In Division 5 Aimee Griffin and Paraic Murray overcame the challenge of Jennifer Murphy and Radek Choromaski in a tough 3 set affair.
Aimee and Jennifer had already had to overcome a very competitive ladies round robin competition to reach this stage as they pipped Eva Browne and Marella Murphy by just one point.
Results
Div 1 & 2 John Mulvihill (Moyvane) & Helen Browne (Moyvane) Christopher O Donoghue (Moyvane) & Amanda Carmody (Moyvane) 30 – 22
Div 3 William Flaherty (Moyvane) and Rita McCarthy (Listowel) beat 21-17 21-16 Cathal O Donovan (Annascaul) & Ciara Hudson (Moyvane)
Div 4 Barry o Callaghan (Moyvane) and Josie Gilbert (Ballyheigue) 21-13 21-18 Padraig Barrett (Causeway) and Grace Guiney (Listowel)
Div 4 Men’s Plate Round Robin Winners Paul Hayes(Listowel) and Daniel O Connor (Killarney) 62 points
Div 5 Final Aimee Griffin (Moyvane) & Paraic Murray (Causeway) beat Jennifer Murphy(Listowel and Radek Choromaski (Moyvane) 21-11, 19-21, 21-15
Div 5 Men’s Plate Round Robin Winners Mike Donovan (Annascaul) and Philip Healy (Listowel) 60 points
League Results
Thurs Dec 6th
Ladies Agri-Auto Parts League Division 4
Ballyheigue 5 – 1 Killarney
Men’s Advanced Cleaning Supplies Div 4 League (Section A)
Ballyheigue 6 – 0 Kingdom – Castleisland
Men’s Advanced Cleaning Supplies Div 4 League (Section B)
Ballyheigue 0 – 6 Listowel
Wed Dec 5th
Suits Select Ladies Div 1 & 2 Combined League
Kingdom – Castleisland 2 – 4 Annascaul
Ladies Agri-Auto Parts League Division 4
Kingdom – Castleisland 0 – 6 Moyvane
Men’s Advanced Cleaning Supplies Div 4 League (Section A)
Killarney 0 – 6 Ballyheigue
Tues Dec 4th
Ladies Agri-Auto Parts League Division 4
Ballyheigue 1 – 5 Listowel
Monday Dec 3rd
Suits Select Ladies Div 1 & 2 Combined League
Moyvane 2 – 6 Listowel
Men’s Advanced Cleaning Supplies Div 3 League
Listowel 0 – 6 Killarney
Upcoming Events
Saturday Dec 15th Munster Closed U-11 / U-15 (UL, Limerick)
Saturday Dec 15th / Sunday Dec 16th All-Ireland Championships Grades C & F