KBC competitive season draws to a close

DDLC Division 2 Runners Up Gareth Hogan Robert Butler Lynsey Walsh Sinead Kelly.

Kilcullen have been well represented at the latter stages of the Dublin District League 2017/2018 with a number of teams making it to the play off, semi-final and a final stages, writes Tara O'Neill.

It seems the mixed league has been the club’s forte this year with two teams making it to a semi final and one team making it one step further to a final. Barry O’Neill’s Division 6 Mixed team have been solid all year round progressing to the same later stages in the Cup also, but it just was not to be their night as they suffered a defeat in their semi-final against old rivals Knocklyon.

Olivier Valory’s Division 8 Mixed have had a similarly successful season in both the Dublin and South West competitions. The team were unfortunate to bow out at the semi-final stages also.

Lynsey Walshe’s Division 2 Ladies sailed had a great season and managed to reach both the semi-final and final, however it was just not to be their night despite putting up a good fight against well acquainted rivals Old Bawn.

Debbie Mangan’s Division 2 Ladies played some great games throughout their season, topping their group and securing themselves a place in the semi-final. They came up against Ailesbury and despite putting in their best efforts came second on the night.

John McGrane’s Division 4 Men’s secured themselves a well earned semi final spot also but were unfortunate enough not to progress to the final stage.

As mentioned in a previous article, Kilcullen’s Grade 3 Mixed team were very unlucky to come runners up in the South West Leinster competition. Lucky for them though, the two teams that reached the final were given the opportunity to represent the League in the Leinster Badminton Interleague competition. It wasn’t to be yet again for this team as they were beaten by a strong Kilmessan team.

Finally, the fortnight finished up with a number of individuals from Kilcullen representing their county in the Leinster County Individuals competition. Enda O’Neill and Kathrin Logan had progressed to the semi-final stages of the Grade 4 Mixed but had to pull out due to injury. Instead their trusty teammates Barry O’Neill and Jennifer Monaghan stood in and gave their all. The well-practised pair came runners up to a strong side.

Also representing Kildare in the mixed were Tara O’Neill and John McGrane who played a strong Boyne side in the Grade 3, but despite their best efforts in three sets were beaten also. Enda O’Neill and Barry O’Neill had tough competition in the Grade 4 Men’s and it was not to be their day. Tara O’Neill and Siobhan Willis (Baltinglass) beat Dublin in the Grade 3 Ladies semis, the progressed to the finals and fought hard to beat a strong Wicklow claiming a Leinster title for themselves.

Sarah Walshe represented Kildare Grade 4 Singles but was beaten by a well-practised opponent from Westmeath. Sarah also represented Kildare in the Grade 4 Ladies with Emily Miggen and were extremely unlucky to be beaten in the third set 22-20. Sinead Kelly and her partner Caroline Sheedy knew it was never going to be easy as they were beaten by a good Dublin partnership in the Grade 2 Ladies.

David Jackson and Martin Dunne represented Laois in the Grade 2 Men’s semi-final and while they gave it their best shot and lost they knew all wasn’t to be lost, both having a second chance in the Grade 2 Mixed. Martin and his partner Claire gave it their best shot once too but it wasn’t to be.

David and his partner Rachel Cass (Portarlington) won their semi final game making it through to the final where they faced Dublin. While the pair got to three sets they were unfortunate not to come out at the winning end. Well done to everyone. It is a great achievement to get the chance to represent your county.

As always, it has been a very busy season for Kilcullen Badminton Club. There’s no doubt that as the competitive season draws to a close many members will be looking forward to a well-earned break. The club's official season is not finished just yet, with another month or so left for members to come down to the club and knock the shuttle about at their own leisure. It is hoped that Summer Club will commence towards the end of May with a usual Pay As You Go/Summer Fee envisaged.

More details to follow, but for now it’s a massive well done to all of my fellow club members on all of your achievements this year!

Grade 3 Leinster Individual Winners Tara O'Neill and Siobhan Willis.