It was a tough day for the Irish players on the opening day at the Yonex Irish International badminton championships in Lisburn as several home-based players failed to qualify for the main draw of the competition.
Tony Stephenson started strongly beating Scotland’s Mathew Carder in straight sets 21-19 21-16, but then lost out to Kasper Ipsen of Denmark 21-11 21-12.
Stuart Lightbody, another Irish hopeful won his first match against France’s Ralph Starren in straight sets but again lost out to England’s Jamie Bonsels in the second round 21-17 21-13.
It was also a disappointing day for Ireland’s number two women’s player, Sinead Chambers, as she lost out in the first round to Anna Thea Madsen of Denmark 21-19 21-10.
Irish numbers ones, Chloe Magee and Scott Evans will be in action on Friday as they try to secure ranking points for Olympic qualification. Evans will have a difficult first round match against English number one and third seed Rajiv Ouseph.
Magee, who is seeded sixth for the championships, is currently enjoying her highest world ranking and will open against Barbara Matias of France. And she will be hoping to achieve a quarter-final place or better to keep her Olympic qualifying campaign on track.
Magee is also in mixed doubles action, and is top seed for the competition partnering her brother Sam.
Other Irish players in action on Friday include men’s doubles pairings Tony Stephenson and Tony Murphy, Stuart Lightbody and Andrew McKee, Mathew Getty and Martin Lau, Scott Burnside and Conor Hickland, Daniel Magee and Niall Tierney, and Ciaran Chambers and Joshua Magee.
Mixed doubles pairings include Stuart Lightbody and Caroline Black, Ciaran and Sinead Chambers, and Martin Lau and Catherine Coyle.
