Following the successes of our senior teams over the last few weeks our U18 Boys won a nail biting quarter final in the U18 league play-offs against local rivals Glenageary yesterday.

After topping our group we had home advantage. In front of a packed balcony, with Glenageary supporters definitely winning the balcony battle, the action started at 4.00.

First off were the doubles where Ronan Prior and Daniel Nolan lost a high quality doubles in straight sets against a very strong Glenageary pair who had won all their previous matches.

Meanwhile on Court 1 playing 1st singles Caoimhin Cronin had won a very tight 1st set 6/4 and the 2nd set was going game for game and on Court 2 Alex Wardlaw playing 2nd singles had just won a marathon 1st set 7/6.

Later following some great tennis from all players Caoimhin was in a 2nd set tie breaker and Alex had just lost the 2nd set and was starting a championship tiebreaker. At this stage it was impossible to know which way both matches would go and nerves on the balcony were palpable (thankfully the players were immune to nerves).

Caoimhin played with nerves of steel and great composure to win the tiebreaker 9/7 following a really tough battle with amazing rallies and high quality tennis from both players to put the overall score at 1 match each.

At this stage Alex was 4/1 down in the tiebreaker. This match was a really hard hitting game with neither player holding back. A little while later Alex was 9/6 down facing 3 match points. Displaying grit, determination and aggressive hitting Alex got back to 9/9, then saved another match point before winning 12/10 to secure a 2/1 win for Sandycove.

Well done to all the players from Sandycove and Glenageary for playing high quality tennis with great sportsmanship.

The semi-final is at home next Sunday at 4.00 and all supporters welcome. All the players remarked afterwards on the atmosphere from the balcony and said it was the noisiest atmosphere they had ever played in so let’s try and replicate it with more Sandycove supporters next Sunday.