Junior tennis success
THE JUNIOR Open Championships of county Wexford took place in Hillbrook Lawn Tennis Club last week from Monday to Saturday.
Close on 60 entries from tennis clubs as far afield as Dublin, Naas and Kilkenny, Kildare, Carlow,Tipperary and Wicklow as well as all the local Wexford clubs took part.
The tennis played throughout the week was of a very high standard, culminating in some close-fought finals on Saturday. The large crowd that attended throughout the day to support their own siblings or friends were not disappointed.
The Under-16 boys’ singles was an epic encounter, with Luke Corish (Wexford) overcoming Mark O’Donovan (Tipperary), 6-4, 6-7, 9-7.
Hillbrook enjoyed success, and most notable was Ciara McNally who triumphed in the Under-14 girls’ singles, defeating Izzy Foyle after a close-fought final which went to three sets (4-6,6-3, 6-4).
Jack Byrne (Hillbrook) was victorious over Martin Sinnott (Hillbrook) in the Under-10 boys’ singles, winning 6-0, 6-0.
In the Under-18 boys’ doubles, Conor Mackey and Tom White (Hillbrook) lost out to Liam O Lionáin and Daniel Maher (Wexford), 6-1, 6-1.
More success for Hillbrook came in the boys’ Under-16/18 Phoenix when Conor Mackey defeated Jonathan Hodgins (Wicklow), and in the Under-12 boys’ Phoenix, Evan McNally defeated Dominic Tighe (Rathgar).
Sass Thomson (Hillbrook) was narrowly beaten in the Under-12 girls’ Phoenix, and in the boys’ Under-14 Phoenix, Patrick Devereux (Hillbrook) just lost out to Adam Leacy (Hillbrook).
John Dempsey (President) was delighted to welcome our sponsors, Kitty Murphy, and Bernie Morrissey of Enniscorthy Credit Union, who presented cups and prizes to the winners and runners-up.
Once again a very big thanks goes to our Junior committee, tournament director Jim Leacy and Fergal Mackey who organised and scheduled all the matches.
A special thanks goes to our team of helpers in the shop for feeding the masses and creating a very pleasant atmosphere in the club, which contributed to making the tournament such a success.