The Ulster Schools’ Tennis Cup was played to completion this week. The Schools’ Cup is Northern Ireland’s biggest team tennis event with schools participating from all over the province.

Last year was a momentous year for the Intermediate girls team from Mount Lourdes as they were the first girls team from Fermanagh to win the cup.

This year the same Mount Lourdes team – Sarah Cousins, Laura Griffin, Eimear Smyth, Hannah Cousins, Dearbhla Dillon and Claire Reihill moved into the senior girls section.

The girls came through the group stages comfortably to set up a semi final encounter with Belfast school Bloomfield Collegiate. Although the Mount Lourdes team were playing girls much older they came out on to court determined to give their best performances, with great tennis from all the girls they won all their matches. Sarah, Laura and Eimear won their matches in straight sets.

The final was arranged to be played at Portadown Tennis club against Belfast school Victoria College. Playing for Mount Lourdes were – Sarah Cousins, Laura Griffin, Eimear Smyth and Hannah Cousins.

Despite the early start the girls were ready to give performances worthy of a cup final. All the girls took control right from the start in their singles matches. It became apparent very early in the singles matches that Mount Lourdes would have the upper hand. Eimear Smyth was the first to finish her singles and she did it in some style. She won in straight sets without losing a single game. The other girls all followed Eimear’s lead and they all won in straight sets to take the Ulster senior girls cup.

The girls, Mount Lourdes Grammar School and the Enniskillen Tennis Club, where the girls train, were delighted to see the girls make local tennis history again.