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Badminton In Offaly Feburary 2010

BADMINTON IN OFFALY
Action Packed Week

Offaly Badminton played the most exciting and action packed week of the year this past week. The action began with the second round and finals of the Juvenile Doubles, followed by the finals of the Division 6 Blitz, and finished with the Offaly Community Games Badminton. While technically not part of Offaly Badminton Association, all three areas participating in the Community Games also participated in Offaly Association activities.

Juvenile Doubles: The first rounds of the juvenile doubles were spread over two Sundays in the Clonaslee Community Centre. Due to the treacherous roads, the boys doubles scheduled for 10 January were cancelled. Since the Clonaslee Centre was booked for the day on 24 January, the Juvenile Officers decided to run the entire completion on the one day. Clonaslee Community Centre was packed with young players from 10 a.m. until 5.30 p.m. With the exception of Division 5 Girls, which was played in two sections, the Division winner was the pair with the highest number of wins over the two rounds of play. When the last trophies were presented, 100 athletes had played 156 games, and the organisers and their assistants were more than happy to call “the end” to a very long day.

Senior: Top honours in the Senior Division went to Conor Sheedy and Enda Moloney from Country Club of Ballyskenagh, with 11 wins over the two rounds. Senior Division was extremely competitive. No pair escaped without a loss, although Conor and Enda only dropped 1 point in their loss. Claiming the Runners-up spot with 9 wins were John McCabe and Colin Siu of Country Club. Colin was substituting for Diarmuid Ryan who played with John in the first round. Aoife Norton and Helen Norton, Killoughey, claimed 3rd. The only girls in the Senior Division, they chalked up 8 wins against the boys. Ben Wilson and John O’Brien, Ballycumber, finished 4th, with 7 wins. Other pairs in the two rounds were Keith Bergin and William Jennings, Kinnity; Michael Murray and Patrick Minnock, Killoughey; Donal Bracken and Adam Tierney, Killoughey; and Paddy Dooley and David Carroll, Kinnity.

Division 2: Division 2 was another mixed group of players. Even though Deirdre Daly and Edel Gonoude, Killoughey, were undefeated in the second round, Paddy Dooley and David Carroll, Kinnity, were declared Division champions. Paddy and David carried over two wins from the previous round leaving them level with the girls, but they scored 45 more total points than the girls scored. Following Deirdre and Edel into 3rd place were Evelyn Egan and Siobhan Egan, Boora. Maria Kirwan and Natasha Mahon, Kinnity, finished in 4th place.

Division 3 Boys: Upset of the day in Division 3 Boys was the win by Eoghan Phelan and Alan Guy, Killoughey, against Donal Grogan, Boora, and Michael Ryan, Killoughey. With only the 1 loss on their record, Donal and Michael went on to finish top of the division with 8 wins. Players in the 2nd and 3rd positions both finished on 5 wins apiece, but when total points were counted, Patrick Cosgrove and David Ayers, Ballycumber, finished ahead of Eoghan Phelan and Alan Guy, Killoughey, by 8 scores. Kevin Bracken and Anthony Flanagan, Killoughey, and James Mahon and Micheal Phelan, Killoughey, also scored points for their clubs.

Division 4 Girls: Boora had their first winning pair of the competition when Aisling Grogan and Roisin Cockram edged their way past Diane Mahon and Eabha Walsh, Killoughey. In the first round, Aisling and Roisin had hammered Diane and Eabha, but in the second round, the Killoughey girls redeemed themselves with a win. Unfortunately, they had dropped another game in the first round. Aisling and Roisin finished with 10 wins, one ahead of Diane and Eabha with 9. Olive Kearney and Amy Kearney, Rahan, slipped one place from the first round to finish 3rd with 7 wins. Amber Hennessy and Cathy Ennis, Ballycumber, finished in 4th place. Sarah Condron and Alison Dooley, Rahan, Shannon Mackey and Maeve Murray, Country Club, and Alisha Leonard and Lee-ann Coughlan also played in the competition.

Division 4 Boys: Division 4 Boys was not only the largest competition on the day, but also the most competitive. Twelve pairs of boys entered, but the group could not be split because only 1 smaller league had played the first round. Were Darragh Tierney and Ethan Rowe-McCormack, Boora, the luckiest or most unlucky players on the day? The boys lost 3 games 15/14, but also won 3 games 15/14 and a further 2 games 15/13. Altogether, 16 games were won by 1 point and a further 10 were won by 2 points. After 102 games, Sean Grennan and Ross McMaher, Rahan, were declared winners with 17 wins. John Owens and Dylan Leonard, Killoughey, 15 wins; Andrew Cullen and Darragh Tomlison, Country Club, 14 wins; and Eoin Larking and Ciarain Drea, Rahan, 12 wins; were the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place winners. Other pairs in the competition were Darragh Tierney and Ethan Rowe-McCormack, Boora; Mark Flaherty and James Coughlan, Kinnity; Ciarain Condron and Adam Condron, Killoughey; Aaron Brown and Aaron Flaherty, Kinnity; Lorcan Kelly and David Scully, Ballycumber; Conor Owens and Kevin Bracken, Killoughey; Conal Teehan and Padraic Marks, Country Club, and Philip Doheny and Aidan Shanahan, Country Club.

Division 5 Girls: Division 5 girls split into two sections when 12 pairs registered for the first round. The top two pairs in each division went forward after round 2 into semi-finals, with the semi-final winners playing the final and the losers playing off for 3rd and 4th. Siofra McCann and Cliodhna Monahan, Killoughey, finished on top in Division 5A with 8 wins. Robyn Grimes and Sorcha Dempsey, slipped from the 2nd spot they held after the first round into 3rd place when Amy Gavin-Mangan and Therese Cosgrove, Ballycumber, went undefeated in the second round. Division 5 B finished incredibly close with 3 pairs level with 7 wins apiece. To separate the girls, the officials counted points scored in loses. Megan Plunkett and Tara Phelan went through as top seeds with 7 wins and 56 points, followed by Mary Harkin and Aine Guinan, Ballycumber, with 7 wins and 51 points. Caroline Hennessy and Rachel Ayers was the pair to lose out with 7 wins and only 34 additional points. In the semifinals, Amy Gavin-Mangan and Therese Cosgrove, BC, defeated Megan Plunkett and Tara Phelan, Kill, 21/16, and Siofra McCann and Cliodhna Monahan, Kill, defeated Mary Harkin and Aine Guinan, 21/11. In the final, Amy and Therese prevailed 21/16 over Siofra and Cliodhna. Megan and Tara won the 3rd-4th place game 21/13 against Mary and Aine. The girls in the competition were Denise Condron and Laura Grennan, Rahan; Niamh Carroll and Megan Flynn, Kinnity; Elaine Cogley and Katie Cogley, Killoughey; Clodine Treacy and Mackenzie Treacy, Country Club; Elizabeth McMahon and Niamh McLoughlin, Rahan; and Abigail Plunkett and Orla Cooney, Killoughey.

Division 5 Boys: When Kevin Kelly and Luke Gavin-Mangan, outscored outscored Daniel Larkin and Thomas Deegan, Country Club, history was made in Offaly Juvenile Doubles. For the first time in any year, no pair in any grade finished the competition undefeated. This loss did not deter Daniel and Thomas from coming first in their group. Conor Brady and Kevin Daly, Killoughey, sneaked into 2nd place, one win ahead of Kevin Kelly and Luke Mangan. Fourth place was filled by Conor Moran and Kevin Moran, Rahan. Peter Moran and James Moran were the only unplaced pair in the group.

Team Trophy: The John and Catherine Duffin “Green” team trophy for the club accumulated the most points in the entire doubles competition will be presented at the table quiz in Boora Hall, Teach Lea, on 18 February. Scoring was extremely close this year. At one stage, 4 clubs were within 5 points of each other. All clubs are urged to have juveniles present in case they win the trophy. Clubs are reminded that each team must have at least one u-15 on the team.

Division 6 Adult Blitz Final: Kinnity conceded home advantage to Killoughey when they were unable to play the Division 6 Final as scheduled. Did this have an advantage on the match outcome? No one will know, but the two teams played the most competitive match of the finals series.

1st Ladies: Helen Norton and Aoife Norton faced off against Bernie Molloy and Joy Delahunt in what proved an absolute cracker of a game. The scores of both pairs crept up one or two points at a time with seldom more than 1 point separating the two sides. The girls played badminton as it should be played with heart and enthusiasm, moving their opponents around the court always probing for an opening. All four ladies were able to clear, smash, drop, read a game, and run. The action was fast and furious. Finally, Kinnity went 3 points ahead, 19/16. But the Killoughey ladies rallied to level 19. Then 20/19, 20/all. 21/20, 21-all, then Kinnity scored 2 to win 23/21. The second set continued as the first with the teams scoring points in ones or twos and the serve going back and forth. At 10-11 down, Killoughey made a bit of a burst and went ahead 15/11. Kinnity pulled back 2 points, 15/13, Killoughey scored again, 16/13; then 16/14; 18/14; 18/15; and finally Killoughey finished the game, 21/15. The third set continued on with another point for point exchange in the early portions of the game, then Killoughey began to assert themselves as the Kinnity girls seemed to tire slightly. Killoughey pushed their advantage, running the back player from side to side until they finally won 21/15; set and game to Killoughey.

1st Men’s: The men’s game between Alan Conroy and Colm Grogan, Killoughey, and Liam Hynes and Brian King, Kinnity, started as the ladies did, with an exchange of points as the two pairs tried to find the other’s strengths and weakness. Again the pace was fast and furious. Kinnity played a more up and back formation while the Killoughey’s seemed to run all over the court. Neither side gained an advantage until late in the set when Killoughey went ahead to win 21/15. The second set was played at the same fast pace. The badminton was exciting and entertaining, and it’s regrettable that more spectators were not present. Again the scores went up in ones and twos. Again, only did late in the set did Killoughey start to gain an advantage and put their scores up while holding Kinnity scoreless or conceding only 1 point. The second set score was 21/16, game to Killoughey.

2nd Ladies: Helen Norton and Aine Mahon, Killoughey, built up a quick lead in the second ladies against Joanne Molloy and Joy Delahunt. Killoughey never relinquished their lead and won 21/12. Killoughey appeared complacent in their second set and Kinnity surged into a lead. The Kinnity ladies changed strategy and began playing the front of the court and built up a sizable lead before Killoughey got to grips with the new style and came fighting back. However, Kinnity was able to sustain their lead and won 21/18. In the third set, after a strong start, Kinnity seemed to lose heart when Killoughey started to pile on the pressure. Killoughey won the set and game 21/8. Now at the halfway point, Killoughey had 3 wins, but Kinnity had two sets which would prove vital in a 3-all match.

2nd Men’s: Colm Grogan and Kevin Egan took the floor against Pat Harnett and Brian King of Kinnity in 2nd Men’s. This time it was Kinnity that piled on the pressure and Killoughey that made the mistakes. The Killoughey players put shuttles out right and left, hit the net, and missed serves. The 1st set ended 21/12 to Kinnity. Killoughey played better in the 2nd set, but Kinnity were on a roll and won 21/16 to earn their first point.

1st Mixed: Aoife Norton and Alan Conroy, Killoughey, met Liam Hynes and Bernie Molloy, Kinnity in 1st Mixed. Aoife and Liam had already sent sparks flying from each other, so the game was bound to be spirited, and it was. Competition was intense. Kinnity moved into a lead; Killoughey caught up. Then Killoughey would gain a point or two advantage and Kinnity would claw back and go ahead. This continued up until 18-17 to Killoughey. Killoughey scored another point, 19/17. Kinnity came back, 19/18. Killoughey regained serve, 20/18, then served, and in the rally, smashed the shuttle to the floor, winning 21/18. The 2nd set was much tamer. Killoughey started well, built up a small lead, Kinnity regained serve, but couldn’t narrow the gap. Killoughey continued to move ahead by 1 or 2 points at each service until they finally won the set, game, and match, 21-11.

The Helen Flynn Memorial Cup was presented to Killoughey captain Alan Conroy. In his speech, Alan thanked the County Executive for organising the competition, Kinnity for a sporting match, his team for their performance, and the Killoughey coach Judy Bryant for the work she does with Killoughey club.

Community Games Badminton Blitz: Teams of U-15 players from Brosna, Ferbane, and Killoughey-Kilcormac met in Clonaslee Community Centre to vie for the right to represent Offaly in the Midland region of Community Games and to compete with Laois and Westmeath to earn a place in the Leinster semi-finals in Carlow on 28 March.

Brosna met Ferbane in the first match. Brosna were represented by Lorcan Kelly, Luke Gavin-Mangan, Kevin Kelly, Cathy Ennis, Amber Hennessy, and Amy Gavin-Mangan. Ferbane players were Donal Grogan, Bernhard Klee, Ethan Rowe-McCormack, Aisling Grogan, Roisin Cockram and Edel Coughlan. Brosna won all 5 games in the match. Next, Brosna met Killoughey-Kilcormac. The same Brosna players, in different pairings met Patrick Minnock, Alan Guy, Dylan Leonard, Edel Egan, Deirdre Daly, and Diane Mahon from KK. KK boys’ doubles pairing was much strong and older than Brosna, so had a distince advantage in 3 games. KK won 5-0. This set the stage for a very competitive final, and the two teams did not disappoint. Patrick Minnock and Alan Conroy won the boys’ doubles for KK. Aisling Grogan and Roisin Cockran won the girls’ doubles for Ferbane. Dyan Leonard and Diane Mahon won 1st Mixed for KK. Aisling Grogan and Ethan Rowe-McCormack won 3rd Mixed for Ferbane. Patrick Minnock and Deirdre Daly, KK, both aged 14, met Donal Grogan and Roisin Cockram, Ferbane, each aged 11, in 2nd mixed. Donal is one of the most experienced players on any of the teams, having played the Leinster tournaments for the past 3 years. Despite the age and size difference, Ferbane took the game to KK. The KK pair won the first set. Ferbane bounced back and won the second set. Ferbane started well in the third set and led most of the game, but at 15/13 Donal and Roisin made a couple of unforced errors which let Patrick and Deirdre back into the game. KK moved into the lead at this point, and Ferbane were not able to overtake them. KK won the third set to win set, game and match for KK. Anne Rawlinson, from the Community Games County Board was present to present the Silver Medals to the Ferbane Team. Joe Mahon presented the Gold medals to KK. Sally and Joe Mahon, Cloghan, were present to present the Siobhan Mahon Memorial Trophy to the winning KK captain, Patrick Minnock. This is the only time anyone can remember a Community Games final being so finely balanced that a 3rd set in the last game on court was required to separate the gold and silver teams.

Article By Judy Bryant
Lead Photo: Offaly Community Games Badminton Winners Killoughey with sponsors Joe and Sally Mahon. You must be a registered subscriber in order to view this Article.
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Written By: Siobhán Byrne
Date Posted: 2/8/2010
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