Division 5 players Aidan Reidy & Padraig McMahon on their way to winning the mens Division 5 final. Photo by Tom Bradley
From Ruth Concannon
The season opener in Kerry was held in Killarney this Sunday the 10th of November. The Lee Strand November handicap tournament saw great entries across all divisions and some hotly contested finals.
Great entries in division 5 saw fifteen men’s and seven ladies’ pairs contesting the competition. Aidan Reidy from Ballyheigue and his partner Padraig McMahon came through 26-24 in the second set to go through to the mixed final.
They then partnered up with the ladies’ winners who were Aoibheann Prenderville (Moyvane) and Aine Knightly (Annascaul).
In a closely contested final it was Aine and Padraig who won out 22-20, 21-19.
Padraig McMahon, Tom Bourke Chairman Kerry Badminton, Aine Knightly along with Runners Up Aoibheann Prendeville, Aidan Reidy. Photo Credit: Tom Bradley
Division 5 men’s plate was won by Dylan Warrilow (Moyvane) and Mark Allen (Ballybunion), the ladies’ plate was won by Saoirse Murphy (Killarney) and Cyrena O’Connell (Ballybunion).
In division 4 Susan O’Connell (Iveragh) and Oisin Moloney (Listowel) faced off against their former partners in the mixed final, Madison Carter (Listowel) and Colm Griffin (Ballyheigue) in a very exciting three setter.
Oisin Moloney, Tom Bourke Chairman Kerry Badminton Susan O’Connell, along with runners up Colm Griffin (missing from photo Madison Carter.) Photo by Tom Bradley
The scores tell the story with Susan and Oisin coming through 18-21, 24-22, 21-15. Division 4 plate honours went to Mike Lucid (Ballyheigue) and Padraig Barrett (Causeway) in the men’s with Mary Bradley (Kingdom) and Rita McCarthy (Listowel) taking the honours in the ladies.
Round robin men’s and ladies’ games selected the finalists in division 3. The mixed final then went to Deine Vasko (Listowel) and Jon McDonnell (Ballyheigue) who beat Kieran Crehan (Killarney) and Carmel Hudson (Moyvane) 21-18, 21-16.
Mixed Final winners and runners up.
L/R,… John McDonnell, Tom Bourke Chairman Kerry Badminton, Deina Vesko, along with Runners Up Carmel Hudson, Kieran Crehan. Photo by Tom Bradley
Combined Division 1 & 2 final was a Kingdom and Killarney affair with players from both clubs coming through in the men’s and ladies’ round robin stages.
In the end Jennifer Keane (Killarney) paired up with Aidan McCarthy (Kingdom) to see off the challenge of Edel Kenny (Kingdom) and Evan Hassett (Killarney) in two sets in front of an enthralled crowd who stayed to watch the action until the last shot.
Several Kerry players were away competing in the Waterford invitational also on Sunday with honours coming back to the Kingdom. In the ladies’ doubles Maeve Twomey (Killarney) and Elaine Hudson (Moyvane) won in section 2.
Men’s pairing of Fergal Hannon (Listowel) and Alan Nelligan (Kingdom) took the men’s section 2. News was still pending from the mixed at the time of writing.
Men’s and Ladies’ leagues, sponsored by Agri Auto Parts, start around the county this week in division 3 and 4 and next weekend sees Kerry’s senior team competing in the Munster Butterfield Cup. Best of luck to all teams!
