KBC’s Division 5 Mix tough semi final
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| Jen Monaghan, John Mullen, Vincent Coller, Chelsey Cox. |
Jen’s journey started back in November progressing through the group stages with an unbeaten record. Jen and her team then played their Quarter Final fixture against Rathfarnham on Tuesday April 4th. KBC had to give their opponents home advantage due to unforeseen circumstances. So off to Rathfarnham they travelled but things didn’t start off to plan when Vincent Coller and John Mullen lost their mens encounter in a tough three setter. Jen and partner Chelsey Cox got the team back on track with a fantastic two set win in the ladies. The first mix game saw Chelsey and Vincent win in a nervy game of badminton. KBC now 2-1 up with second mix left to play. Up stepped Jen and John and the two Js didn’t disappoint despatching their rivals in two sets, sending KBC into a semi final clash against PBAI with a 3-1 victory.
Saturday 6th of April was the big night with Jen and the team travelling to Badminton HQ, Baldoyle (on the DNS) to face PBAI. From the outset the Kilcullen quartet knew this was not going to be an easy match. There was another bad start for KBC when Vincent and John lost out to PBAI’s men in three sets, with some suspect line calls at critical periods from the PBAI pair. Things went from bad to worse when Jen and Chelsey also lost their ladies in two sets, KBC now 2-0 down with “A great escape” needed to progress to the finals. Well, all I can say is that Richard Attenborough would be extremely proud of the team if he had seen the reaction of the KBC team with their backs to the wall. Chelsey and Vincent won their game in two sets, with Vincents fore-hand smashes just brilliant, this coupled with Chelsey’s net play made it very difficult for PBAI to respond and get any foothold on the game.
On the adjacent court Jen and John started their game against PBAI’s second mix not knowing how their team mates were faring. This to me was the game of the night, I can honestly say that I’ve never witnessed serving as good as Jens in any game I’ve watched. Jen served, PBAI lifted and John smashed giving the KBC pair countless points. When PBAI changed their tactics on the serve, John took control playing sublime drops shots catching the PBAI duo every time. On the occasion when the shuttle was returned either Jen or John was there to intercept and kill it. Jen and John comfortably took this game in two sets, leaving the score tied 2-2, but Kilcullen winning 5-4 on sets. A great achievement for the team who now face Sheriff Street in the final on Saturday 13th April. Hopefully the KBC team will take this one back to Kilcullen. Whatever the outcome Jen and the team can be extremley proud of their season so far.
Jen will again be in Baldoyle on Sunday 14th April with Chelsey, Bernie Smyth, Caroline Sheedy, John, John McGrane, Oisin Egan and Enda O’Neill for the Grade 3 Inter League Semi-Finals. Kilcullen represent Kildare in this competition. KBC will either face Kilmessin of Meath or Portlaoise representing SWLBL in the semi final. The club would like to wish both teams the best of luck in their finals. One thing left to say “GO ON THE RAG’S”.
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