Farnham and McVeigh among the medallists at Irish Para International

Badminton Ulster had a good start towards European, World and Paralympic success with the newly created support from both Sporting Winners (Sport Northern Ireland) and the Irish Sports Council (Athlete Carding) contributing provincially and nationally to athletes with Paralympic potential.

Emma Farnham won Ireland's highest medal at the 2018 Irish Para Open with a Silver medal in the Women's Doubles SS6 with her partner from Poland Maria Bartusz. Emma & Maria met the polish pair of Bujnicka/Szmigiel in a silver medal match. The match between the number one and two seeds turned out to be a tightly fought contest. Farnham/Bartusz would win the first game 21-19 before losing the second 20-22 before finishing the game with a 21-11 victory.

Elsewhere Niall McVeigh came away with a bronze medal in the Mixed Doubles SS6 having exited at the quarter final stage of the Men’s Singles to Para World ranked number 2 Krysten Coombs. Niall and his partner Poveda Flores from Peru lost out to eventual winners Robert Laing and Rebecca Bedford in the semi-finals having held match points in the deciding set. The week of competition was satisfying for both athletes as they continue to prepare for future events towards the qualifying period for the World Championships and future Paralympic Games.

Ulster had a strong contingent of players also competing in the International event with Andrew Moorcroft SS6, Chris Stewart, Michael Smith both WH1, Stephen Halpin SL4 and Owen Casey SU5 completing the Irish entrants with some very competitive displays.

The players were supported during the event by Eugene McVeigh, Kyle Dunn, Les Dewart, Kevin McGuigan and Des Jennings both (Sport Northern Ireland Sports Institute).

Article by Les Dewart