Sligo Tennis Club’s Newsletter
The Monthly Racket May edition
News from around the club and all the latest
updates!
Dear Members,
Welcome to the award winning (subject to independent verification) May edition of our Monthly Racket newsletter containing all the news from Sligo Tennis Club. Lots and lots of news to catch up with this month, so I had better get cracking then…
- 200 Club Draw results for March and April
Winners for March
€250 Gerry Nicholson
€100 Tony Comiskey
€50 Pauline & Noel Gilmartin
€50 Glenn O’Brien
€50 Kathleen Healy
Winners for April
€250 Fergal Burke
€100 Shirley Reynolds
€50 Joe O’Brien
€50 Ken Higgins
€50 Kay Curley
Congratulations to all the winners, next draw is this coming Thursday at 10pm in the our Club bar- tickets are still available, and remember if you’re not in you cannot win (according to the best legal advice I could get anyway)
- Golf Classic
We recently had our golf classic at Co. Sligo Golf Club and it was a great success. A huge amount of work went into it in an attempt to raise much needed funds for the club, a big thank you to Eamonn McCafferty, John Scanlon, Dave Fleming,Christy Hennessy, Ger Lowry and Edel McDermott (apologies if I have failed to mention anyone else involved) who worked extremely hard, rolled up their sleeves and generously gave of their time to help the club.
Sincere thanks also to the many people who entered teams or who sponsored a tee, your goodwill and kindness toward our club in these tough economic times is much appreciated.
Photos from the event can be seen on our website sligotennisclub.ie (big thank you to Jeff Kaye who does such a great job maintaining the site- I have received a small gratuity for plugging Jeff’s work
- Tennis News
‘Headlines from the Tramlines’
The West of Ireland Tennis Championships 2012 was a huge success, sincere thanks to the West of Ireland tournament Committee and the Tennis Committee for all their hard work in promoting the Club and organising such a fantastic event. Sincere thanks to the sponsors of the West of Ireland, George Mullan SIS Support in Sport (main sponsor) and Dermot McDermott Solicitors I have included a report on the weekend from Stephen Cunningham (I was going to say I wrote it but I know he reads this) thanks Steve;
The eyes of the Irish Tennis Circuit were on Sligo last May bank holiday weekend once again as players came from all over Ireland and beyond to witness the highlight for tennis in the North West; the SIS Sports and Dermot McDermott Solicitors West of Ireland Tennis Tournament. Sligo Tennis Club has never looked as well thanks to its fantastic bunch of volunteers which have helped to keep tennis rallying under Benbulben.
The tennis at all three levels of completion was of the highest level with some of the best players in the country battling it out to be the West of Ireland champion of 2012.
Congratulations must once again go to competition directors Marie Farrell and Edel McDermott, and captain Liam Farrell and his hard working team for a super human effort in organising 180 competitors who played over three action pack days which concluded on time by Monday afternoon.
It’s hard to pick out star players over the weekend but one cannot look further than the impressive winners of the Ladies A and Men’s A singles titles, who to quote a few very good club players seem to be playing a different sport to the rest of us. It’s an example to anyone taking up the game at any age that there are levels and standards for everyone to aim for, and that the average club player can enjoy the level of tennis that the top players were playing at over the weekend but should also get out on court with the club coach so as to reach the best possible personal performance levels.
In the Ladies A final the impressive number 1 seed Patricia Callen took the title with some outstanding serving and baseline play from the returning to form Kellie 0'Flynn .
The West of Ireland Men's title was won for a second year in a row by Federico Raffo with some of the most impressive tennis seen at Sligo Tennis Club for years, with Sligo man Glenn Norman who is currently playing in Dublin a gallant runner up. A name for the future is local lad, Noah Fleming. Noah was given a wild card and gave the fantastic Federico Raffo his toughest game in the tournament. His performance will give Noah real confidence when returning to the junior ranks over the next few weeks. Noah's style manner and gracefulness in defeat will also stand to him, and we look forward to more battles with Conor Caheny, Frederico and co over the next few years.
The other single winners were as follows: - Chris Neill-Smith taking the Men’s Singles from James Gillen 6-2 6-1; Matthew Flanagan won the singles 3 defeating Rafal Ordan from the Cavan Club
The ladies B saw the very impressive Ann-Marie Breen power her way to victory winning 6-3 6-2 in the final over the gutsy Therese Ruane; We expect to see Ann-Marie in the top tier in 2013. Joy Cox was equally impressive in the C section where she carried the tag of number 1 seed, and impressively won the final 6-1 6-0 in the final over Jean Whyte .
There were some fine performances and winners in the doubles by local players
Three Sligo men and a Donegal man made up the men’s doubles finals when Glenn Norman and Francis Venzon took the Men’s A doubles from Conor Caheny and Keith Hopkins. Marina Swann and Alex Esclante were the club house favourites going into the final of the Mixed and they didn't disappoint the spectators on the balcony taking the B doubles title from the experienced duo of Billy Smith and Oonagh Colton.
Alex Esclante won many friends putting in large commutes for last year’s tournament, and won even more this year doubling up with the ever popular Stephen Cuthbertson to take the men’s B final in a thrilling encounter.
In the C section the Sligo brother and sister pairing of Katie and John Hennessy took the Mixed C section and will be swiftly moving up to the B section. They are looking forward to taking on other relatives next year in what will have to be named the Hennessy mixed doubles section.
James Doyle and Mark Tully took the Men’s C doubles, and have been a terrific combination in both club championships and West of Ireland over the last three years.
Captain Liam Farrell thanked George and Jo Mullan of SIS Group for the generous support, as well as Dermot Mc Dermott who continued as co-sponsor.
All in all, the 2012 West was deemed a very successful event by both local and visiting players, and is a tribute to the Sligo Tennis Club whichcontinues to go from strength to strength. Photos from the tournament can be viewed on our website sligotennisclub.ie
3.1More Tennis news!
In other Tennis News Stephen Cunningham has kindly supplied me with some more tennis news (I think a career in sports journalism beckons Steve)
ULSTER BANK WINTER LEAGUE 2012 RESULTS
After some of the closest Winter Leagues for year with all but one of the 4 sections going to the last day in some fantastic last day action .
The Ladies B was the exception to the rule with the Kay Curley in sparkling form throughout the change of racket and string tension has reinvented Kay's overall game (with Kay's scones finishing top of the pile).Joan Grennan on 77 points just held of the challenge of Elaine Kivlehan .The ladies A saw Ann Mc Kiernan finish third but it was the big hitting Noreen Cassidy that took the honours from Ger Lowry with only 3 points separating these after a real ding dong battle over the last few months .
The men’s B was another fantastic section and there were 5 or 6 men trying to get on the honours list come the final day Patsy Elhinney finished a creditable third with Micheal o Halloran and Conor o Grady battling for the winners enclosure but it was the wise experienced Michael O Halloran who took the title with a great scoring average throughout the weeks, Conor o Grady returning to the sport finishing second is one to keep an eye on.
The men’s A was the tightest section of all and the milder weather seen a return of Winter League action for John Burke and he showed he has lost no hunger for the sport where the stylish John took the title with his lovely serve and punched volleyed tennis .Eammon Mc Cafferty had to settle for second despite a great score of 77 with the Captain Liam Farrell playing some of his best tennis finishing third .Many thanks to Ulster Bank for their kind sponsorship once again.
3.2Singles ladder
The singles ladder is now up and running and we have had a huge response. So if you are taking part then thank you, if not, then tut tut, stop watching TV and grab that racket and sign up for a group ASAP. Many thanks to Padraig Hackett who organises the ladder each year and who puts so much hard work into it. I would also like to congratulate Padraig on his recent charity cycle in aid of Haiti, raising vital money for the suffering people of Haiti in the process.
3.3Junior Tennis Coaching- Summer Camps
We are now taking bookings for our summer camps (first two weeks in July) suitable for children 5-11. Application forms can be downloaded from our website or you can get them from reception or if you hate using computers and have a dislike for driving or walking I will post one out to you
Summer camps are a great introduction to tennis for the childer and will set them up nicely for our coaching programme which will begin again in September. Full details can be seen on our website for the summer camps. Cost is €75 for members and €85 euro for non –members for one week- times 10-2pm.
There next follows a shameless attempt atemotional blackmail;
Remember parents! tennis is a skill that your children will have for life, so get them started by signing them up for our summer camps and avoid any recriminations from them in the distant future that ‘you didn’t care about them’ (ah the happy face, it lets you get away with oh so much)
3.3Cardio Tennis in association with Mullan’s Spar, Bundoran Road
Cardio tennis has now started at the tennis club. Contact Alan McCormack on 086-1957038. Full details can be got on sligotennisclub.ie. Here’s the science bit;
It’s here and its cheap activity for members and non-members get fit have fun and join the fun which is one of Europe s fastest growing fitness programmes for all the family
Cardio Tennis is a series of tennis-based drills and activities played to up-tempo music on a tennis court. It does not require tennis skills, but is all about keeping your heart rate up, burning calories and having fun. Whether the ball goes in or out is irrelevant as the main purpose is to get fit.
Cardio Tennis includes a warm-up, cardio work out, and cool down phases. If you are looking for a great new way to get in shape and to burn calories, why not try Cardio Tennis?
There are drills for absolute beginners through to advanced players, all of which provide you with a great cardio work out while improving skill. Cardio Tennis is more fun than working out in a gym or other forms of exercise.
Impressed? Then give Alan a bell, no wait you’d better ring him instead as he doesn’t collect bells anymore
- Badminton Bizz
Congratulations to the Badminton section and all who took part on their fantastic achievements at the national league finals. This was the culmination of a great year for the badminton players at Sligo Tennis Club- well done everyone
Thank you to Graeme Watt for providing the following report;
Two teams from Sligo Tennis Club’s badminton section travelled to Badminton Ireland’s National Headquarters in Baldoyle, Dublin on May 13th to compete in the Badminton Ireland National Interleague Finals at Division 1 and Division 3 level.
This gathering of teams from all around the country represents the climax of the season for badminton players and akin to any team setting foot on Croke Park soil it is an honour and testament to a season of hard work and training for any team to reach the National Interleague Finals in Baldoyle. STC badminton teams were not strangers to this hallowed turf by any means though as the Club were Title holders from 2011 at Division 1 and Division 5 Levels. On this occasion the STC teams were vying to re-capture the Division 1 Title and to attempt a fresh challenge at Division 3 level.
First up for STC’s Division 1 team was the Leinster champions, Mount Pleasant. Sligo got off to a slow start with both Men’s Singles and Ladies Singles going to Mount Pleasant. Joseph Keown and Fionnuala Scanlon both made brave attempts in these matches but the match-hardy opponents came through. The Men’s Doubles pairing of Jonathon Dolan and Graeme Watt defeated Mount Pleasant’s Jonathon Ruddy and Mark Cobbe in 2 sets while the Ladies Doubles pairing of Paula Watt and Victoria Stevens could not overcome the experienced Mount Pleasant pair, Kirsty Kelly and Siobhan Grehan. Things looked grim for Sligo as they were now 3-1 down going into the final 3 Mixed Doubles matches of the tie. This did not dampen Sligo’s determination and they took 2 out of the 3 Mixed Doubles. Jonathon Dolan and Francie Mahon took 1st Mixed Doubles in 2 sets and Paula Watt and Graeme Watt came through a close 3 set match to capture 2nd Mixed Doubles. Victoria Stevens and Joseph Keown were unlucky to be defeated in a tight encounter at 3rd Mixed.
Final result; Mount Pleasant 4 – Sligo 3.
The reigning Munster champions, UCC, awaited Sligo’s attention next. With 4 points already under UCC’s belt upon defeating Mount Pleasant earlier, Sligo knew a win against UCC was essential to be in contention to defend their Division 1 Title. Paula Watt took Ladies Singles in fine form for Sligo. Men’s Singles went to UCC despite Danny Keown’s best efforts, as did Ladies Doubles. Men’s Doubles again went to Sligo. This time it was 2 – 2 prior to the 3 Mixed Doubles matches. The writing was on the wall, a win was required. The 1st Mixed pairing of Francie Mahon and Jonathon Dolan really dug deep to triumph in a tough 3 set match against UCC’s Ciara O’Connor and Colm Kelly. Paula Watt and Graeme Watt had a similar situation and battled hard in a 3 set match only to lose narrowly in the end. Fortunately the 3rd Mixed pairing of Victoria Stevens and Joseph Keown took their match in 2 sets. Final result; Sligo 4 – UCC 3.
This created the unusual situation of all 3 teams; UCC, Mount Pleasant and Sligo being on 7 points each. It was a tense time as the adjudicators performed a count-back on sets won by all teams. The Sligo team could be heard in relief and celebration as it was announced that Sligo had won with 18 sets, 2 sets clear of Mount Pleasant. What an achievement to retain this coveted Title 2 years in a row.
It wasn’t all about Division 1 in Baldoyle, however, as Sligo’s Division 3 team were simultaneously embroiled in their own battles further down the sports arena. The Sligo Division 3 team were not caught in the traps by any means though as they defeated their Munster opponents from Cork City, Melbourne, 7 – 0. Danny Keown and Claire Finnegan both won their respective Singles matches. Similarly, in the Doubles ties, Conor Caheny and Conor Scanlon, and Siobhan Parker and Rebecca McGillen overcame their opponents in 2 sets. Sligo also took the 3 Mixed Doubles matches with Rebecca McGillen and Conor Scanlon in 1st Mixed and Marie McTiernan and Danny Keown in 3rd Mixed winning comfortably. Sligo’s 2nd Mixed pairing of Siobhan Parker and Brian Caliendo had to battle hard to overcome their Melbourne opponents and the tie was decided in a close 3rd set which Sligo won 21 – 17.
With 7 points secured, Sligo were hot favourites going into the 2nd match against Leinster Club, Carlow YM. This time, however, Sligo did not get it all their own way. Conor Caheny lost out in Men’s Singles, as did Siobhan Parker and Rebecca McGillen in a long 3 set battle for Ladies Doubles. The score levelled at 2 – 2 when Claire Finnegan took Ladies Singles along with Danny Keown and Conor Scanlon in Men’s Doubles. Sligo needed only one out of the 3 Mixed ties to guarantee the Division 3 Title for the Connaught Club. As it happened, Sligo took all 3 Mixed ties to defeat Carlow YM by a score line of 5-2 and capture the Division 3 National Interleague Title for Sligo.