Looking Back - Season 2014-15
Ashbourne Badminton club has had another action packed and very enjoyable season. We started back in late august with several open nights which attracted a good range of visitors, some old members and many new potential ones.
As we progressed through September and into October our teams were picked and we entered the Dublin and Districts competitions with One Mixed team, two men and two ladies teams.
The matches were arranged and managed throughout the season by our most capable match secretary Clare Fitzgerald and the various paperwork and entries ably managed by secretaries Anita Janosi and Grainne Dervan, our Treasurer Michelle having a busy autumn as she built up to producing Twins!
The Cup competitions began and although our Men fought hard both teams were knocked out early.
The mixed team also had a poor start, being unlucky to suffer from unavailable and injured players!
But the Ladies – well they just played better and better, with our Ladies 1 team getting all the way to the Finals of the Dublin & District Cup in early February beating Mill House from Skerries on a great night.
The Mixed team had some great matches, both at home and away with some great performances from various players, although once again we were troubled by injury and missing players, meaning that the team failed to make it to the play-offs, with plans already being made for a better season next year!
Both Men’s teams also struggled with personnel and although there was some hard fought matches fell short of making it to the play-offs. Again some late arrivals of new men mean that we might be in much stronger position to compete well next season.
Girl Power! The ladies teams were in fantastic form for the whole season, with Ladies 2. almost making the play-offs, then Ladies 1. getting to the quarter finals! And what an evening it turned out to be! The four ladies, Lillian Colfer, Ann Moggan, Anita Janosi and Clare Fitzgerald (subbing for another pregnant member Grainne Dervan) began their warm up and tragedy struck as Lillian pulled up with a serious leg muscle pull. Up stepped a valiant Katherine Walsh to help safe the evening, and although they played well a very strong Sheriff Street team proved a hurdle too far. But the ladies showed what can be achieved by hard work and commitment to team practice. Well done!
We finishing our club season with an internal competition named in memory of one of our clubs founder members
‘Tom O’Keeffe’ We were all shocked to hear of the passing of Tom, he had been a huge influence on the club, as one of the strongest players and also as a mentor and help in both the senior and junior clubs, always giving help where needed and always positive in his encouragement to us all, he has left a wonderful load of memories for us all to treasure. RIP.
The competition in both Men’s and Ladies Doubles was fierce with the Men’s pair of Fergus Finnegan and Brian Smith getting to play Josan Joseph and Michael Henry, in the final Brendan Dollard stepped in to replace Brian and although the games were tough, Josan and Michael won!
The Ladies final was won by Paula Prendergast and Brid Carr against Michelle Fearon and Clare Fitzgerald, both fighting hard and give a great match for all to watch and cheer too. We were honoured to have both Brenda and Dierdre O’Keeffe present for our finals, presenting the cup for the winners. Thank you so much!
Our club AGM was held in early May and we had a good attendance by members, and all our officers were elected for the 2015-16 season. We also awarded our yearly club cups;
Most improved Lady – Melissa Boland
Most improved Man – Jonathan Graydon
Team Captain of the Year – Andrew Lewis
Player of the Year- Katherine Walsh
It is planned that next year we will attempt to run an Open Tournament “The Tom O’Keeffe Open 2016” in aid of Inner City Homeless Charity.
Our year has finished with our slightly more mature players playing in an ‘Over 35 League’ competition run in Baldoyle, there was some great matches and the team only missed the finals by two points! Well played Anita, Katherine, Dermot and Andrew.
Looking forward to the new season
Our Open Nights will be held trough 2 weeks where everyone is welcome to try out as we are always interested in welcoming new members to the club regardless of their level of experience.
The dates are: 25th Aug, 27th Aug, 1st Sept and 3rd Sept.
We also plan to run throughout the year a mens and ladies Ladder in singles, this is to help with fitness and tactics and of course for Fun also! It is intended that we will have a coach back early too, as I think most people would agree that they learn very valuable lessons from last autumn (even if they did not all carry them on into the matches!!!)
May we take this opportunity to thank all those who behind the scenes help to make this one of the friendliest Badminton Clubs about! Thank You!
Come on the Ash!
As we progressed through September and into October our teams were picked and we entered the Dublin and Districts competitions with One Mixed team, two men and two ladies teams.
The matches were arranged and managed throughout the season by our most capable match secretary Clare Fitzgerald and the various paperwork and entries ably managed by secretaries Anita Janosi and Grainne Dervan, our Treasurer Michelle having a busy autumn as she built up to producing Twins!
The Cup competitions began and although our Men fought hard both teams were knocked out early.
The mixed team also had a poor start, being unlucky to suffer from unavailable and injured players!
But the Ladies – well they just played better and better, with our Ladies 1 team getting all the way to the Finals of the Dublin & District Cup in early February beating Mill House from Skerries on a great night.
The Mixed team had some great matches, both at home and away with some great performances from various players, although once again we were troubled by injury and missing players, meaning that the team failed to make it to the play-offs, with plans already being made for a better season next year!
Both Men’s teams also struggled with personnel and although there was some hard fought matches fell short of making it to the play-offs. Again some late arrivals of new men mean that we might be in much stronger position to compete well next season.
Girl Power! The ladies teams were in fantastic form for the whole season, with Ladies 2. almost making the play-offs, then Ladies 1. getting to the quarter finals! And what an evening it turned out to be! The four ladies, Lillian Colfer, Ann Moggan, Anita Janosi and Clare Fitzgerald (subbing for another pregnant member Grainne Dervan) began their warm up and tragedy struck as Lillian pulled up with a serious leg muscle pull. Up stepped a valiant Katherine Walsh to help safe the evening, and although they played well a very strong Sheriff Street team proved a hurdle too far. But the ladies showed what can be achieved by hard work and commitment to team practice. Well done!
We finishing our club season with an internal competition named in memory of one of our clubs founder members
‘Tom O’Keeffe’ We were all shocked to hear of the passing of Tom, he had been a huge influence on the club, as one of the strongest players and also as a mentor and help in both the senior and junior clubs, always giving help where needed and always positive in his encouragement to us all, he has left a wonderful load of memories for us all to treasure. RIP.
The competition in both Men’s and Ladies Doubles was fierce with the Men’s pair of Fergus Finnegan and Brian Smith getting to play Josan Joseph and Michael Henry, in the final Brendan Dollard stepped in to replace Brian and although the games were tough, Josan and Michael won!
The Ladies final was won by Paula Prendergast and Brid Carr against Michelle Fearon and Clare Fitzgerald, both fighting hard and give a great match for all to watch and cheer too. We were honoured to have both Brenda and Dierdre O’Keeffe present for our finals, presenting the cup for the winners. Thank you so much!
Our club AGM was held in early May and we had a good attendance by members, and all our officers were elected for the 2015-16 season. We also awarded our yearly club cups;
Most improved Lady – Melissa Boland
Most improved Man – Jonathan Graydon
Team Captain of the Year – Andrew Lewis
Player of the Year- Katherine Walsh
It is planned that next year we will attempt to run an Open Tournament “The Tom O’Keeffe Open 2016” in aid of Inner City Homeless Charity.
Our year has finished with our slightly more mature players playing in an ‘Over 35 League’ competition run in Baldoyle, there was some great matches and the team only missed the finals by two points! Well played Anita, Katherine, Dermot and Andrew.
Looking forward to the new season
Our Open Nights will be held trough 2 weeks where everyone is welcome to try out as we are always interested in welcoming new members to the club regardless of their level of experience.
The dates are: 25th Aug, 27th Aug, 1st Sept and 3rd Sept.
We also plan to run throughout the year a mens and ladies Ladder in singles, this is to help with fitness and tactics and of course for Fun also! It is intended that we will have a coach back early too, as I think most people would agree that they learn very valuable lessons from last autumn (even if they did not all carry them on into the matches!!!)
May we take this opportunity to thank all those who behind the scenes help to make this one of the friendliest Badminton Clubs about! Thank You!
Come on the Ash!
Dublin & D Cup Winner Ladies 1.!!
Our latest great success is our Ladies 1. team, they have battled their way through several rounds of the cup to win the semi-final in Whitehall Road, then on to play Mill Hill from Skerries in the Final Friday the 6th February again in Whitehall Road.
The Division 8. final began at 7pm with both the first pairing of Lillian Colfer and Grainne Dervan, and the second pair of Anita Janosi and Ann Moggan having to play their matches at the same time.
The spectators were torn between the two games as they both battled almost point to point with each other pairing, both pairings won in two straight sets.
Meaning that Ashbourne only needed one more set to lift the trophy!
So as the spectators held their breath, Grainne and Ann stepped out to face the Mill Hill ladies.
After a few nervous points they pulled away and finished them off!
Now the ladies have the Leinster play offs to look forward and then maybe even the All Ireland Finals to Follow!!
The Division 8. final began at 7pm with both the first pairing of Lillian Colfer and Grainne Dervan, and the second pair of Anita Janosi and Ann Moggan having to play their matches at the same time.
The spectators were torn between the two games as they both battled almost point to point with each other pairing, both pairings won in two straight sets.
Meaning that Ashbourne only needed one more set to lift the trophy!
So as the spectators held their breath, Grainne and Ann stepped out to face the Mill Hill ladies.
After a few nervous points they pulled away and finished them off!
Now the ladies have the Leinster play offs to look forward and then maybe even the All Ireland Finals to Follow!!
Ann Moggan, Grainne Dervan, Captain Lillian Colfer and Anita Janosi
