Stackallen teenager best at Meath tennis championships

The 42nd Meath Tennis Championships took place at the traditional home of the series, Kells Tennis Club and produced lots of top class action with the overall men's title going to Peter Mimnagh-Fleming from Stackallen. The competition was supported by Green Belt Ltd and the CEO of the company, John O'Reilly, presented the prizes to all the winners. Defending singles champion Daire Gargan was back again to defend his title, but on this occasion he found 16-year-old Mimnagh-Flemming from the Stackallen club too hot to handle. Mimnagh-Fleming was playing in Kells for the first time and at only 16 years of age he appears to have a bright future based on his performances in the championships. The Stackallen player won the first set 6-3 and with the pressure on the defending champion in the second set, Mimnagh-Fleming held his nerve and recorded another impressive 6-3 victory for overall success. The race for the ladies title was also exciting and defending champion Aine Leonard was back to defend her crown. Leonard came through the qualifying games with some impressive performances and proved too strong for Aoibheann Tully in the decider with wins of 6-1 and 6-2. There was some consolation for Tully in the women's doubles open when she teamed up with Meghann O'Reilly and got the better of Mary Gaynor and Dorothy McGuinness over three sets. Tully also won the mixed doubles with Daire Gargan as they recovered from a first set defeat by Mary Gaynor and Mickal Bryniczka to win the final two sets. In the women's doubles section two final Gayle Anderson and Orla Malone beat Anne English and Marie McGinn. Bernie Ennis and Margot Ryan won section three following a exciting tussle in the final with Nichola Armstrong and Geraldine Carolan. In the men's doubles Christy Kelly and Eamonn Reilly won section three when they recovered from a set down to edge out Ronan Ennis and Tim O'Dea. The section two winners were James Murtagh and Kieran Murtagh who had to work hard to overcome a determined recovery bid from Pat McDermott and Simon McDermott over three sets. Brian Bannon and Richard Walker won the men's doubles open with a straight sets victory over Ken Butterfield and Peter Nangle The mixed doubles section three winners were Bernie Ennis and John O'Reilly who negotiated Myriam O'Reilly and Mick Ryan while in section two Jill Steeples and Mark Smith defeated Teresa Murtagh and James Murtagh. In the final of the men's singles plate, Pat McKeown defeated Mark Fields 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. Close to 130 players took part in various grades during the week-long tournament. The organisers Jennifer Martin and Richard Turner were delighted with the way everything turned out, but the good weather made their task a little bit easier. They thanked all the members who volunteered for the various duties that were required to make it a success.