On Tuesday 14th Feb twenty two children and four adults Suzy Armstrong, Alan Monteith, Barry Kennedy and Lizanne Kennedy arrived in Ennis after their long coach ride from Lisburn. The children had been looking forward to this trip for weeks. They arrived at 4pm at the Auburn Lodge Hotel and after checking in they made straight for the swimming pool.

After dinner they went to the local badminton club where another 18 juniors were waiting. Children from both clubs were teamed together for a Fun Blitz on the two courts. More food and drinks were ready for the the visitors.The Blitz was very enjoyable and finished at 10pm, after which there was a presentation of prizes sponsored by the Ennis Club. Suzy Armstrong presented Lisburn Racquets Club Hoodies to those involved in running the event. She was then presented with a sports pennant from Ennis.

The following day the Ulster visitors left Ennis and made the short journey to the U.L. Sports Arena.Here 8 courts were available from 10 to 3 pm for a Fun Match with a Munster Junior Selection. Again children from Munster and Ulster were teamed together. Each child had at least 11 games each in a round robin event. The adjacent Restaurant served an excellent lunch after which another fun tournament was held. After the presentation of prizes a medal to commemorate the trip was given to all the Ulster Juniors who had not featured in the previous events.

The Ulster Juniors then headed to the 50M Pool to complete their trip to Munster, after which they made a safe return to Lisburn. Suzy Armstrong wrote after:   “Just a note of thanks for all your hard work in organising such a superb two days for our players from Alpha.  The whole event could not have been better organised or run.  We all arrived back at the club safe and well yesterday evening somewhat less energetic then when we had departed.

The experience for the kids of playing in two different venues, seeing the fantastic set up in UL including the use of the pool was something alot of them certainly in their badminton capacity would not have dreamt of doing.  They thoroughly enjoyed your mixed concept and meeting your gang also.  Their next question was when are you coming for your return visit!. Something we will have to organise in the not too distant future.”

Moya Ryan of Ennis Badminton Club recently competed at the Irish U13 National Championships in Lisburn. Moya seeded No 2 in the competition reached the final of the singles event.It was a close game and a good performance by Moya but she had to settle for the silver medal on this occasion. In the doubles event she teamed up with her long term partner Kate Frost of Mount Pleasant, Leinster to take the Irish Under 13 doubles title. This is a great achievement for the young player and added to her recent Munster titles at U13 singles, doubles, mixed and U15 singles and doubles, it has been a great season for the 12 year old.

Round 2 of this seasons juvenile inter county competitions took place last weekend in the killarney sports and leisure centre.

Round 1 which took place in november again in killarney had teams at under 11 -13 -15- and 17. In this competition the winning teams after day one lose there top two boys and top two girls for round 2 and the team that comes second lose there top boy and top girl these players would be agreed between the county and the grading committee

In round 2 under 13 we had teams from Clare,Cork,Kerry and Waterford in november Clare had won and Cork were runners up this time round it was Cork who came out on top with Clare second the most exciting match in the u/13 was the game between the hosts kerry and Clare after some great games they both ended up with 10 points each.All the games on the day were two sets  to 21 with one point per set.

The same countys again had teams at under 15 and despite losing there top players from round one Cork again came out on top with Clare again comming second

We had three teams in the u/17 competition Clare,Cork and Waterford here Clare won with 25 points Cork were second with 19 The only disappointment on the day was the fact that the home county couldnt feild an u/17 team after comming second in round 1 in november and that Tipperary and Limerick didnt have a team at any age group.

Munster schools finals were held thursday 3rd of february.
A great day was had by all

Well done to all the winners!!!

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