Sonja Hateboer, the Tournament Director, was delighted with the massive entry of 118 players from 17 different clubs ranging from Belfast to Longford who travelled to Cooper Crescent for this year’s West of Ulster Tennis Championship.

Played in good weather through the week, the onset of a small number of heavy showers late on Thursday evening and finals day Sunday did not dampen the spirits.

There were 15 championship titles for grabs across A-, B- and C-graded events, and despite increased numbers in the A events, there was still plenty to cheer for the local crowd as Enniskillen’s Eve Callaghan beat Nikki Hawkes in the A Ladies’ Singles decider.

It was a very close final, with both girls hitting the ball at full pace. Nikki, unfortunately, had picked up an injury on Saturday evening which limited her movement.

There were plenty of winners for the large gallery to enjoy, but it was Eve’s powerful cross-court shots that ultimately made the difference, helping her to a convincing victory.

Eve’s day was complete as she and Matthew McGann combined to win the A Mixed, beating Andrew McKeeman and Nikki Hawkes in the final, 6-2, 6-2.

In the Men’s A Singles, Hogan O’Haire beat John Slowey 2-6, 6-4, 10-7 to lift the cup. Hogan held his nerve in the championship tie-break to overcome John, who had had a fabulous semi-final win against the number-one seed, Matthew McGann.

In the A Ladies’ Doubles, Nikki Hawkes and partner Sonja Hateboer beat Orla Malone and Aoifin Shorten in a convincing win 6-4, 6-0.

In the Men’s A Doubles, Hogan O’Haire and Matthew McGann beat Stephen King and Colin Waterson 6-4, 6-0.

Stephen and Colin reached the finals by beating the hot favourites and number-one seeds John Slowey and Clive Funston in a semi-finals tie-breaker thriller.

The B championships enjoyed very competitive entries, and with players coming from Cavan, Donegal and Sligo, the challenge was even greater this year.

This did not deter the local Fermanagh players as Donal Burns and partner Emily Donaldson beat the husband and wife team of Stephen and Mary Cuthbertson from Omagh in a very close final 6-4, 6-4 in the Mixed Doubles.

Cavan girls Bernice Clarke and Orla Malone had a good tournament in the Ladies’ B Doubles, beating the Donegal mother and daughter pairing of Doreen and Maria Jones, 6-1, 6-4.

In the Men’s Doubles final, top seeds Clive Funston and Stephen King were beaten by number-two seeds John Maguire and Donal Burns 4-6, 4-6.

With all four players at their best, there were a number of exciting rallies, but Donal finished the match off on set point with a perfect smash at the net.

In the Ladies’ Singles final, Hilary Kilcawley from Sligo beat Maria Jones 6-1, 6-1.

The biggest entry was in the B Men’s Singles final.

The number-one seed, Jaime Palencia, survived two previous matches in epic tie-breaks.

Jaime beat Marcin Juszcyk in the quarter finals in the tie-break 10-7, and against Ryan Cuthbertson in the semi-final tie-break, 14-12.

He met Paul Crilly, who has been playing outstanding tennis in the finals. Jaime took the title, 6-0, 6-2.

On Sunday, the Ladies’ C Doubles match was played on Court No. 3. Karen Atchison and Anne louise Hicks were up against local duo Ruth Elliott and Maxine Leary.

All four played outstanding tennis but it was Karen and Anne Louise who finally won, 6-4, 6-4.

In the C Men’s Doubles, the top seeds of Phil Dilleyston and Conor McKeown beat David Lowe and Simon McCormack, 6-1, 6-4.

Earlier on Court No. 1, Conor Mckeown had an epic match against top seed Tomas Navickas to win the Men’s C Singles, 6-3, 6-3. The Ladies’ Singles was a Round Robin.

Four ladies entered, Katrina Cathcart, Laura Murphy, Janice Smyth and Sue Doherty.

Sue won all three matches and was the overall winner. The battle for second place was between Katrina and Janice.

Janice took the first set 6-0, but Katrina dug in deep and won the second set in a tie break. The match was decided in the final tie break. Janice narrowly took it, beating Katrina 10-7.

Conor McKeown won the triple in the C section with his partner, Doreen Jones, against Gary McCusker and Paula Gallagher 6-2, 6-0. Conor had a fabulous tournament and the win was well deserved!

During prizegiving, Maxine Leary, club Chairperson, thanked Quality Wood Mouldings for their generous sponsorship and thanked the clubs and players for their continued support.

She also thanked Sonja Hateboer for running the tournament impeccably and to Evelyn Cousins, who with help, tirelessly managed the kitchen and BBQ all week.

Consolation winners:

A Events: A Men’s Singles, Stephen Kennelly; A Mixed Doubles, Orla Malone and John Maguire.

B Events: B Men’s Singles, Declan McBride; B Ladies’ Doubles, Jenny Humphreys and Vanessa McBrien; B Mixed Doubles, Liz Murphy and Pete Keogh; B Men’s Doubles, John Conlon and John Fallon.

C Events: C Men’s Singles, Sean Bradley; C Men’s Doubles, Sean Bradley and Gary Curry; C Ladies’ Doubles, Laura Murphy and Enid Redmond; C Mixed Doubles, Kenny Hicks and Karen Atchison.