Tennis talent shines in Irvinestown

Editorial Department • Published 20 Aug 2009 09:00 0 Comments

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Fermanagh Open Junior Tennis Championship came to a close on Saturday with finals day. Despite the poor weather conditions on Thursday and Friday all matches ran to schedule. The sun shone on Saturday to the delight of players and spectators.

The U12 Boys' singles saw Enniskillen club mates Jared Monaghan and Headon Hughes-Jordan play for top spot, the No 1 seed, Jared winning 6/2 6/1 while the U12 Girls' singles was won by Hannah Cousins defeating Laura Griffin 6/2 6/1 - again both players from Enniskillen.

Hannah and Jared went on to win a very exciting mixed U14 match against No 1 seeds Bethanie and Josh Chambers, Donaghadee, 1/6 7/6 10/7.

Both Hannah and Jared then achieved hat-tricks by winning the U12 boys' and girls' doubles, Hannah accompanied by Laura Griffin won the girls round robin and Cormac Coney, Omagh, partnered Jared to defeat Headon Hughes-Jordan and Michael Orr Portadown 6/0 6/3.

The U14 Boys' singles was won by Sean McDaid, City of Derry, who in the quarter-finals defeated No 1 seed Adam Stephenson, Bangor, and in the final defeated Robert Connor No 2 seed from Enniskillen, 6/4 4/6 6/4 in a see-saw match which lasted two hours.

The U14 Girls' singles was won by Frances Taggart, Irvinestown, overcoming the No 1 seed Bethanie Chambers, Donaghadee, in a tough three setter 6/4 4/6 6/4 while the U14 Girls' doubles winners were Hannah Cooper and Emily Donaldson Enniskillen in a round robin. The U14 Boys was also a round robin with Cian Byrne and Mark Prendergast, Monkstown coming out on top.

The U16 Boys' singles was won by Connor Donaldson, Enniskillen defeating Conor Caheny, Sligo by a commanding 6/0 6/0 while Susannah Hughes-Jordan was equally commanding in the girls' U16 final, defeating Jane Maguire, Irvinestown 6/0 6/0.

The Donaldson family topped the bill again in the U18 Boys' singles final when Adam Donaldson beat Michael Anderson, Hilden, 6/1 6/0.

The U18 Girls' singles winner Nicola Hawkes beat Jennifer Crotty and Eileen Benz in the round robin.

In the U18 Boys' doubles Adam Donaldson and Glen Mowat, Enniskillen defeated Monkstown's Simon Cusack and Marcus Heagney 6/1 6/0 while Alexandrea Carroll and Susannah Hughes-Jordan, Enniskillen beat Olivia Crossan and Jennifer Crotty, Monkstown 3/6 6/2 10/8 to take the U18 Girls' title.

The mixed doubles U18 final was an exciting match, both pairings fighting for every point. Susannah Hughes-Jordan and Glen Mowat, Enniskillen, the No 1 seeds won the first set 7/5 but Nicola Hawkes, Omagh and Shaun Bannigan, Butt Hall, the No 2 seeds, fought back to take the second set 6/2.

With all to play for and scores going point for point in the championship tie-break Nicola and Shaun overcame their rivals 11/9.

At the presentation of prizes, Junior co-ordinator David Lowe welcomed everyone, he conveyed thanks to Mr Diarmuid O'Sullivan of Fider Homes for sponsorship of the competition and also for the tee shirts, Fermanagh District Council for the use of courts and facilities, staff of the Bawnacre Centre for refreshments, parents who provided transport daily to the event, players for participating and lastly the committee who organised the tournament.

Distribution of prizes followed with pennants given to three players who are now 18 with special mention to Adam Donaldson who has supported the tournament from the tender age of nine years and won a title just about every year. Also passing from junior events are Glen Mowat and Eoin Coney.

Mr O'Sullivan congratulated all the competitors on their achievements and looked forward to seeing them again next year.

Mr George Beacom spoke on behalf of the F.D.C. praising competitors for their excellent behaviour both on and off the court and the respect they showed for the facilities and staff of the Bawnacre.

Consolation Results

U12 Boys' singles - Cormac Coney Omagh defeated Jack Keane Irvinestown 6/3

U12 Girls' singles - Lydia Crawford, ATT Academy beat Ellen McGuinness, Irvinestown 6/1

U12 Boys' doubles - Angus Johnston and Oscar Whaley defeated Mark and Andrew Lee 6/3

U14 Boys' singles - Mark Prendergast defeated Adam Stephenson

U14 Mixed doubles - Cora Meade and Cormac Coney defeated Laura Griffin and Cian Byrne 6/0

U16 Boys' singles - Finn Corrigan had a walkover Mark Campbell who withdrew

U16 Girls' singles - Olivia Crossan defeated Abigail Greene 6/1

U18 Boys' singles - Niall Allen defeated Joe Whaley 6/0

U18 Girls' doubles - Maeve Coney and Nicola Hawkes defeated Abigail Greene and Jane Maguire 6/4

U18 Boys' doubles - Conor Caheny and Conor Donaldson defeated Steven McDowell and Christopher Neill Smith 6/2

U18 Mixed doubles - Jane Maguire and Conor Caheny defeated Alexandrea Carroll and Scott Gilbride 6/3

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 20 Aug 09

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