OVER 120 people from the county’s eight badminton clubs gathered in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night for the Kerry Badminton Association annual social.

As always it was a great occasion to reflect on the past year and to officially hand out awards for competitions won around Kerry during the season.

Chairperson of the Association, Junior Griffin from Listowel, said it was another good year for clubs in Kerry.

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“It wasn’t a bad year at all. It finished off great in fact, when Killarney won the Grade F All-Ireland competition last Sunday, which Moyvane won last year. It’s in Kerry for two years in a row now,” said Junior.

There was one sad aspect as Junior explained. “For the first time in 100 years there is no Tralee club. Not so long ago there was five clubs. But we’re hoping there will be one starting again soon.”

The Chairman’s Merit Award is a special honour given by Junior every year to a person who makes a special contribution to badminton in Kerry. This time it went to Mary Bradley.

“Any badminton event you go to, she’s there. She works behind the scenes and is the hidden gem of the association,” said Junior.

Guests enjoyed a wonderful meal followed by award presentations and entertainment on what was a great night for the badminton players of Kerry. Scroll down for photos…