The Irish National Veteran’s Championships took place in Lansdowne Lawn Tennis club in Dublin recently. This major event attracts players from all over Ireland. This year however, Fermanagh had more than a passing interest in this event, because Matthew McGann the head coach at Enniskillen Tennis Club took part in the 35 men’s singles event.
Matthew was given a first round bye and on paper had a difficult second round encounter as he was drawn to meet the number 2 seed Niall Murphy. Right from the start things went Matthews’s way as he broke Niall’s serve twice and quickly established a 4-0 lead. Matthew kept his rhythm and concentration to take the first set without the loss of a game. Although Niall came back fighting in the second set, Matthew did not loosen his grip on the match and he took the match comfortably in the end 6/0 6/1.
The semi final was against Robert Cummins, the Munster number 1. The weather conditions were atrocious with gale force winds making it very difficult for both players. Matthew adapted his style to suit the conditions and altered his usual aggressive game for a more conservative approach. In spite of this, Robert took the first set 7/5 but Matthew’s experience and determination saw him through a tight second set which he took 6/3. The final set was decided on a champion’s tie-break and Matthew started on the more difficult wind affected end of the court. Both players were keenly aware that a good start was vital in the tie-break and it was Matthew who took a crucial 4/1 lead. Robert could never get a foot hold on the tie-break and Matthew took the tie-break and the match 10/5.
Matthew was now through to meet the number 1 seed Ian Gleeson from Leinster in the final. The first set was hard fought and although Matthew faced two set points against him, he managed to claw his way back to 6-6 thereby bringing the first set to a tie-break. It was during this tie-break that Matthew produced his best tennis of the afternoon and he took it comfortably 7/3. Matthew’s good form continued into the second set and playing with real confidence now, he took the second set and the match 6/1.
This was a major achievement for Matthew and this is the second national title that the Enniskillen coach has won this year. The year 2013 has seen Matthew make further progress at this level and he is now recognised as one of Ireland’s top men’s singles players in the over 35 events.
