Tenniskillen.com

WEST ULSTER TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

19th to 25th May 2008

Tournament Details

Photos

“Bright sunshine, barbecued food, the occasional bottle of wine, a boat trip on the river with soft guitar music in the background”; reads like an opening line from a tourist guide to Vienna or Budapest? Not so, this is what greeted the competitors and spectators at Enniskillen this weekend as they travelled to Hollyhill Road for the climax of the Donnelly Group West of Ulster Tennis Championships.

Everyone was in high spirits as the glorious weather complimented the excellent tennis on show over an action packed weekend. Competitors from Omagh, Irvinestown, Ballynafeigh, Belfast Boat Club, Butt Hall Ballybofey, Hillsborough, Sligo, Longford and of course Enniskillen served up some fantastic tennis in near perfect conditions.

An early start on Saturday morning brought the visiting players into action and from the outset there were a number of upsets. Karl Donaldson a young Belfast player saw off the challenge of number one seed Francis Venzon from Butt Hall beating him in two sets of the Fuels & Lubricants A Mens Singles. Local star Adam Donaldson, last year’s winner, also got off to a good start with an impressive win over Adam Suzin from Longford and a quarter final win in two sets over Sligo’s Keith Hopkins. Meanwhile local player Chris Ciepulcha lost out to his clubmate Mathew Mc Gann, who then went on to overcome Karl Donaldson so booking his place in the final.

Local players also faired well in the The Village Inn B Mens doubles with Davey P Thompson and Roger Howe overcoming seasoned campaigners Peter Craig and Jimmy Mc Cutcheon in the B Mens Doubles. Susannah Hughes Jordan booked her place in the A Ladies Final with a win over Alexis Russell. In the Alex Knowles Associates Ltd B Mens Singles Martin Garrity from Irvinestown maintained his meteoric rise with an impressive win over number two seed Peter Craig.

Play finished early on Saturday night as ELTC had something special in store for their competitors. At 7.30 players and their spouses made their way to the Round O for a memorable cruise on the Erne. A queue at the bar and some rousing tunes on the guitar from David Mc Dowell was followed by a sumptuous meal in the Killyhevlin and then more rowdy renditions on the return journey. A near perfectly calm night ensured that our visiting players will have a terrific memory of what Enniskillen has to offer apart from the great tennis.

Late night or not play got underway early on Sunday morning. The Enniskillen money was on Adam Donaldson to take his place alongside his coach in the decider but gutsy Omagh player Andy Moore had other ideas and in a very tight semi edged out the reigning champion.

The scene was set for a classic and we weren’t disappointed. Mathew was his usual calm and collected self as he showed that teachers can do as well as teach. Two tie-breaks one to Andy and one to Mathew meant that strength, conviction and courage were called for in the final set. The outcome was finally decided when Andy summoned every ounce of resolve and determination to run out 6/4 in the third set.

In other events Derek Elliott lost out to Martin Garrity in the Modern Tyres B Mens Singles final. Derek partnered Ken Newman in the B Mens Doubles final and lost narrowly to fellow ELTC partnership of Roger Howe and Davey Thompson. Susannah Hughes Jordan lost out narrowly over three sets in the Lough Erne Golf Resort A Ladies Singles Final to ATT’s talented twin Kerri Russell.

The B Mixed doubles also featured a member of the Hughes Jordan household as Susannah’s mum Ita partnered Roger who was looking for his second win. It was not to be however as Philip Weir and Belfast Boat Club’s Jane Steritt proved too strong in the final set. Hugh Maguire a relative newcomer to the sport showed his mettle over the course of the tournament making it in fine style to the Lochside Garages C Mens Singles final. Omagh’s David Logan is a talented player and he justified his seeding running out the winner over two sets.

At the presentation of prizes Club Chairman praised the support received from businesses in the area and the hard work of committee members.