By Colm Griffin

Listowel Tournament 

About 120 players from Kerry and beyond dusted themselves down in a bid to counter the excess turkey consumed during the holiday period and took part in the Listowel tournament last weekend (Jan 12th and 13th)

On the Saturday the Division 1, Division 2 and the Over 45s players participated. The Ladies Div 1 & 2 final was a tight three set affair with Trish Herilhy (Cork) and Amanda Carmody (Moyvane) overcoming Edel Broderick (Kingdom-Castleisland) and Mairead Regan (Listowel) 21-19, 15-21, 21-16

In the Men’s Final home player Fergal Hannon teamed up with Aidan McCarthy (Kingdom-Castleisland) to defeat Donie Enright (Moyvane) and Brendan McGovern (Annascaul) 21-14, 21-9.

In the Jim Halpin sponsored Listowel Masters final for over 45s Linda Flynn (Listowel) and Tony Deasy (Cork) combined to defeat Jeanelle Griffin (Moyvane) and Anthony Barrett (Listowel) 21-16, 21-11.

The prize on offer for the final event of the day was the Junior Griffin Perpetual Cup. Called after the chairperson of the Kerry Badminton Association for the past 42 years this Mixed Doubles event for Division 1 and 2 players was rather fittingly won by Tom Bourke (Kingdom – Castleisland) who recently took over the reins of Kerry Badminton from Junior.

Tom was partnered by Amanda Carmody (Moyvane) who won her second title of the day. But they were made to fight all the way for it by oppenents Fergal Hannon and Ruth Concannon (Kingdom – Castleisland) despite taking the first set 21-13.

Hannon / Concannon responded taking the second set 21-16 and were even 19-16 up in the final set but the more experience Bourke and Carmody kept their composure admirably taking 5 points in a row to clinch the title 21-19.

On Sunday it was the turn of the Div 3, 4 and 5 players. Division 3 turned out to be a Men’s only event which was won in three sets by Niall O Brien (Killarney) and Andy McMahon (Listowel) defeating Jamie Elliott (Moyvane) and Arthur Chute (Listowel) 19-21, 21-11, 21-12.

There was also success for the hometown club in Division 4 with Rita McCarthy and Liam O Connor (Moyvane) overcoming Susan O Connell (Iveragh) and Jack McElligott (Listowel) 21-11, 21-16

Division 5  which had a huge entry this year saw the recently resurrected Ballybunion club taste success with Niam Kennelly teaming up with Paric Murray (Causeway) to defeat Danielle Robinson (Causeway) and Aidan Reidy (Ballyheigue) 21-11, 21-16.

Division 3 and 4 League Finals

The Division 3 and 4 League Finals for Ladies and Men were played out at Tralee Sports Complex on Wednesday January 9th in front of a large crowd of supporters.

All 4 finals were extremely close. In fact in three of the four finals games won failed to separate the teams so it went down to a set score. A full report can be viewed on all matches on the Kerry Badminton Association website www.kerrybadminton.ie

Agri Auto Parts Ladies Div 3 Final – Moyvane 3 – 3 Killarney (Moyvane won 8-6 on sets)

Advanced Cleaning Supplies Men’s Div 3 Final – Listowel 3 – 3 Kingdom Castleisland (Listowel won 7-6 on sets)

Agri Auto Parts Ladies Div 4 Final Moyvane 4 – 2 Listowel

Advanced Cleaning Supplies Men’s Div 4 Final – Ballyheigue 3 – 3 Listowel (Ballyheigue won 8-7 on sets)

Kerry Schools Competition

28 teams from 9 different secondary schools around Kerry took part in the Kerry Schools Championships on Thursday Jan 10th at Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre. The winners now go on to represent Kerry in the Munster Schools in the University of Limerick in a few weeks time.

U-14 Girls

Winners: St Brigid’s Presentation Killarney

Runners-Up: Presentation Miltown

U-16 Girls

Winners: Presentation Listowel

Runners-Up: St Brigid’s Presentation Killarney

U-19 Girls

Winners: Presentation Listowel

Runners-Up: St Brigid’s Presentation Killarney

U-14 Boys

Winners: St Michael’s College Listowel

Runners-Up: Tarbert Comprehensive

U-16 Boys

Winners: St Michael’s College Listowel

Runners-Up: Tarbert Comprehensive

U-19 Boys

Winners: Presentation Miltown

Runners-Up: Mercy Mounthawk Tralee

More details on this competition are also available at kerrybadminton.ie

Ballyheigue Tournament 

The annual Ballyheigue tournament takes place this Sunday at Ballyheigue Community Centre. The action will get underway from 11.45 with the Purchase.ie sponsored Division 5 competition. This will be followed by the AOH Valeting Division 4 competition at 2.30pm. The Division competition sponsored by Ballyheigue Castle Golf Club will commence from 5pm. Please confirm your interest in taking part with your local club secretary before Friday or contact Patsy O Connor 087 2750380

Upcoming Events  

Saturday Jan 19th Juvenile Doubles – Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre

Sunday Jan 20th Munster Senior 1 / Junior Championships – Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre

Sunday Jan 20th Ballyheigue Tournament