Enniskillen Tennis Club’s Eimear Smyth produced some brilliant tennis as she claimed the Ladies ‘A’ Singles title at the Fermanagh Open Championships at Irvinestown LTC.

The 14 year old dominated the round robin format in the singles, winning all four of her matches, as she became the youngest ever winner of the County title. Indeed, such was her performances that she was voted the Player of the Tournament. In her matches she showed some amazing backhand groundstrokes and crisp volleys around the net to take the honours with Nichola Hawkes Omagh LTC runner up.

Best Wishes go out to Donna McSorley who injured her knee in her tight match against Eimear and had to withdraw on Finals day but played great tennis throughout.

Sunday brought a conclusion to a tournament that saw some great tennis on display from the finalists after a long week of competitive, intense action and matches played in great spirit from all.

Some of the highlights of the week were the ‘A’ Mens singles final as well as the emergence of the young stars of Fermanagh tennis, such as Eimear, who won through over much more experienced adult competitors, which will surely motivate others to step up to the challenge.

The ‘A’ Mens singles Final between Francis Venzon Butt Hall LTC and Mark Smith Omagh LTC proved to be the best match of the week with two top players competing for the County title.

The first set was of great quality as both men gave their all in warm conditions with Mark edging it in the Tie-break 7-6 by showing all his amazing shots of flat, hard forehands and touch play around the net. In the second set it seemed as though it was going to be a straight set win for Mark as he led 5-4 but an inspired 20 minute spell from Francis with his tough mental attitude and ripping backhands across court won the next three games to take the set and the match to a deciding third set.

The third set was nip and tuck all the way with the quality of tennis from both being much appreciated by the watching crowd .

Francis got a break of serve in the middle of the set to take a 5-3 lead and while Mark fought hard and held serve to make it 4-5 it was Francis who again held his mental game together to serve out the match and win the set and match.

The A doubles events had some great matches throughout the week and the Finals proved the same with the Mens event going in the favour of Francis Venzon and John Maguire 7-6 6-4 over Mark Smith and Matthew McGann in a really good match with nothing between the two pairs and some tense rallies.

The Ladies event was affected by the injury of Donna and eventually the title went to Lorna Reynolds and Anne McGrath, Letterkenny.

Francis made it a treble winning day when he and partner Elaine Chambers enjoyed a good win over Mark Smith and NIchola Hawkes 6-4 6-2.

In the ‘B’ event another young star, Kyran Maguire, Irvinestown came through four rounds of matches to claim the singles with really solid groundstrokes and consistent serving throughout the event. Kyran had to get past another young star, Conan Whitley, Irvinestown in the final, Conan having achieved some great wins to reach the decider. Kyran went on to add to his titles as he partnered the experienced Stephen Cuthbertson, Omagh to the the Doubles title, defeating Chris Cielchupa and Clive Funston, Enniskillen in the final.

The ‘B’ Ladies Singles went to Lorna Reynolds with a 6-3 6-3 win over Oonagh Colton in a good match.

It was a round robin format in the ‘B’ Ladies Doubles and top of the group at the end was Rachel Logan and Martina Boyd with three straight wins. In the ‘B’ Mixed event a lot of drama was experienced by the eventual winners Frances Taggert and Noel Jackson. In the semi final they came from an impossible situation of one set and 0-5 down to get through to play the final against Michael Duffy and Kathleen Maguire, and won it 7-6 6-3.

In the ‘C’ Singles, Dylon Funston, Enniskillen won four rounds to claim the title over Matthais Winkler from Cavan with some great style and craft during the final.

The ‘C’ Ladies Singles went to Maria Stewart, Enniskillen when she beat Meabh Malloney, Irvinestown in a championship Tie-break.

The Mens Doubles was won by Mark Connelly and Richard Reynolds, Omagh 6-2 6-4 over Brendan Duffy and Brendan McGuinness and the Ladies Doubles again went to the Omagh club when Pauline McAleer and Ann Louise Hicks just ousted Wendy Eaton and Kirst Murray 6-7 6-4 10-8.

The Mixed was a really tight but entertaining match with the number 1 seeds, Catherine Taggert and Stephen Phair, Irvinestown overcoming a great challenge from Kenny and Anne Louise Hicks, Omagh 7-6 6-4. Other junior players to shine over the week were Ronan McKeever, Jared Monaghan, Darie Dillon and Ryan Irvine.

After all matches were completed Club Captain Mary McCoy welcomed and thanked the sponsors Anthony Mulligan, Flo Gas N.I., and Paul Mahon, Manor House Country Hotel. She also thanked the Fermanagh and Omagh District Coucil, Bawnacre Centre and staff for continued support for this Tennis Ireland County Fermanagh Event. There was thanks also to the Enniskillen club for use of their courts, all the players who took part plus a special mention to the tournament committee for all their hard work in running the event over the week.

All players will now look forward to the Tyrone Championships in Omagh in a few weeks time.