Cidona Award

Post date: Jan 21, 2011 12:26:38 PM

Fergal Collins (Ballina)

Fergal Collins from the Ballina club in North Tipperary once again enjoyed a very successful year, winning both the 40 x 20 and 60 x 30 U-21 All-Ireland Singles titles. In April he travelled to Moycullen in Galway to take on the Connacht champion Stephen Cooney from Mayo. In a very closely contested final Fergal won by 21/17, 18/21, 21/16.

He spent the summer in America and competed in many USHA tournaments, playing against some world class players. He returned for the 60 x 30 championships and in the All-Ireland final played in Talbot's Inch in Kilkenny in September he beat local man Ciaran Neary 21/13, 21/8.

Fergal also reached the U-21 Doubles final, partnered by clubman Declan Gleeson, but they were beaten in the final in Thurles by Ciaran Neary and Patrick Funchion from Kilkenny. His success in the U-21 grade was notable, as he is again underage for this year's championships. The Féile na nGael Skills Record holder has made real strides in his game in recent years and his future looks very promising as he progresses towards the senior ranks