In the blue ribbon men singles event, the form went with seeding with Mark Donnelly (Mt. P) and Ronan McGee (KADCA) meeting in the final. Donnelly did not seem to be under much pressure in the first set and took the opener 21-11. McGee came out fighting for the title in the 2nd and made Donnelly work hard for every point. Although this went right down to the wire Donnelly had too much power for McGee and took the 2nd (22-20) and the title.
Great friends Laura Lynch (Newross) and Norma McIntyre (KADCA) took centre stage in the ladies singles final. Lynch took a hard fought opener 21-18, but her feisty pal and doubles partner McIntyre, did not give up in the middle set and stole one back 21-14, this lead into the decider. Although both girls looked tired they each fought hard for every point and on the day Lynch took the 3rd and the title 21-16.
An epic men’s doubles final ensued onto the court. Between the four guys they have won everything in Irish Badminton, Irish, Leinster titles to name but a few. This also went re the seedings. The No.1 seeds of Mark Topping/Joe Ledwidge took on the No.2 seeds and fellow Ailesbury club players of Niall Gannon and Brian McGowan.Topping and Ledwidge took the opener 21-14, but the young! McGowan and Gannon bounced back and took the middle set 21-17. This lead into a super display of Leinster badminton in the final set. Topping and Ledwidge had match point at almost the close with 20-18, Leddy tried a flick at McGowan but it didn’t work, and Gannon went on to serve 3 points to take the title. It was a dynamic display of guts, determination and badminton it was a credit to the four guys.
2003 Ladies National doubles title holder’s the Glennon sister’s Fiona &Pauline made it all the way to the final, still a class pairing even though they have been absent from the game for a while. They came up against scratch pairing of Lucy Corcoran (Ailesbury) and 16 year old Kirsty Kelly (Mt P). Although Corcoran and Kelly gave it their best shot, the Glennon’s had too much experience and went on to win 21-12, 21-14.
At the close of the day’s business, the mixed final was between Portarlington's Lorraine Hill and Mark Cobbe who played against the Mt Pleasant pairing of Siobhan Grehan and Lincoln Nelson. A gallant effort by Grehan and Nelson but Hill and Cobbe were always ahead winning out 21-16, 21-17.
Well done to the organisers and hope to see you all at the"Xmas Xhibition on Friday 28th December in our Terenure Badminton Centre " Seasons Greatings.
Regards
Brian Kelly
Leinster Badminton Senior Close ( Terenure Centre)
Men Singles Semi:M Donnelly bt W O Neill 21-16,21-17,R McGee bt J O Flaherty 21-15,21-11, Final:M Donnelly bt R McGee 21-11,22-20
Doubles Semi: M Topping/J Ledwidge bt L Nelson/D Tutty 21-10,21-10, N Gannon/B McGowan bt B Smith/W O Neill 18-21.21-10,21-10 ,Final:N Gannon/B McGowan bt M Topping/J Ledwidge 14-21,21-17,22-20
Ladies Singles Semi: N Mc Intyre bt C Brady 21-5,21-9,L Lynch bt K Kelly 21-14,21-12, Final:L Lynch bt N McIntyre 21-18,14-21,21-16.
Doubles Semi: Kelly/L Corcoran bt S Smith/C Butler 21-11,21-7 :P& F Glennon bt E Dempsey/C Elmes 22-20,21-16, Final: P&F Glennon bt K Kelly/L Corcoran 21-12,21-14
Mixed Final: L Hill/M Cobbe bt S Grehan/L Nelson 21-16,21-17