For the second year running, the Belleek Living Closed Championships were played out. at Enniskillen Tennis Club, in hot and sunny conditions. The event is split into AB section and CD Sections allowing players of all standards a competitive challenge representing in many cases player’s first steps into competitive tournament tennis. The tournament also marks the start of the busy autumn schedule with the club league due to start at the end of this month.
In both sections the most popular events were the mixed doubles competitions. In the CD section Martin Hamblin and Anne Smyth came through as comfortable winners dropping only one set in the whole competition. The AB winners, Matthew McGann and Josie Boyle didn’t have it as easy with all bar one of their rounds going to a deciding set. The final itself was no exception as Clive Funston and Lisa Greaves took the second set and an early lead in the deciding third before Matthew and Josie came through 6-4 5-7 6-2.
Matthew then went on to successfully regain his AB men’s singles title with a hard fought 7-6 6-1 victory over Daire Dillon. The CD men’s final saw Hugh Maguire and Brendan Duffy renew their rivalry of many years with Hugh coming through a very evenly matched contest 7-5 6-4. While Hugh was delighted to finally get his hands on this trophy after many attempts it was tough on Brendan who fell at the final hurdle for the third year running. Both ladies singles events were round robins with Andrea Irvine’s heavy hitting seeing her drop only one set on her way to winning the AB title. Liz McGuinness was even more dominant in the CD ladies with her high energy brand of tennis seeing her come through all her matches in straight sets.
The AB men’s doubles final turned into a McShea family affair, as father Ollie partnered by Matthew Duffy defeated son Conor partnered by Davy Thompson in a tense 7-5 6-4 battle on court one. At the same time on court three, Alex Knowles and Ken Yang were in impressive form in winning the CD men’s title against Matt Dillon and Tony Ringland in Ken’s first foray into competition tennis. The ladies winners were Vanessa McBrien and Lisa Greaves who combined well in the ABs to defeat Andrea Irvine and Josie Boyle. The CDs winners were Ruth Armstrong and Liz McGuinness who topped the round robin contest with a three set win over runners up Maxine Leary and Ruth Elliott.
During the presentation of prizes club chairperson, Maxine Leary, paid tribute to tournament sponsors, Belleek Living, thanking them for their continued support for the club and the generous sponsorship of prizes for the event. She also thanked Tournament Director Sonja Hateboer for her time and dedication in scheduling the whole tournament.
