Good day gentlemen,

A very shabby start to this year’s reports as we are already heading into Week three of the DLTC Winter League so apologise to all. I bring only positive news today with Sandycove teams getting off to a terrific start to the event.

Week one saw 7 teams (Class 2, 2x class 4, 5,6 & 7) entering the competition reflecting the depth of quality across the Club this year. This year’s team Captains, Ivan Brady, Harry Wall, Ken Browne, Keith O’Byrne, Frank McCooey, Greg McDowell and Tom O’Higgins went into the fray with measured confidence.

Week one delivered 5 wins out of 7 matches by any measure a great start to the campaign with wins for both our class 4 teams and our class 5, 6 and 7’s. Ivan’s and Harry’s men went down in very tight affairs with the firsts losing 2/1 to Donnybrook led by Owen Casey (6/7 in the 3rd) while the 2nds also lost 2/1.

Onto Week 2 where once again we had similar results with 5 of the 6 matches going to Sandycove – The 3rds led by a returning Ken won again 3-0 and are looking very strong having accumulated 6 points to date, the 4ths again in class 4 went down 2/1 in a very tight match and are still well positioned with a 50% win ratio, the 5ths missing their inspirational leader Mr McCooey still managed another 2/1 win to sit on 4 points. Our first had a bye week which was welcomed by Steve Gill following recent bike accident and our 2nds got back on tract with a good 2/1 win at home. Greg McDowell and his merry men won again with very strong performances from all 6 men and in particular Stephen O Brien and Ian brady who took the 3rd set 7/6

As to our Class 7 team rumours have been circulating all week about a complex ‘fine’ system which is in place and has proved to be a very big incentive for all concerned not to lose any points for the team. More investigation to be done on this and further detail will be forthcoming in the weeks ahead. Young Cian O’Higgins did pencil some understated thoughts on Sunday’s match:

“The magnificent Sandycove 7ths brought the sunshine to Rathgar with a vital away victory (2/1). Stephen McGoohan and the dynamic Dermot Bennett cruised to a 1& 1 victory with Patrick Dempsey & Cian O Higgins not far behind them at 4 &2. Andrew Browne and Denis O Reilly fought back to claim the 2nd set but ultimately fell in the 3rd to a strong 1st doubles pair”

Subs will be key to the Clubs continued progress across the event so to one and all if you get the call up do your very best to assist. Momentum is everything in sport and given the great start across the teams it would be terrific to ‘go deep’ into this year’s events. Our thanks to all of you who have subbed in across all the teams to date.

Your Tennis Captains
Paul & John f