BADMINTON
All involved in Kerry Badminton can truly boast of a sense of elation after the wonderful feast of the sport that was served up on both Saturday and Sunday last at the Killarney Sports Arena over the two days.
On the Saturday it was the juveniles that took centre stage where a record breaking entry showed how strong the sport is within the County and equally so on the Sunday where the annual programme of the November Handicap tournaments saw all five divisions do battle on the day
It was both divisions 4 and 5 that opened the proceedings on the Sunday and for many of those division 5 players it was their first venture into competitive badminton but at the end of the day it was players from 3 clubs that contested the final spoils and this saw Sue Weatherell (Iveragh) and Miroslav Jesco (Moyvane overcome the Listowel pairing of Laura Sheahan and Florian Schillak in 2 sets; 21; 15; 21-19
A hotly contested division 4 contest saw a three tier Listowel representation in the decider which saw Valerie Guiney and Paul Hayes, both Listowel overcome Rita McCarthy (Listowel) and Kevin O’Mahony (Ballyheigue) in two hard sets; 21-13; 21-19.
The division 3 contest certainly gave value for money the full way through and the decider in this division was the only one of the day that went the full distance of the three sets and what a battle royal it proved to be.
The first hard fought set was captured by Michelle Beazley (Castleisland ) and Kieron Crehan (Killarney) by 21-19 but the Killarney / Moyvane partnership of Samira Hayes and William Flaherty edged out the second set by 21-17.
The third and final set was a nail biter with all four players giving their all but it was Ms Hayes and Flaherty that stole the show in another classic by 21-18 but what a contest.
When one considers that the gallant Flaherty won his first County Championship title as far back as 1984 it speaks volumes for the dedication and commitment the man has given to the sport.
William Flaherty Moyvane and Sameira Hayes Killarney on their way to winning the Division 3 final at at Killarney Sports & Leisure Centre on Sunday.
The division 1& 2 decider was for the single set of 30 points and what a series of exhausting and exciting rallies served, no doubt but badminton out of the top drawer and at the final count it was the partnership of Niamh Hickey (Killarney) and Tom Bourke (Castleisland) who survived the onslaught that came from Trish O’Herlihy (Listowel) and Gio Gaudino (Castleisland) by just three points, 30 to 27. Overall it proved to be a great November Handicap competition
Juvenile Tournaments
The Kerry Juvenile Badminton committee, under the direction of secretary, Carmel Hudson and chairman, Billy Lacey opened their badminton programme for the new season on Saturday last at the Killarney Sports Arena with a series of tournaments to cater for all four age groups, namely under 11/13/15/17 years of age and the overall entry received was 150 players which is a record for a Kerry juvenile Badminton competition.
To put that in context, the entry received would be equivalent to 10 Gaelic Football teams or to over13 soccer teams which shows the strength of juvenile badminton in Kerry at the present moment.
Two new juvenile clubs, Milltown and Iveragh have been affiliated to Kerry this season and players from both clubs graced the winners podium on Saturday evening last.
Results as follows;
U11 Girls Stephanie Reid Annascaul and Isobel Stack Moyvane defeated
Grace McGovern Castleisland and Darina Ellen Burke Milltown 15/13, 15/7
(Plate) Maggie Quirke Milltown and Eimear Bradley Castleisland defeated Aoife Scanlon Moyvane and Anna Ni Chonchuir Dingle 21/19
U13 Girls Ava McKay Listowel and Grainne Leahy Abbeydorney defeated Maura Burke Milltown and Jessica O’Loughlin Castleisland 21/9, 21/9
(Plate) Fia Spillane Annascaul and Sara Hayes Listowel defeated Anne Hickey Killarney and Ciara Casey Castleisland 21/13
U15 Girls Deina Vesko Listowel and Ailbhe Gammel Killarney defeated Adele O’Brien Killarney and Madison Carter Listowel 18/21, 21/18, 21/12
(Plate) Ciara Knightly Annascaul and Ella Galvin Killarney defeated Laura O’Connor Killarney and Abbie Moriarty Annascaul 21/18
U17 Girls Aoife Bowler Moyvane and Amanda Flynn Milltown 1st place round robin
Olivia Wesolowska Killarney and Caoimhe Burke Milltown were 2nd
U11 Boys Jack Lyne Annascaul and Diarmuid Quirke Milltown defeated Safwan Rahman Killarney and Kiegan Moloney Moyvane 15/9, 15/12
(Plate) Conor Mulvihill Moyvane and Fionn Spillane Annascaul defeated Alex Donowski Castleisland and Pat Brosnan Moyvane 21/19
U13 Boys Tomas O’Sullivan Listowel and Odhran O’Neill Milltown defeated Shahir Rahman Killarney and Patrick O’Connor Moyvane 21/11, 21/7
(Plate) Evan McCarthy Annascaul and Philip Daly Iveragh defeated Eddie Healy Listowel and Shafin Alam Killarney 21/17
U15 Boys Cathal Donovan Annascaul and Cathal Sweeney Moyvane defeated Seamus Bradley Castleisland and Mathew Daly Iveragh 21/19, 21/17
(Plate) Hasib Ahmmed Killarney and Rory McDonnell Milltown defeated Dylan O’Connor Killarney and Tom Hoare Annascaul 21/14
Forthcoming fixtures
Like last Sunday, this coming Sunday should see another full house at the Killarney Sports Arena where once again all 5 Kerry division players will be catered for over 4 separate tournaments.
Div. 1&2 players will play for The Paddy Drummond Cup; div 3 players will contest The Waterstone Cup whilst both divisions 4 and 5 will each do battle for The Mixed Doubles Shield in each division.
The Waterstone Cup commemorates the memory of Archie Waterstone who founded the Kerry Badminton Association in 1936 and was Kerry chairman from 1936 to 1956 and then was elected as the first Kerry Badminton President and held that position from 1956 to1970.
The late Paddy Drummond was one of the doyens of the Tralee County Badminton Club and was a great promoter of the sport in his beloved Tralee. Mr. Drummond also acted as Kerry County Chairman during the 1960s and saw the elevation of Badminton to many towns throughout the County during his tenure..
All players who are taking part on Sunday please be registered before 12.45 pm. PLEASE NOTE; The earlier starting time
Moyvane Tournament
The progressive Moyvane Club will hold their annual Newtownsandes sponsored Badminton tournaments at the local Community Centre on Sunday December 10th with the time programme set out as follows; Div 5 to commence at 12.15 ; div.4 at 2.15; div 3 at 4.15 and div. 2 at 5.30. Entry forms are now with all Kerry County Secretaries
Ladies/Mens Leagues
Following the success of the ladies division 1&2 league last year a new mens league for the same two divisions will take place this season.
The draws for each have now been distributed to all clubs and both should be commencing over the coming days. Both competitions will this year be kindly sponsored by Suits Select, Ltd, Tralee.
