Para European Championships 2018- France

The next scheduled event in Rodez France would witness the cream of European Para Badminton descend to battle it out for the titles across the medal board. Support from both Sporting Winners (Sport Northern Ireland) and the Irish Sports Council (Athlete Carding) contributing to athletes with Paralympic potential and a number of players and coaches self- funding their participation.

Niall McVeigh, Andrew Moorcroft and Chris Stewart were entered to play in the SS6/WH1&2 European Para Championship events to compete in the World ranking event being held in the picturesque French town.

This was part of the ongoing preparation as  momentum builds toward Paralympics 2020 qualification.

Niall SS6 World number 6 and Andrew SS6 World Number 23 were due to be competing in SS6 Mens Singles and Men’s Doubles in a newly supported Men’s Doubles partnership but unfortunately an injury sustained late in the previous event meant McVeigh had to withdraw with Moorcroft flying the flag for Ireland in SS6 against the cream of Europe. This he done qualifying from a tough group beating former European Silver medallist A Mekhdiev Russian number 1 in a titanic battle winning 19-21 21-19 21-19  and then defeating the French number 2 Oliver Noakes to reach the quarter finals. After a gallant battle the young Ulsterman just missed out on a medal losing to the French number 1 narrowly at the quarter final stage in a tough 3 setter.                                                                                                                                         Despite the tough opposition Andrew Moorcroft displayed strong performances that will stand him in good stead for the future. The young Queens University bursar can take great pride in the way he performed through the singles competition.

Some great areas of learning for future SS6 programme development with Moorcroft also just missing out on a bronze in the Men’s doubles with Scots partner Bobby Laing standing in for Irish number 1 Niall McVeigh. This enabled some strong and competitive tournament performances at International level against the Worlds number 1 couple and leading European pairs in Men’s Doubles but the experience of the strong French and Russian pair proving a step too far to achieve a podium medal.

Meanwhile fellow Ulster team mate Chris Stewart performed excellently progressing from his group in Wheelchair Mens Doubles reaching the last 16 with Italian partner Piero Rosario Suma only to go out to Jordy Brouwer Von Gonzenbach and David Follett in a well contested match in the Men’s doubles strongly contested draw. Chris also had some personal best performances to build on in his singles qualifying matches although missing out on the final stages.

The players were supported during the event by Les Dewart Para Performance Coach (Ulster Badminton), Kyle Dunn, Eugene McVeigh and Kevin McGuigan Performance Analyst (Sport Northern Ireland Sports Institute).

Thanks must also go to all Staff at the Sports Institute for support to players pre tournament support and admin support at Ulster Badminton/Badminton Ireland.

Next events will be focussed on the qualification path to Tokyo 2020.

For full results of the event click here