Nicholas makes significant breakthrough
THE VICTOR Sports-sponsored Leinster Junior Open Under-15 championship attracted the top Irish players from all four provinces.
Taghmon star Nicholas Murphy (pictured) was hoping to build on recent fine performances, most notably in the Ulster Open where he picked up a silver medal in the boys' singles. Having received a bye in his opening round, he faced Mark Brady in the second round and the Wexford player was quickly out of the blocks and progressed to the quarterfinals after a 21-6, 21-12 victory.
In the quarter-finals it was the turn of the Sligo player, Conor Scanlon, to depart the competition, with Murphy always in control and winning comfortably 21-9, 21-10. Nicholas now faced the third seed and his doubles partner, Matthew Steele from Lisburn, in Sunday morning's semi-final. Any worries regarding nerves were soon dispelled as Murphy quickly settled to the task and, in a game that featured some extremely long rallies, the more clever use of the court space by the Leinster player meant he progressed to the final 21-11, 21-11.
The semi-final success pitted Murphy against the top seed and title favourite, Danny Keown (Sligo). Once again Murphy started in confident fashion and his court speed and shuttle placement had Keown in all sort of difficulties in the opening game as the Wexford player took the set 21-17.
Keown hadn't won several titles, however, without being of strong character, and the Connacht player fought back and looked to have weathered the storm when he won the second set 21-14. The final set was great viewing for the spectators, with Murphy slightly ahead at the change of ends 11-9, but Keown soon levelled the score at 11-11.
Murphy, however, was not to be denied as once again he was to gain the upper hand as he went on to take the title 21-12 and in the process win his most significant title to date. Nicholas and partner Matthew Steele made the semi-finals of the boys' doubles before losing narrowly in three thrilling sets to the eventual winners, Danny Keown and Conor Scanlon, 21-16, 17-21, 21-18. Nicholas also made Sunday's semi-final in the mixed doubles with partner Fionnula McCourt. The Wexford/Louth pairing were impressive 21-12, 21-13 victors over Janie Fahey and Niall Leahy, and 21-9, 21-10 winners against Ryan Getty and Rachel Darragh. In the semi-final they faced the top Ulster pairing of Ryan Stewart and Alannah Stephenson and, despite a tremendous effort from Murphy and McCourt, they lost a thrilling three-setter 17-21, 21-8, 21-17. Also participating in the championship was Karen Butler who overcame Moya Ryan in three sets 21-10, 17-21, 21-16 in her opening girls' singles game, but the Davidstown player lost out in the quarter-final to the second seed, Keady Smith, 21-13, 21-11.
There was a much better performance from Butler in the girls' doubles where she and Fionnula McCourt qualified for the final before losing to the top seeds, Keady Smith and Alannah Stephenson, 21-6, 21-15.
