Enniskillen tennis player Sarah Cousins
As the summer junior tennis season starts in earnest, some of the local junior competitors headed to Castlebar this weekend. With Ulster ranking points at stake and a chance to get into some early form it was all to play for.
This was Sarah Cousins first time at this venue, Sarah from Enniskillen tennis club was seeded number one in the under 14’s girls singles and her progress to the final was unstoppable. Her first two rounds were a 6/2 6/1 victory against Aoife Fitzgerald from Naas and 6/0 6/1 win against Laoise Beatty from Clontarf. This set up a final against Emily Connelly from Claremorris. A very determined Sarah took to the court and with huge hitting she produced countless winners off both the forehand and backhand side. Sarah completely dominated the final and won the title comfortably 6/1 6/1.
Clubmate Jared Monaghan was also in action and returned as the under 16 boys defending champion. Jared was playing well in the early rounds and progressed into the finals of both the under 16 and under 18 boys singles.
It was unfortunate for Jared that the under 18 final was played first as it turned out to be a tiring hard fought 3 set match against the number 1 seed Philip King. Jared lost the first set but showed a huge amount of determination by fighting back to take the second set, however an upset wasn’t to be, as a very relieved Philip took the third set and the title.
With a short break Jared was out to defend his title against Bill Jennings whom he had beaten the previous day in the under 18 semi final! Although Jared played well in the first set it was clear that he didn’t have the energy left to beat his opponent who was playing some outstanding tennis.
Jared will take some solace in the fact that he made it to both finals.
Doubles pair Kyran Maguire and Ryan Irvine from Irvinestown also made it to the under 14 boys doubles final. Both played some great tennis but lost out in a close match. Relative newcomer and quickly improving Ryan will surely take forward the experience of the final through this summers tournaments.
We can look forward to seeing all these players and more this week at the junior open championships at the Enniskillen tennis club.
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