Medal haul for local badminton stars

Whilst a gold for the two-times world champion Niall McVeigh proved illusive, he did manage to secure a silver and a bronze.

Meanwhile, Andrew Moorcroft and Emma Farnham won silver, and Emma added a bronze in the Womens Singles Exhibition.

The medal haul was more than could have been expected by the local players, given the world class opposition, however, Niall will have been disappointed as he failed in his bid to wrestle the mens singles crown in the Short Stature 6 Class from current world champion Didin Taresoh of Malaysia.

Since losing to Taresoh last September in his opening match of the World Championships in Stoke Mandeville, all Niall McVeigh’s preparations have been targeted towards gaining revenge and where better than at home in Northern Ireland to do it.

However, the Irish No1 was unable to ‘keep up the good start he had made’ and lost 21-15 21-10 against Taresoh.

In the Mens Doubles Niall partnered Chun Yim Wong, reaching the semi-final where they met the top seeds Krysten Coombs and Jack Shephard of England but their challenge ended in defeat 21-9 21-9 with a hard earned bronze medal.

Andrew Moorcroft and Emma Farnham had reason to celebrate as they finished runners-up to the highly rated English pair Andrew Martin and Rachel Choong having knocked out Paul and Randika Doling, coming back from a one set deficit to level by taking the second 21-18 and raced away with the victory 21-13 in 42 minutes.

They, however, were to lose out to Andrew Martin and Rachel Choong 21-8 21-8.

Emma also added a bronze in the Womens Singles Exhibition after losing out to Randika Doling 21-8 21-13.