The ever-popular annual junior closed tournament took place at Enniskillen Tennis Club last week. This event is specifically for junior members of the Enniskillen Club. It saw over 40 competitors take to the stage from our youngest and newest recruits to our more experienced junior members.
The U18 Boys Singles had a competitive line up and the top 4 seeds making it through to the semi-finals. Ronan McKeever just edged out Daire Dillon 7-6 7-5 in a match full of quality which did each player justice. In the other half of the draw Jared Monaghan overcame Kyran Maguire and Kyran showed he was well able to compete at U18 level. The final was a typically close encounter between Ronan and Jared. But for once Jared was the underdog and he emerged on top with a well deserved win 7-5 6-3
The U18 Girls Singles was the tightest event in the whole competition. There was very little to choose between the four girls, Laura Griffin, Alison Glass, Hannah Cousins and Eimear Smyth. Alison pushed Laura all the way to the third set tie-break where Laura just managed to hold on 11-9 after many pulsating rallies. Hannah and Alison had an equally enthralling match with Hannah just prevailing 11-9 in the third set. The standard of tennis in this match was particularly high and one of the most entertaining of the week. Eimear’s results reflected her steady improvement over the past year finishing runner up to Laura, but competing very strongly and only narrowly losing out to Laura in a first set tie-break.
The U18 Doubles final was between Daire Dillon and Kyran Maguire against Ryan Irvine and Jared Monaghan. There was precious little in this match too with Daire and Kyran taking the first set 6-2. True to form Ryan and Jared took the second set 6-3 to level the match at one set all. The championship tiebreak went down to the wire with Daire and Kyran clinging on to win 10-8 with some excellent volleying and passing shots from all players.
The U14 girls singles saw young Eve Callaghan playing some excellent tennis and at only 10 years of age, Eve is surely one for the notebook. Hannah Davis and Ciara Griffin had their usual tight match with Ciara coming out on top. But it was Ciara’s older sister Amy who proved an even bigger stumbling block with Amy taking the honours with a 6-1 6-4 win in the final.
The Under 14 Doubles was won by Jack Balfour and Jenson Hanna from the runners-up Luke Dillon and Declan McBride. Declan and Jack between them probably spent more time on the courts than off over the entire weekend. Jack also took the U12 Boys Singles round robin event ahead of Declan and both boys should be delighted with their efforts over the weekend. This event also saw a fine performance from Tom Kettyles who just got the better of the promising Harry O’Hare 6-2 2-6 10-8 in a very close encounter. Jack completed his hat trick of wins with a narrow win over Luke Dillon in the U14 Boys Singles 6-4 3-6 10-5.
The Novice Boys Singles saw several of our newest recruits taste competition for the first time. Andrew Hyde and Michael McDonnell had a titanic battle in one of the earlier matches with Michael coming out on top 11-9 in the deciding set. The very sporting Jamie Coffey was just edged out by Harry O’Hare in the quarter finals but Jamie deservedly won the consolation event. Ryan McDonnell and Philip Coffey fought out a tight final with Ryan just coming out on top 6-7 6-2 10-8 in what turned out to be the longest match of the competition.
The Novice Boys Doubles saw Tom Kettyles and Matthew McManus take the honours with two good wins from two matches. Andrew Hyde and Ryan McDonnell just edged out the two young debutants Marcus Davis and Ciaran Dillon from the runners-up spot in a championship tiebreak.
Saturday morning saw an event for the Under Tens taking place. This is a team event and it was heartening to see a large number of juniors taking part. Kyle Deery and Eve Callaghan remained unbeaten throughout with Rory Smyth and Marcus Davis in close pursuit. Aoibheann King, Matthew Cairns, Ciaran Dillon Kaelan Deery Bronagh Smyth and Sam Balfour are the names that we will hear much more of in the future. Their rapid progress throughout the past year is also a tribute to their coach Louise McGann and it reflects her continued dedication and enthusiasm in developing our youngest junior members.
