The Listowel annual Badminton tournaments which commenced with the mixed doubles competition in 1972 heralded the start of the Kerry 2016 Badminton season over the Sat/Sun. of last weeekend.
Over 120 players competed between both days with all Munster Counties, except the Banner County, represented at the Saturday sessions..
Results as follows…
The 45th Annual Mixed doubles final
Karen O’Sullivan (Cork) and James Flaherty (Moyvane) defeated Marion Rohan (Kingdom ,Castleisland) and John Moyles (Limerick) 15-21; 21-14; 21-15
Ladies doubles Division 1&2; Winners; Patricia Herlihy (Cork) & Elaine Hudson (Moyvane) 125 points; Runners-Up Carmel Hudson (Moyvane) and Sinead Galvin (Killarney; 118 points
Mens doubles Div.1&2; Winners; Tom Bourke (Kingdom) & James Leane (LIstowel) 168 points; Runners-up; Brendan Nyham (Cork) and James Flaherty (Moyvane); 166 points
Masters Mixed doubles final; Winners Amanda Carmody (Moyvane) and John Molloy (County) Defeated Lorraine Hopkins (County) and Tom McElligott (Listowel) 30-21
In this competition Molloy successfully defended the title that he also won last season.
Division 3 Mixed doubles final for the Mary Keane perpetual Shield; Renee Lenihan (Kingdom,Castleisland) and Kieron Crehan (Killarney) defeated Carmel Hudson (Moyvane) and Tom Clear(County,Tralee) 21-14; 18-21; 21-10
Division 4 Mixed final; Susan O’Connell (Iveragh)and Jamie Elliott (Moyvane) defeated Mary Bradley (Kingdom) and Kevin O’Mahoney (Ballyheigue (21-14;21-19
Division 5 Mixed final; Jennifer Murphy (Listowel) and Colm Carroll (Ballyheigue)defeated Karen Lawlor and Andrew Dai (both Listowel) 21-19; 22-20
Those 3 last finals on Sunday provided great fare for all present. The division 3 decider for the Mary Keane perpetual shield saw local publican Mr. Billy Keane in attendance to present the shiled in honour of his late mother Mary who passed away last August. Mrs Keane had a passion for the game of Badminton and was one of those along with the late Jimmy Harris and Jim Cody who reformed the Listowel Club in 1962
From the month of January until the month of April the Killarney Sports Centre will see a host of Badminton activity between Munster and Kerry championships as well as some Inter County team events.
With the Killarney hall offering 8 badminton courts it has proved to be a great venue to host such Badminton events.
The first of the Munster championship events will be the senior 2 and the graduates competitions to be held in the Killarney Sports hall on Sunday next January 17th. These Championships are to be hosted by Kerry so all clubs are requested to supply helpers on the day.
Please contact coordinator Jennifer Keane at 083 3347228 and advise if you could help out on the day for an hour or two.
The Munster Senior 1 Championships and the Junior Championships take place also in Killarney on Sunday January 31st. Hopefully these events will see many Kerry entries. Again, details and entry forms can be secured from Club secretaries.
In between these Munster events on Sunday January 24th will see the start of the CPC.IE sponsored Kerry County singles championships in both ladies and mens disciplines for divisions 1,3 and 5.
It is hoped to see a good turnout out in these singles events.
As noted in this paper last week the Ladies and mens doubles league finals will take place in the Presentation gym hall this Wed night with Clubs Moyvane, Killarney Annascaul and Ballyheigue being the combatants in the four deciders to be played out. The action to commence at 8 pm
Another reminder to all Badminton enthusiasts, ,especially to teachers, of the Shuttle time Badminton Course to be held in the Milltown Presentation School on Manday Next January 18th
If interested contact Karen Brady at the following;Tel: (Ire) +353 (0)1 839 3028 – Email: kbrady@badmintonireland.com