With the Christmas festivities now pushed to one side Kerry Badminton enthusiasts are about to embark on what is always acclaimed as the busy part of the Badminton season.
It is the Listowel Badminton Club that will have the honour of opening the 2016 Kerry Badminton proceedings with their annual tournaments which began with the open mixed doubles in 1972.
These Listowel tournaments will take place this coming weekend, January 9/10th at the local Community Centre and will cater for all Kerry divisions over the 2 days and the normal top class feast of Badminton is guaranteed to be on offer over the weekend.
The Saturday programme, which is open to players from outside the County, caters for the div 1 and 2 standard, and will commence with Ladies and Mens doubles at 10.30 am. A masters tournament (over 45) will also be played on the Saturday. The feature of the day will be the 45th annual running of the Listowel Invitational mixed doubles competition.
The Sunday programme caters for all Kerry clubs for divisions 3,4 and 5. Play will commence at 12 noon with the division 5 competition to commence the proceedings . Entry forms, with times of play listed, are now with all club secretaries.
Ladies and Mens County Leagues
The ladies and Mens leagues which commenced in October last have now reached the concluding stages with the finals fixed for the Presentation Gym Tralee on Wednesday next January 13th.
These competitions are for divisions 3 and 4 players, with the division 3 leagues being sponsored by Agri Auto Parts, Tralee and Listowel and the division 4 leagues sponsored by Speedy’s Bar, Moyvane.
Both division 3 finals are a repeat of last seasons deciders with Moyvane being the defending champions in both and they take on Killarney. These two clubs have dominated the division 3 grade in recent years and the result between them has at most times been as close as a toss of a coin decision.
In the division 4 mens decider Moyvane are again defending their title with there opponents being the surprise packets of the competition, Annascaul who are competing in their first final at this level. It is a breath of fresh air to see a new face in a County decider but the defending champions will be a tough nut to crack.
In the ladies division 4 decider defending champions Ballyheigue take on Killarney. The Ballyheigue ladies were the surprise packets last year but they showed that it was no fluke and they have showed that they are a talented side by reaching the final once again.
The finals are set to commence at 8 pm and all players are requested to report on time.
