Irvinestown Tennis Club’s John Maguire secured his first national outdoor title as he and partner Mike Breslin from Leeds claimed victory in the Over 55s Doubles at the Irish Veterans Championships which were held in Templeogue, Dublin last weekend.
It takes Maguire’s tally of National titles to three with this outdoor one going along with the two indoor crowns he won previously.
Maguire and Breslin faced a tough opener last Friday night against the number two seeds with the Fermanagh man admitting that he struggled for form during the contest.
“I started poorly in the first match which was against the number two seeds but my partner was able to keep us in it and we got through it in the end and got the win,” he said.
This was a match that went right down to the wire before Maguire and Breslin eventually prevailed, winning 4-6, 6-3, 10-8.
This put the pair through to the semi-finals which took place the next day, Saturday, against a pair form Carrickmines. With Maguire having rediscovered his touch, this proved a much more comfortable outing as they sailed through on a 6-1, 6-1 scoreline.
“The opposition was not as strong but you can only beat what is put in front of you and we played well,” said John, as they booked their place in the final. 
In the decider Maguire and Breslin came up against a team from Castleknock who had knocked out the number one seeds.
The first set was well contested but Maguire and Breslin took it 6-4 and their opponents had no answer in the second half as they secured the title, taking the second set 6-1.
“I’m delighted with the victory and it was great to get that first outdoor national title. It was a big effort from Michael to come over from Leeds,” he added.
There was also a good performance at the Championships from Donna McSorley who partnered Elaine Chambers in the Over 35s Doubles. 
In the first round they beat the number one pair in Ulster and they followed this up with victory over the number one seeds. 
However, they suffered a narrow loss in the final to the number two seeds.
Other locals performers, Stephen Cuthbertson and Darren Pearce also put in good displays over the course of the weekend.