All Ireland Champions in KBC

Grade 3 Mixed Team.

Tuesday 20th of February was THE night for Kilcullen Badminton Club with two teams competing in the Mixed Finals of the Southwest Leinster League, writes Tara O'Neill.

Kilcullen’s Grade 7 Kilcullen team were up first playing Carlow LTC in Portarlington and as every final should be close, the night ended with a 5-5 draw meaning both teams had to tot up their game points to determine the overall winner. Kilcullen were extremely unlucky as Carlow had a marginal 6 point lead over them. Hard luck to Olivier Valory and his team.

Grade 7 Mixed Team.

The other team to make it through to the Southwest Mixed finals were Kilcullen’s Grade 3 team who were up against a well acquainted Baltinglass team. Kilcullen got off to a good start with both first Men’s and first Ladies securing a win. However the second Men and Ladies matches didn’t go Kilcullen’s way leaving the teams tied two games to two games going into the mixed. The mixed games were to be just as close with Kilcullen taking two games and Baltinglass taking two games – a second draw of the night for Kilcullen Club. Again, both teams scurried to their team sheets to add up match points but Karen Malone’s Kilcullen team were pipped at the post as Baltinglass had the higher number of points. Hard luck to both teams who gave it a tremendous shot and did exceedingly well to get to the finals.

The following weekend saw some of Kilcullen Badminton Club’s members enter the All Ireland Grade D and G events which took place in Marino and Baldoyle Badminton Centre in Dublin. Representing Kilcullen in the Grade G Mixed were Kat Logan and Ben Phelan and Jennifer Monaghan and Oisín Egan. Ben and Kat made it through to the second round but were unlucky to be beaten in a three setter at the quarter final stages. Oisín and Jennifer made it past the first and second rounds to be beaten in the semi-finals in a close game that went to three sets. Kat and Jennifer also took part in the Women’s Doubles but were beaten in a very tight two set game 19-21 and 20-22. Oisín and Ben  entered the Men’s doubles and  were unlucky not to make it past the first round with two 21-18 games. Ben also entered the Mens singles and was unlucky to be beaten in the first round where the second set was 21-19.

Representing Kilcullen in the Grade D were Lynsey Walsh, Gillian Kennedy Smith and Gareth Hogan. Lynsey and Gillian successfully smashed through three rounds into the finals and came out winners with an All-Ireland title. Both Gillian and Lynsey took part in the mixed event with Gillian and her partner making it through three rounds into the semi-finals. However herself and her partner were unlucky to be beaten 21-23 in their second set. Lynsey and Gareth, a well-practised partnership,  made it through 4 rounds of games landing themselves a well-earned place in the finals and emerged runners up – another super achievement. Well done to all who took place in both grades.

Finally, Kilcullen Badminton Club would like to thank Seán Darcy and DSV Solutions who recently provided the club with sponsorship. This sponsorship is very much appreciated with the increasing costs of shuttles and hall hire as well as other costs involved in running a successful badminton club.

Gillian Kennedy Smith and Lynsey Walsh.

Gareth Hogan and Lynsey Walsh.