U15 & U19 Irish Nationals

The U19 & U15 Irish Nationals were held at Baldoyle Badminton Centre on 10th & 11th December with a number of great performances across both age groups.

Matthew Cheung retained his Boy's Singles title for the 3rd year in a row in the U19 event, with Paige Woods claiming the U19 Girls Doubles title with partner Michelle Shochan. Brother's Zach & Rhys McAuley played a great event to win the U15 Boys doubles in a very competitive age group across all disciplines.

U15 Irish Nationals

Seeded No.1 for the event the McAuley brothers had a smooth passage to the final of the boys doubles. They played the Ulster/Dublin partnership of  Jerald Baiju & Adhithyan Gopinath. It was the Raphoe pair who took a tight opening set 21-19 and continued their momentum in to the second set with a 21-17 win & the National title. Rhys had a great competition overall reaching the final of the Mixed Doubles with Amber Buchanan and the semi final of the Boys singles. Jeffery Rong had a great run in the boys singles reaching the final to face top seed Andrew Hassett. Jeffery won the opening set 21-14 but Andrew Came back strong in the next 2 sets to win the title. Overall it was a great event for Ulster players, taking home a total of 12 medals over the 5 disciplines. Aiden Biju Joy took 2 bronze medals, reaching 2 semi finals in the Boys singles and Boys doubles. Ella Cheung & Amy Moore won a bronze in the Girls singles and Ella also claimed a bronze in the mixed Doubles partnering Jamie Blakeman. Amber Buchanan added to her silver in the mixed doubles with a bronze in the girls Doubles partnering Kimberley Pearson. Kimberley also reached the semi finals of the Girls Doubles to add another bronze medal. In the mixed Doubles Jeffery Rong added a bronze medal in the mixed doubles to add to his silver medal in the boys singles.

Players are looking strong in the U15 Age group! Well done to all the players competing.

Full results here & Event photos here

U19 Nationals

Paige Woods & partner Michelle Shochan played a great event to win the girls doubles. Paige & Michelle played the Ulster pair of Rosin McKenna & Chloe Woods in the final and it was the Ulster/Leinster pair who came out fast and won the first game 21-9. It was much closer in the second set but it was Paige and Michelle who came out on top 21-19 to win the title.

Matthew Cheung won the Singles title to make it 3 years in a row! Impressive run for the 17 year Old player. Seeded ¾ for the event Matthew was on top form throughout the event progressing to the final defeating Callum Laird, Dylan Noble and 2nd seed Alan Doyle en-route to the final. Matthew maintained a high level in the final winning 21-7, 21-9 against Top seed Pranav Erukattil.

Rosin McKenna also had a great singles event reaching the final of the girls Singles after some strong 3 set wins in the earlier rounds. In the final she played Michelle Shochan, but it proved a game to far losing out 21-13, 21-8, however added another National Silver medal.            

Paige Woods & Dylan Noble, fresh of their U17 Irish Nationals title, reached the final of the Mixed Doubles to play Vincent Pontanosa & Neasa Flynn. The Dublin pair proved to strong in the final for the younger pair winning 21-17, 21-8. A good event for Paige taking home 2 medals.

Laura Bell took home 2 bronze medals in the Girls singles and Mixed doubles, after some good early round wins in both events. Laura Comer won 2 Bronze medals in the Mixed Doubles, partnering her brother Rory, and the girls doubles . Rory Comer reached the semi final of the boys singles before losing out to Pranav Erukattil, but a great performance for the U17 player. Matthew Cheung added to his Gold medal with a bronze in the boys doubles with partner Dylan Noble.

Overall a great National Event for Ulster taking home 11 medals.

Full Results here  Competition Photos here

Thank you to Badminton Ireland for putting on 2 great National events.