A strong Irish team travelled to Preston last weekend with the focus on performing to the best of their ability and bringing home as much silverware as possible. The team worked hard all weekend and had many Irish fans supporting them from afar thanks to the fantastic ETTA streaming service. Congratulations to all members of the squad on a successful weekend, see main results event summary below;
Junior Boys
Team
Ryan Farrell of Eastpoint and Kevin Hutchinson of UCD TTC represented Ireland in the Junior Boys. Wins over Isle of Man, Scotland, Guernsey set the Junior boys up for a good weekend(team pictured celebrating a big point thanks to ETTA Facebook)
A really tough loss to Wales, with 3 dramatic matches going to 5 sets with Farrell and Hutchinson just pipped to the line each time. England also claimed a victory over the Irish who finished tied in 2nd place, but moved to a cruel 4th on countback to lose out on a medal.
Singles
Both players will be disappointed to have not made the main draw, bur Farrell beat Griffiths of Wales to claim the consolation title.
Junior Girls
Team
Ashley Givan and Hannah Lynch Dawson combined in the Junior girls – this looked a strong combination going in to the event. Wins over Scotland and Guernsey were enough to claim a bronze medal for the girls, who may be somewhat disappointed to go one place further up the podium following a tough 3:2 defeat to England. Wales claimed the title to break up an English stranglehold on the other 3 titles.
Singles
Hannah Lynch Dawson was in fine form in Sunday’s event, claiming 2nd place in a tough group to eventually face top seed Charlotte Carey of Wales in the semi-final. Carey was just too strong for Lynch-Dawson who will be delighted with her bronze model having had a fantastic domestic season. Carey went on to claim the Junior title.
Cadet Boys
Team
Wins over Isle of Man, Wales and Guernsey represented an excellent weekend for the young duo of Gillen and Wilson. Losses to Scotland and England eliminated them for contention for Gold, but they will be quietly pleased with registering a bronze medal for Ireland
Singles
Zak Wilson was in electric form in the group stage and claimed a fine win over England’s Alec Ward. Wislon was unlucky to be placed 2nd in the group following a countback
Alex Gillen missed out on qualification to the main draw but claimed the consolation title with a victory over Heyden from Wales.
Cadet Girls
Team
Wins over Wales, Scotland and Guernsey was enough for this promising Irish team of Rebecca Finn and Katie McGlone to claim a silver for Ireland and the best result of the weekend for the irish squad, with England eventually claiming the title.
Singles
McGlone powered through her group claiming top spot. She eventually lost out to Lucy Elliot of Scotland at the semi-final stage but will also be delighted with her bronze medal winning performance. Overall a good weekend for the Irish, with 3 Team bronze and 2 Singles bronze medals. Thanks to NPCs Sarah Timlin and Arthur Brett for all of their work with the team.