With all flights cancelled between Ireland and the UK, General Secretary Siobhan Byrne and team manager Jean Kelly set about an alternative means of transport to play in the annual U15 Celtic Challenge which was in Cardiff this year. Coincidently most of the travelling team had been disappointed when they were at U13, snow and bad weather cancelled their trip then, but this time round Siobhan and Jean and the help of parents booked five cars on the 9.15 pm boat from Rosslare to Fishguard “the Adventure Began” 

Now called "Ash" Friday, the U15 Leinster Celtic Challenge team met in the Terenure Centre at 5 pm on Friday 16th April’10 and 12 hours later they reached their Cardiff Hotel at 5am Saturday morning, congratulations to the Players,Parents,Coach and Manger on taking on this challenge and hopefully they will remember this trip for a long long time. 

The Leinster team did not have to meet at the tournament centre until 11am so that the travelling Leinster party could get some well earned sleep. Their first match was against Wales who earlier lost to Lothian 9-6. All the Leinster stars although tired played some of their best badminton to start the day with a great 10-5 win.

Next up was lunch then the clash of the titans, the matched started in late afternoon. Once again the Leinster squad stood up to the mark but maybe the epic journey was taking its toll, with the match level at 7-7 it was down to the last game of the day which went to three sets but Leinster narrowly lost the match and finished up second, it’s a pity as it would have topped off a great weekend.

This trip was all about what is great about Leinster Badminton. Everyone, Players, Coaches, Parents and Committees all stepped up to the mark to make this trip happen.

Jean Kelly, Manager would like to compliment all the players on their excellent performances throughout the event. There were some epic battles from such young players. 5 of the girls can all play again at this age group next year.

This was Gordan Chambers’s last event as a Leinster Juvenile Coach. He, I am sure will be back in a few years when his little son, Daniel is ready for the squads. We wish him all the very best.


Results: Leinster bt Wales 10-5

               Lothian bt Wales 9-6
               Lothian bt Leinster 8-7

Placings: 1st Lothian,2nd Leinster,3rd Wales



Team that travelled:


Boys: Nicholas Murphy,Niall Reynolds,Robbie Neill,Conor Maloney,Kevin Doyle,Ian Patterson

Girls:Rachael Boyle,Fionnuala McCourt,Karen Butler,Sara Boyle,Kate Frost,Nora O'Gorman

Manager: Jean Kelly, Coaches: Gordon Chambers,Clare Flood