Eugene McKenna (badminton)

McKenna played for the Alpha Badminton Club in Lisburn.^[2] He represented Ulster at provincial level^[3] and all-Ireland at international level.^[4] He specialised in doubles play and partners included Michael Watt, Michael O'Meara and Graham Henderson in the men's doubles^[1] and Angela Carr, Lisa Lynas^[5] and Ann Stephens in mixed doubles.^[6]

His sporting career was interrupted because he devoted time studying medicine and physics, which consequently resulted in McKenna only winning 14 international caps during a ten-year period.^[1] He did however represent the 1998 Northern Irish team^[7] at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,^[8] where he competed in badminton tournament.^[9] McKenna was also candidate for Northern Ireland at the 2002 Commonwealth Games^[10] and subsequently played in the men's doubles event.^[11]

He was a five-time Irish champion at the Irish National Badminton Championships, winning the men's doubles in 1987, 1989 and 1990^[12] and the mixed doubles in 1989 and 1990.^[13]