Junior Badminton
The U11 and U17 County Championships took place on Sunday 20th March in the Galway Lawn Tennis Club.
In the U11 Competition, Mark Loughlin was the star of the day. He played extremely well to win three gold medals. He won the boys singles, the boys doubles with Gregory Hehir and the mixed doubles with Nicola Newell of Claregalway. Congratulations Nicola. Nicola and her partner Mary Dillon won the girls doubles. The girls singles was won by Lorna Dillon. Congratulations to Lorna and Mary. In fact, well done to all the Claregalway U11 children who played some really very exciting games.
The U17 competition had an extremely small entry, especially among the girls. However, John Keane managed to run a very enjoyable and closely contested Round Robin for those who turned up on the day.
The boys singles was won by Christopher Keane, in a very exciting three-set-final against Ross Forde. The boys doubles was won by Ross Forde and Paul Loughlin. Cathy Casserly and Ross Forde beat Christopher Keane and Maria Moran in the mixed doubles final. Due to lack of female entrants, there was no girls singles or doubles competition.
The presentation of prizes took place at the Under Age Disco which was held in the G.L.T.C. on Friday, 26th March. This function was very well attended by the Claregalway contingent, and a very enjoyable night was had by all.
Schools Badminton
Congratulations to Ross Forde and Christopher Keane on their All-Ireland Schools Gold Medals. They were members of St. Mary’s College U16 Schools Team who were victorious at the All-Ireland Finals held in Gormanstown on Saturday 27th March. Well done boys, you did your school and your club proud.
Overseas Competition
John Forde is once more on the Badminton road. This weekend, he is competing in a major competition in Nottingham, in what is probably his last U17 outing. John is a member of the Leinster Team, which is seeded Number 2, in an entry of 34 teams. This is an indication of the calibre of team that John is playing with, and everyone associated with badminton in Claregalway is proud of John’s achievements. The decline of underage Badminton in Galway is reflected in the Report on the County Championships above. This situation puts the level John has managed to achieve, both nationally and internationally, into considerable perspective. Has any local athlete, in any field, achieved so much, virtually alone? Certainly not in recent times. Well done John.
Senior Badminton
Co. League Finals: These finals book place in the Galway Lawn Tennis Club on Saturday, 19th March. Claregalway were beaten by Galway Lawn Tennis Club in the Division III final. Congratulations on having reached the Finals, and perhaps better luck Next Year.
Cathy Casserly is a member of the Galway Lawn Tennis Club Team who won the Division II Final. This team will go on to compete in the Connacht Finals on 17th April. Good Luck Cathy.
Senior Badminton continues to take place on Tuesday Nights in the Leisure Centre. All are welcome.
Mary Casserly
