Junior Badminton
The County championships in ages U11, U13, U15 and U17 were held over 3 weekends in the Galway Lawn Tennis Club. Our club had a big entry overall.
U11 Singles
All our squad played really well and reports are that everyone had a very enjoyable day. Joseph Walsh did very well to reach the Final. Congratulations Joseph.
U11 Doubles
Well done to all our club members who played in this event, especially Emmett Farrell and Joseph Walsh who reached the semi-finals.
U13 Singles
Michelle Quinn had a very easy passage to the Final, which she won very convincingly her first gold medal of her two in the championships. Congratulations Michelle and to all other players who took part in this event.
The boys singles had a very big entry, with some very close and entertaining games. Mark Loughlin reached the final, but not without having to play really well to overcome club-mate Shane Brennan in a brilliant three-set semi-final. Shane played really well throughout the tournament. Mark went on to win the Final and the first of his three gold medals in the championships.
U13 Girls Doubles
Michelle Quinn came to these championships with thoughts of another gold. Her partner, Nicola Newell and herself had earlier in the season won gold in the Connaght Open. Unfortunately for both girls, Nicola was ill and could not play. Nicola also missed out in the singles, but had recovered to play in the mixed doubles at a later date. Rose Griffin and Laura Mangan had some good games on the day. Carol McKiernan was also unlucky, her partner Orla Fahy was ill.
U13 Boys Doubles
The Boys Doubles was a very competitive event dominated by Claregalway players. Patrick Farrell and Shane Brennan had to play really well to reach the final. In the other half, Mark Loughlin (thinking of another gold) and his partner, Gregory Hehir, had a much easier passage to the final and had to play much better to beat Patrick and Shane in a very exciting and well contested match.
U13 Mixed Doubles
Our club had a fair entry in this section. Shane Brennan and Nicola Newell teamed up together and had some very good three-set games to reach the semi-final. Other players in this section were Rory Mooney/Laura Mangan, Rose Griffin/Gregory Hehir (GLTC) Orla Fahy didn’t play, her partner Patrick Farrell wasn’t available on the day. Mark Loughlin and Michelle Quinn both aiming for gold—Mark his 3rd and Michelle her 2nd—reached the final, and won it in fine style, easily beating the GLTC pair. Well done to all.
U15 Singles
The Girls singles was played on a Round Robin because of the small entry. Maria Griffin and Catherine Fleming had some good games in this event which was dominated by Maree B/C.
The Boys singles had a good entry from Claregalway. Thomas Walsh did well to teach the final. In the other half Ian Steven played Damien Hehir for a place in the semi-final. This certainly was the game of the day. Played with such skill and determination, Damian won this three-set match by only a point.
Girls Doubles
This event had a small entry. Maria Griffin and Catherine Fleming played well to reach the final and were beaten by the GLTC pair in a very well contested match.
Boys Doubles
Niall Farrell and Gerard Kirrane had to play extremely well to overcome the Rosmuc pair in a very tense and exciting three-set match to reach the quarter finals. In the other half, Ian Steven and Damian Hehir reached the Final and were beaten by the GLTC pair Colm MacDonagh and Kenneth Walsh.
U15 Mixed Doubles
Our club members who played in this event were:
- Maria Griffin/Padraig Hanley
- Catherine Fleming/Gerard Kirrane
- Ian Steven/K Lawlor (GLTC)
This event had a very small entry. Our players did well to reach semi-finals against strong opposition from Rosmuc and GLTC.
U17 Singles
The Girls Singles was played in a Round Robin. Gráinne Noonan reached the final. Maria Moran just missed a final with Gráinne by one point. Gráinne lost out in a very good three-set final to Suzanne McGrath (Maree B/C).
The Boys Singles was also played as a Round Robin. Declan Griffin reached the final where he faced his old rival John Lenfesty (Maree B/C). John was the winner in a very well contested mach.
Girls Doubles
Another Round Robin event, because of the small entry. Gráinne Noonan and Maria Moran reached the final to play Suzanne McGrath and Rachel Clarke (Maree B/C). The Maree girls won this exciting final in two sets.
Boys Doubles
Declan Griffin teamed up with school made Alan Doyle for this event. They had to overcome stiff opposition to reach the final where they faced John Lenfesty and Paul Clarke. This final was very long, exciting and well contested. Alan and Declan won in three sets 15–10, 10–15, 15–7
Mixed Doubles
Gráinne and Declan again had to play John and Suzanne (Maree) in a tough final with the Maree pair winning.
