After an entertaining and competitive first week rounded off by a super BBQ on Friday evening, it was the turn of our Junior members to enjoy their Championships Finals Day on Saturday which saw some fine talent on show. Well done to all involved.

The Senior Championships recommenced on Sunday morning under glorious sunshine, and with a relaxed feel on the balcony the quality and intensity on court picked up where it left off on Friday evening.

The 10am starters were all doubles affairs…In the Ladies’ Doubles Andrea Begley and Linda Walsh came through against Oisine Hannan and Moyna Noble in a competitive match. On court 1 Oisin O’Hanlon and Harry Owens were victors against Shane and Mark Gill in the Men’s Doubles, while in the 8UP Ladies’ Doubles Karen Johnson and Jenny McCann withstood a strong challenge from Sara Beth Casey and Emma Percival to go through to the next round.

The 12pm matches included three 8UP Ladies Doubles matches and one Men’s Plate match. Catherine Holmes and Lisa Morgan played very well to beat Ellen O’Carroll and Vanessa O’Reilly. Niamh Hughes and Julia Cullen overcame Mags O’Keeffe and Grace Weldon in an entertaining match, while mother and daughter combination of Andrea and Kate Begley looked strong overcoming Helen Hughes and Colette McNichols. In the Men’s Plate Shane Gill enjoyed a good win over Nicholas Mahon.

At 2pm, in the Lucky Dip Mixed Doubles Ellen O’Carroll partnered up with John F Burke although nursing a shoulder injury, still had enough to come through again Maeve O’Brien and Tom Wall. Also in the Lucky Dip Fiona O’Reilly and Philip Craig were victorious against Margaret Smyth and Jimmy Morrissey. In the Ladies’ Singles Sarah Emerson came through a tight and entertaining match against Catherine Holmes who gave our 2nd seed a thorough test.

The supporters on the balcony were treated to some great doubles play in the 4pm games. In the Lucky Dip Mixed Doubles Vanessa O’Reilly and Liam Hurley played excellently to overcome Natalie Flanagan and birthday boy Des Noctor. While the last match to come off court was in the 8UP Men’s Doubles which was a high quality and enthralling game, with Roy and Zach Bailey winning in 3 sets against Mark Gill and Jocelyn O’Callaghan.

There is a full schedule of matches today starting at 6pm. Please note we have had to make some changes to the schedule so please ensure you check your match times. Sandycove Senior Championships 2022

Week 1 saw the best of our annual championships both on and off the court and week 2 promises to be very entertaining so please come down and enjoy the tennis and the company.

Mandy, Jenny, Paul and Greg