About Us...
Ashbourne is a vibrant club with members old and new, or should we say experienced, and not so experienced!
The club was formed some 40 years ago on 10thOctober 1973, and some founding members still play with the club, and because we are based in the ever expanding commuter belt that is Ashbourne, our membership is always changing – and that’s a good thing.
Within our membership we are fortunate enough to have members of (almost!) all standards of play, and we have mixed, men’s and ladies teams participating in Dublin & District Leagues from Grade 3 to 9. Ages range from 16 years to (ahem) 80+ years.
First Committee comprised
· Brendan O Connor
· Hugh McStamney
· Bernadette McManus
· Ursula Higgins
· Tom Higgins
A fantastic first year ensued with a Christmas Tournament and also the inaugural Club Championship. The Club didn’t compete in the Leinster Leagues & Cups but they did however play seven “friendlies” that first year, losing all seven unfortunately.
The first major win however for the club was in 1975-76 in the Leinster Section E when Ashbourne beat the favourites in a very tough match.
The club was formed some 40 years ago on 10thOctober 1973, and some founding members still play with the club, and because we are based in the ever expanding commuter belt that is Ashbourne, our membership is always changing – and that’s a good thing.
Within our membership we are fortunate enough to have members of (almost!) all standards of play, and we have mixed, men’s and ladies teams participating in Dublin & District Leagues from Grade 3 to 9. Ages range from 16 years to (ahem) 80+ years.
First Committee comprised
· Brendan O Connor
· Hugh McStamney
· Bernadette McManus
· Ursula Higgins
· Tom Higgins
A fantastic first year ensued with a Christmas Tournament and also the inaugural Club Championship. The Club didn’t compete in the Leinster Leagues & Cups but they did however play seven “friendlies” that first year, losing all seven unfortunately.
The first major win however for the club was in 1975-76 in the Leinster Section E when Ashbourne beat the favourites in a very tough match.
The league winning team in the 75/76 season
During our early years and onwards, we had two remarkable ladies who were such a great pairing they remained unbeaten for about 3 years, taking part in tournaments around the country – Marie Doyle and Gay Glynn.
In 1976 we were based in Clonsilla Sports Club and Warrenstown. At this time however, George Glynn was drafting a plan for a Badminton Hall. This plan included a required £116,000 budget to build, with a local land owner offering the site. Unfortunately no progress was made on this plan and the idea was dropped. Thanks to the team of Tom Keenan,Hugh & John Cullinane etc, we moved to our present home on December 13th 1981, Ashbourne Community Centre and the rest they say is history.
In the 1990s our teams had great successes in both League& Cups and Intercounty, with the mixed team being crowned Leinster Champions. Many of the successes at that time were down to the mighty captain Tom O Keeffe.
And so the success has continued into the 21stCentury, culminating in a fantastic year in 2011-12, when our mixed team after several attempts throughout the years were finally crowned All Ireland Champions. A fitting tribute to the 30thyear in our home of Ashbourne Community Centre!!!
Congratulations to our 2012 All Ireland Champions - Shane, Kem, Rob, Jon, Larisa, Val, Ann, captain Patrice
(& subs - Paul, Andy, Lil, Dee) on this great achievement.
Honorary Life Members
· Tom & Ursula Higgins
· Yvonne O Brien
· Brendan O Connor
· Gay Glynn
· Marie Doyle
· Steve Cassidy
· Tom O Keeffe
· Brid Carr
Sincere thanks to Honorary Life Member, Steve Cassidy, for the information provided. ~ May 2012
In 1976 we were based in Clonsilla Sports Club and Warrenstown. At this time however, George Glynn was drafting a plan for a Badminton Hall. This plan included a required £116,000 budget to build, with a local land owner offering the site. Unfortunately no progress was made on this plan and the idea was dropped. Thanks to the team of Tom Keenan,Hugh & John Cullinane etc, we moved to our present home on December 13th 1981, Ashbourne Community Centre and the rest they say is history.
In the 1990s our teams had great successes in both League& Cups and Intercounty, with the mixed team being crowned Leinster Champions. Many of the successes at that time were down to the mighty captain Tom O Keeffe.
And so the success has continued into the 21stCentury, culminating in a fantastic year in 2011-12, when our mixed team after several attempts throughout the years were finally crowned All Ireland Champions. A fitting tribute to the 30thyear in our home of Ashbourne Community Centre!!!
Congratulations to our 2012 All Ireland Champions - Shane, Kem, Rob, Jon, Larisa, Val, Ann, captain Patrice
(& subs - Paul, Andy, Lil, Dee) on this great achievement.
Honorary Life Members
· Tom & Ursula Higgins
· Yvonne O Brien
· Brendan O Connor
· Gay Glynn
· Marie Doyle
· Steve Cassidy
· Tom O Keeffe
· Brid Carr
Sincere thanks to Honorary Life Member, Steve Cassidy, for the information provided. ~ May 2012
