RAPHOE’S Rachael Darragh won gold in the women’s singles and women’s doubles at the Carlton Irish Under-19 Open at the weekend in Baldoyle.
Darragh – a niece of double Olympic badminton player Chloe Magee – defeated Holly Newall from Scotland in the women’s singles final.
Newall had the upper hand in her previous encounter with the Royal and Prior student, but Darragh wasn’t denied this time and she turned in a magnificent display to win 21-18, 21-5.
Newall defeated the Irish number 3 seed, Sara Boyle, in her semi-final.
Darragh was given a free run to the final after her semi-final opponent, Eleanor O’Donnell from Scotland, had to retire in the first game.
Earlier, Darragh defeated Moya Ryan 21-9, 21-7.
Darragh teamed up with Boyle to defeat Sweden’s Tilda Sjoo and Ella Soderstrom over two games in the women’s doubles decider.
Darragh and Boyle took gold with a 21-15, 21-13 win in Sunday’s final.
In the mixed doubles, Darragh and Paul Reynolds were seeded at number 1, but they lost out to French pair Louis Ducroy and Candice Lesne.
After losing the first game 21-14, the Irish duo won the second 21-19, but they were pipped 21-15 in the decisive third.
On their way to the final, Darragh and Reynolds defeated Scotland’s Mark Leith and Sarah Findlay (21-18, 21-18) as well as the Spanish pair of Alejo Ibeas and Miren Azcue (14-21, 21-19, 21-15).
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