The 2012 Irish National Championships is set to take place in Dublin at Baldoyle Badminton Centre this weekend and once again it has attracted Ireland’s top talent. With Irish Olympic Hopeful’s Scott Evans, Chloe Magee and Sam Magee all in attendance it is set to be an exciting weekend for all badminton fans out there!

Men’s Singles: In the Men’s singles Scott Evan’s world number 65 is hot favourite to retain his National title on his quest for a 7^th consecutive win at this event. Scott Burnside is seeded number two for this event and will lead the charge as the draw compete to challenge Evan’s Dominance. Tony Stephenson and Joshua Magee make up the rest of the seeding’s and will be the big contenders for the semi-final spots. Niall Tierney is another name to watch out for having won this year’s Ulster Open, with only four seeds Niall is not ranked in the draw so there is potential for an exciting quarter final match up for him with Scott Burnside.

Ladies Singles: In the Ladies singles Chloe Magee world ranked 46 is again huge favourite for the ladies singles title. Like Scott, Chloe has dominated this event for the last number of years as she targets a 6^th Consecutive title. The main contenders to Chloe in this event will be number 2 seed Jennie King and Sinead Chambers who is not seeded. Jennie and Sinead have the potential to make up the semi on the bottom half of the draw. On the top side there are a number of talented ladies who hope to face Chloe Magee in the semi-final.  One name to watch out for is 15 year old Alannah Stephenson who is set to make her Irish senior debut at the European Women team championships later this month.

Men’s Doubles: In the men’s doubles Ireland’s number one ranked doubles player Sam Magee world number 81 with his partner Ian Macbeth take the top seeding. There are a number of partnerships looking to Challenge the one seeds for the title. Number two seeds Niall Tierney and Daniel Magee have had some good form this season winning three of the major domestic titles and will look to continue on their good form. Number 3/4 seeds Tony Stephenson World ranked number 88 with his partner Tony Murphy have also been in good form this season making 3 domestic finals this year and will look to go one step further in this event. Scott Burnside and Conor Hickland make up the last of the 3/4 seeding’s and are favourites to meet number one seeds Magee and Macbeth in the semi-final.

Ladies Doubles: In the ladies Doubles Number one seeds defending Champions Sinead Chambers and Jennie King ranked 37 in Europe are favourites to defend their title. Number 2 seeds are the experienced partnership of Fiona and Pauline Glennon who made last years semi final and will be looking to replace this with a final this year. Other players to watch out for are Sonia Dunne and Keelin Fox, both former National winners, they have teamed up to make a formidable partnership. Fox and Dunne will play the Orr sisters in their first round and if they win this will face Chambers and King in the defending champion opening match.

Mixed Doubles: In the Mixed Doubles world number 40 Sam and Chloe Magee are putting their Olympic campaign on hold as they try to take a 5^th consecutive national title. The main contenders will be number 2 seeds Daniel Magee and Fiona Glennon and 3/4 seeds another brother and sister combination of Ciaran and Sinead Chambers. Stuart Lightbody and Caroline Black make up the other 3/4 spot and will hope to take a semi-final spot against one seeds Sam and Chloe. In the Bottom side of the draw Magee and Glennon and Sinead and Ciaran Chambers are favourite to meet to make up the other semi-final.

 The nationals has always been one of the most exciting dates on the Irish calendar and with a strong field including all Olympic hopefuls at home to compete this weekend it will provide a great spectacle for any badminton spectators in attendance. With the cold snap here this event should provide some hot competition as the players go for the coveted prize of being crowned National Champion.

Irish National Championships 2012 via Tournament Software

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