Magee's Win elusive Irish International Title & Matthew Cheung Wins U15 Gold Star!

It turned out to be a great AIG Forza Irish Open for Raphoe's Chloe & Sam Magee, winning the Mixed Doubles. It is the first time the pair have won their home event after coming so close last year losing out in the final. This year was a different story with the pair playing fantastic badminton throughout the event to get the win. Top seeds for the event the brother & Sister pair had little trouble reaching the final with wins in the quarter final against Mork & Jorgenson from Norway, 21-15, 21-13 and a Semi final win over Roe & Hopton (ENG) 21-7, 21-9. In the final they faced another English pair of Towler & Westwood and again their level was just too good over the 2 sets taking the title 21-13, 21-12. A fantastic win for the World Ranked 40 pair and a provide great momentum for the final few tournaments of the year and the for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Qualification period starting in January.

Emerging Performance Squad players Rachael & Rebecca Woods also had a great run in the event reaching the Quarter finals of the Women's doubles. The 17 Year Old Twins won a tough opening round against Hamang & Wiborg, 21-16, 15-21, 21-17. In the second round they played the Ireland/Estonia pairing of Bredin & Pesti and the girls played a great match taking it 21-8, 21-11 to progress to the Quarter finals. There they faced the 3rd seeds of the event Bukovicki & Gonda from Hungary. It was a very tight opening set which the Hungarian pair snuck 21-19. Gaining momentum the 3rd seeds took control of the match in the second taking it 21-10. A great run for Rachael & Rebecca in an International Series event.

For full results click here  

Photo's from the event click here

Photo credit - Mark Phelan

Gloucester U15 Gold Star

It was a great weekend for another Emerging Performance Squad player, with Matthew Cheung winning the Boys Singles Gold star and runner in the Boys doubles.

Matthew was unseeded for the event placed in group 2 along with the number 2 seed Michael Pang. Matthew continued his great form so far this season and won all his group games taking out Pang 21-17, 21-12. This progressed Matthew to the Semi final where he faced the 3/4 seed Ethan Hosken. It was a comfortable opening set for Matthew taking it 21-12 but Ethan upped his game in the second pushing Matthew all the way before 2 great closing points got the 2 set win 23-21. In the Final he faced the Top seed and England National Team player Oliver Butler. It was a very evenly poised match with each taking a set 21-15 in the opening 2 games. The deciding set showed some great level of singles play from both players and was tied at 21-21. An easy error from Oliver gave Matthew Match point at 22-21 and he took it in style with a great Forehand cross court stick smash to win the point and the title! An impressive win from the 13 year old.

Matthew teamed up with Jeremy George from England and the scratch partnership made it to the final, were they faced the top seeds Oliver Butler & Ethan Hosken. It proved a match to far for the Ulster/England pair with the top seeds winning 21-14, 21-17. A good run in the doubles and an unexpected silver medal for Matthew with a new partner.

For full results of the tournament click here