15-06-2015
Ladies and Men’s Annual Doubles Competitions
The preliminary rounds of theladies and men’s annual doubles competitions were played last Monday and Tuesday with the finals completed on Thursday. The tennis matches were keenly contested in very favourable conditions thus ensuring some brilliant tennis matches.
The qualifying pairings from Monday night’s competition were Rob Kearney/George Bodor, Harry O’ Rourke/Evan Conway, Jamie Waldron/Dave Costello and Tim Clarke/Fergus Groenendijk.
Orla Kinahan/AnnetteDalton, Michele Culligan/Mary Jo O’ Farrell, Jacinta Digby/Julie Costello, Paula Dowling/Deborah Mc Keown were the winners on Tuesday night.
Both finals were played on Thursday, the eight ladies competing on courts 1 and 2 while the men played on courts 3 and 4. As there were four matches on all of the time the spectators were treated to some magnificent powerful tennis while keeping a keen eye on their favourite competitors.
After two hours of exceptional tennis the lady winners were Paula Dowling and Deborah Mc Keown with the Orla Kinahan/Annette Dalton as runners up. Chairperson Dave Costello presented the winners with the Ida Smith cup.
Youth were the winners of the men’s competition with Harry O’ Rourke and Evan Conway combining to win the Dave Costello cup by one point. Rob Kearney and George Bodor were second.
See photos in Gallery
Midland Leagues
The Midland Tennis Leagues will start in the middle of July with players from the midlands able to play in six different divisions. Divisions 1, 2, 3 and 4 teams consist of two ladies and two men. Divisions 5 and 6 are for four ladies.
Division 1 caters for players of excellent standard while division 6 is for players who are new to tennis.
Athlone has had its name engraved on the division 2, 3, 4 and 5 trophies over the years and members wishing to participate in these competitive competitions should register their name on the official form in the clubhouse.
Athlone Senior Open
The forms for this competition are now in the clubhouse and this year play commences on July 5th with the finals on Sunday July 12th the same day as the Wimbledon men’s final.
Senior Summer Leagues
The playing of the ladies and men’s summer leagues will continue for the next couple of weeks with the presentation of prizes on Thursday 25th June. Pawel Michalski has completed all his matches with maximum points and will top the men’s pyramid. Evan and Matthew Conway, Sean Raftery, Luciano Molinari and Dave Costello won matches during the past week.
Mary Jo O’ Farrell and Julie Costello were winners in the ladies league.
Social Tennis
The doubles competitions took all the courts last week but social tennis returns this week with the men playing every Monday, the ladies on Tuesdays and mixed doubles every Thursday. New members are most welcome to come along on these nights and have a go at playing the game. Play commences at 7.30 and continues for two hours.
Coaching
Clem Higginbotham continues coaching lessons for junior members every Saturday. The lessons begin at 10 for children under 8, at 11 for under 12 and at 12 o’ clock for over 12 years of age. His contact number is 0864022490.
Coaching for junior members continues every Tuesday and Friday. Every Tuesday at 5 o’ clock coaching is for children ages 10-12 and at 6 o’ clock for children ages 13 to 15. Friday coaching also starta at 5 o’ clock for children ages 5 to 9 and at 6 o’ clock for children 10 to 13. Derek Stenson is the coach and further details can be obtained at 0851080013.
He is also organising lessons for adults Wednesdays or Fridays for interested individuals.