Killoughey Badminton Club win Grade 3 SWLBL Girls title

CONGRATULATIONS to our Grade 3 SWLBL Girls that won the Grade 3 Final.

The team of Emily Rose Johnson, Sarah Meacle, Grace Johnson, and Caroline Meacle won 1st Doubles, 2nd Doubles, and the first set in 3rd Doubles to clinch the title, playing against Carlow YM.

Emily Rose and Sarah got off to a flying start with Sarah serving five unanswered scores. CYM pulled the score back to 5/7 and the score teetered back and forth until CYM went ahead 15/14. CYM pushed on from there and were leading 20/17 when Killoughey earned service. Emily Rose held her nerve and served three points to level at 20-all. She served two more points for Killoughey to win 22/20.

The second set was another nip-and-tuck affair, with CYM ahead by a point or two as often as Killoughey were. Killoughey finished the game and match 21/18.

Even though Killoughey got the first point in 2nd doubles, Grace and Caroline looked like they were struggling. Again the two sides were evenly matched, with both sides making numerous playing errors. Grace and Caroline used powerful backhands, clears and smashes to stay level with CYM or marginally ahead. At the end, they got a small run and finished the game 21/17.

The second set followed much the same pattern as the first, except Grace and Caroline kept opening a 3-4 point margin. They finished the set and match 21/15.

Emily Rose and Grace stepped on court for the third doubles. CYM changed their style, keeping a very good net player in front. As long as Emily Rose and Grace kept the shuttle to the back of the court, they scored points. The CYM net player murdered anything loose around the net, but was well able to go back and cut off low, half-court shots. Killoughey kept the pressure on, and after several long, exciting rallies, some won by Killoughey and some by CYM, Killoughey prevailed 21/14.

With two games won and a set in the third, Killoughey couldn't be caught and were declared SWLBL Grade 3 Champions.

Congratulations to the Colaiste Naomh Cormac U-19 Badminton team of Andrew Johnson, Conor Lambe, Shane Molloy, Eamonn Molloy, and Mikey Kilmartin that will represent Offaly in Leinster PP Schools Badminton Blitz Division 3.