The 2012 Irish National Championships is set to take place in Dublin at Baldoyle Badminton Centre this weekend and once again it has attracted Ireland’s top talent. With Irish Olympic Hopeful’s Scott Evans, Chloe Magee and Sam Magee all in attendance it is set to be an exciting weekend for all badminton fans out there!
Men’s Singles: In the Men’s singles Scott Evan’s world number 65 is hot favourite to retain his National title on his quest for a 7th consecutive win at this event. Scott Burnside is seeded number two for this event and will lead the charge as the draw compete to challenge Evan’s Dominance. Tony Stephenson and Joshua Magee make up the rest of the seeding’s and will be the big contenders for the semi-final spots. Niall Tierney is another name to watch out for having won this year’s Ulster Open, with only four seeds Niall is not ranked in the draw so there is potential for an exciting quarter final match up for him with Scott Burnside.
In the Mixed Doubles world number 40 Sam and Chloe Magee are putting their Olympic campaign on hold as they try to take a 5th consecutive national title. The main contenders will be number 2 seeds Daniel Magee and Fiona Glennon and 3/4 seeds another brother and sister combination of Ciaran and Sinead Chambers. Stuart Lightbody and Caroline Black make up the other 3/4 spot and will hope to take a semi-final spot against one seeds Sam and Chloe. In the Bottom side of the draw Magee and Glennon and Sinead and Ciaran Chambers are favourite to meet to make up the other semi-final.
The nationals has always been one of the most exciting dates on the Irish calendar and with a strong field including all Olympic hopefuls at home to compete this weekend it will provide a great spectacle for any badminton spectators in attendance. With the cold snap here this event should provide some hot competition as the players go for the coveted prize of being crowned National Champion.
The OCI would like to wish all the Athletes the best of luck at these Championships.