On Thursday 16th Oct, Sandycove were delighted to host The DLTC O65’s League finals.
Class 1 – 11:00
Sandycove 1 v Clontarf 1: 1-2
1st Doubles: Ken Browne/Roy Bailey
2nd Doubles: Tim Eaton (c)/Conor O’Reilly
3rd Doubles: Des Noctor/Jim O’Hanlon
Class 2 – 11:00
Malahide 1 v Donnybrook: 2-1
Sandycove 1 faced their old rivals Clontarf in the final having narrowly lost to them two weeks before in Clontarf.
Conor and Tim, on court 2, showed everybody on the day how tennis in a final could and should be played. No sign of nerves from either of these gentlemen. Fearless aggression, speed and power. Drive volleys from the mid court and precision volleys at the net were the name of the game in a dominant performance by Sandycove.
Des and Jim, the sprightly rookies, raced away with the first set. They were well warmed up after hitting with our 2021 singles champion Oisin before the match. The Clontarf pair came back strong and evened the score sending the match into a championship tiebreak. A close contest which ultimately went Clontarf’s way.
1-1
Ken and Roy had only completed their 1st set as the other matches were concluding. A fearsome battle ensuing. Full compliments to the four men in this match, the tennis captivated all onlookers. Long gruelling points, nothing for free. The levels of endurance and stamina on display were seriously impressive. Roy was imperious from the back, Ken’s trademark serving, angles and net play were second to none but the Clontarf pair defended impeccably. Ken’s speciality is getting balls past people and putting balls out of reach but the Clontarf pair retrieved almost everything. The match culminated in a 2nd set tiebreak with Clontarf narrowly pipping Sandycove to the post.
2-1 Clontarf on the day
Note: Ken and Roy also featured in O55’s Class 1 final the following Sunday and it was overheard in Naas that the ‘aul lads’ they faced on Thursday were a stronger pair than the finest that Fitzwilliam had to offer at O55’s.
Many thanks to Harry McCarthy and Lynn Spillane from DLTC who officiated the event. Huge thanks to Carolyn Moore, our Club President, for representing Sandycove Tennis & Squash Club. Special thanks also to Mary O’Connell, Roger Percival, Emma Percival, Sarah Emerson and Helen Curran for helping out on the day ensuring that everything ran smoothly and our guests were well looked after.
Steve
Men’s Captain
