The badminton is over. Well....not entirely true, it is over for myself and Bashleigh! Hehe. We didn't make the semis this weekend, and if I was to qualify that, Ashleigh didn't make the semis in the one event she could enter this time and I didn't make the semis again! Haha
The first game played between us was my first round mixed with Claire Flood against Brian Dignam and Laura Hennessy. I started off slowly, we were losing 11-8 at the first interval, we gained momentum and started to attack the shuttle a lot more, and under Claire's guidance we won the first set 21-19, the second set was a blow-for-blow affair, but Brian and Laura triumphed in that 21-19 with the jammiest of net court clips from Brian to win the set, although the 4 of us did have a good laugh about it!! Haha
As the 3rd set started I acclaimed to Claire that we were going to command this set and we certainly did, we turned 11-4 up at the interval, going on to lead 15-5 and eventually winning 21-13, it was a great way to win the game :)
Our second game and quarter-final match was against the No.1 seeds Danial Magee and Fiona Glennon, we were up against it in this match. But this time I didn't let anything phase me. I was determined to show what we could do. The first set ended up being quite a close affair, again both sides trading blows, eventually Daniel and Fiona won out 21-16, but in the second set Claire and I got off to a slow start and couldn't peg enough points back to worry our opponents, losing 21-11 in the end. Although a two set loss on paper, it was certainly hard-fought and a lot of good points to be taken out of it.
A big thank you to Claire for playing the mixed event with me, they were great matches and a lot was learned throughout.
Ashleigh then made her appearance after her College Commitments (yes, still an oxymoron :) ). Ashleigh ended up playing with Siobhan Grehan, as Michelle McCourt was sick for the occasion. Siobhan and Ashleigh played Aoife Lennon and Ciara Pender. So, not that I'd want to rub it in, but Ashleigh and Siobhan actually lost the first set, a tired and dismal display as Ashleigh would agree which they lost 21-19. Ashleigh then regained her composure and with a self-initiated metaphorical kick up the ass went on to rattle the next two sets out to win 21-13 & 21-13. A well deserved victory, although I think Ashleigh knew she'd be walking home if they didn't win!! :)
Ashleigh's next match was again against the No. 1 seeds of Jennie King & Sinead Chambers. This was a tough draw, although a good match to play. Jannie & Sinead play a very tight game, and eventually won out 21-11, 21-12, although Ashleigh and Siobhan put up a brave fight but found the lack of tiredness in Jennie and Sinead a turn-off in the end :p Again, Ashleigh made another Quarter-Final, no wonder she has been called up to train with the Leinster U-23 Squad :)
I was next with my Men's Doubles match, I played with Seamus Halpin and our first round match was against two gentlemen from Claire Flood's Uno Academy in Kilcullen, Alan Anderson & Gareth Hogan. Myself and Seamus got off to a great start in the first set and I was determined to hold the advantage of serve and we went on to win the first 21-5. The second was a different affair, maybe due to stupid thoughts of easiness or just lack of concentration, at one point it was 11 all, but both myself and Seamus knew we had to knuckle down, and we did, eventually winning 21-13. A great game with two great opponents.
Our last-16 match was against Philip Collins & Colm Kelly, two players whom I had not come across before. The first set was a battle for us from the start, although coming back from 16-10 down to level at 16 all, we couldn't force the win in the set and we lost 21-17. The second was a tougher affair, Philip & Colm had the measure of us and we could not get into it, eventually losing 21-11. A good game, plenty to think about :)
So, onwards and upwards to the Irish Nationals in Lisburn on the 5th of February :)
As an addition, it was brought to my attention (Ashleigh) that I neglected to mention my singles event! Or should I say my one singles game. Haha. I played Ruaraidh Sim on the Friday night, it was a very enjoyable game, I lost 21-10, 21-6 but thought I actually played well. I am putting down the score to the lack of coaching form my games-coach, you know who you are!! Only kiddin' ;)
Song Links on my PiePod For The Day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK42LZqO0wA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLqHDhF-O28&ob=av2el
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhpDXVuTSTU&ob=av2nl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9joqPp3peLg&ob=av2el
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0LV_bETEzs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv2CDjyPRkg&annotation_id=annotation_177993&feature=iv
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9yGcKlYAiw&ob=av2el
Enough, enough!! :)
Results:
http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/events.aspx?id=775962E9-DAEC-409F-A542-022B73D8C35B
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The draw is up for the Victor Leinster Championships 2001 to be held in Whitehall Road.
The Ninjas are depleted for this tournament. Paddy has aggravated his pulled woo-woo, Ashleigh is only able to play the Ladies Doubles do to college commitments (yes that is an oxymoron!!), and Aoife was given her P45 after the Sligo Senior Open.
I am left to play the singles, first (and last) round opponent is Ruaraidh Sim, to be played Friday the 21st at 9pm. Mixed doubles is in the air at the moment, waiting to hear whether I can get a partner to enter. Men's doubles again is with the Ninja Seamus Halpin, first round match against Alan Anderson & Gareth Hogan from Claire Flood's Uno Badminton Academy in Kilcullen, that match is at 12.55pm.
Ashleigh is playing with Michelle McCourt, their first opponents are Aoife Lennon (don't know her ;) ) and Ciara Pender (good player), that match is on at 1 o'clock ish, when Ashleigh's commitments ease for the day :)
Draw is available:
http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/events.aspx?id=775962E9-DAEC-409F-A542-022B73D8C35B
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