U11
Congratulations to Michelle Quinn who was a winner in the Girls Doubles of the Connacht Open Championships held in Galway Lawn Tennis Club on 27th and 28th November. Michelle also reached the semi-final of the Girls Singles. Congratulations are also in order for Emmet Farrell and Joseph Walsh who played in the Boys Singles and Doubles. Both played very well and are still eligible to play U11 again next year.
U13
Well done to Ian Steven and Mark Loughlin who played in the Boys Singles and Doubles and were involved in some very good matches.
U15
In this age group, Maria Moran and Grainne Noonan had some very hard fought games, as had Stephen Keane, Padraic Quinn, Paul Loughlin and Gerard Kirrane. Well done to all. It was great to see everyone enjoying the days at the Competition.
Senior Badminton
The first round of the Division III and IV leagues is almost finished now. Our Division III team are top of their table with 21 points. Well done all. Our Division IV team have played 3 out of 4 matches, the last match to be played on Tuesday 14th Dec. They have won 2 matches already. Good Luck to everyone in round 2 after the Christmas break, and Happy Christmas to everyone.
Good Luck to our new Senior Committee, Chairperson Liam Hyland, Joint Secretary, Niall Haritigan, Paul Casserly, and Treasurer Deirdre Flynn.
Mary Forde
Tuesday Morning Badminton
Badminton has continued on Tuesday mornings in the Leisure Centre Claregalway. There are a small group of ladies who enjoy a couple of hours of good exercise and lots of fun on a weekly basis.
Some weeks ago, nine members of this Club were entertained to a weekend in Dublin, where they were hosted by their friends from the Artane Badminton Club, in North Dublin. These ladies had visited Claregalway in May of his year, and a great time was had by all, so the return trip was eagerly anticipated.
The group were collected at Heuston Station on Saturday 16th November and ferried to Baldoyle—the Headquarters of the Badminton Union of Ireland, where everyone was served light refreshments and then a few hours of very competitive badminton commenced. Everyone retired to their respective host accommodation for a couple of hours relaxation, before meeting up again for a lovely meal, and a night of chat and craic.
Sunday Morning was a relaxed affair, with everyone doing their own thing. One lucky lady had been to visit a factory warehouse and picked up a nice bargain for herself (nothing like a bit of style to top off a good weekend). The whole group joined forces once more in Baldoyle in the afternoon for some more Badminton, and a final cup of tea—and maybe something a little stronger—before heading for Heuston Station. Everyone agreed that it was a very welcome break and a lovely opportunity to get together with people who have become friends through Sport. In fact it is through the Junior Badminton Club in Claregalway, who have both visited and hosted children from Dublin, that this relationship was established. Long may it continue.
New members are always welcomed to Badminton on Tuesdays, from 9.30pm–11.30pm.
Mary Casserly