Dundalk academy continues to produce the goods

WHILE Ruth Copas and Marie Perla Biansumba grabbed the headlines after finishing runner-up and beaten semi-finalist at the recent Shared Access National Women’s Finals, some of Dundalk LTC’s younger players also shone.

Youngest of all, 10-year-old Juliette Carroll Breen for the last 32 of the Under-12 Girls section, defeating Tegan Long 6/2 6/0 before bowling out to Rachel Deegan.

In the Under-14 Girls competition Claudia Mullen was defeated by Zoe Bracken 7/5 6/3 and Hollie Collins lost to Julia Timotin. Zara Burns defeated Ella Burke 6-1 6-3 and Kelly O’Rourke 6/2 7/5 before succumbing to Alannah Wilkinson in a three-set thriller - 6/2 6/7 6/3. Jack Darcy was defeated 7/6 6/3 in the Boys Under-14 section by Patrick McGrath.

Zofia Mullen reached the last 16 of the Girls Under-16 event, defeating Amber Young 7/6 6/3 before losing to the number 5 seed Katie Loughrey, while Amberlie Collins lost to Lauren Johnson.

Nina Hjalmers defeated Sarah Al Mukhaizeem before being knocked out by Olywn Ryan Bovey.

In the Under-18 competitions Anna Mai Mullen lost to Anna O’Farrell 6/4 6/1, while Devon Callan was defeated by Matthew Thornton 6/4 6/2 and Adam Plunkett lost to Adebola Abosoto. Cathal Butler defeated Cillian Reidy 6/1 6/3 and then the number 5 seed Conor Johnson 2/6 7/6 7/5 before going down to number 2 see Ammar Elamin in the quarter finals - 6/0 7/5.

Former Under-16 National Champion and the Under-18 number 4 seed Oisin Murtagh was defeated in his first-round match by Johnathan Garcia 6/4 7/6. Shane Gaffney defeated Matthew Cleere 2/6 6/3 6/3 and Mark Griffin 6/0 6/1 before being defeated by Oisin Shaffery 6/4 6/3.

Biansumba, meanwhile, followed up her semi-final achievement in the singles by reaching the Ladies Doubles decider, partnering Ciara O’Toole, with the pair losing to Carragh Courtney and Alison O’Dea in a marathon match - 6/4 4/6 10/8.

Looking at Dundalk players’ achievements, former Davis Cup professional John McGahon, who heads up the club’s academies, enthused: ‘Another great week for Ruth [Copas] and another national championship final. Ruth has had a sensational spell over the last two years.

‘She has won two National titles, an Irish Fed Cup position, a top place on her university team in New Mexico and now another championship final.

‘Overall the representation of this academy was up with the best in the country. The Dundalk academy has produced multiple provincial, national and international champions over the past decade - a feature not to be under-estimated.