18 Jul 2009 European Junior Championships Preview
Ireland travel to the European Junior Championships this week with high hopes of some good performances during the week.
With the top players in each European nation invited to take part, the Tennis Europe and ITF event will see the cream of the European underage circuits take part in three different age groups in three different venues across the continent. Pilzen in the Czech Republic (U14s), Moscow in Russia (U16s), and Villach, Austria (U18s) have all been selected to host this prestigious competition.
Ireland has sent a total of five players to the 2009 event with Irish players taking part in the U14 and U18 events.
Dublin’s Robert Dudley and Waterford’s Sinead Lohan will make the trip to the Czech Republic with coach Galina Misuiriova to compete in the U14s event. With a current ranking of 86 in Europe at U14 level Sinead Lohan will be confident of picking up a few wins during the event and progressing through the rounds in Pilzen. Similarly, Ireland will feel they have a good chance of making a real impression on the U18s event in Austria. John Morrissey from Blackrock and Limerick’s Sam Barry will make up the Boys U18 contingent whilst Belfast’s Emily Madill will take part in the girls draw in the Austrian Alps. With a current junior world ranking of 63 and 100 respectively Morrissey and Barry will certainly be confident of causing a few upsets during the week.
For further reports on how all the Irish players perform during the week visit www.tennisireland.ie/news regularly for updates.