Local players shine in 4 Nations event

Pan-Disability Lisburn Badminton Club made the most of the tournament being held in their home venue as 16 players from the Club competed across the various disciplines.

The Club had four players in the Dwarf Classification, where Andrew Moorcroft was runner-up in the Junior Men’s Singles event, and also put in some promising performances in the Senior Men’s Singles and Doubles. Luke Irvine made it to the Semi-Final of the Men’s Singles, and later picked up a silver medal in the Men’s Doubles with his Club-mate David Kelly. Emma Farnham also picked up a silver medal in the Ladies Doubles with her Scottish partner Deirdre Nagle.

Stephen Halpin was the only representative in the Standing Classification, where he picked up silver medals in the Men’s Singles Class 1-2, Men’s Singles Combined and Men’s Doubles events. This was Stephen’s first tournament and he made a very impressive start against much more experienced opposition.

In the Wheelchair Classification Chris Stewart successfully defended his Men’s Singles title with a convincing win over Paul Grey from England. Chris then teamed up with Michael Smith, also from Pan-Disability Lisburn, to win another gold medal in the Men’s Doubles event.

With nine players entered in the Learning Disability Classification it was always going to be a busy afternoon. In Class C Malcolm McRobert won a silver medal in the Men’s Singles, while Andrew Morgan finished 3rd in the group – this was the first competition that both had played in.

In Class B the final was competed between Colin O’Neill and Aaron Fitzpatrick from Lisburn, with Colin coming out on top. Later the boys came together in the Men’s Doubles to win the gold medal. Class A Men’s Singles saw Darren Day and Adam Smyth from Lisburn meet in the final, with Darren winning. Darren and Adam then met Gary Bailie and John McAlvenney, also from Lisburn, in the Men’s Doubles, where Darren and Adam won in a very convincing manner.

The only girl in the LD completion from Lisburn, Claire O’Neill, got a clean sweep of gold medals in the Class A Ladies Singles, Ladies Doubles and Mixed Doubles.

Congratulations to all the Lisburn players, and everyone else who travelled over to make the event possible. The next leg of the 4 Nations Series will take place in Glasgow in February, but before that Niall McVeigh will represent the Club and Ireland at the Parabadminton World Championships in Guatemala from November 22 to 26, and everyone at the Club wish him all the best.

Anyone interested in getting involved in the Club, or disabled badminton in Ulster, can contact Terry Conroy by email at [email protected] or on 07789682446.

Alternatively, you can contact Ryan Prentice, the Ulster Badminton Development Officer.