The Summer months have been a really busy period for me between playing in the Sudirman Cup in May as well as the Lithuanian International at the start of June before coming home and starting work for the remainder of the summer. Apologies for the lack of posts over the last few months, but it was a busy period for me between work, training and studying for deferred exams. But I am back now with a report from the first Irish Badminton tournament of the season: The Mount Pleasant Open.
As of last weekend, the badminton season in Ireland officially kicked off. The Mount Pleasant Open was the first ranking event of the season, where players from across Ireland traveled to the club in Ranelagh to make their mark on the new season. Old faces and new competed to lift the first titles of the season.
The tournament was an extremely competitive affair and was run to the highest standard as usual, so a massive thanks to the tournament officials who ran such an efficient tournament and I think all the competitors will agree with me on that. The men's singles was played on Friday night in Whitehall road while the Women's singles and Doubles commenced on Friday night in Mount Pleasant. Each event was played up until the finals, which were held on Saturday evening from 6pm.
Adam McAllister and Kate Frost reached all three finals, while David Walsh and Orla Flynn mad it to two each. Adam McAllister started well in the mixed doubles final where he teamed up with Kate Frost to beat the experienced pairing of Mark Topping and Viki Pesti. Earlier in the day Topping and Pesti had beaten the young duo of Daniel O'Meara and Alexandra Troy, who are making their mark on senior badminton and a pair to look out for in the future.The final was not an easy match for the number one seeds but they battled hard to come back in the first set to take the first final of the day 21-16, 21-18.
Kate was up next in the Women's singles where she played Orla Flynn. Orla battled hard trying to make it as difficult for Kate as she could but it wasn't to be as Kate took her second title of the day in comfortable fashion 21-9, 21-6.
Adam was then back on court for his Men's singles final where he faced David Walsh. The boys battled brilliantly much to the delight of the spectators but on this occasion it was David who took the title 21-15, 21-11.
Kate then made her way back on court for her third final of the day, where she teamed up with youngster Pamela Pontanosa. They were up against the tricky pairing of Orla Flynn and Nastia Zurmansor. Kate and Pamela came through their semi against the experienced Glennon sisters in a highly anticipated match for all spectators. Kate and Pamela came through this match in a tight two set encounter. The top seeds, Kate and Pamela, combined effectively, changing the pace of the game to keep their opponents under pressure in their final and much to the delight of Pamela, the top seeds took the title 21-12, 21-10. This was a first senior title for Pamela, who is making her mark on senior badminton.
In the Men's doubles Sam McKay and Azhar Syed almost caused the biggest upset of the tournament where they played Walsh and McAllister in the Men's Doubles. All four players played some brilliant badminton, providing the spectators with a fast paced, exciting encounter. Sam and Azhar pushed the top seeds all the way but just fell short in the deciding set (15-21, 21-19, 21-19).
The seeded players all lived up to their expectations as the top seeds in each event were the eventual winners. David Walsh and Adam McAllister combined to win two titles each, Singles and Doubles for David and Doubles and Mixed for Adam. A good start to the domestic season for both players who I'm sure will want to push on from these performances. In the Women's events, Kate Frost won the treble in her home club for a second consecutive year. This year partnering up with Pamela Pontanosa to win the Women's Doubles title and with Adam to take home the mixed title. A notable mention must go to Pamela who won her first Senior tournament, making the move from junior to senior badminton.
The next senior tournament of the season is the Autumn Open which will take place in Leinster's Terenure Badminton Center on the 7th/8th September. So why not come along to see some of Ireland's top players take part.
Next up for me is an overseas trip to Germany for the first weekend of the German Bundesliga, before the Polish International.
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