Rags unlucky in Badminton final
Thursday May 1 saw the KBC’s Men 1 play in the DDL Division 3 Final in Whitehall Road against Dublin’s Eire Friends, writes Enda O'Neill, PRO of Kilcullen Badminton Club. KBC’s Men had swapped blows with Eire Friends in their league fixtures with both teams taking their home matches 3-1, so captain Paddy with his team of Dave, Gareth and Darren and a gang of supporters travelled to the neutral fixture to settle the score, as Paddy said “we knew it was going to be a battle and what a battle it turned out to be”.
Paddy and Gareth were first out in the Men’s 1 and lost 2-1 in a dramatic three setter being narrowly beaten in the third set. Dave and Darren were next on court and won their game 2-1 with the deciding set going to a 24-22 tie break so it was all even going into the third game. Dave and Gareth were KBC’s third men’s pairing and they won their game in an amazing two setter taking the deciding set again 24-22 and edging Kilcullen in front 2-1 in games.
Kilcullen now had one game to play and captain Paddy and Darren took to the court. In this heart breaking game the lads lost 2-0 in tight games. After this epic game KBC and Eire Friends were 2-2 in games, 5-5 in sets so the Division 3 Final would be decided on points count back. It was not to be our night though and KBC lost the Final by only six points truly a heartbreaking way to lose a final and agonising for the lads as it couldn’t be much closer, as Chairperson Mark Phelan when speaking about the match said “absolutely amazing matches and huge performance from the lads”.
Paddy, Dave, Gareth, Darren and Alastor, I can safely say from all the club well done at getting to a final at such a high level and thank you so much for doing our club, town and county proud its players and supporters who travelled make Kilcullen Badminton Club so special.
Finally the Charlton Irish Masters Open (for the over 35s!) was held in Baldoyle Badminton Club last weekend Sunday May 5 and as usual Kilcullen was well represented and even took home a few trophies. A big congrats to KBC’s, Norrie Gilchrist who won the over 35’s Irish Masters mixed doubles with her partner Graeme Watt 17-21, 21-18 and 21-18. Norrie beat fellow KBC female Sarah Walshe and partner Jonathan Curry in the final. Also well done to KBC’s Jen Monaghan and partner John Mullen who won the Over 45’s Irish Masters and also participated in the over 40’s Irish Masters competition.
Pictured are Paddy, Dave Gareth and Darren, Div 3 runners up.
