July 11, 2017
There was a record entry at the AIB sponsored Nenagh Senior Open Championships of North Tipperary at Nenagh LTC last week. The tournament attracted entries (up 6% on 2016) from a very wide circle of clubs, these being spread over 29 different Munster graded events. Entries came from up to 25 clubs (big and small) in counties Tipperary, Limerick, Galway, Laois, Offaly and Galway, in addition to a few from further away and the huge local turnout.
Play ran over 10 evenings, including all day Sat and Sun of the opening weekend, and culminated in a most enjoyable Finals Day (Sat last) which was favoured by warm summer weather. That, combined with the novel outdoor refreshment/bar area, BBQ, and strawberries & cream (the latter on Finals’ Day and free we should add and without queueing) enabled us to enjoy what we might call perhaps a ‘Wimbledonesque’ experience.
AIB Nenagh has a long association with this tournament which continues to prosper and grow each year. Margaret McLoughney, manager AIB Nenagh, attended the finals and at the presentation, in complimenting the club on its success, said that AIB were delighted to associated with the tournament which in fact also featured as a player Cashel man and a previous manager at AIB Nengh Paul Anglim. Paul was a Gr 2 doubles finalist.
Also featuring prominently was another AIB man, Pat O’Meara, whose semi-final with Kieran Burke Vs Liam McGrath and Mark Moran was the latest’ match (and one of the longest) of the tournament, coming off court close to the dawn chorus on the wrong side of a 6/7, 7/6, 6/7 scoreline. They finished at 2.45 am. Another long match was that of Damien Egan and Simon Whelehan who battled it out in the heat on Finals’ Day for over 3 hours in their singles final, with Damien edging it 5/7, 7/6, 6/4.
The wide entry was reflected in various winners’ list with titles in varying numbers going to 12 different clubs. Ballina man Barry McCarthy, displaying his wide repertoire of skills repelled a strong challenge from Limerick man CJ Kelly, himself a former winner, to retain the main singles title, while Lena O’Connor, a Limerick lady but who plays her tennis in Nenagh, took the ladies title at the expense of Anne-Marie Darcy. The ladies who are both having a great season combined to take doubles, while CJ Kelly joined John Reidy to exact some revenge on Barry (and Brian McGahy) to win the mens doubles.
Other impressive finals performances included David Hackett, Catriona O’Dwyer (Tralee and Monaleen), Tara Spain, and Roscrea man Brian Crofton who each won 2 events. Catriona in fact appeared in 3 finals. Others, including Eamonn Murtagh, Ciara Cairns, Ciara Molloy (Portumna), John Lehane and Jim McGann (Cath Ins) also reached 2 finals, winning one and being r-up in another. Aiden Delaney and Thomas Mulqueen (Puckane) were also dual finalists in their respective grades, being unfortunately out of luck in both finals.
At the presentation on Saturday, Margaret McLoughney was formally welcomed by club Pres Margaret Folan. Margaret Folan, Pauline Ryan (tournament ref) and Barry McCarthy (on behalf of the players) all expressed their sincere thanks to AIB Nenagh for their generous support of the tournament.
Margaret Folan also welcomed Shane Cooke, from Castleview LTC and Pres Munster Tennis. Shane congratulated the club on the success of the very well run tournament and also thanks AIB for supporting the game of tennis. The club was also honoured to welcome Clifford Carroll, Pres of Tennis Ireland, who visited to wish the club well during the first weekend. Cliff’s club is Ballinlough.
Joint Club Captains Pauline Ryan and David Hackett were the recipients of much deserved plaudits. Pauline and David ran a wonderful tournament, a fact echoed by Margaret Folan and Barry McCarthy at the presentation and by many others. No doubt they’re planning 2018 already!
Margaret Folan also thanked the many members whose stints in various roles at desk duty, Bar, BBQ, etc and general support was invaluable, not forgetting Frank Shanahan for having the grounds in tip top shape.
Results (Nenagh players unless stated)
Finals Winners Runner(s)-up
Men’s Singles:
Gr 1: Barry McCarthy (Killaloe-Ballina) C J Kelly (Lim LTC)
Gr 2: Tomasz Judkowiak (Lim) John Heffernan (Tipp Co)
Gr 3: Brian Crofton (Roscrea) Mike Galvin (Monaleen)
Gr 4: Damien Egan Simon Whelehan (Birr Wilmer)
Gr 5: Eoin Gleeson (Puckane) Shane Fahy (Lim)
Gr 6: Kieran Grace John Lehane
Ladies Singles
Gr 1: Lena O’Connor (Nenagh & Lim) Anne-Marie Darcy
Gr 2: Catriona O’Dwyer (Tralee) Pamela Scott (Lim LTC)
Gr 3: Laura Durkan (Hillview, Clonmel) Catriona O’Dwyer (Tralee)
Gr 4: Lena Grace Orla Conneally (Portumna)
Gr 5: Ciara Cairns Christina Costello
Gr 6: Angela McDermott Barbara Hackett (Lim LTC)
Mens Doubles
Gr 1: C J Kelly/John Reidy (both Lim LTC) Barry McCarthy/Brian McGahey (Puckane)
Gr 2: David Hackett/Eamonn Murtagh Paul Anglim/Benny Dudley (both Larkspur)
Gr 3: Brian Crofton/Damien Cunninghan (Ros) Aiden Delaney/Eamonn Murtagh
Gr 4: Arthur Fitzell/Daniel Murphy (both Larkspur) James Kennedy/Thomas Mulqueen
Gr 5: Niall Healy/Michael Ryan Jim McGann/Sorin Slavescu (both Cath Inst)
Gr 6: John Lehane/William Murphy Liam McGrath/Mark Moran
Ladies Doubles
Gr 1: Anne-Marie Darcy/Lena O’Connor Yuan Yuan Lu-Flanagan (Lim LTC)/Gail O’Meara (Ros)
Gr 2: Rhona Byrne/Derval Howlett both Lim LTC) Avril Cairns/Claire McBride (both Lim LTC)
Gr 3: Sinead O’Meara/Tara Spain Olivia Deely/Helen Lawless (both Loughrea)
Gr 4: Paul Quinlan/Karen Smith (both Wilmer) Eimear Gleeson/Aine McCarthy
Gr 5: Gillian Dunne/Ciara Molloy (both Portumna) Therese Brophy/Ciara Cairns
Gr 6: Trish Carey/Emma Nee Haslam (both Wilmer) Jacquie Jordan/Ann O’Meara (both Wilmer)
Mixed Doubles
Gr 2: David Hackett/Catriona O’Dwyer Matthew Ryan/Emma Mulqueen
Gr 3: Alan D’Arcy/Tara Spain Aidan Delaney/Melissa Kenny
Gr 4: Agris Strods/Kate Heduan Michael Kennedy/Lena Grace
Gr 5: Jim McGann/Breifne Considine (both C. Inst) Thomas Mulqueen/Ciara Molloy
Gr 6: Liam Karol Flannery/Frances Cleary (Puckane) Dermot Sheils/Cathriona Byrne (both Wilmer)
