Irvinestown Lawn Tennis Club's Junior Section

Kyran Qualifies for Irish National Finals

Conan Whitley and Kyran Maguire took part in Ulster U 12 provincial finals at the weekend in Belfast.

On Saturday evening in their first round match Kyran had a comfortable 6 /2 6/ 3 win while Conan lost a very close 3 set match losing 8 / 10 in the championship tie break, their second match saw Kyran again win 6 / 2 6 / 3 which put him through to the semi final While Conan won 6 / 2 6 / 2. On Sunday the two boys were back up in Belfast for the next round of matches, Conan Started well again with a good match winning 6 / 4 6 / 3 followed up with a 7 / 6 7/ 5 win to finish 9th on the day but with a luck break should of been in the top 8

Kyran Continued with his good start to the season as he won his semi final 7 / 5 6 / 3 with some very intelligent play and hard hitting groundstrokes, one hour later he played his final and after a good start he finally went down 4 / 6 6 / 7 to Jordan McKeown from Bangor and finish with a ranking of 2 in Ulster. This performance and has now qualified him for the Irish Nationals finals next weekend and so a weeks hard practise with coach Matthew McGann will be ongoin.

Also to play at the weekend was Eion Meade at U14 level and although he suffered two defeats on Saturday played some nice tennis, unfortunatly due to school commitments could not take part on the Sunday.

So best wishes from the club to Kyran next week as he competes in the National Finals

Kyran reaches the David Lloyd Ulster Singles Final

At the First Ulster Branch Event of the new Junior season at David Lloyd Dundonald. Kyran Maguire got of to a great start when he reached the U12 Singles Final.

Having been forwarded to the quarter finals being seeded No. 2 Kyran won his first match 6/2 / 6/2 the semi Final seen him beat the No. 3 Seed 6/4 6/2 with some very good hard groundstrokes.

The final started well as he edged it 6/4, and took a 5/2 lead in the second, but then after losing a long service game nerves started to creep in and his opponent Jordan McKeown from Bangor crept back to take the set 7/5 and the final set 6/2.

But out of the disappointment of losing Kyran can take great heart on how well he played and look forward to 2012 season.

Conan Whitley also took part and was seeded 4. Conan reached the semi final and performed really well but lost 4/6 3/6 to the eventual winner Jordan McKeown.

Congratulations also to Eion & Cora Meade who qualified from the regional event in Enniskillen for the Provincial U 14 events to be held in Belfast in December, Conan & Kyran will also compete in the U 12 Event.

A Big "Hi" from Our Junior Committee

Co-ordinator: David Lowe Secretary: Sinead Maguire Treasurer: Billy Nevin Coaches: John Maguire / Maggie Britton/ Martin Garrity Members: Georgina Meade / Laura McDowell /Sheena McGuinness

Click here to see Junior Rules

Fermanagh Open Junior Tennis Championships

Finals day of the Championships kicked off with the U12 Boys and Girls singles finals. On court 1 Kyran Maguire and Conan Whitley, Irvinestown engaged in long rallies, safety play being the key factor. On Court 2 Sarah Cousins, (Enniskillen) took every opportunity to put the ball away, overcoming Emma Neil Smith (ATT) 6/1 6/2.

Jared Monaghan (Omagh), U14 Boys singles, was in fine form winning 6/0 6/1 against Headon Hughes Jordan (Enniskillen). The U14 Girls singles was played between Enniskillen club mates Hannah Cousins and Laura Griffin. In the previous round Laura had beaten number 2 seed, Lydia Crawford (ATT) so her confidence was high. Hannah, as no. 1 seed proved worthy of the spot by winning 6/2 6/3.

U18 Girls doubles was a close encounter, Emily Donaldson (Enniskillen) and Frances Taggart (Irvinestown) winning 6/4 7/5 over Abigail Greene (Enniskillen) and Sophie Murray (Lurgan).

U18 Boys doubles between Enniskillen's Conor Donaldson and Steven Miller against Shaun Bannigan (Butt Hall) and Chris Neil Smith (ATT) had many fast rallies at the net and hard hitting from the base line, Conor and Steven winning 7/5 6/4.

In the Boys U14 doubles consolation final Oscar Whaley (Irvinestown) and Felix Hoogendorn (visiting from Germany) came back from3/1 down to take the match 7/6 from Dan Meegan and Gerard Duddy (Omagh).

As Frances Taggart (Irvinestown) and Emily Donaldson (Enniskillen) in U16 girls singles took their place on number 2 court, the marathon on no 1 court between Conan and Kyran was coming to a close, after two and a half hours of play Kyran eventually won 5/7 6/1 6/3. Both boys showed tremendous patience and perseverance not giving way on any point. Frances Taggart went on to win her singles 6/1 6/2.

U16 boys singles saw Paul Bannigan (Butt Hall) up against number 1 seed Josh Crawford (ATT), Paul put up a good fight but lost 6/3 6/2.

Boys U14 doubles event was won by Headon Hughes Jordan and Ronan McKeever (Enniskillen) over Jared Monaghan (Omagh) and Kyran Maguire (Irvinestown) 6/1 7/6.

Conor Donaldson (Enk) overcame Chris Neil Smith (ATT) in the U18 boys singles 6/1 6/1. U18 girls singles was another win for Enniskillen Susannah Hughes Jordan beat Sophie Murray (Lurgan) 6/2 6/2.

U12 girls doubles was a see saw match with Kathy Bannigan (Butt Hall) and Emma Neil Smith (ATT) winning 6/3 0/6 10/8 against Sasha Funston and Eimear Smyth (Enniskillen).

U14 girls doubles had sisters Hannah and Sarah Cousins on opposing teams, Hannah played with Laura Griffin and Sarah with Alison Glass all from Enniskillen. Sarah and Alison the winners 6/4 7/5.

The U14 and U18 mixed doubles were the last matches of the day with 5 of the 8 players in their third final.The U14 mixed between Headon Hughes Jordan and Hannah Cousins and Ronan McKeever teamed with Sarah Cousins was nip and tuck all the way, Ronan and Sarah winning 7/5 6/4.

Sophie Murray and Conor Caheny (Sligo) overcame the Donaldson brother and sister team, Conor and Emily 6/4 6/2.

At the presentation David Lowe (junior co ordinator) thanked Diarmuid O'Sullivan from Fider Homes for their continued sponsorship, it is very much appreciated. He also thanked Fermanagh District Council and staff of the Bawnacre for use of the facilities and provision of refreshments. He acknowledged the commitment of players and parents for coming to the Championships.

Prizes were distributed by Mr. O'Sullivan who hoped to continue to be associated with the championships.

Susannah Hughes Jordan and Conor Donaldson spoke on behalf of the players thanking the organisers, sponsors and FDC for their hard work.

A bouquet and gift were given to Laura McDowell, tournament director.

I.L.T.C. penants were presented to 6 players who have consistently played at the championships for a number of years and are moving to adult level.

Consolation events

• U12 boys singles Winner Bernard McGettigan R-up Will Stewart 7/5
• U12 girls singles Winner Dearbhla Dillon R-up Grace Whaley 7/2
• U14 boys singles Winner James Roach R-up Felix Hoogendorn 7/3
• U14 girls singles Grainne Campbell R-up Ellen McGuinness 7/0
• U16 boys singles Winner Michael Keane R-up Ultan McGettigan 7/6
• U18 girls singles Lauren Stead R-up Abigail Greene 7/1
• U14 boys doubles Felix Hoogendorn & Oscar Whaley R-up Gerard Duddy & Dan Meegan 7/6
• U14 Mixed Bernard McGettigan & Grainne Campbell R-up Ben Griffin & Laura Bannigan 7/5
• U18 Mixed Josh and Lydia Crawford R-up Jack Meegan and Lauren Stead 7/2