September 25, 2013
The Ger Gavin Home Interiors Senior Club Championships concluded at Nenagh LTC on Saturday last following a memorable 8 nights of tennis during which we witnessed the many skills of the game and the enjoyment which it can give to player and spectator alike.
There were many fine matches throughout the week and at the weekend we noted a significant number of ‘new’ players involved in the latter stages of many events.
Ger and Benny Gavin of Ger Gavin Home Interiors, Sarsfield Street, Nenagh were the exclusive sponsors of the tournament and Nenagh LTC President Liam O’Kelly thanked the Gavins for their generous support.
Benny Gavin, himself a player in tournament, said they were delighted to be associated with the tournament and he complimented Frank O’Keeffe, Liam O’Kelly and all involved.
Liam O’Kelly also paid tribute to all the players and to Tournament Referee Frank O’Keeffe and his committee for another job well done. Liam also thanked the many ‘backroom’ staff whose varying roles are vital to the success of any event.
Frank O’Keeffe thanked all the players for their cooperation all week thereby enhancing the tournament experience for everyone.
Many players enhanced their tennis reputations during the week. As in Open Week earlier in the Summer, Emma Mulqueen was a star of the week, winning the 3 events available to her in her category. She won singles, ladies doubles with Eileen Molloy and mixed with Ger McKenna.
Dual successes in their various categories were recorded by Conor Fahy, Anne Marie Darcy, Michael Hackett, Lorraine Ryan, Maeve O’Sullivan, Marie-Claire Murphy and Sinead O’Meara.
Brian McGahey won titles in 2 separate categories, while Ger McKenna was also a dual winner, establishing his credentials as a mixed specialist winning Gr 4 mixed and the handicapped event. Agris Strods appeared in 3 finals but had to be content with one title – but a fine achievement regardless.
President Liam O’Kelly must have a direct line to the Evelyn Cusack or some weather god of yore as not for the first time this year a big occasion at the club was blessed with excellent weather. We’ll see what he arranges for the Classic and other Autumn occasions.
The Saturday evening BBQ and post presentation social night was again most enjoyable. Compliments here are due to Brian McGrath who was in charge of the music for the evening and did a fine job.
Nenagh ‘Rosewall’ (with Eamon Dillon, Gary White, Marie Murphy and Anne Murnane) will play Athlone in the Division IV final of the Midland League in Birr on this Wednesday night. These teams met earlier in the league and drew 2 all, so it will be tight.
Nenagh beat Birr Wilmer 3/2 in the semi-final last week. Athlone defeated Nenagh ‘McEnroe’ (John Sheehy, Pat O’Meara, Triona Dunne, Lisa Givens) in the other semi-final.
