Newry Tennis Club

Newry Open 2020 finals 

The more things change the more they stay the same! As we all know, in what has been a very different year for everyone would turn out to have many of the same champions at the Newry Open.

The coveted Men’s Singles crown was won for the fourth year in a row by Shane McAteer. He becomes the first ever to win this title in four successive years and at 21 the youngest to have secured that amount of titles. To be honest the draw became a rout for Shane as he unbelievably did not lose a single game en route to the final. It was a first timer Newry Open final for Dundalk’s Stephen Broadhurst. A former European Junior Boxing champion and cage fighter, Stephen is proficient at any sport he turns his attention to as was shown by reaching the final here. In a one sided final Stephen managed to eke out 2 games against Shane which was much better than anyone else. Shane is clearly a standard above everyone in this area with immense defensive skills a la Djokovic and a fierce running forehand.

Eve Campbell was also making her own records, not only was she the tournament organiser which brings with it a multitude of stresses and strains but she was fighting her way through he largest womens singles draw for over a decade. In a pulsating final that had the club cognoscenti enraptured Eve came back from a set down to unsettle Deborah Rutledge, who was a former member but hadnt played this event for many years. Deborah’s father was a former Chair of the club so it was good to have her back and her interesting game of heavy slice. But Eve won sets two and three displaying an impressive all court game and with it the first woman to win three titles in a row.

In the Men’s Doubles, there was only one name on peoples’ lips, Giby Vettiankal who had played sparingly in 2020 for various reasons but returned to defend his beloved title. Alongside Jamie Campbell, the affectionately known as Gib Jam are nearly unbeatable as a pair in Newry. They sailed through the draw for a fifth successive year. Jamie with his kick serve and Giby with sparkling touch at the net making them irresistible beating scratch pairing Rory McGeown and Matthew Richmond who joined forces after playing each other in Warrenpoint.  After a close first set the second went by rather quickly and the legendary Giby won his 14th Newry Open Mens Doubles crown dating back to 1986. And Jamie is also totting up the titles, this his sixth, the first when he was a young teenager in 2006!

In the Women’s Doubles, Deirdre Dinsmore and Alison Dunne regained the title they last won in 2018 as they proved too canny and consistent on the day for mother and daughter Derval and Eve Campbell. The result from the recent Warrenpoint Open was reversed as Deirdre used her all court skills to become the first four time winner of this title since legendary Belle O’Loughlin. They are a great combo with Alison piercing from the back of the court and Deirdre a supreme volleyer.

The Mixed Doubles ended off the programme on finals day and everyone stayed to watch Shane McAteer win his third successive crown, this time with Dundalk virtuoso Vivienne Bond. She had previously been a singles winner and had won this title back in 2016 in Newry. A recent sojourn to Australia where she coached youngsters helped Vivienne with her love for the sport and you could tell that with Shane they made a great team sweeping aside allcomers. Unfortunately that meant a comfortable win against Eve Campbell and Matthew Richmond, both of whom had been in numerous finals in this tennis season.

Other results

MCCONVILLE CUP – The second ever McConville Cup was fittingly won by the 2019 Plate winner, so Neil McMahon was moving through the ranks from one title to the next level trophy. In a final between best friends, Neil and James O’Hare, you would not have known that due to their intensity. Both of them had been starring in videos promoting the club so it was a pleasure to see them in the final. James came out firing with his serve and groundies with an easy first set but there was a turn in the second set when Neil asserted his forehand more. By the third set, James had fallen awkwardly on his side and was now unable to run sufficiently as Neil took advantage of the situation to claim victory. So bragging rights for the Karate Kid over the Pool Hustler!

WOMEN’S CUP – The third place play off was a one sided event as Alison Dunne was too consistent on the day for Derval Campbell. In pleasant conditions it was a nice way to start finals day and Derval who had organised the Warrenpoint Open and helped with the Newry tournament was runner up in two finals on the day. Alison won the inaugural Ladies Cup.

MSP Contrary to club consciousness, this was the first time Gary Hanratty had won the Plate having won the Closed on many occasions. He took the form from the Kilbroney Cup and came from 1-4 down in set one to overpower 2018 winner Alex Staselovich (when the same two had met in the final).

WSP Two tennis newcomers contested this final in what turned out to be a very long match. Catherine Magee who plays in Warrenpoint took a 6-0 lead against first year member in Newry Shauna Matthews. But the sun was beating down and the strategy began to change as Shauna worked out how to win. There was also an interruption with a powerhose in the background! But Shauna showed her intent closing in on a singles title in her first year!

MDP- Gerry Sweetman and Kieran Campbell had a rousing first round Champions Tie break loss to eventual finalists Rory McGeown and Matthew Richmond so no surprise to see the wily veterans contest and indeed win this final. Kieran had last won this title in 2012 and was his usual indomitable self at the net with Gerry and his trusty backhand. They would win a tight two set match against Rostrevor Closed champ Brian O’Hare and Newry Closed Plate winner Sean Pearce 64 64.

WDP – Shauna Matthews did the Plate double with this title and the singles. This was a popular victory as Shauna paired up with Peggy Magner who was winning her first ever Newry tennis title. They beat newcomer Sarah McCarron and multi finalist Marie Pearse. It was the second year in a row Marie would end up runner up in this competition.

XDP – It was the third time in 5 years that a Warrenpoint club couple won this event. Mary McGeown had won this title in 2016 with her son Rory but was now with Loughbrickland resident Michael Sands who was starring in a BBC documentary about Iraq in the same week! It was a topsy turvy three setter as Mary and Michael both proved hard to pass at the net as they won in three up and down sets against Derval Campbell and James O’Hare. Michael and Mary were 3-0 up in the decider as James and Derval took the next four games but the Warrenpoint duo played the next few games perfectly to win.

Junior – 16 year old David Boyle kept the title in the family as he emulated his brother Daniel who had won it in 2019. It was another close three setter as David perhaps more used to the Newry courts beat Harry McMahon who has a great net game.  From the back of the court David moved Harry around with his forehand for a first ever title. Both had played well in senior tournaments this year. David won 63 46 62