Great success for local badminton players on the national and world stage

The last two Sundays have seen trips to SETU Arena Waterford for a number of Roscrea Badminton players, and their supporters.

Sunday, January 11th saw Fia Dooley and Allie Harding heading off to take part in the Munster Grade F & H Closed 25 26.

Fia and Allie paired up for the Grade F Women's Doubles, where after four hard fought matches they emerged victorious, taking home Gold in a 21-8 21-12 match against Lynn Chiam (Carrigtwohill) and Amanda Dasya Lucey (Mallow).

The Mixed Doubles saw Fia pair up with Mark O'Shea (Grange).

This pairing would prove to be a powerhouse coupling and saw Fia and Mark coming home with gold after another hard fought five match run, ending in a two set win over Samuel Baird (Ennis Smash) and Mary Healy McAteer (Ennis), 21-14, 21-16.

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Sunday January 18th again saw Fia and Allie team up in the Munster Senior & Grade E Closed 25 26, as well as Evan Martin and Mason McCusker.

Fia and Allie reached the semi finals of the Grade E Women's Doubles, losing out in a nail-biting two set match to Jill Holmes (Mungret St Paul's) and Katherine McNamara (Dunmore), 23-21 22-20.

The Grade E Men's Singles saw Evan and Mason face each other in the opening round, with Evan ultimately going on to secure Silver in the final, playing against Dan Ryan (Nenagh) 21-12 21-11.

Pictured above are the Grade F - Women's Doubles winners: Allie Harding, Betty Thompson (President - Munster Badminton) and Fia Dooley.

Evan and Mason teamed for the Grade E Men's Doubles, losing out in the quarter final to Paul Ferrer (Barefield) and Ullas Manilantan (Ennis), 21-15 21-16.

Evan went on to play Mixed Doubles with Fia, and Mason teamed up with Caoimhe Corcoran (Waterford).

Mason and Caoimhe were knocked out by Dan Ryan (Nenagh) and Molly Keneally (Tourin) in the quarter final, 21-17 21-18 and Evan and Fia's fates were similarly sealed in the quarter finals, losing out to Allen Manoj (Dunmore) and Naoise Murtagh (Kilmacthomas).

Dan and Molly emerged to take home the Gold over Allen and Naoise in a thrilling three game final, 10-21 21-13 21-14.

Pictured above is Grade E Mens Singles – Runner Up, Evan Martin with Betty Thompson (President - Munster Badminton).

In other news Luke Marks, took part in the Leinster Victor U-19 Open in Terenure over the weekend January 17th-18th. Luke played in the Singles, the Doubles with Charan Deep Rajulapati (ACE Badminton Academy) and Mixed doubles with Hannah Shochan (South Dublin B.C)

Luke added to his medal collection with a Silver in the Singles, losing out on the Gold to Jeffery Rong in a two game match, 21-19 21-10.

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Luke and Charan made it to the Doubles semi final, and Luke and Hannah unfortunately lost out in the Round of 32 to Shea Farrell (Carlow LTC) and Antonia Galka (Ennis Smash).

On the International front, Celine Connors travelled to Scotland as part of the Irish Masters Team, taking part in the Scottish Open Masters.

Well done to all, a few fantastic days of badminton, and some amazing results.

Roscrea Badminton Club run their club night every Monday in Shinrone Community Hall (R42 Y620), contact them via email at roscreabc @outlook.com, on Facebook, search Roscrea Badminton Club.

If you are interested in taking up badminton, as a sport or a pastime, check out badmintonireland.com /clubfinder