Presentation Thurles win double U14 and U19 All-Ireland Badminton Finals
The Victor All-Ireland Schools badminton finals is the pinnacle event of the calendar year for any juveniles who play badminton for their school. Over seven hundred girls around Ireland, represented their schools in their County Championship finals back in January. It’s impressive to see these numbers play and show their skill in the sport. Each of them hoping to get through for their own county and book a possible spot for the Provincial finals. This is exactly what both Pres teams did, beating Carrick-on-Suir, Ursuline Thurles, Our Ladys of Templemore and Roscrea Community College in the final to secure a place in the Munster Championship Finals. The Munster finals were played out in the University of Limerick sports arena on the 20th of January.
The Pres girls earned their spot to represent Tipperary from winning out the County Championship. In the Munster finals both Pres girls’ teams made their intent known early on in the day. As they lay siege to Ard Scoil Na Mara from Waterford, Presentation Miltown from Kerry and Scariff Community School from Clare and Villiers from Limerick. Between the two teams, they only lost two sets on the day in the Munster finals. This dominant performance in the Munster Finals and victory meant that both our U14 and U19 teams progressed to the All-Ireland finals. Here some of the top players in each age category and division in Ireland would play it out to be crowned All-Ireland champions. The All-Ireland badminton finals were held on the 26th of March in Gormanston College, Co Meath.
U14 Pres Thurles breeze past Ulster in semi final draw
Our U14 team played against Ulster’s Friends School Lisburn. Sophie O’ Toole and Abbie Delaney began proceedings with their doubles match, this was a one sided affair and both girls won this game on a score of 30-13. Emily Delaney and Isabelle Murphy followed shortly in their doubles winning on a score of 30-16. Friend’s School Lisburn were now trailing by 2 points after losing both their opening doubles matches. It was their first singles player, Siddhi Gark who gave the greatest challenge throughout all the games for the Ulster school. Abbie Delaney was on guard and this was a thrilling exchange with plenty of rallies, it was a game that ebbed and flowed for both players. In the later stage of the game Abbie edged away from Siddhi, beating her on a score of 30-23. With confidence on their side, Emily, Sophie and Isabelle won the rest of their singles without much issues defeating Friends School Lisburn on a score of 6-0.
U14 All-Ireland Final between Presentation Thurles and Kilkenny College
This clean sweep result against Ulster meant that they qualified for the final and would be taking on Leinster’s representative, Kilkenny College in the finals. On paper these two teams were equally matched beating Ulster also by 6 sets. The first game of doubles was Abbie and Sophie, this was a tightly fought game and although they finished strong, they lost out as a result of a very slow start to two very strong and clinical players for Kilkenny College. This doubles set went to Kilkenny College and finished with a score of 30-19. The next doubles match was Emily and Isabelle and pressure laid down on their shoulders to steady ship for the team after their first loss of the day. These girls remained very calm and were ruthless in their approach on the court. They defeated their opponents in this doubles, 30-19. This left both teams with a point a piece, it meant that the singles would determine who would be the overall winner.
Abbie was Presentation Thurles’ first player up for singles and played against Kilkenny College’s Paige Wardrop. It was a nail biting exchange, which looked like it could have gone in the favour of either opponent before the interval but for a outstanding performance by Abbie in the second half. Her deceptive shots, net shots and clears really caused issues for Paige. She maximized every inch of the court to move and drag her opponent about. While it was close to begin with, Abbie pushed on and defeated her on the score line off 30-15. This margin was unexpected as both players were in form on the day which is a true testament to Abbie’s skill throughout the game.
Advantage now with Presentation Thurles, the next game of singles was played by Emily Delaney this was a war of attrition match, both players were not given up and the rallies between the two were relentless. A slight change of tactics after the interval came to aid Emily in the second half and closed out this game out on a score of 30-28 in favour of Presentation Thurles. Both players left it all on the court and it was in inspiring to see such determination from both players. Sophie O’ Toole and Isabelle Murphy were the last two singles players up, now with momentum on their side, they both used their height and strength to defeat both opponents on a similar score of 30-21. Having played all the matches in the final, the score stood at 5-1, making the U14 team of Presentation Thurles All-Ireland champions.
Pres Thurles dominate the U19 All-Ireland finals
The teams that qualified in the U19 finals were as follows, for Leinster Presentation Kilkenny, Ulster was represented by Royal School Dungannon and Connacht’s school was Roscommon Community College. Presentation Thurles were drawn against Roscommon Community College. This round robin with the Presentation Thurles had little strain from this school, beating Roscommon Community College with a score of 6-0. They were next paired up against Ulster’s Royal school of Dungannon. This would turn out to be the semi final. Isobel O’ Hora and Cara Delaney would be first up in their doubles. This proved to be a very difficult game for both sides and Thurles Pres only edged out their two opponents on a score of 30-27. Jessica Ryan and Eimear Duggan were next up in their doubles, but the girls were always in control of this match wining 30-13. Two points up in favour of Pres Thurles, it moved on to the singles. Isobel O’ Hora played against Pearl Ng, both very strong singles players, however Pearl seemed to control more of the play as the game progressed. Some excellent rallies played out and it was a tiring match for both players but Pearl took this point on a score of 30-21. This was to be Ulster’s only win of the semi final, as Cara Delaney, Jessica Ryan and Eimear Duggan defeated their remaining opponents barely allowing them get to double digits in many of their games. Pres Thurles won 5-1 and this meant that Pres Thurles match versus Presentation Kilkenny would determine the All-Ireland final winners.
This wasn’t the first time Presentation Thurles played against Presentation Kilkenny in an All-Ireland final, as they last met in an U14 All-Ireland final in 2022. Both sides started with their doubles, this was a fiercely fought game and Pres Thurles through Isobel O’ Hora and Cara Delaney managed to increase the scoring gap. Despite a strong resurgence in the second half of this match by Sophie Kealy and Ava Kenny, Pres Thurles took this much needed point winning on a score of 30-25. Jessica Ryan and Eimear Duggan were next up and but they had the measure of their opponents and finished comfortable on a score of 30-20. The next fixture was singles with Isobel O’ Hora and Sophie Kealy playing off. Both players with an incredible array of shots at their disposal and some thrilling rallies occured in this match. Sophie Kealy’s experience paid off in dividends here as she came out on top, her clinical use of shots pulled Isobel around the court. Her shot selection was so flat and quick throughout this exchange, that Isobel had very little opportunity to return the courtesy and show the true powerhouse that she is on the court. This game finished on a score of 30-18 to Presentation Kilkenny. Cara Delaney was up next and she proceeded in a very composed fashion, to turn things around. She had little issues here as her opponent managed just to break into double digits, winning on a score of 30-13. With a very healthy score of 3-1 in favour of the Presentation Thurles, it meant one more singles win would be enough to clinch the title. Jessica Ryan and Eimear Duggan were not leaving anything to chance and finished very strongly winning both their singles matches. Pres Thurles clinched the U19 All-Ireland title. An incredible day for both the U14 and U19 teams losing only 2 games between them.
The Pres have now won four All-Ireland titles in the last six years. The school have won two U14 All-Ireland titles and two U19 All-Ireland titles. We seek forth the elusive U16 title which is the last title to be won by the school. These U14 All-Ireland victors are now our youngest role models in the sport for the school and we look with great anticipation for other future successes that will come their way. Well done girls on your amazing achievement, you have done Pres Thurles, Tipperary and Munster proud with your double All-Ireland titles. Thank you to all the girls who played casually or competitively throughout the year.