JUST TWO weeks after Clodagh Dunne and Nicholas Murphy performed so well at the Leinster Open Under-13 and Under-17 events respectively, it was the turn of the Under-11s and Under-15s to travel to Baldoyle to compete in the Leinster Open, an event that attracts the best under-age players from all over Ireland.

In the Under-15 category, Noel Dunne from Taghmon was one of 34 players in the boys' singles draw. Unfortunately, he lost out in the first round in three very close sets to third seed Sam Mckay.

Noel showed his form by winning the final of the boys' singles plate competition. In the doubles, Noel teamed up with Callum Portis from Dublin but lost out at the quarter-final stage to the number one seeds and eventual runners-up, Ryan Getty and Norman Lau from Lisburn.

In the Under-11 category, Jack Nolan from Gorey made it as far as the semi-final in the boys' singles where he lost to Mark Kinnerk from Dublin in a very close match. Evan Byrne, also from Gorey, having lost his first match to Ronan Foley from Clare, went on to win the plate competition. Jack and Evan teamed up in the doubles and reached the final where they lost to the number one seeds, Kyle Magee and Benjamin Darragh from Donegal.

In the Under-11 girls' singles, Aime Butler from Gorey lost in the first round to number two seed Ciara Faherty from Laois. Shauna Dunne from Taghmon made it as far as the semi-finals of the singles where she too lost out to Ciara Faherty, the eventual runner-up. Having lost to Ciara, Aime went on to win the plate competition. Aime and Shauna then teamed up in the doubles, and reached the final where they lost to Niamh and Amy Gannon.

Evan Byrne and Aime Butler, having both won their singles plate competitions, and achieved runners-up spot in their doubles competitions, reached their second doubles final, playing together in the mixed. Despite a brave effort against Michael Staunton and Amy Gannon from Galway, Evan and Aime lost out in the third set 21-19, and had to settle for another runners-up medal.

It has been a busy few weeks for our under-age players, many of whom have performed extremely well at local, provincial and national levels. We hope the rest of the season brings more joy to all our under-age players.

SENIOR VETERANS

The Irish Senior Veteran's championships were held in Lisburn on January 28/29. Representing Wexford at this event were Brideen Lynch and Billy Bennett of New Ross. Brideen and Billy showed their love of the game by undertaking this long journey, and Brideen claimed victory in the mixed doubles 50 category. Brideen showed her experience and pure class by taking victory in two straight sets in all her games. Billy was not so lucky, but he was very happy with the great games he had.

In the mixed doubles 50 Group B, Brideen Lynch and Aubrey Cox defeated Lorna Beattie and Trevor Brennan 21-18, 21-15; Chris Fusco and Carol Dunbar 21-19, 21-12, and Willie Mcmillian and Doreen Mcclements 21-13, 21-13.

This put them into the final where they claimed the title, defeating Kiera Mcmahon and Christine Graham in two straight sets 21-13, 21-14.

SCHOOLS NEWS

St. Mary's (New Ross) were scheduled to play in Division 2 in the leinster Schools Under-19 competition but got moved to Division 1on arrival at the venue. The team consisted of Siobhán Creane (capt.), Gemma Creane, Louise Bennett and Emily Kent.

Their first opponents were from St. Vincent's (Dundalk), a very strong team featuring former Irish Under-15 player Finnoula Mccourt. In the first ladies' singles, Gemma Creane was defeated by Finnoula Mccourt. In second ladies' singles, Siobhán Creane was defeated by Michelle Mccourt, while Emily Kent was defeated by Vivienne Bond and Louise Bennett won her singles.

In the doubles Gemma and Emily were defeated by Fionnuala and Michelle Mccourt. Siobhán and Louise won their doubles to make it a loss for St. Mary's 4-2.

The Terrerath girls stayed focused and their next opponents were from Mount Sackville. St. Mary's had shed all their anxiety and defeated their opponents in splendid form, winning 5-1. Gemma Creane was defeated in her singles, while Siobhán, Emily and Louise won their singles. Gemma and Emily won their doubles, and Siobhán and Louise followed suit.

The Terrerath girls representing St. Mary's were more confident now with a few wins under their racquets. The battle was now on as to who would take the runners-up title, since the St. Vincent's team of Dundalk had taken the winners' trophy.

Our Lady's (Terenure) weren't going down without a fight and were ready for battle against the New Ross girls. Terenure's Danielle Neill defeated Gemma Creane who put up a great battle, losing by the narrowest of margins (30-25). Next up it was the turn of Gemma's sister, Siobhán, who won her singles against Emma Frost comfortably enough, 30-12. Emily Kent defeated Jessica Moran easily, 30-18. Louise Bennett had a harder match against Jessica Reilly who won 3023.

The doubles had much more aggresive games as it was still all to play for. Gemma Creane and Emily Kent defeated Danielle Neill and Jessica Moran comfortably, 30-18.

At this stage of battle Our Lady's knew they had to win the last ladies' doubles to capture the runners-up title. The battle for silver fell into the capable hands of Siobhán Creane and Louise Bennett who took on Emma Frost and Jessica Reilly.

It was point-for-point all the way up to 15. On the changeover the Terrerath girls held their nerve and stormed ahead, defeating their opponents in style 30-20. This meant the smashing Terrerath girls representing St. Mary's (New Ross) took the runners-up title in Division 1. Well done girls.

COUNTY TEAM

Wexford's Class 3 team was out in the intercounties qualifying rounds. The team included men's singles player Gary O'neill, who was the only player undefeated on the day. Ladies' singles was well represented by young eleven-yearold Clodagh Dunne who won two out of a possible three medals, which is a huge achievement for this very young player.

Men's doubles players were Joe Ryan and John Walsh and the ladies' doubles was represented by Catherine Canavan and Deirdre O'connor. The players joined forces in the mixed doubles with Joe Ryan and Catherine Canavan, Gary O'neill and Deirdre O'connor, Tony Sinnott and Imelda Kehoe.

Wexford played Meath in the first round and won 4-3 before beating Dublin B 6-1. Wexford met Carlow in the last match and needed two points to qualify. They won 4-3, bringing them through the qualifiers at the top of their group. Wexford will go ahead to the Leinster semi-finals on March 4 which will be held in Baldoyle.

DIARY DATES

February 10: closing date for entries for the adult county championships/knockout. February 11/12: Under-13 Celtic Challenge, Wales. February 12: Badminton Ireland inter-county Class 2 and 4 semi-finals, Limerick.

February 15: finals of fifth/sixth ladies' and gents' doubles league.

February 18/19: Badminton Ireland Senior, Junior, Intermediate Cups, Galway. February 18/19: Connacht Under-15 Open, Sligo. February 19: C.A.C. inter-counties, Senior 2 and 4, to be confirmed.

February 22/29: early rounds of adult county championships. February 25/26: Ulster Seniors, Lisburn. February 26: Under-13 county team, training and assessment, Astro Active, Enniscorthy, 10 a.m. to 12 noon,

February 26: Under-17 inter-county, The Watershed, Kilkenny.

February 26: BI inter-counties Class 1 and 3 semis, Limerick.

Due to clashes with mocks and mid-term, the Under16 and Under-14 Leinster final dates have been changed. They will now take place in Baldoyle on Monday, February 27 (Under-14) and Monday, March 5 (Under-16). The All-ireland Schools are on Wednesday, March 28, in Gormanston.