By Colm Griffin
Knockout Cup
Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre once again played host to a great day of entertainment of the shuttle variety on Sunday last (Dec 2nd)
The Knockout Cup was contested at Division 3, 4 and 5 level and three different clubs took the respective titles on the day.
Division 3 was contested by Kingdom -Castleisland, Killarney and Listowel. Killarney came out on top on the day with 15 points with Kingdom – Castleisland taking the runners up spot with 12 points.
It was an impressive achievement by Killarney given the fact that some of the team normally ply their trade in Division 4 and a couple of the others on the team have only recently moved up from Division 4 to Division 3.
Division 4 was contested by four clubs Kingdom – Castleisland, Listowel, Ballyheigue and Moyvane. Listowel were going for three in a row titles but on the day came up short finishing as runners-up with 18 points.
A strong Ballyheigue team with an impressive 27 points overall took the title for the first time in the history of the club.
Back Row, L/R, Colm Griffin, Kevin O’Mahony, Colm Carroll, John McDonald. Photo by Tom Bradley
Division 5 was a much more hotly contested event however with 4 teams taking part including the newly formed Ballybunion Baseliners who deserve huge credit for contesting the event given that only 4 four clubs in all managed to get a team together. The other teams on the day were Annascaul, Killarney and Moyvane.
Whilst the Baseliners with 18 points finished a very creditable 3rd place only 2 points separated the top two sides. The West Kerry team from Annascaul including the redoubtable 76 year old Sean Foley came out on top with 24 points and Moyvane with 22 points were the runners up on the day.
Butterfield Cup
A largely inexperienced Kerry team played host to the Butterfield Cup which ran side by side with the Knockout Cup last Sunday.
On the day it proved to be a straight shoot out between the Kingdom and a very strong team from the Rebel County of Cork. Unfortunately all the other counties in Munster failed to send a team to this prestigious event for the top elite players in Munster. On the day Cork proved to be much too strong for a spirited Kerry side.
Maeve Twomey and Elaine Hudson in particular put up a great fight in bringing their opponents to three sets in the 2nd Ladies doubles match but experiences like this will help these players come on leaps and bounds in the coming years.
Moyvane Tournament
The main badminton focus next weekend moves to Moyvane for the running of the their 33rd annual club tournament.
Sponsored by Newtownsands Co-op the action gets underway from 12.15pm for the Division 5 players. Division 4 gets underway at 2.15pm, Division 3 at 4.15pm and Division 1 and 2 combined from 5.30pm.
Always a wonderful club event be sure to let your club secretary know before next Friday (Dec 7th) if you are interested in taking part this year.
League Results
Monday Nov 26th
Suits Select Ladies Div 1 & 2 Combined League
Killarney 3 – 5 Kingdom – Castleisland
Men’s Advanced Cleaning Supplies Div 4 League (Section B)
Moyvane 2 – 4 Listowel
Tuesday Nov 27th
Men’s Advanced Cleaning Supplies Div 4 League (Section A)
Causeway 2 – 4 Ballyheigue
Wednesday Nov 28th
Ladies Agri-Auto Parts League Division 3
Moyvane 6 – 0 Listowel
Ladies Agri-Auto Parts League Division 4
Listowel 6 – 0 Kingdom – Castleisland
Upcoming Events
Sunday Dec 9th Moyvane Tournament (Moyvane)
Saturday Dec 15th Munster Closed U-11 / U-15 (UL, Limerick)
Saturday Dec 15th / Sunday Dec 16th All-Ireland Championships Grades C & F