Men’s Senior League – Week 1 Report

We kicked off this year’s Senior League campaign with 2 wins and 2 losses with some very tight matches and a little bad luck along the way. We have both our O35s playing at home this Sunday at 11am – all support welcome. See below full match reports.

O35 1st Team vs Terenure (CYM) 1
The Men’s Over 35s 1st team started their campaign on Sunday in sunny Terenure.

Our 1st pairing Cormac Jennings and Robbie Kernan put in a professional performance against two steady old customers who won a few battles but certainly not the war with Cormac and Robbie coming out 6/2 6/4 victors.

At number two Rob Neiland and Dave Cooney lined up on the same side of the net for the 1st time in 20 years! and certainly there was a bit of ring rust with both veterans failing to find enough right answers over the course of three competitive sets going down 5/7 6/3 6/2.

Our 3rd pair consisted of Club coach Catalin and 8UP Doubles club champ Tom O’Higgins and despite another tough battle against two solid and crafty players ran out losing 6/4 6/2. It’s early doors and with a home match this Sunday an opportunity to get the show back on the road.

O35 2nd Team vs Ashbrook 2
The O35’s 2nd team has a great start, winning 3-0 against Ashbrook 2. Thanks to Alan Casey, Dermot Bennett and Tim Eaton for subbing in on day 1 of the campaign.

At 1 doubles Des Noctor and Alan Casey hit the ground running with a convincing win of 6/0, 6/1. While at 2 doubles, the proven partnership of Steve McGoohan and Dermot Bennett teamed up and came through a tight affair winning 6/3, 6/4. At 3rd doubles new member John Harrington kicked off his Sandycove league career alongside Tim Eaton and enjoyed a super 6/1, 6/0 win. Well done John on a great start!

The guys play joint table toppers Newtown Park 2 this Sunday.

O45 Team vs Sutton 1
The O45 Men’s team travelled to Sutton to kick off their campaign. Nominated number two pairing Colin Grant and Mark Fourie were unavailable, so thank you to Greg McDowell and Joe Cunningham who stepped in. At number 1 doubles, Steve Gill’s full array of talents were on display as he and Brian O’Gorman won comfortably 6/2, 6/1.

Colin Wardlaw and Dave Hanley stepped up to no 2 doubles and had an epic match of over 2.5 hours, sadly just being piped at the end 6/4 in the third.

And super subs Greg and Joe were playing very well and were a set up but had to retire due to trouble with Joe’s Achilles. We wish Joe a very speedy recovery.

So overall a somewhat unlucky 2/1 defeat. Off to Castleknock this Sunday.

O55Team vs Fitzwilliam 1
To use a phrase beloved of sports journalists, STC O.55 entertained Fitzwilliam (the holders) in Sandycove on Sunday morning. Unfortunately we didn’t shine in the culinary stakes as the visitors had to make do with black tea and coffee after the match, an omission they will no doubt relentlessly hold against us in the future in the banter that is part and parcel of these encounters. However we did shine where it matters most, on the court, and the 3-0 win we secured bodes well for this campaign. Our No 3 pair Conor O’Reilly and Iain Walker were off first with a straight forward 2 set win, however our other pairings were entered a third set in both matches.

Paul Ivory and Paul Kilduff were in a titanic battle and came out victors 7-5 in the third set. I would suggest avoiding the balls used in this match if you plan to purchase used balls in the bar as they were “battered” by the usual protagonists! On Jimmy Casey Court Roy Bailey and Paul Fitzgerald managed to save two match points in a thrilling 7-6 in the third victory over illustrious opponents.

Good luck to those playing this weekend.

Paul and Greg