2009 All Ireland Championships Preview
Each year the All Ireland Championships provides the most competitive domestic competition in Ireland and establishes the make up and ranking of the IJA National Squad for the coming year. All but one of Ireland’s current international competitors
(Ian Byrne –60kg, injured) will be vying for the right to be called National Champion. Recent World Cup and Continental Cup medallist, Lisa Kearney, will be hoping to regain her title after not competing due to injury in 2008. Lloyd Manning who produced a devastating performance in the recent Irish Open will be trying to win his first Senior National Title but will be under stiff competition from multiple National Champion, Gerard Turner. Gerard’s Lusk clubmate, Tommy Dennis will be favourite in the –81kg division and Julien Lelorrain will be out to re capture the title he lost to Jonathan Herron last year in the –90kg category. Host club Samurai Uladh coach, Paul Green, will be the front runner in the –100kg and Willie Power will hope to seal his selection for next months Continental Cup in Monaco with a win in the +100kg category. Aoife Goulding and Sarah Hawkes can also guarantee international selection for 2010 with wins in their respective categories although both will need to repeat their excellent performances of the Irish Open if they are to see off the competition at the All Irelands.
In the Junior categories established National Squad members Louise Brown, Gemma Reynolds, Aoife Goulding, Matthew Rooney, Adam Corcoran and Dillon Manning will be front-runners in their respective divisions. The –73kg category will be one to watch as a number of contenders including Cian Scannell and Caoimhin Thompson will be vying to replace Lloyd Manning as the Irish Junior No’ 1 for 2010. The Cadet and Minor categories are traditionally very hard to predict, however, the Kerry contingent always perform well here and along with strong challenges from Swords, Renbukan and host club Samurai Uladh we are sure to see some of the best Judo of the day.
Close date for Entries, Tuesday 1st December 2009