U12 girls Leinster League

Sunday last our U12 girls gathered at the club to cross the city to play Sutton. Fun was certainly
had on our journey to and from the club as we weaved our way through traffic and navigated our
way through short cuts and red lights! As we travelled a fog loomed over Howth but once we
arrived in Sutton the sun shone, there was no wind or rain but spring and smiles to greet us.

The girls were quickly introduced to their pairings and warmed up on their courts. Then without
delay they began their matches. Court 1 saw Alecia Holmes and Nia McGuigan play some great
shots, lobs and great serves. Their communication and chats on court about tactics was great to
see. First set was tight losing 6-4 to a competent Sutton side. The 2nd set was hard fought but
Sutton stayed consistent and took the point. Better luck next time girls.

Court 2 saw Saffron Nolan and Catherine McDowell storm their opposition with great confidence
and super team communications. Their decisive shots and great score calling made no mistake
with their final score winning very comfortably, in quick time. Court 3 welcomed Molly O’Neill, (her
debut tournament) and Emily Brady into action. Once again their opposition were no match.
Lobs, Volleys and some long rallies dominated on their court and they returned with their score,
triumphant and smiling. Well done team.

They play at home v Templeogue on Sunday at 4pm. Come along and support if free. The
balcony will be open with refreshments for those keen to watch some tennis. U12 Boys play
Malahide at home also at 4pm followed at 5:30 with the U18 boys team v Carrickmines 1.
A great afternoon of tennis awaits.

U12 boys Leinster League

Sun was out and the balcony was full – felt like the real start of the summer for the U12 boys as
they welcomed Clontarf to the club last Sunday evening. There were a few nerves as Clontarf top
the table and had not dropped a point yet but nonetheless the lads had a smile on their faces as
they went to the court well up for the matches.

Shouts of “C’mon Sandycove” from the balcony got us underway.

3rd Doubles of Jack Pinschmidt and James Sherry had a tough start as their opponents raced to a
fast lead taking the first set quickly. Then they showed their game and gave the Clontarf pair a real
fight in the second with nothing in it. In the end they lost out narrowly coming close to bringing
them to a tie break.

Meanwhile 2nd doubles of Charlie Casey and Macdara White were in a real ding dong. Long rallies
were the norm and things were getting tense on the balcony. The boys showed real skill
navigating the first set easily but then Clontarf came back strong in the second set. So all down to
a nervous tie breaker. MacDara and Charlie played amazingly well, jumped all over the net and
won out easily in the end. Big cheer from the balcony.

As if things weren’t tight enough it now came down to the 1st doubles pairing of Conor Emerson
and Hugo Brady who were in a real battle. They lost the first in a tie break but then the momentum
shifted. Conor and Hugo won the second set well and then got themselves set for a nervous tie
break. 20 shot rallies were the norm and in the end Conor & Hugo won 10-5 copying Macdara and
Charlie’s plan of attacking the net.

Great win for the boys against the table toppers but most importantly all matches played in a
good spirit. Boys were very welcoming to their visitors and Clontarf were very impressed by
Sandycove LTC – “you are very lucky with what you have here” was said more than once.

U18 girls Leinster league.

Away to Shankill for their second last campaign match of this season. Our young team faced
older opposition with both Laura Emerson and Kitty Cronin unlucky to both loose their singles in
3rd set championship tie breaks. Emma Holmes and Sarah White fought a close doubles match,
loosing a tight 6-4, 6-4 match. This Sunday the team face David Lloyd in the final group match,
where securing 1 point will see them through to play offs as group runners up. A great outcome
for such a young U18 team. Best of luck at 4pm away to David Lloyd.