Jack Armstrong brings home Leinster title

Seeded No1, they had progressed to the quarter-finals with a 21-3 21-8 victory over Seamus Bradley/Peter Burke and eased through against Enda Clogher/Christopher O’Donoghue 21-17 21-9. They then edged past Sean Patrick Laureta and Alpha’s Jack Livingstone in the semis 21-19 22-20.

There were further problems posed by the No2 seeds Daniel O’Meara/Michael Staunton in the final as they had to come from one set behind. They upped their game considerably and were able to take the second set 21-14 before taking the lead in the latter stages of the decider to lift the Leinster title 21-18.

Beth Stephenson had to be content with runner-up the Under 17 Mixed Doubles after partnering Brian O’Mahony to shock the No1 seeds Mervyn Magee and Moya Ryan 17-21 21-12 21-13 in the semis. They crashed out themselves to the No2 seeds Kyle Magee and Clodagh Dunne 21-11 21-18.

In the Girls Doubles Alpha’s Kerri Scott came to within one match of winning the title. Partnering Clodagh Dunne they defeated Lana Browne and Karen MacNamara 21-14 21-11 before a walkover in the semi secured their place in the final but it was Kate Frost and Moya Ryan, seeded No2, who were to take the title in a match which lasted 30 minutes.

Jon McCreedy, meanwhile, partnered Matthew Smyth, his Alpha club-mate, to the runner-up spot in the boys doubles.

In the final against top seeds Adam McAllister and Brian O’Mahony the top seeds raced away to the opening set 21-14 but the Alpha pair took control in the second, winning it 21-17. They would have been somewhat disappointed that they didn’t make the most of the early parts of the decider and had to be content with the runners-up slot.