2015 Carlton Irish National Championships

It was 'almost' a clean sweep for the Magee family today at the 2015 Carlton Irish National Championships held at the National Badminton Centre in Lisburn.

Double Olympian Chloe Magee (1) once again demonstrated why she is queen of the badminton court during the women's singles event beating Moya Ryan in the semi-finals 21-11, 21-12. Magee's niece Rachael Darragh (2) took an easy victory over Laura Butler 21-7, 21-11 making it a Magee family final. Darragh (2) gave her aunt everything she had in a valiantly fought match but she will have to wait her turn in the family line for a national title as Magee retained her title in two games 21-15, 21-14.

In the men's singles reigning champion Jonathon Dolan (2) took the first game of his semi-final against Tony Stephenson 21-12 but Stephenson upped his game to take the next two 21-15, 21-8. Badminton Ireland Academy player, 14 year old Nhat Nuguyen, gave a promising performance against Joshua Magee but it was the older player's experience that gave him the match in two games 21-14, 21-10. Stephenson was on fire when he faced Joshua Magee in the final, Magee fought hard in an exceptionally tight three game match but on this occasion Stephenson took the title in 21-15, 12-21, 21-17.

It was success again for the Magee family when brothers Sam and Joshua Magee (1) took to the court for the men's doubles taking a comfortable victory in the semi-finals against Stuart Lightbody and Tony Murphy (3/4) 21-9, 21-13. Older brother Daniel Magee and partner Niall Tierney faced Jonathon Dolan and Tony Stephenson (3/4) but despite a bravely fought 3 game match lost out to the seeded pairing 21-13, 16-21, 21-19. Stephenson and Dolan took the first game in the finals and gave the Magee brothers a real challenge for the title but it was the Magees who finally took the title 19-21, 21-19, 21-14

In the women's doubles top seeds Jennie King and partner Sinead Chambers (1) eased their way to the final beating Caitriona Farrell and Norma McIntyre 21-7, 21-13 It was not such an easy journey for Sarah Boyle and Rachael Darragh (2) who had to fight for their place in a three game match against Laura Butler and Aisling Ryan, 17 -21, 21-12, 21-8. In the final the experienced pairing of King and Chambers (1) were in control throughout and took the title from the younger pair in two games 21-11, 21-6.