Judo players shine at open

AT the recent National University Judo Open Championships held in Galway, Sean O'Doherty and Sarah McDaid both members of the Longtower Judo Club and students at Queens University in Belfast, were in fantastic form when they competed against the best students from across Ireland in a well contested event.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th May 2010, 11:44 BST
Updated 6th May 2010, 11:44 BST

Sean competed in the mens under 81kg category and fought his way through a very competitive event to reach the final against a strong player JT Denihan from the university of Limerick, the fight went most of the distance and Sean was caught at the last minute with a strong attack from the Limerick student which resulted in sean having to settle for the silver medal.

Sean then decided to enter the mens open weight event against the best of the winners from all the other events but although he produced some fantastic Judo he was unfortunate to having to settle for the Bronze medal in this event.

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Sarah McDaid found great form and came out with all intentions of winning the ladies under 63kg event starting off well with an ippon throw against the Galway girl and then making short work of the rest of the girls on the way to easily win the gold medal in this category.

Sarah then competed in the womens open weight event and was again in super form when she totally destroyed the opposition on the way to easily winning the gold medal a fantastic display of judo from McDaid.

At the presentation dinner held in the Galway Bay Hotel, Sarah and Sean had another surprise when they were both presented with the player of the tournament Sarah winning the best female award and Sean winning the best male player of the day award a fantastic result for both students and a great result for Londonderry judo.

While Longtower and Pilots Row Judo club members competed at the recent Championships coming home with no fewer than three gold and six silver medals in a well attended event at the Kingfisher Club in Galway.

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All players competed really well and made their clubs proud by their excellent results. As this is only a train through fundamental event there are more important events to follow so it is vitally important that all players keep training hard.

The medal winners are as follows: Tiarnan McGilloway (Gold) -37kg Cadet; Ashleigh Newton (Gold) -44kg Cadet; Somchai McCanny (Gold) -66kg, Senior (Silver) -66kg Junior; Jamie McFadden (Silver) -28kg Minor; Paul McMenamin (Silver) -34kg Minor; Joseph McCloskey (Silver) -60kg Cadet; Patrick McCloskey (Silver) -60kg Senior, (Silver) -60kg Junior.

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