BADMINTON
From a Badminton perspective one can say that the shadow boxing is well and truly over with , and the real events now are about to take centre stage.
Pre Christmas badminton is mostly dominated by fringe events such as tournaments,etc but the real world post christmas sees all action from January to May with major issues like Inter County events, Kerry championships and Kerry leagues to be decided.
The first competitions that may concern Kerry players are the Munster individual championships for Grades F,G &H to be held at the Limerick U.L. sports arena on Sunday January 7th and no doubt many Kerry challengers will be making their way to Limerick in an effort to seek Munster glory.
Three nights later, Wednesday January 10th will see the first competitions played within Kerry in 2018. These will be the finals of the ladies and mens leagues competitions, for divisions 3 and 4, which commenced last October and will culminate in the Presentation Gym Hall in Tralee on Wednesday, to commence at 8 pm.
The ladies league has been sponsoref by Agro Auto Parts, of Tralee and Listowel, whilst the mens league has been sponsored by Speedys Bar, Moyvane. Indeed, the Kerry Badminton Association owe a deep debt of thanks to both firms for their continued support of these leagues.
Once again the action on Wednesday night next will be dominated by both the Moyvane and Killarney clubs with the Listowel division 4 ladies team and the Ballyheigue div. 4 mens team being the only other clubs that endevours to break the domination of the big two.
In this div 4 ladies final Listowel take on the defending champions Moyvane who broke the 3 in a row ambitions of Ballyheigue in last years decider and both of these near rivals are sure to deliver a battle royale.
What an absolute spectacle the division 3 ladies decider between Moyvane and Killarney proved to be last year and if this years final follows the same pattern, badminton enthusiasts are certainly in for an early New Year feast.
Last year it was Moyvane that were going for the treble in this ladies final but at the end of the night both sides finished level on 3 wins each but it was Killarney that captured the glory on the count back of sets by just the one set, 8 to 7, yes it was that close and it would be a brave pundit who would forecast this years outcome.
In last years div 3 mens final Killarney were looking good when leading Castleisland by 2-1 but in a rousing finish it was the brave Castleisland side who finished in a blaze of glory by winning the last 3 games and were eventual winners by 4-2.
Killarney are back in the final once again and are hoping that they have learnt their lesson from last year as they take on a talented Moyvane side.
Another mouth watering clash promised here.
In last years division 4 mens final Moyvane scaled the heights when they captured 3 in a row in that division by overcoming a gallant Annascaul side by 4-1.
Can the North Kerry side do the 4 in a row.? No doubt but they can achieve this goal but standing on the sideline is a formidable Ballyheigue side who seem to have the raw talent to thwart the Moyvane dream.
All four finals on the night should provide all that is good in badminton.
Kerry Schools
Whilst all of the above 4 adult league finals will be played in Tralee on Wed Jan. 10th, the Killarney Sports Arena will play host to the Kerry Schools competitions the following day, Thurs. Jan. 11th
The age groups for both girls and boys in these events are under 14;under 16 and under 19 .
Up to Monday last, New years Day , schools event Ms Carmel Hudson of Moyvane had received 26 entries from schools throughout the County with the honours of the school having the highest number of teams entered going to Tarbert Comprehensive School who have a team entered in each section, which is a great achievement by the North Kerry school and great credit due to all concerned.
Remaining schools entered as follows;
Presentation Tralee have 3 teams
Mercy Mounthawk have 2 teams
Presentation Listowel have 2 teams
CBS The Green have 3 teams
Presentation Killarney have 3 teams
Castleisland Community College have 2 teams Presentation Miltown have 2 teams Killarney Community College have 2 teams Pobalscoil Chorcha Dhuibhne have 1 team.
The competitions are due to commence at 10 am.
Listowel tournaments;
The following weekend of January 13/14th will see the Listowel Club host their annual weekend tournaments. This will be the 47th annual Listowel tournament and is the longest running club tournament in the island of Ireland.
The Saturday tournaments is open to all division 1 and 2 players and also the Masters tournament for those over 45 years of age. Sundays programme caters for Kerry divisions 3, 4 and 5 only. Entry form have now been distributed to all Kerry Clubs
