THANKS the heavens for Badminton days like last Sunday.

The Castleisland Community Centre played host to the Aceit Leak Repairs sponsored Kerry singles championships for Divisions 2 and 4 on Sunday last, for both ladies and gents, and what an enthralling, vintage day's badminton it proved to be with over sixty players competing for that cherished County championship title .

From the start of the Division 4 competition to the conclusion of the Division 2 finals the onlookers were treated to a succession of top class games with many going to the tiebreak for decision. It proved to be a good day for the Moyvane club as their club members contested three of the four finals played and, indeed, the mens Division 2 decider was an all Moyvane confrontation.

The non Moyvane contested final was the ladies division 4 decider and what a great three set final this proved to be. This decider saw Annascaul's Lisa Sayers take on Killarney teenager, Maeve Twomey. It was Miss Sayers that captured the first set 21-17, but a battling Miss Twomey took the second by 18-21.

What a battle royale the third set proved to be. It was score for score with Miss Twomey going to match point at 20-18, just a point from the County title. But Miss Sayers never threw in the towel and fighting back she levelled the tie at 20 each. Again they were level at 21 but it was Miss Sayers who finished the better and captured the title for Annascaul by 23-21.

Last season's Division 4 mens final saw Moyvane's Declan Kennelly lose out to club colleague Con Mulvihill. Sunday last again saw Kennelly reach the final, this time he was pitted against the talented Padraig Mccarthy of Killarney What a final this proved to be also but it was Kennelly's day as he just came through by 2119; 23-21 to oust the gallant Mccarthy.

The all Moyvane mens Division 2 final saw Denis Buckley take on Timmy Duggan. Buckley, who has been plying his badminton trade in Limerick for the past few seasons, but has again returned to his Kerry roots was always in control over Duggan who had won a torrid semi-final, and won in two sets by 21-13; 21-11.

The ladies Division 2 final saw defending champion Brid Murphy of Castleisland take on Elaine Hudson, the talented Moyvane teenager who only recently captured the 3 Division 4 titles in the Cork County Championships.

The first set was supercharged with both ladies vying for supremacy. The sides were level at 18 each, but Miss Hudson went to set point at 20-18, but the defending champion again drew level at 20 all. Again they were level at 23 all, but it was the coolness personified of Miss Murphy who took that set by 25-23.

Miss Hudson, to her credit set a blinding pace in set number 2 and she led at 8-3, but Miss Murphy kept her composure and never panicked and the experience of being there before stood to her as she battled back to level the set at eight all.

There was still a long way to go and it proved to be score for score but it was Miss Murphy who finished the better and retained her crown on the scoreline of 21-18 but the Moyvane teenager can be very pleased with her showing and her day is sure to come.

This Wednesday night sees the annual veterans' competition take place in Castleisland and all players are requested to be on call for the start time of 8pm. The Badminton spotlight this weekend focuses between Killarney, Limerick and Tralee.

The Kerry juvenile mixed doubles championships for all age groups hold centre stage at the Killarney sports centre on Saturday next, commencing at 11am. All players are requested to check in by 11.45.

The All Ireland Inter County series continue in the UL Arena in Limerick on Sunday next and Kerry are involved in the Class 3 series. The Kingdom section consists of Wexford, Sligo and Kerry with the first match to be against Wexford.

On paper, this is solid experienced side that could qualify for the All Ireland series proper to be played in Galway in late March. The Kerry squad as follows; Helen Twomey, Mary Falvey, Eileen O'connor, Ciara O'connor, Edel Broderick, Eric Nelligan, Gio Gaudino, Colm Kelly, Sean Murphy and Ml. Crossan. Team manager, Tom Bourke.

The County Club of Tralee hold their annual Paddy Sugrue Memorial Tournaments at the Tralee Sports Centre on Sunday next.

These competitions, which are sponsored by Gala, Mounthawk, Tralee, are as follows: Division 5 at 2pm; Division 4 at 3pm; Division 3 at 4pm.

Always a popular event, the County Club can be sure of a full house on Sunday.

- Junior Griffin