YOUNG LAURA Butler from Davidstown was in full swing recently as she travelled to Lisburn to take part in the Ulster Junior Open. The talented young player did both her club and her county proud as she made her way to semi-finals and finals in the ladies' singles, doubles and mixed events.

It was not to be Laura's day for medals, however, but the feisty young player left her mark in Lisburn, and she gave nothing away lightly as she pushed her opponents to the limit, showing the character and stamina for which she is renowned.

With her partner Kirsty Kelly, and doubles partner David Walsh, Laura showed great skill and talent and brought each game to an exciting climax before conceding, but only for now, as there is no doubt that her fighting spirit will ensure that she will be out to make amends on the courts throughout the county and indeed the country in the near future.

In the ladies' singles first round, Laura got a bye, going on to play Rachel Orr at the quarter-final stage. Rachel proved to be no match for Laura who won in two straight sets (21-6, 21-12). Laura met Alannah Stevenson in the semi-final but unfortunately was beaten 21-10, 21-9 by the eventual champion.

In the ladies' doubles, Laura paired up with Kirsty Kelly and in round one played Lauren Cozzo and Gillian Noble, winning the first set 21-15. The second set proved to be a real challenge with both pairs gaining point for point, with the final score reaching 28-26 in favour of Laura and Kirsty.

At the quarter-final stage the pair met with Fionnuala Mccourt and Victoria Ringland but they proved to be no match for Laura and Kirsty as the girls won in two straight sets (21-15, 21-9). Laura and Kirsty went on to meet Rachel Darragh and Caroline Black in the semifinal and fought a hard fight, bringing the game to three sets before finally being defeated 19-21, 21-14, 21-19.

Laura teamed up with David Walsh for the mixed doubles and got a bye in the first round. In round two they met Curtis White and Deborah Kane, with Laura and David taking the match 21-7, 21-14.

This placed the pair into the quarterfinal where they played against Ian Suffern and Lee Ann Suffern. Laura and David easily won this match 21-13, 21-8 and went on to the semi-final where they faced the pairing of Ryan Stewart and Alannah Stephenson. Unfortunately, they lost out but not before pushing their opponents to three gruelling set (21-16, 19-21, 21-8). Well done to Laura and her partners, Kirsty and David.

MIXED LEAGUE

The newly-refurbished Community Centre in Davidstown was the venue for what was to be Davidstown's final game in the sixth division mixed league as the team lost out to Taghmon's 'B' team on Tuesday last. In the ladies' doubles, Davidstown's Marie Kinsella and Brigid Kelly narrowly lost out to the Taghmon pairing of Clodagh Dunne and Leanne Murray 22-20, 21-9.

Davidstown's Fergus Murphy and Jeremy Mcgrath brought the men's doubles matches to the wire, narrowly losing out in two straight sets (22-20, 2116). The first mixed doubles match saw Fergus and Marie (Davidstown) bring the match to three sets, losing out by a whisker to Andy Mcgrath and Clodagh Dunne (9-21, 21-19, 21-11).

Unfortunately for Davidstown, the might of Sinéad Bolger and Jeremy Mcgrath did not prove strong enough this time, and they had to bow out 21-8, 21-14. Spirits, however, remain high as Davidstown's ladies are looking forward to the doubles league where they will test their abilities at sixth division level in the coming months.

Jeremy Mcgrath (Davidstown) will link up with the club in Clonroche to compete at fifth division level, while Davidstown's Fergus Murphy, a stalwart marathon runner, must hang up his racquet for the moment as he concentrates his efforts on an upcoming marathon event in Connemara. Good luck to all!

SHIELD COMPETITION

The Shield competition was held recently in Ramsgrange Community School. The competition was very well run by Terrerath's Seamus Creane and his helpers. A big thank you to Billy Drought, caretaker, for having the venue organised and ready for play.

DIVISION 1: Taghmon defeated Shelburne 8-1. Men's singles - Alan Mackey (Taghmon) defeated Tomás Power (Shelburne) in an exciting three-setter 21-15, 12-21, 21-15, giving Taghmon a 2-1 set lead.

Ladies' singles - Ciara Dunne defeated Helen Shalloe 21-3, 21-8, giving Taghmon a 2-0 set win.

Men's doubles - Edward Cousins and Nicholas Murphy defeated Colm Byrne and Chris Mcmackin 21-9, 21-10, giving Taghmon a 2-0 set win.

Ladies' doubles - Taghmon sisters Deirdre Kehoe and Siobhán KehoeParle defeated Siobhán Bowe and Ailish O'hanlon 21-19, 21-17, giving Taghmon a 2-0 set win.

At this stage the Taghmon team had an 8-1 lead. They were declared the winners and no mixed games were played.

DIVISION 2: The Division 2 Shield was a very exciting encounter between Shelburne and New Ross. It went right down to the wire.

Men's singles - Joe Ryan (New Ross) defeated Paudie Foran in a nerve-wracking three-setter 21-12, 18-21, 21-16, giving New Ross a 2-1 set win.

Ladies' singles - Clodagh Dunne (Taghmon) defeated Tara Kehoe 22-20, 21-13, giving New Ross a 2-0 set win.

Men's doubles - Colm Byrne and Seamus Creane (New Ross) were defeated by Shelburne's Tomás Power and Chris Mcmackin in an exciting two sets 16/21, 18/21, giving a 2-0 set win to Shelburne.

Ladies' doubles - Ellen O'neill and Brideen Lynch (New Ross) were defeated by Shelburne's Siobhán Bowe and Ailish O'hanlon 21-17, 21-10.

At this stage of play Shelburne had a 5-4 set lead.

First mixed doubles - Colm Byrne and Brideen Lynch defeated Tomás Power and Siobhán Bowe 21-17, 21-12, giving New Ross a 6-5 lead. Now it was down to the wire as to who would win.

Second mixed doubles - Seamus Creane and Rosemary Burke were defeated by Christopher Mcmackin and partner 21-6, 21-13. This gave Shelburne a 7-6 set lead so it went right down to the last mixed doubles.

Third mixed doubles - Joe Ryan and Ellen O'neill claimed the title for New Ross against Shelburne's Paudie Foran and Tara Kehoe 21-16, 21-18. This gave New Ross an 8-7 sets victory. Well done to both clubs for some very exciting and at times nail-biting badminton.

DIVISION 3: This was a straight final between Shelburne and Taghmon. Shelburne won 8-3 (further results available in next week's edition).

DIARY DATES

January 17: Under-16 schoolboys badminton, Ramsgrange.

January 18: Leinster Under-19 Schools finals to be held in Baldoyle.

January 21-22: Leinster Open championships, Baldoyle.

January 21-22: Juvenile Terenure.

January 22: C.A.C. inter-counties Class 1, 3, 5. Venue to be confirmed.

January 28-29: Leinster Under11/Under-15 Open, Baldoyle.

January 28 and 29, February 5: Training and assessment for Under-17 county teams (Astro Active, Enniscorthy, 10 a.m. to 12 noon).

'B' tournament,