The early 2020s brought both disruption and recovery for badminton in Mayo. Like many sports across Ireland, clubs in the county were heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. With indoor facilities closed under public health restrictions, activity was suspended for nearly eleven months. The league, which had been gaining strength at the time, was forced to stop abruptly, and when play resumed in the 2021/2022 season it proved difficult to regain momentum. While most clubs eventually returned to activity, some were unable to re-establish, and the county league itself did not resume, underlining the lasting impact of the pandemic on organised badminton in Mayo. During that same season, Ballina Badminton Club competed strongly and finished as runners-up in the Grade G Connacht finals, providing one of the county’s first signs of a return to competitive form.
In the years that followed, however, progress was gradually made in rebuilding the sport. Clubs began to recover in terms of membership and activity, supported by national initiatives and programmes designed to boost participation and provide structural support. Local volunteers also played a crucial role, ensuring clubs had the organisation and enthusiasm needed to encourage players back onto the court.
This rebuilding soon began to translate into competitive success. In the 2022/2023 season, Crimlin captured the Connacht F title and advanced to the All-Ireland finals, finishing as runners-up. The following year, 2023/2024, Mayo’s graded F team secured the Connacht Inter-County Championship, defeating strong opposition from both Roscommon and Galway.
As the 2025/2026 season begins, Mayo badminton finds itself in a period of cautious optimism. The challenges of recent years have shown both the difficulties and the resilience of the sport in the county. Thanks to the dedication of clubs, players, and volunteers, badminton continues to hold its place in Mayo’s sporting life, carrying forward a tradition that has endured since the 1920s and offering hope for continued growth in the years ahead.