EuropeanIrish.com News Stories

Wouldn’t it be great to hear more about top Irish sports stars who are competing for Ireland all across the Continent.

EuropeanIrish.com will feature any sport and all age groups too, if you are Irish and competing in Europe – you are just as important as the Irish Senior soccer team or Munster Rugby, or the Olympic Athletes.EuropeanIrish.com wants to hear from you all - simply visit http://www.europeanirish.com/ News and add the News story.

or maybe you are based in Europe and run a club or a member of one which features a number of irish players, - if you have a news story add it.The Irish in Europe would love to read about it.

Badminton:  there are Irish competing in Poland, Sweden, Spain, Netherlands (twice), Austria and Germany over the next 6 weeks 

Come out wherever you are based and support Irish sports stars playing near you.

January           

17-20 Polish International Junior Championships     

Glubcyze  Poland

24-27 Swedish International Stockholm       

Taby Sweden

February:

08-10    International Spanish Junior 2008

Spain

12-17   European Mens & Womens Team Championships 2008       

Almere Netherlands

20-23   Austrian International            

Vienna  Austria

26-02   Yonex German Open 2008    

Rhein-Ruhr Halle/ Mulheim, Germany

27-02   Dutch Junior International 2008        

Haarlem Netherlands

Details at

http://www.internationalbadminton.org

Badminton: Scott Evans based in chance to play 2 of the world’s top players. 

Scott Evans is ’s number 1 Men’s singles badminton player and is currently ranked inside the elite Men’s world top 50. 

Scott is looking forward towards representing atthe Bejing Olympics in 2008 and is currently situated well inside the qualifying mark. The final list will be announced in May 2008 

Scott has represented at all levels and his biggest achivement to date was playing in the Denmark Super Series 2007 when he took his place amongst the worlds top 32 shuttlers after beating three players inside the worlds top 25 along the way. A first for an Irish Badminton Player…. Scott was also the beaten finalist in the Croatian Open 2007 

Scott’s is currently living and training in under the watchfull eye of former Danish great Jim Laugesen.   

……this week to take part in the opening Super Series events of the year. Scott plays the winner of the Pablo Abian and Yu Hsin Hsieh match in the qualifiers on the 15th January. A game against world number 5 Peter Gade of in the first round proper awaits the winner of this qualifying section. The following week in Korea Scott has an opening qualifying game against Bobby Milroy of  and should he win that he will have a tough match against Yi Lu of all on the 22nd January. The winner of this qualifying section will play Hong Chen of , the world number 10, in the first round proper. 

Best of luck to Scott in both tournaments and as always you can follow his daily progress on his blog and website at www.scottevansirl.com where Scott will be giving his thoughts and views on all his matches. Pop into his forum and leave a good luck message or join the site to get news of upcoming live online chats with Scott. 

Read recent article on Scott at http://www.badzine.info/content/view/780/3/ 

MORE on Irish in badminton : 

Find all Irish Sports asociations including badminton Ireland at:
http://www.europeanirish.com/sports_association.php

Scott Evans has climbed the world of men’s singles badminton over the past number of years, qualifying for the Olympics next year in Beijing, if he maintains or improves this outstanding achievment.
Recently he has taken on the World Number 1 and defeated the former World Number three.

This guy is one Ireland should be proud of, and follow his tremedous climb in world badminton.

He is currently Training hard in Denmark. http://scottevansbadminton.blogspot.com/2007/11/training-hard.html

Watch Scott Evans on You Tube - on his website and blog.

Ireland finished their Polonia Cup Campaign off with two hard fought victories against tough opposition.  First up was a strong Estonian team.  But despite some close fought matches, Ireland deservedly won through 4-3 with one of the best performances being the mens doubles victory from Owen Marron and Luke Moore.
In their final match, Ireland played Hungary….
Details & Report:

http://www.badmintonireland.com/content/templates/news.aspx?articleid=654&zoneid=2

EVANS FINEST HOUR………..SO FAR!

First Scott Evans defeated New Zealand top player John Moody, then Indian Anand Power before a superb win against no. 2 and formerly in the world’s top three, Lee Hyun Il.

Then Scott held his own against World No. 1 Lin Dan of China., scoring 13 and 10.
Details:

http://www.badmintonireland.com/content/templates/news.aspx?articleid=655&zoneid=2

Irish badminton High Performers compete in Denmark, France, Iceland, Hungary, Norway, Turkey, Netherlands

18-21 Oct Netherlands Badminton: DUTCH OPEN Grand Prix Almere

22-28 Oct Denmark Badminton Ireland: Denmark Open Odense

30 Oct-4 Nov  France Badminton Ireland: French Open Paris

1-4 Nov Hungary Badminton Ireland: Hungarian International Budapest

8-11 Nov Iceland Badminton Ireland: Iceland International Reykjavik

15-16 Nov Norway Badminton Ireland: Norwegian International Oslo

24-28 Oct Turkey Badminton Ireland: Polonia Cup Istanbul

Irish badminton in Europe:

http://www.europeanirish.com/Sport/badminton.htm

2-7 Oct  Germany Badminton Ireland: Bitburger Open Saarbrucken
4-7 Oct  Bulgaria Badminton Ireland: Bulgarian International Sofia 
11-14 Oct Cyprus Badminton Ireland: Cyprus International Nicosia
17-21 Oct Netherlands Badminton Ireland: Dutch Open Almere
22-28 Oct Denmark Badminton Ireland: Denmark Open (Super Series) Odense
30-Oct  France Badminton Ireland: French Open Paris
24-28 Oct Turkey Badminton Ireland: Polonia Cup Istanbul

http://www.europeanirish.com/Sport/Sportsyear.htm

Back in June of this year, Ireland competed in the Surdinam Cup -in Group 5, topped their group 5B defeating Norway, Sri Lanka, and Peru. And in the division 5 decider went to 3 sets in each of their 4 matches against Lithuania, losing eventually 3-1.

Ireland did take 33rd place inthe World ranking at the time, and with the progress of ireland’s Mens Singles, Women’s singles and Women’s doubles in their strive for the world Olympic places, Irish badminton is is much better shape than it was 4 years ago.

SUDIRMAN CUP -2007 RESULTS
June 0007
GROUP 5B RESULTS SUMMARY
PER vs. SRI  3 - 2
IRL  vs. NOR 4 - 1
IRL  vs. SRI  3 – 2
PER vs. NOR  3 – 2
IRL  vs. PER  3 – 2
SRI  vs. NOR  5 – 0

GROUP 5 RESULTS SUMMARY
LTU vs. IRE 1 – 3

###
Finals ranking order after 2007 Contest
1. China
2. Indonesia
3. England
4. Korea
5. Denmark
6. Malaysia
7. Hong Kong
8. Thailand
————————-
9. Japan
10. Singapore
11. Poland
12. Chinese Taipei
13. Germany
14. Netherlands
15. Russia
16. Sweden
————————-
17. France
18. India
19. Scotland
20. USA
21. New Zealand
22. Canada
23. Finland
24. Ukraine
—————————
25. Czech Republic
26. Australia
27. Italy
28. Bulgaria
29. Switzerland
30. Wales
31. Estonia
32. Spain 
—————————
33. Ireland
34. Lithuania
35. Slovenia
36. Sri Lanka
37. South Africa
38. Peru
39. Luxembourg
40. Norway
—————————
41. Portugal
42. Belgium
43. Belarus
44. Slovakia
45. Iceland
46. Turkey
47. Cyprus
48. Latvia
 
Details:
http://www.internationalbadminton.org/SC2007.asp
Lithuania - Ireland 1-3
WS 1 Akvile Stapusaityte (14854) - Chloe Magee (8966) 21-19 17-21 12-21 (0:48)
MS 2 Kestutis Navickas (13460) - Scott Evans (15241) 21-18 16-21 21-17 (0:43)
WD 3 Akvile Stapusaityte (14854) & Ligita Zukauskaite (13907) V Chloe Magee (8966) Huang Bing (14097)16-21 21-16 8-21 (0:35)
MD 4 Donatas Narvilas (8411) & Kestutis Navickas (13460) V  Daniel Magee (31381) & Sam Magee (35394)17-21 21-18 19-21 (0:41)
 

Women’s Doubles:
Chloe Magee & Bing Huang currently ranked 34 in the world.
Extraordinary success since this time last year- with Quarter Final, Semi Final and Final appearances across Europe and Australasia
 22/07/2007  NORTH SHORE CITY INTERNATIONAL  Int.Ser.  Winner
  17/06/2007  SUDIRMAN CUP MIXED TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP 2007  success
  03/06/2007  LE VOLANT DOR DE TOULOUSE - BLAGNAC  Int.Cha  Quarter-Finalist
  27/05/2007  XX SPANISH OPEN 2007  Int.Cha  Quarter-Finalist
  28/01/2007  SWEDISH INTERNATIONAL 2007  Int.Ser.   Semi-Finalist
  10/12/2006  YONEX IRISH INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS  A Quarter-Finalist
  19/11/2006  NORWEGIAN INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS  A  Runner-Up
  12/11/2006  ICELAND EXPRESS INTERNATIONAL 2006  A  Semi-Finalist
  15/10/2006  CYPRUS BADMINTON INTERNATIONAL  A Runner-Up
  03/09/2006  LATVIA RIGA DISTRICT INTERNATIONAL 2006  B Runner-Up

###

Scott Evans is now ranked 53 in the world of mens singles
Below gives a huge list of Scott’s

 19 Aug 2007   16th WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2007 1/32
  22 Jul 2007   BINGO BONANZA PHILIPPINE OPEN 2007 1/32
  15 Jul 2007   VICTORIAN INTERNATIONAL 2007 1/32
  08 Jul 2007   SCG THAILAND OPEN GRAND PRIX GOLD 2007 1/16
  17 Jun 2007   SUDIRMAN CUP MIXED TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP 2007 -
  03 Jun 2007   LE VOLANT DOR DE TOULOUSE - BLAGNAC 1/32
  27 May 2007   XX SPANISH OPEN 2007 1/64
  29 Apr 2007   POLISH INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2007 1/32
  22 Apr 2007   PORTUGUESE INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2007 Quarter-Finalist
  15 Apr 2007   VAN ZUNDERT VELO HOLLAND OPEN 2007 1/16
  18 Mar 2007   WILSON SWISS OPEN SUPER SERIES Qualifier
  11 Mar 2007   YONEX ALL ENGLAND SUPER SERIES Qualifier
  04 Mar 2007   CROATIAN INTERNATIONAL 2007 Runner-Up
  25 Feb 2007   AUSTRIAN INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2007 1/32
  21 Jan 2007   EUROPEAN B TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS 2007 -
  15 Dec 2006   ITALIAN INTERNATIONAL 2006 1/32
  10 Dec 2006   YONEX IRISH INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 1/16
  03 Dec 2006   YONEX WELSH INTERNATIONAL BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIPS 1/32
  26 Nov 2006   Bank of Scotland International Badminton Championships 2006 Quarter-Finalist
  12 Nov 2006   BIG BOSS DUTCH OPEN INTERNATIONAL 2006 1/64
  05 Nov 2006   DENMARK OPEN 2006 1/64
  29 Oct 2006   BITBURGER LUXEMBOURG OPEN 2006 1/32
  15 Oct 2006   CYPRUS BADMINTON INTERNATIONAL Quarter-Finalist
  01 Oct 2006   YONEX CZECH INTERNATIONAL 2006  1/16

#####

Womens Singles:
Chloe Magee is ranked 77 in the world  a top 64 sport might get her into the Olympics.
Chloe’s events recently are:
 19 Aug 2007   16th WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2007 1/64
  22 Jul 2007   NORTH SHORE CITY INTERNATIONAL Semi-Finalist
  15 Jul 2007   VICTORIAN INTERNATIONAL 2007 1/16
  17 Jun 2007   SUDIRMAN CUP MIXED TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP 2007 - SUCCESSFUL
  03 Jun 2007   LE VOLANT DOR DE TOULOUSE - BLAGNAC 1/16
  27 May 2007   XX SPANISH OPEN 2007 1/32
  22 Apr 2007   PORTUGUESE INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2007 1/32
  28 Jan 2007   SWEDISH INTERNATIONAL 2007 1/16

Carol Ui Fhearghail and Cormac Breslin are also on the World’s Certified Referees and Umpires list.

Mixed Doubles
Bing Huang & Donal O’Halloran
ranked 100 in the world.
 21/01/2007  EUROPEAN B TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS 2007  See regs  1983.50 
  10/12/2006  YONEX IRISH INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS  A 2100.00 Semi-Finalist
  19/11/2006  NORWEGIAN INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS  A 1650.00 Quarter-Finalist
  15/10/2006  CYPRUS BADMINTON INTERNATIONAL  A 2100.00 Semi-Finalist
 

Badminton World Championships, Malaysia
DAY 1
Womens Singels - Chloe Magee lost to Li LI on Monday 13th
Mens Singles - Scott Evans, defeated Eric GO, in 3 sets - 21-12, 14-21, 21-17

Chloe Magee and Karen (Bing) Huang played a World top 10 pair from Korea, losing in straight sets.

Day 2:
no irish players

Day 3 LiLI (who defeated Chloe) was defeated in straight sets to the 6th seed Chen Wang from Hong Kong.

Playing the 13th seed Hashim from hosts Malaysia in the World Championships, Scott Evans lost by 2 aces in the first set 19-21, won the 2nd set 21-14 before the top player advanced in the third set 21-11 over Scott.

China’s Lin Dan won the mens singles, over Sony Dwi Kuncoro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5×5Nh3HPkKU

The week before the event the Irish received some disappointing news when they were placed (after a re-draw) into Division 5 from 4.  This was due to some complex reason for which we have not yet received a satisfactory explanation.

That said, the team was placed in a group with Norway, Sri Lanka and Peru with the top team of this group going on to play for promotion.

First up was Norway whom Ireland recently defeated during the Helvetia Cup.  We matched that winning result with another strong 4-1 victory getting off to a great start.

The second match proved to be very tough against a strong Sri Lankan side.  All matches were closely fought.  But after a fantastic mixed with the score at 2-2, Huang Bing and Scott Evans won a very tense match giving Ireland a narrow 3-2 win.
FULL REPORT :  http://www.badmintonireland.com/content/templates/news.aspx?articleid=549&zoneid=2

Are you planning to move to Continental Europe?

If so we would love to speak to you. please contact us immediately at  EMAIL HERE  or 00 353 21 492 8966.

Let us know how we can help, what you need, whatr you want, what you would like to know, and more…

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Continuing to Support Irish living in Continental Europe and Irish heading to the Continent.

..

EuropeanIrish.com team

Alex Sim is in Tallinn Estonia competing in Men Singles Badminton this weekend 1st-4th June.

The draw should be available tomorrow.

In Spain at the end of May, Scott Evans, Alexander Sim, William O’Neill and Daniel Magee entered Men’s Singles, each losing his opening game.

IN Womens Singles Chloe Magee won her opening singles match to move to the last 32.

With Karen Huang, Chloe played through to the Quarter Finals of Womens Doubles and lost 30-28 in the 3rd set tie-break, and the partnership that beat them went on to contest the overall Womens Doubles final. good to see them competing at the highest level of the event.

Chloe and Daniel Magee won a round of the Mixed Doubles, and Alex played with a Welsh partner in the same event.

On the end of Day 3, before the Finals day, all Irish interest ended.
  But well done, and great experience in this challenging Badminton Open Event.

Irish badminton in Europe:
http://www.europeanirish.com/Sport/badminton.htm

Scott Evans ranked 27th in Europe - singles
22/04/2007  PORTUGUESE INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2007 Quarter-Finalist
15/04/2007   VAN ZUNDERT VELO HOLLAND OPEN 2007  1\16
04/03/2007   CROATIAN INTERNATIONAL 2007 Runner-Up

SIM Alexander   74th in Europe Singles
01/04/2007   FINNISH INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2007 won a Qualifier match

Womens Singles
Chloe Magee - 39th in Europe
22/04/2007    PORTUGUESE INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2007 1\32
28/01/2007   SWEDISH INTERNATIONAL 2007  1\16
21/01/2007   EUROPEAN B TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS 2007

Ruth Kilkenny 50th in Europe
21/04/2007    MIAMI PAN AM INTERNATIONAL 2007 1\16
Mens Doubles
 EVANS Scott & O`HALLORAN Donal  57th in Europe

Womens Doubles
 MAGEE Chloe  & HUANG Bin  17th in Europe, 43rd in the World
  22/04/2007  PORTUGUESE INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2007  1\16
  28/01/2007  SWEDISH INTERNATIONAL 2007 Semi-Finalist
  21/01/2007  EUROPEAN B TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS 2007

Mixed Doubles:
 O`HALLORAN Donal & HUANG Bing at 47th in Europe, 100th in the World
 MAGEE Chloe & EVANS Scott 75th in Europe

JUNIOR BADMINTON:
Sam Magee played in PSD Bank European Junior Championships in Germany
He won his first round 23-21 17-21 25-23  against Swiss Shane Razi
Just 2 aces cost him a place in Round 3 - losing to England’s Bruce Peake 21-11 12-21 21-19 
Chloe Magee played in European Junior Championships
Chloe won her first round singles match against Russian  Lubov Chudentceva 21-13 21-9 .
A 3-setter loss in her 2nd round to Turkey’s Oznur Caliskan, left just her mixed doubles encounter, partnering Sam Magee.
Against seeded french pair Laurent Constantin &  Emilie Lefel, the Irish siblings went down in another 3 set encounter 12-21 22-20 21-16 .

For Irish badminton news in Europe:
  http://www.europeanirish.com/Sport/badminton.htm

Send Comment - click ‘comment’ below.

What now of little Madeleine McCann?  

Is the little girl still alive somewhere and all the current distraction taking from finding her?
Or has she died - did she die that evening - are her parents involved in her death, and a huge cover-up- or is it a huge set-up ? Is there Portuguese police pressure to find some resolution to this - are Gerry and Kate an easy obvious target? Is there evidence planted? or is this something much more sinister - is it a horror story to think that Maddie’s parents are involved in orchestrating her dissappearance - and utimate death?
So many questions - no answers - no little Madeleine.
In Ireland, The Robert Holohan case with communities and a whole nation out looking for a little boy who had vanished - to find a story much closer to home of his death at the hands of a neighbour ‘friend’, and a disposal of his body in a bogland … are there similarities to be drawn here? Time will tell - or will we ever really know?

http://europeanirish.com/blog/2007/09/17/what-do-you-think-happened-little-madeleine-mccann-2

What do you think happened?

####

Have you seen Maddie McCann?

SEND YOUR COMMENTS - CLICK HERE

A three-year-old British girl Madeleine McCann is feared abducted after vanishing from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz Portugal.

Have you seen her?

Her parents have plenty Irish connections, particularly in Co.Donegal.

If you see Madeleine (Maddie), contact interpol or your local police straight away.

Crimestoppers created the number
0044-188 373 1336, for routing phone calls from Portugal to its normal 0800- 555111 number.

Lagos Police - 00 351 282 76 29 30UK: 0044 20 7782 4105Full stories at http://news.sky.com/skynews/madeleine

SEND YOUR COMMENTS - CLICK HERE 

For Information on the Many Missing Irish People at home and abroad - maybe you can help… MISSING IRISH PEOPLE  This website was established to help find missing Irish persons. One phone call could end the nightmare for so many. If you wish to call home, have information about a missing person, or are concerned about a missing friend or relative, CLICK HERE for details on how to reach us.   For the current listing of other missing persons:http://www.missing.ws/
_missingPersons/missingPersons.asp 

Have you seen her?

Her parents have plenty Irish connections, particularly in Co.Donegal.

If you see Madeleine (Maddie), contact interpol or your local police straight away.

Crimestoppers created the number
0044-188 373 1336, for routing phone calls from Portugal to its normal 0800- 555111 number.

Lagos Police - 00 351 282 76 29 30UK: 0044 20 7782 4105Full stories at http://news.sky.com/skynews/madeleine

SEND YOUR COMMENTS - CLICK HERE

First - recent tournaments:
Finnish International -
Mens Singles
Alexamder Sim: MS Qual.- won first match V Finnish Kasper Lehikoinen21-14 13-21 18-21  

2nd match in Qualification was lost 21-13 21-6

Alex is currently ranked 59th in Europe
having playing in the Irish International, Welsh International, Norway, Iceland, Hungary, Cyprus and Bulgaria in the past 12 months.

######

Scott Evans in March played through a few Qualifying rounds on the SwissOpen.
In Mens singles this month, at the VAN ZUNDERT VELO HOLLAND OPEN
Scott Evans - won 1st MS  Round
Scott Evans [IRL] V  [FRA]  Simon Maunoury
21-17 21-17

In the next round Scott lost to the 5th seed from Czech Republic -
Petr Koukal [5] [CZE]
 21-15 21-11 
IRL[IRL]  Scott Evans

#####

European International and Open Championships this week and next:

This week ahead Scott plays singles against Denmark’s Kasper Ipsen at the Portuguese International. This match takes place on Friday 20th April, with the tournament running 19-22 Apr.

At the end of the month, he stays in European competitive action in Poland, from 26 to 29 Apr.

#####

Also in Portugal this week are Chloe Magee in singles against Dane Camilla Sorensen,

and she partners Karen Bing in the Women’s doubles, getting a bye in round 1, only to have to face top seeds in the next - Dutch pair
[NED] Paulien Van Dooremalen [1]
[NED] Rachel Van Cutsen

#####

Report of Irish Badminton Stars in Europe over the past 18 months: The Irish Team European B Team Championships 2007 Reykjavik Iceland 

Ireland were drawn in a group with Spain, Cyprus, Norway and Ireland. 
Ireland’s team was made up of Karen Bing 
Donal O’Halloran 
Scott Evans 
Chloe Magee 
Lisa Lynas
And Mark Topping 

Starting on 17th January, Ireland’s opening match was against fancied Scandinavian’s Norway.  Karen and Donal, made it 1-0 a great start for Ireland, winning 21-9, 21-12 
Men’s Singles Scott was made fight to the last points in the first set, but won 23-21, before winning the 2nd 21-14. 18 year old but experience of one much older, Chloe won the Women’s Singles 21-9, 21-12. 

This ensured an Irish win. Mark (who used to be a top 40 ranking partnership with brother Bruce) paired with Donal winning the first set 21-15, lost the 2nd 20-22, before also losing the 3rd by just 2 points 19-21 in Men’s Doubles. 
Chloe and Karen secured a final match win for a 4-1 overall win against probably the favourites of the group. 

Next day 18th Jan, the Irish faced the Spanish, winning the first the men’s singles - well done Scott; then the Women’s singles in a 3 set thriller, Mark and Donal won in 2 straight sets in 25 minutes; Karen and Chloe also won in straight sets.  Ireland’s Mixed pair lost the 2nd set having won the first, and lost out 17-21 in the 3rd. 

But a 4-1 win again was very satisfactory hard day’s work.  On Friday 19th, Ireland won 4-1 against Cyprus, winning the Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles. Lisa Lynas played well but lost in straight sets in the Women’s singles. 

As group winners, Ireland were guaranteed a top 4 place finish, each of the 4 group winners playing off for 1-4 places.  First on Saturday was Estonia, Ireland winning the Mixed Doubles in straight sets. Both Scott and Chloe lost their respective Singles ties in 3 sets each. So Ireland trailed 1-2 with the 2 doubles matches to be played. 

Donal and Mark played attacking badminton winning 21-10, 21-6. Karen and Chloe with a tight first set won the 2nd set by 6 points, and winning the match in 22 minutes, and claiming an outright 3-2 win for Ireland. 

Superb!  Now a showdown for a 1st or 2nd place finish against hosts Iceland. 
Sunday 21st January Ireland played in the Final of the Helvetia Cup.  Mixed Doubles - Karen and Donal lost the first set, but won the next 2 sets, 21-13, 12-4, to give Ireland the precious 1-0 lead. 

Chloe Magee lost her first set by just 3 points, 18-21, and the 2nd set was agonizingly close, but she lost by the same margin, as the overall tie was all squared at 1-1. 

Scott Evans won his singles in convincing style 21-11, 21-15, to regain the lead for Ireland, needing 1 win from the final 2 encounters - Men’s and Women’s Doubles.  Chloe and Karen lost in straight sets 21-16, 21-16. Ireland 2 - 2 Iceland 

Final Match of the Championships: Donal O’ Halloran and Mark Topping in Men’s Doubles. They won the first set 21-8. It was looking good.  The 2nd set was tied as the score reached 20-20, and played out to 23, Ireland just losing 21-23. 

The 3rd set was also really close, but Iceland won the set 21-18 winning the match and the Trophy, Ireland having been so close. 

Ireland’s final placing (top 2) guarantees the Irish team promotion to the main European Championships to be held in Denmark in April, 2008.  Well done to all, on an outstanding display by the Irish Team. 

Report of Irish Badminton Stars in Europe over the past 18 months:
Mixed Doubles Pair Karen (Huang) Bing and Donal O Halloran.
Having been so close to an Olympic Qualifying spot for Sydney (2003/2004), until injury hit when they were close to the cut-off date, since Donal and Karen returned they have been consistently reaching the latter stages in European Internationals.
In 2005, having been out of the European circuit - from April 2004 to April 2005, to be Semi-Finalists in Estonia Kalev International 2005, and Quarter Finalists in the SPANISH OPEN International and Iceland Express International were superb results.

After an international  break of 10 months, their past 4 tournaments since October 2006 have seen Quarter Finalists in the Norwegian International, and 2 Semi-Finalist placings at the Irish and Cyrus Internationals. The other being part of Ireland’s superb success story at the European B Team Championships in January.

http://www.internationalbadminton.org

All in all - a continued success story of Ireland’s best Mixed Doubles Pair for the past 5 years. Currently ranked at 101^st  in the World, 43^rd in Europe. Karen Bing and Donal O’Halloran.