Junior Badminton
All Ireland Champion—John Forde
Congratulations to John Forde who won the Mixed Doubles in the All Ireland U17 Championships in Lisburn recently. John has been selected on the Irish Team to play in the Triangular Tournament in Scotland in January. These are tremendous achievements for any player from the West of Ireland, who is at such a disadvantage through lack of to regular coaching and top level competition, which is simply not available here. John’s achievement is the result of very hard work and dedication, and he is an inspiration to the rest of the Club. Good Luck in Scotland John.
The County Doubles Championships
Our Club was well represented at the County Doubles Championships recently. Congratulations to all who played, especially the U11 squad. As usual, we were well represented at the Winners Table.
In the U11 Boys, Ian Steven was a winner and Mark Loughlin Runner-up. Well done to Ian and Mark, and to Mary Kelly and Lorna Dillon who reached the Semi-Final.
In the U13 Boys, Michael O’Connor and Paul Loughlin were the winners in a very exciting final. In the Girls section, Maria Moran and Grainne Noonan were beaten in the final by the girls from Cortoon.
In the U15 Girls event, Sandra Walsh and Cathy Casserly were winners. Cathy also won the U17 competition with Lisa Flaherty from Tuam B.C. In the U15 Boys event, Peter Moran and Stephen Keane reached the Final. Christopher Keane and Peter Moran were winners in the U17 Boys. In the U19 Final, Brian Casserly and Christopher Keane were narrowly beaten by Cortoon Players.
An extra word of congratulations to Cathy on her success in the Ladies Singles County Championships which also took place recently. She was the winner of Division 3 section of this Competition.
The Connacht Juvenile Open Championships
This Open Competition was held in the Galway Lawn Tennis Club on 22/23rd November. Top Class Players from all over the country participated and the standard of Badminton was extremely high. Our Club was well represented in both the U13 and U15 age groups.
Cathy Casserly had to play really well to reach the Semi-Finals in the U15 Girls Singles. She also reached the Semi-Final of the Girls Doubles. In the U15 Boys event, Christopher Keane reached the Final of the boys Doubles. Ross Forde reached the Semi-Final of the Boys Doubles with his partner Dain McMillan from Dublin. Ross played with Dain because unfortunately his regular partner, Peter Moran had to retire through injury. Well done Cathy, Christopher and Ross.
In the U13 Boys Doubles, Paul Loughlin and Michael O’Connor deserve congratulations on their thrilling 3-set match in which they narrowly lost to the No. l seeds from Dublin.
In the U11 Boys event, Ian Steven reached the Final of the Boys Doubles with his partner Damian Hehir from G.L.T.C. Mark Loughlin had to play very well to reach the Semi-Final of the mixed doubles.
Congratulations to Ian and Mark and Kenneth Joyce and Ryan Gately.
