Royal Portrush pair Hannah Lee–McNamara and Gemma McMeekin help Ireland to storm-hit victory in U16 Quadrangular tournament

ROYAL Portrush pair Hannah Lee–McNamara and Gemma McMeekin played winning roles as Ireland’s U16 Quadrangular team returned home victorious after finishing top in a tournament cut short by Storm Kathleen in Scotland. The event was halted a day earlier than scheduled due to poor weather conditions, meaning the unbeaten team were crowned winners.

Ireland opened the event with a 2.5-2.5 tie against the Netherlands. As a result of the incoming bad weather, the format of the event was rearranged to include only singles matches on Day Two, where Ireland would play Scotland in the morning session and Wales in the afternoon. After a strong start against Scotland thanks to a quartet of wins in the opening four matches from Gemma McMeekin, Molly Campbell, Niamh O’Grady and Hannah Lee-McNamara, the hosts rallied back to win all but one of the Boys’ matches (Isaac Oliver winning 6&5) and secure a 5-5 draw.

In the afternoon match against Wales, there was almost a complete reverse of the morning’s action, as only Lee-McNamara could put a point on the board for the Girls’ squad. However the Boys’ delivered 4.5 points out of a possible six, with wins for William Walshe, John Moran, Jack McKenna and Adam Fahey enough to secure a 5.5-4.5 comeback victory over the Welsh.

Despite the best efforts of everyone involved to continue the event into it’s third day, the foursomes scheduled for Friday were cancelled. This unfortunate abrupt end saw Ireland finish in first place, level on Match Points with Scotland (13) but ahead on Contest Points (2 vs 1.5).

Girls

Molly Campbell (Hollinwell)

Hannah Lee–McNamara (Royal Portrush)

Gemma McMeekin (Royal Portrush)

Niamh O’Grady (Royal Dublin)

U16 Girls Captain – Brenda Craig (Roganstown)

U16 Girls Coach – Michelle Carroll.

Boys

Eoin Burrows (Belvoir Park)

Adam Fahey (Portmarnock)

Jack McKenna (Co. Louth)

John Moran (Portmarnock)