4 Nations joy

Lisburn hosted a successful 4 Nations Para Badminton Championships at Alpha Badminton Club last weekend.
Emma Furnham from Alpha Badminton Club, Lisburn, getting ready for the Four-Nations para badminton championships at Lisburn Racquets Club. US1347-503cdEmma Furnham from Alpha Badminton Club, Lisburn, getting ready for the Four-Nations para badminton championships at Lisburn Racquets Club. US1347-503cd
Emma Furnham from Alpha Badminton Club, Lisburn, getting ready for the Four-Nations para badminton championships at Lisburn Racquets Club. US1347-503cd

It was a chance for Alpha member, World Champion Niall McVeigh, to get back to business after his title winning performance in the SS6 (Short Stature) class of the World Para Badminton Championships in Dortmund recently, and he came up trumps on his home courts at Alpha Badminton Club in Lisburn.

Keeping a close eye on his gold medal, Niall was the centre of attention at the Championships and showed again just what is possible with grit, determination and a fair degree of talent as he romped home in the mens singles beating his clubmate Luke Irvine, who found him as uncompromising on court as ever winning 21/16 21-8.

Emma Farnham another member of the squad from the Lisburn club, who lifted two bronze medals in Dortmund, partnered Luke to take the mixed doubles and the ladies doubles while Luke marrowly missed out on a second medal when partnering Andrew Moorcroft as they narrowly missed out on a semi-final place in three sets.

Emma certainly deserved the ladies singles title in a real humdinger of a contest beating Deirdre Nagle (Scot) 21-19 21-19 in just over half-an-hour.

There was also a gold for Chris Stewart in the final of the Wheelcheelchair mens singles when he had a 21-10 21-8 victory over clubmate Michael Smith.

As Alpha welcomed competitors from Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales, organisers were delighted to see those taking part having some fun, with Emma being challenged to a friendly match with world champion Niall, while the crowd were eager to see his Gold medal.