Roscrea selected as Irish Badminton Club of the Year
Roscrea Badminton Club (RBC) has had the honour of being selected as the Club of the Year for the 2024/25 Season at the Badminton Ireland (BI) Awards which took place before the finals of the AIG Victor Irish Open earlier this month.
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Accepting the Badminton Ireland Club of the Year Award on behalf of Roscrea Badminton Club were, from left: JP Maloney (Secretary), Danny Kelly (Chairperson), Denise Tierney (Treasurer), Bernard Martin (Selector). PicasaImage 2 of 2
Roscrea Badminton Club members at the Club of the Year Award Presentation, from left: Luke Marks, Pat Marks, Abbie Marks, Fia Dooley, Evan Martin, Conal Dooley, Bernard Martin, Ellen Farrell, Danny Kelly, Tony Farrell, Michael McGrath (President – Badminton Ireland), JP Maloney, Denise Tierney, Jane Marks PicasaRBC is a small rural club of only approximately 50 members that punches way above its weight. They currently have the proud distinction of having three of their members playing at international level. Luke Marks on the Irish U17s and representing Ireland at this year's Youth Olympics, Celine Connors on the Irish Masters Team, and Lorcan Flannery who recently represented Ireland in the European Para Games in Turkey, and RBC members are also highly represented on the County Teams.
RBC pride themselves in being a totally inclusive club open to members of all ages & abilities having members ranging from 14 to their 70s and Lorcan being a prime example of promoting badminton to all.
At a Tipperary County level, four of RBCs members sit on positions on the County committee and are the main drivers & co-ordinators of all competitions in the county.
Roscrea Badminton Club has such a long history with Badminton Ireland on a national level with the proud achievement of having the only husband and wife to have served as Presidents of BI in Paddy & Kathleen Marks. The Club's continued commitment to BI at a National level is still demonstrated today with having four members, Mary Ryan, Bernard & Pauline Martin & JP Maloney assisting BI in the running of National competitions. Mary Ryan also has the honour of being the first female Umpire in Munster and recently has recently taken on the role of Line Judge Co-ordinator, which by all accounts, she did a fantastic job at the Irish Open.
For the past three years, Roscrea Badminton Club has also run a social county competition, the Joe Tuohy Tournament in the memory of a former member. This competition has grown from strength to strength every year and has tremendous support from all clubs in the county.