Fz Forza U13 & U17 Irish Natioinal Championships

Matthew Cheung continued his incredible year but winning 3 titles at the U17 Irish National Championships while young up and coming  Player Christopher Chee won the Boys Singles at the U13 Irish National championships.

Both events were held at Lisburn Racquets Club with a total of 86 players competing over the two age groups.

U17 Irish Nationals Championships

14 Year Old & Emerging Performance Squad players, Matthew Cheung followed on from winning the Boy's Singles & Mixed doubles at the U15 Irish National Championships by going one better and winning all 3 events.

Seeded 1 for the Boys singles, Matthew had a walkover in the first round before two comfortable victories in the Quarter Finals & Semi finals against Kevin Downey & Scott Guildea respectively. In the final he faced his Doubles partner Vincent Pontanosa. Matthew started the stronger of two in the opening set going on to take it  21-12. It was a similar story in the second set with Matthew controlling the game early on and maintaining his lead to win 21-10 and his first National title of the day.  

Matthew & Vincent were top seeds for the Boys Doubles progressing to the Semi final and faced the Downey brothers, David & Kevin. Matthew and Vincent took the opening set 21-10 before the Kildare pairing pushed them hard in the second set and sneaked it 23-21. It was a close 3rd set with it very even midway through the set but Matthew & Vincent p[played very solid in the remaining points and took the game 21-17 and through to the final. In the final they played the 2nd Seeds Scott Guildea & Ben Lawlor. Taking confidence from the Semi Final win Matthew and Vincent maintained a high level of boys doubles in the final and were too strong for the 2nd seeds winning 21-14, 21-11.

In the Mixed Doubles Matthew & Sophia Noble teamed up and seeded one for the event. The strong pair were never really troubled in the Mixed event progressing to the final without dropping a set. they played Vincent Pontanosa & Lucy Fox in the Final and came out on top 21-12, 21-15.

Laura Comer came home with a Silver in the Girls Doubles narrowly losing out in the Final to Lucy Fox & Leonie Ward 23-21, 23-21. A great run and unlucky not to come away with the title.

Stuart McCollam also reached the semi final of the Boys Doubles with Dylan Noble but lost out to Guildea/Lawlor 21-11, 24-22.

Well done to all Medallists and Winners!

For full results click here      

U13 Irish National Championships

Raw Performance Squad Player Christopher Chee was the big winner in the U13 Irish Nationals winning the boys singles and a Bronze in the Mixed Doubles. Jeffrey Rong also had a great Boys Doubles taking home a Silver medal and Daniel Orr & Josh Tang claiming a Bronze.

Christopher was the Top seed for the Boys Singles and played 3 very solid matches to reach the final including an impressive 21-13, 21-12 win over the 3/4 seed Darragh Murtagh in the Semi Finals. In the final he played the 2nd Seed from Terenure College Junior Badminton Club, Senan O'Rourke. It was a very close opening set in the final with Christopher taking it 21-18. The second set was very similar with the score tied at 19-19 Senan played a great few points winning 21-19 to take it to a deciding 3rd set. It was Christopher who had a great start at the beginning of the 3rd set and played excellent badminton and keep his level throughout the 3rd game running away with it winning 21-4 and his first Irish title! 

In the Mixed Christopher partnered Rachel O'Flynn and after two good wins in the 3rd Round & Quarter final they lost out in the Semi final to top seeds Dowling/Flynn 21-13, 21-12. 

Young Jeffery Rong had an excellent Boy's Doubles event reaching the final with partner Andrew Hassett. The U11 player & partner showed  great fighting spirit in the opening round coming through a tough semi final in 3 sets 21-17, 17-21, 21-17. In the final they played Dowling/O'Rourke and unfortunately it was a match to far with them losing out 21-4, 21-10.

Daniel Orr & Josh Tang played well to reach the Semi Finals of the Boys doubles but lost out to the Top seeds in 2 hard fought sets.

Well done to all competitors, Winners and Medallists! For full results click here   

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