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Irish Intervarsity Judo Championships 2006

The Irish Intervarsity Judo Championships 2006 took place in NUIG, Galway on 18th February with Dublin University, Trinity College dominated the team event, winning both Men’s & Women’s titles in fine style. Their women’s team beat Queens, Belfast in the final, with NUIG, Galway & UCD taking Bronze. The Men’s tournament was a very tense affair Trinity beating DIT by the narrowest of margins in a very close encounter, with light heavyweight, Patrick Wheen throwing DIT’s Richard Kiernan for Ippon in the last match with the scores tied at two a piece. Bronzes were shared by WIT A Team & ITT, Tralee.

John Deenihan, TCD won the men’s Open category, beating Michael McKenna, DIT Team Captain in the final. Conor Flanagan, TCD, winner at Upper Kyu took bronze with Derek Newport, UCC, U-90’s silver Medalist taking the other bronze.

Eva Lauper, DCU, retained her Women’s Open title beating the experienced Eilish McNulty, UL in the final, with Sara McGealy, DIT, the U-57 Gold Medalist taking bronze with Fiona Keating, NUIG the U-70’s silver Medalist taking the other bronze. Eva also won the Women’s U-63 title.

Margaret Watson, St. Patrick’s Teacher Training College was a revelation, taking Gold at Middle Kyu & U-70kg. Margaret completely dominated both categories winning all her matches by Ippon within the distance. This is the first time St. Pats have been represented at the Intervarsities & hopefully they will have a full team for next year’s event.

DIT’s Michael McKenna, won ‘Best Throw of the Day’ award with his devastating Ippon Seoi Nage in the semi-final of the Open, while the diminutive Sumbo Ajisafe, UCD, deservedly won ‘Female Player of the Day’ with a superb display of versatility, agility & courage against much bigger & stronger opponents. As well as her ‘Player of the Day’ title, she also took silver at U-52 kg.

John Deenihan from Trinity College won ‘Male Player of the Day’ for winning the men’s Open and his key role in the winning Trinity team. The Charles Hegarty ‘Spirit of Judo Award’ went to Edward Ruddell, University of Ulster, Coleraine.

The entire event was run in a very professional manner from start to finish by the NUIG Organising Committee, led by Rebecca Smoker, from the weigh-in on Friday evening through to the celebratory dinner dance after the event. Special mention was also made of Colm O’Riordan’s 25 years of service to the NUIG Judo Club.

It was decided at the Captain’s meeting that the 2007 event will be hosted by DIT, Dublin as part of their 10th Anniversary celebrations.

Download Results (Excel 25Kb)