School holidays can signify the end of a busy period for many children but for Enniskillen’s Eve Callaghan, it was only the beginning. Playing in tennis tournaments north and south of the border in recent weeks, Eve has clocked up many notable successes.
In July, Eve competed in the Belfast Junior Hardcourt Championships at CIYMS in Belfast. In the U14 Girls Singles, Eve was the No 1 seed and played Dublin’s Gemma Devally in the quarterfinals taking it convincingly 6-2 6-1. She then went progressed to the final with a fine win over Zara Burns from Dundalk in 3 sets. Known for her steely determination, Eve dropped the first set 4-6, before turning things around dramatically and taking the final two sets in convincing fashion 6-0 6-3. The other finalist was Lauren L’Estrange from Sutton LTC in Dublin and Eve never looked in trouble in the final. With her powerful serve a formidable weapon, Eve claimed the U14 title with a very comfortable 6-2 6-1.
Eve also competed in the U16 Girls Singles and she faced Hawarden’s Emily Rose, defeating her 7-5 6-2 in a very exciting match. In the semi-finals Eve met the No. 1 seed Emma Harley from Connacht. In a game full of long tenacious ground stroke rallies, Eve was narrowly defeated 6-2 7-6.
Ulster’s biggest tournament was held at the Belfast Boat Club at the beginning of August and Eve was seeded No 1 in the U14 Girls Singles. Eve cruised through her two matches en route to the final where she played Zara Burns. Once again, Eve displayed an abundance of speed, athleticism and a wide range of powerful shots and ran out the comfortable winner 6-1 6-2.
Eve also reached the final of the U14 Doubles and the quarter final of the U16 Singles.
With Eve showing her current rich vein of form, it is hardly surprising that she has been selected to represent Ulster for her third time in the Interprovincial Championships which are held at Claremorris Tennis Club, Co Mayo this week. Coached locally by Louise McGann, Eve is also a member of the Ulster squad which trains weekly in Belfast.
