We are delighted to report that Sandycove Men’s 4th Team were victorious over Elm Park 3rds last Sunday in sunny Malahide to bring home the Pamela Scott Trophy and Winning Pennant to the Club.

Despite the location, the team had an excellent turn out of support from fellow club members and family to cheer them on their way. First off court were the excellent pairing of youth and wisdom of Mark Cunningham & Dave Hanley with a 6-3, 7-6 win over their strong opponents, saving 2 set points in the tie-breaker to take the 1st point for Sandycove. The ferocity of the tennis resulted in both Dave & Mark breaking strings in this game!

In Games 1 & 3, Will & Paul Fitzgerald as well as Frank McCooey & Colin Wardlaw were both having tense battles against their opponents. Frank & Colin took to a late start in an attempt to be the last on court, they led their opponents into a false sense of security giving them the 1st set 6-1 only to find their rhythm and take the 2nd set 6-4 as they eased into an early lead in the 3rd.

Meanwhile on Court 1, the Fitzgerald’s got off to an unusually nervous start but quickly got into their rhythm in a very tight, tense and chess like game of tennis that saw the Fitzgeralds playing warm up singles at each turn around as their opponents re-couperated between games! When it mattered most, both Paul and Will came up with the right shots at the right time to secure the 1st set, and despite Will trying some trick shots in the second set (much to Dad’s surprise!) they closed the game out, 6-4, 6-4 to deny Colin & Frank taking victory in the last and final set in their game. Frank did maintain his record of never Losing or Winning a match in each of the finals he has played in for Sandycove…pretty impressive that!

Throughout their Winter league campaign the original pairings when playing together did not lose one set between them….another impressive statistic! Special thanks to all subs, Dermot Ennis, Michael Butler, Harry Wall and Jim Brady for filling in for the missing players in the early stages. A very special thanks goes to Philip Craig for subbing on numerous occasions for the team particularly in the knockout stages and securing vital points for the team to advance to the final.

Congratulations everyone!

Next up the Summer League where we hope to capture more silverware from our fine talent within the club across all Classes.

Best Wishes, Liam