Badminton Dublin Leinster LBBUI Badminton Ireland

Shires Leinster Open 9/10th Feb '07 - Carlow

Ireland’s top professionals Scott Evans and Chloe Magee showed their expertise in the men’s and ladies singles events in the Shires Leinster Open in Carlow last weekend. Neither Scott nor Chloe dropped a set to win their singles titles, although there were some English, Scottish, Welsh and Belgium competitors, they were never really stretched on court. Scott’s next tournaments are the Austrian, Croatian Internationals with the All England’s in early March, were as Chloe must be one of the favorites in the singles event, in the upcoming Junior European Championships.

In the ladies doubles event Keelin Fox teamed up with Chloe Magee. Although they were a scratched pairing they made it all the way to the final, which was no surprise as between them Keelin has 5 ladies national doubles titles and Chloe has 2 national doubles titles , so these girls know how to play doubles and they went on to win the doubles Shires title for 2006/2007.

Recently crowned national doubles champions the Magee brothers were toppled in the quarterfinal stages by ex national champions of Mark Peard and Donie O Halloran (’96,’99). Peard and O Halloran went on to meet Scott Evans and the young national coach Pat Marron in the final. The final was played with a lot of energy and commitment especially when the combined ages of the four competitors on court went up to 140 odd years. This match was a nip and tuck affair with the opening set going to Peard and O Halloran 21-14.Marron played remarkably well throughout the tournament for somebody who is on the cusp of 50. In the middle set Evans and Marron stole it 21-18, but the wise and experienced Peard and O Halloran re-grouped and took the final set and the title 21-12.

The invited guest to the Shires tournament did not go home empty handed; in the mixed doubles final Scotland’s Thomas Bethell and Jillie Cooper took on Irelands pairing of Sam and Chloe Magee. The opening set went to the Scot’s 21-16, but the Magee’s dug in and battled hard in the 2nd set but narrowly lost 27-25.

Thanks must go to the Knights Badminton Club who each year take on the task of running this event, and a special thanks to “Shires” for their sponsorship of the Leinster Open for the last number of years. Carlow Lawn Tennis club must also be commended for their part in helping the organizer to complete a very tight schedule.

Article written by: Brian Kelly

Final Results:

Scott Evans (Irl) bt Ciaran Merriless (Sct) 21-16, 21-16

Chloe Magee (Irl) bt Rachel Thomas (Wales) 21-12, 21-8

Donie O'Halloran/Mark Peard (Irl) bt Scott Evans/Pat Marron (Irl) 21-14, 18-21, 21-12

Keelin Fox/Chloe Magee (Irl) bt Gillian Sloan/Gilly Cooper (Sct) 21-15, 21-17

Thomas Bethell/Gilly Cooper (Sct) bt Sam/Chloe Magee (Irl) 21-16, 27-25

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Written By: Leanne Cullen
Date Posted: 2/12/2007
Number of Views: 1173

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