Ulster Junior Open 2011

The Ulster Junior Open 2011 - Lisburn - 8th January 2011

Players:
John Cassidy - Singles, Mixed with Ashleigh, Men's doubles with John Amond
Ashleigh Coyne - Singles, mixed with John, ladies Doubles with Michelle McCourt
Paddy O'Connell - Injured - Sore Woo-Woo.

Where do I start, as the eternal optimist let's start with my games, then go onto the good ones, they would be the 2/3rds of the competitions that Ashleigh entered!! Hehe

I started with the singles against John Amond, I lost the first to a pitiful 10, regained some composure and breath to eventually scrape the second 16 and then go 11-6 into the lead at the change of the 3rd, even getting the first two points to go into a commanding 13-6 lead. My command was a bit like Hitler's success, short lived and never came to fruition :) I lost the 3rd set 21-15, a lot to learn in that game!! ;)


I then played the men's doubles with my partner for the day, Mr. John Amond, isn't irony a great thing!! Haha We played against Justin Ho and William Gourley, we battled hard but went down in 2, 15 & 17. I felt disappointed in the 2nd set as we turned 11-10 up and led 16-14 at one point. I think I got stage fright and started making silly mistakes where I should have been more relaxed and not trying so hard to win, I should be waiting for the part of the rally where the opposition loses it! :)

Then the mixed. Oops, what an experience. We were seeded 3/4, yes I know, the seeding was all thanks to my partner, Ashleigh :) We played my nemesis for the day, Mr. Juston Ho :) and pam Peard. Now this pairing really do have their game down to a tee. We were outplayed by a different form of mixed doubles to anything we had encountered before, that was a true learning experience for both I and Ashleigh, notwithstanding that, we actually played very well in stages :) We lost in two sets 17 & 18 as per Tournement Software ;) Hehe Ashleigh knows what that "Hehe" is for :)

Now, onto better pastures :)

Ashleigh played the singles, first round opponent was one Ms. Rebecca Getty whom had got the better of Ashleigh the previous time they met in the Ulster Seniors, ironically enough. Ashleigh was determined to reverse the result and through determination and hard work she did! She lost the first set in her own customary way to 11 ( Yes, 11, Can you believe that). Myself and Mark Topping came on to talk to her at the break and give her the metaphorical kick up the ass that she required! It seemed to work, Ashleigh won the 2nd set to 18, it was a tight one though, so another metaphorical kick at the interval was required, this one certainly worked, Ashleigh ran out a 21-10 winner of the last.

Onto the semi-final for Ashleigh where she met a formidable opponent in the petite shape of Ms. Laura Butler, the No. 2 seed. I can honestly say Ashleigh wasn't confident, actually if I'm honest, arsed would be the correct word to use, in this match!! Haha She lost in two, 7 in the first, but an admirable 14 in the second, having let 11-8 at the interval.

Then onto the Ladies doubles, where Ashleigh played with Michelle McCourt. In their first match they played Sarah kerr & Susan Stephenson. A war of attrition ensued, Ashleigh and Michelle winning the hard fought first set 22-20, then losing the run of themselves in the second, losing it to 10 and then getting a kick in the ass from eachother to win the 3rd set 22-20, with Ashleigh letting out a large shriek of joyous self congratulations in the process.

Onto the quarter-finals where Ashleigh and Michell met Claire Flood & Sorcha O'Loughlin. Starting from their again customary slow blocks, Ashleigh and Michelle only won the first set 22-20, but then went into 2nd gear and won the second set to 10, onto the semis!! :)

In the semi final they met the Orr sisters, Hannah and Rachel, the No. 2 seeds. And yes, it could be seen quite easily as to why they were the No. 2 seeds. Although Ashleigh and Michelle did not give in without a fight, and fight they did. They ended up going down 21-14 & 21-16, a brave effort against a pairing that wenton to lift the trophy :)

All-in-all a great day's badminton for Ashleigh, a day that she should be proud of. It truly shows that hard work and dedication will pay off in the end :)

Tournament Software Link:


http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/player.aspx?id=024A0AC4-DEE0-4EDA-BB05-3E41BA92DDF8&player=37


Song Links on my PiePod For The Day:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9yGcKlYAiw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgM3r8xKfGE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGJuMBdaqIw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S_H1KDjW9Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu_zwdmz0hE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLqHDhF-O28&ob=av3em
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUHjDJxkcSE

Too many to mention :)

ONWARDS & UPWARDS ;)