NHAT NGUYEN WON back-to-back Irish Opens today when he defeated Malaysia’s Tan Jia Jie 2-1 in the final.
The 24-year-old won through to today’s decider after beating Finland’s Kalle Koljonen 21-12, 21-16 yesterday.
It’s official @Nhat_Nguyen007 is back to back Irish Open champion. A proud day for Irish badminton 🙌💪☘️ pic.twitter.com/QgiDKvZlze
— Badminton Ireland (@irishbadminton) November 16, 2024
The home crowd at the National Indoor Arena were thrilled to see their man win the opening set 22-20.
Tan hit back to win the second set 21-14, setting up a nail-biting final set.
Nguyen prevailed 21-19 in a tightly fought set to defend his crown and cap a memorable year, where he competed in his second Olympics.
As a Connacht man I really have to admire Leinster. They are so good at developing young players. From the schools through to the academy and on. If anything they are victims of their own success with an overflow of young talent. And it isn’t just down to financial backing as some say here, you have to produce the talent first and then mould it before the financial side kicks in. The rest of the provinces need to get their act together…I mean Munster have the second and third largest cities in Ireland this side of the border. Limericks rugby scene is non existent now. If it wasn’t for west cork producing players I don’t know where Munster would be. Connacht unfortunately will never be at the top table and Ulster flatter to decide, they have the potential.
@anthony davoren: Leinster had the good fortune of having a very strong and privately funded schools system. Fair dues to them for taking advantage of that but that’s a huge inherent advantage over the other provinces. That said, the other provinces didn’t get their act together until more recently and it’ll take time for the results if that to show. It’s true that Hurling seemed to win the battle for hearts and minds in Limerick recently leading to few young players from what was previously a stronghold.
@Michael Corkery: there are privately funded schools in every province though. Are the powers that be provincially doing enough to develop rugby in them? Compared to England and France where their big teams develop little to none of their squad players. They poach them from other areas. Leinster by default are actually providers to the other provinces with the exception of the odd player like Henshaw
@anthony davoren: Limerick still has the lions share of AIL clubs (not bad for 100 thousand+ people) but the IRFU are dead set on ruining the AIL so can see it getting worse.
Leinster team which is the basis of the Irish squad looked very average against a young enthusiast Bristol team albeit that Bristol are second in the English Prem.
The big change came when Snyman Barret Doris Porter were introduced from the bench… The point I’m trying to make is do Ireland have a Snyman and Barret type of player within in our 4 province’s…. From a Munster prospective I see Tom Aherne the closest to a Snyman type.., his athleticism and foot work and good with ball in hand…. Tom Farrell is the other player I see raising the awareness towards him and his ability the threaten the gain line and break tackles with off loading skillset .. he has really stepped up another notch since moving to Munster…. Again food for thought….?
@Den: PS my comment is not an attack on Leinster or the fact that they predominantly make up the Irish team…. That is deserving of how dominant Leinster have been over the last decade and more bit as Cullen and coaching staff have noticed Leinster are not the full package to compete the task and win the 5th star, but I feel if they can keep Snyman and Barret fit for Cup games I would fancy them strongly to win this competition….