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3rd Annual Mary Pratt Tournament

On Sunday the 8th of November Lismore Badminton Club held the 3rd annual Mary Pratt Perpetual Cup in aid of WestWateford Hospice. The tournament is held in memory of Mary Pratt the larger than life character that is sorely missed by all her Lismore Club mates. This is a tournament to promote fun and good badminton in Lismore, the competition is open to all players in Waterford and for the 1st time this year players from outside Waterford attended the event. The largest attendance yet was recorded for the 2010 event; a total of 58 men and women entered the competition. Although it was not an even split with 33 men and only 25 women it meant that the ladies got better value for their money. The players came from Lismore, Dunmore, Kilmacthomas, Tourin, Mellarary, Ballyduff, Ballinamela and as far a field of UCC for the days play.

The tournament started with the last 32 draws, the draw for partners had already been made so all parings were made, in advance of the days play. The tournament commenced at 12:30 and continued for the day and it was 9:00 at night before the play final shuttle was hit, over 8 hours play, with 45 games being played on the day.

A raffle took place just before the finals took place, the tickets were sold on the day as well as in some select locations around Lismore. The winners were as follows:
Lunch voucher Castle Lodge – Mary Murphy, Tallow, Lunch voucher Castle Lodge – Josephine Kerins, Cappoquin, Lunch voucher Lismore House Hotel – Brendan O’ Connell, Aglish, Lunch voucher, Eamonn’s Place, Lismore – Jason Tobin, Hair Salon Voucher, The Salon Tallow – Packie Manahan, Cappoquin, Gift Set, Mari Mini Pharmacy, Lismroe – Claire Reddy, Cappoquin, Bottle of Wine, Classroom, Lismore – Robert O’ Sullivan, Bottle of Wine, Classroom, Lismroe – Jason Tobin, Box of Sweets, Roches Centra, Lismore – Seamus Hearne Dunmore,Gift Set, Accessories, Dungarvan – Michael Brown, Plant, Cahills Flowers, Lismore – Michael Brown, Picture Frame, Gary Alcorn – Rebecca Coleman, Box of Chocolates, Ballyrafter Service Station – Kevin Walsh UCC.

Lismore Badminton Club would like to thank the entire group of sponsor’s and families from Lismore and the surrounding area for their generous donation of prizes. We doubly appreciate these generous donations in the tough times we find ourselves in, without their charitable contributions the grand total of €564 could not have been raised for the West Waterford to aid them in the valuable care they provide to the many people.

The first round saw many tight games with the highlights being Breadan Meghen & Helen O’Donnell beating Paddy Bird and Rachel Walsh 21-20 in the third set, Andrew Tong & Chrissie Shanhan beat Fergus Hickey & Natalie Brown in 3 sets, Michael McGrath & Niamh Predergast beat Stephen Walsh and Jancita Cummins in 2 sets. While the surprise of the first round was last years winners Jason Tobin & Jenifer Leahy being upset by the inspired Eammon Kelly and Natalie Brown.

The Second round saw some more close games with Eamon Scanlon & Mairead Morrissey beat Brendan Meghen & Helen O’Donnell, Andrew Tong & Chrissie Shanhan beat Declan Cunningham & Eileen Keoghan, Pat Leane & Ruth Geoghan beat Brian Barry & Breda Hickey, Alan Tong & Emma O’Donnell beat Conor Brown and Magaret Cashel. Ivan Cliffe & Niamh Coleman beat Niegla aird and Jennifer O’Gorman. Kevin Wilkinson & Karen Pepper beat Michael McGrath & Niamh Predergast. Eamon Kelly & Natalie Brown’s run ended again Stephen McNamara & Jojo Tobin. The game of the round was the 21-20, 21-20 win by Kieran Bennett & Mag Morrissey over Kevin Walsh and Carol Walsh.

The last 8 round saw Eamon Scanlon & Mairead Morrissey beat Andrew Tong and Chrissie Shanhan, Pat Leanae and Ruth Geoghan halt Keiran Bennet & Mag Morrissey, Ivan Cliffe & Niamh Coleman beat Alan Tong and Emma O’Donnell and Kevin Wilkinson & Karen Pepper beat Stephen McNamara & Jojo Tobin.

The Semi finals saw Eamon & Mairead fight their way past Pat Leane and Ruth Geoghan in 3 sets and Kevin Wilksinson beat Ivan Cliffe and Niamh Coleman to set up an interesting final where the 2 Tourin men faced of against each other.

The final of the Mary Pratt Tournament finally got to the court around 8 o’clock and it saw Eamonn Scanlon (Tourin) & Mairead Morrissey (Ballinamela) play Kevin Wilkinson (Tourin) & Karen Pepper (Kilmacthomas). It was a close opening set with both players knowing each others games so well, but it was Kevin & Karen who took the set 21-15, Eamonn and Mairead rallied and took the next set 21-17. In the third set Kevin & Karen took control and despite a late come back they had done enough to see them over the line and end a great day’s play!!!

After the first 2 rounds of the cup the draw for new partners for the plate and a new competition draw were completed. The opening round saw Stephen Walsh & Ciara Duffin bt Frank Costigan & Jenifer O’Gorman, Evan Shehan & Molly Twomey bt Brian Crotty & Jancita Cummins, Ian Gourley & Eileen Keoghan bt Craig Tobin & Jennifer Leahy, Robert O’Sullivan & Natalie Brown bt Mick Kennedy and Ber O’Keefe, Trevor Duffin & Carol Walsh bt Bobby Ryan & Megan Barry, Michael Brown & Helen Leddy bt David Flynn & Lilan Healy, Jason Tobin & Emma O’Donnell.

In the Last 8 Stephen Walsh and Ciara Duffin bt Evan Shehan and Molly Twomey, Ian Gourley & Eileen Keoghan bt Robert O’Sullivan & Natalie Brown. Trevor Duffin & Carol Walsh bt Michael Brown & Helen Leddy.

In the Semi final Stephen Walsh and Ciara Duffin had an epic 3 setter with Ian Gourley & Eileen Keoghan beat them 21-19 in the final set, a terrific win. In the other semi Jason Tobin & Eileen Keoghan beat Trevor Duffin and Carol Walsh

The harder semi final proved to be costly for Ian & Eileen as they never go to grips int the final. The final proved to be some what one sided as Jason Tobin and Helen took control early on and never looked like relinquishing control. They won 21-11, 21-15.

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