Tennis: North Leinster Junior Open is a massive success

Mullingar Tennis Club notes

After two very busy weekends of excellent tennis, the finals of the Specsavers North Leinster Junior Open Tennis Championships were played on Sunday in perfect conditions.

There was an entry of 175 players from as far away as Tralee, Cork, Waterford, Ennis, Galway, Sligo, Dublin and all places in between, who participated in some very good tennis from U12s to U18 boys and girls in singles competitions.

Many of our own players took part for the first time in an open tournament, most of them playing in the Compass Draw event for players who are relatively new to competition, as they play players nearer their own standard.

Ashley McCarthy, Mullingar was finalist in the girls’ U14 event. The other boys and girls from Mullingar who participated were Amelia Bruton, David Buttimer, Noor Elamin, Martha Kane, Maja Nilsson, Sotiris Iacob, Sophie Kavanagh, George Rolland, Myles McCann, William and Thomas Keogh, Sean Fogarty and Sam Briody. Well done to all for your efforts.

Elaine McGovern, Specsavers, Mullingar, presented the prizes to the Compass Draw winners and finalist the first weekend. Unfortunately she was not available for the second weekend, but a big thank you to Elaine for the sponsorship.

On finals day, the tournament referee, Patricia Sheridan, thanked the parents for bringing their children to the tournament, and the children for their participation; Elaine McGovern, Specsavers, Mullingar for the sponsorship; John Murphy for all his work before and during the tournament; Emer and the ladies for all their work in the kitchen, and Stan our caretaker for having the courts and grounds in such good condition.

Eleanor McArdle, Club President, thanked everybody for coming and Patricia and John for their hard work before and during both weekends of the tournament. Eleanor presented the prizes to the winners and congratulated them on their achievements, wishing them all the best with tennis.

Cavan Senior Open tournament

While our Juniors were busy in Mullingar, our seniors were even busier in Cavan. Declan Breen from Mullingar was seeded 3 in the Men’s A singles and reached the semi-finals.

Declan, partnered by Fergus Murphy, were winners of the Men’s A Doubles after a thrilling three-set match, winning 10/7 in the tie-break third set. Colm Murphy, playing with Michal Bryniczka of Kells Tennis club, reached the semi-final and they were defeated by Declan and Fergus.

Alaine Clarke played in the Ladies’ B singles and lost in a very even match to Jessica Feeney of Connaught. Alaine won the first set 6-3 and lost the second in a tie-break and the third in the championship tie-break (10-6).

Jimmy Raleigh, playing with Kieran McCarthy of Athlone, and Colm Murphy, partnered by Gerry Dowling, played in the Men’s B doubles.

Olive Murphy reached the final of the Ladies’ C Singles in a very closely-contested match, losing the first set 3-6, winning the second 6-3 and the closest of tie-break third set 8-10.

Olive, partnered by Jeff Nea of Castlepollard, were easy winners of the Mixed C Doubles. Well done to all. The next local tournament for both Seniors and Junior is Longford in early July.