February 20, 2018
With the close of the group matches on Sun 11th Feb, the club seen 11 of its initial 16 teams reaching the Quarter/Semi Final stages of the competition, which is a really fine overall achievement. Play-offs details will be available later this week.
All teams that entered this year have put in such an effort – especially those competing for the first time – from initial Winter League lessons – travelling (often in cold rain lashed weekends) to far flung corners of Munster and sweeping water logged courts, but it’s been a great few months, so well done to everyone who has represented the club.
And of course it’s more than just winning. There’s the social side of it and the simple pleasure of just going out there and playing the game against new and often familiar opponents and in this context we’ll mention, among others, the Grade 3 Ladies B team which on Fri last hosted Ennis ladies in the clubhouse somewhat later into the evening than the visitors (and their designated driver) doubtless intended to stay.
The teams which have qualified for the play-offs are:
Gr 1: Lena O’Connor (Capt), Anne Marie Darcy, Frank O’Keeffe, Eamon Murtagh
Gr 2: Tara Spain (Capt), Sinead O’Meara, Matthew Ryan, James Morris
Gr 3: Men – Mike O’Brien (Capt), George Hayes, Don McLean, Martin Ryan (F)
Ladies ‘A’ – Jennifer McKenna, Lena Grace, Melissa Kenny, Rosemary Seymour
Ladies ‘B’ – Richelle Treacy, Eimear Gleeson, Kate Heduan, Pauline Ryan
Gr 4: Mixed – Gemma Flynn, Ciara Cairns, Tommy Riggs Miller, Mick Molloy
Men – Michal Dziewiatka, Raimonds Zarinsh, Tom Hough, Dan Grey
Ladies – Sally McGrath (Capt), Paula Kelly, Doireann Kennedy, Kate McKenna
Gr 5: Men – John Lehane, Stephen Devaney, Denis Ley, George McGrath
Gr 6: Mixed – Liam Williams, Pat O’Meara, Siobhan Corcoran, Anne Digan
Men – Mikey Shoer, Owen Geaney, Brendan Murray, Patrick Pfister
The play-offs began this past weekend, 17th/18th Feb and 2 of the above teams came out on the wrong side in their respective quarter-final encounters, in each case we may add against excellent opposition.
The Gr 4 men (Michal Dziewiatka, Raimonds Zarinsh, Tom Hough, Dan Grey) lost to Cath Inst in their encounter while the Gr 6 men (Mikey Shoer, Owen Geaney, Brendan Murray, Patrick Pfister) took it to the wire, losing in a super-doubles play-off to Dromahane.
Best of luck to Cath Inst and Dromahane in the semi-finals.
Four Nenagh Nenagh players were among the large entry at RSA Insurance Irish Indoor Vets Championhships at the David Lloyd Tennis Centre in Belfast last weekend. The large entry made it necessary to play some matches at various other clubs, outdoors mainly, so hopefully the weather didn’t hinder enjoyment.
Unfortunately one Nenagh lady, Lena O’Connor, Over 35 singles champion in 2017 and No 1 seed this year, had to withdraw due to injury.
Meanwhile there were 2 final r-up awards for club members. Deirdre McSherry (with Toni O’Keeffe, Cork), was a r-up in one of the doubles events. Deirdre was a semi-finalists in the equivalent singles event, losing out narrowly to Toni, her doubles partner.
Frank O’Keeffe and Andrew Jones (LLTC) were runners-up in O.35 doubles, while Frank was narrowly edged out via the tiebreaker by the eventual winner, Belfast based Johnny Abosi, in his singles semi-final (2/6, 6/4, 6/10), Johnny being the same man who defeated Frank and Andrew in the doubles final.
And Gail O’Meara was agonisingly defeated in the semi-final of her category by Gillian Chandler (Lansdowne), 5/7, 7/5, 7/10. It was Gail’s 2nd tiebreaker loss of the weekend, having earlier succumbed 8/10 in her doubles Q-F (with Connie Creed). No a good weekend for Nenagh players and tiebreakers!
Over 100 players, 56 ladies and 48 men in various grades/sections are playing in the in-house Cleary’s Spring Doubles at Nenagh LTC. Matches must be concluded by Tues night 6th March. The play-offs are on Wed 7th and Thurs 8th and the finals on Fri 9th Mar.
Our now Annual Quiz Night will take place at the club on March 16th. More than just a table quiz, this event, devised by George, has large screen display, video questions, and many other features. Due to capacity, entries are limited, so it’s best to book places early. Details, etc from any committee member.
