Grass courts coming back to Rushbrooke

A group of members who like to be known as the premier eights (everyone is allowed dream) have undertaken a project to bring 2 grass courts back to Rushbrooke.

Those of you who were lucky enough to have played in Rushbrooke during the time when the open tournament used to have 6 grass courts will be looking forward to this as much as me.

I remember some great tennis being played on those grass courts and finals that attracted the best players from around the country and often further afield.

At the moment, as far as I'm aware, Argideen Vale is the only other club in Cork to have real grass courts and while Rushbrooke won't be holding open tournaments on the grass again it will be fabulous to have the opportunity to play some proper serve and volley tennis on the surface it was made for.

The Premier eights will over the next few months be holding fundraisers (this is being fully funded by them, not the club) so if you are in a position to support any of these events please do so.

Updates of how the courts are progressing can be seen on Rushbrooke's facebook page but here are a few photos to show you what's happening.



Photos courtesy of John Carmody.

Two Open Vets Tournaments to go!

Right, before everyone heads off playing Winter Leagues and with the last Senior Open of the year happening in Bandon there is still 2 Vets Open Tournaments left.

This is where the serious tennis will be played, never mind the Munster Cup finals, this is where you will see Interproprovincial Champions in action and with the new selection system these tournaments count for next years team selection.

The first of these opens is in Bishopstown and entries are still being taken, to enter click here.

Join Conor Twomey and co. in Bishopstown.

This is an all doubles event and should provide some very competitive and entertaining matches throughout the tournament, which runs from the 13th to the 17th of October.

The final one of the year is in Rushbrooke which runs over the bank holiday weekend from the 22nd to the 25th of October. Details of entries to follow.

Munster Summer Cup Finals

Scores and report to follow shortly.

An amazing double for Munster

Following on from the great achievement of the Senior team at last month's Interpros the Vets headed to Belfast hoping that lightning would strike twice.

It had being 10 years since the Vets last won the Interpros and while you always hope this could be your year you know it will require a lot of factors to fall into place for you.

One of these factors was addressed early in the year when all vets who were interested in playing for Munster were invited to attend a meeting to decide on a format for selection of teams. In previous years familiar names were appearing on team sheets and unfortunately some of these people weren't playing open tournaments for one reason or another so at the meeting a team of selectors were chosen and one of their main priorities was to tackle this issue.
The result was a team chosen from results and hopefully one that would be prepared for the battle ahead.
Some people agreed with this, others weren't sure it would provide the strongest possible team.

Well results speak for themselves, Munster Vets Interpro Champions 2010, that can't be argued with.

The weekend took a new format, instead of all age groups playing the same province at the same time all ages were mixed so you didn't know until the last match how you faired.

With an overall total of 48 points up for grabs, Munster headed into the final round of play, with 16 points at stake, 3 points ahead of Leinster. While a good advantage nothing is guaranteed as Munster found out at the same stage last year when 4 points ahead.

These 16 matches consisted of 8 doubles and 8 singles matches and none were going to be handed to them.

There is no third set in vets tennis it is a champions tie break (first to 10 points) and these are character building.
Just so you know how important they are Munster won overall by 7 points. The difference at the end of the day was Munster lost 1 champions tiebreak, Leinster lost 8, it was that close.

Congratulations on a fabulous victory:
The Team:
Non Playing Captain: Alice Fawsitt
Ladies 35+
Deirdre McSherry
Joanne Williamson
Jennifer Anne Mulholland

Mens 35+
Rob Leahy
Niall Chandler
Derek Lane

Ladies 40+
Trudy Kennedy
Niamh Kennedy
Grace Reidy

Mens 40+
Rob Murphy
Pat Guiry
David McCarthy
Kieran Galvin

Ladies 45+
Ann Naughton
Un Ryle
Marcella Kelly
Siobhan Murray

Mens 45+
Des Dillon
Liam O Brien
Joe O Donovan

Ladies 50+
Marie Duffy
Gail O Meara
Maura McCarthy

Mens 50+
Pat Smith
Pat Coleman
Noel Fitton
Ron O Mahony

Enjoy the victory but don't overdo the celebrating, as next year's interpros are in Munster and defending it won't be easy.
Well done to all involved.

Some more photos taken by Derek Lane available here.

Ballinlough Open Doubles Results

Ballinlough Open finished on Saturday, and great credit must go to the organisers. Following some horrible weather and with a large entry to contend with it was a great achievement for the tournament to finish on time.

The finals had some familiar faces involved and while the winners will be delighted some of the other competitors will be delighted to see the back of some of the winners who no doubt at this point will have enough points to be upgraded.

Results:
Mixed Doubles 3: Orla Hosford/David Carroll V Marion Healy/Seamus Moynihan 6-4, 7-6
Mens Doubles 4: Nick Cloke/John Hurley V Anthony Coughlan/Jonathon Mulcahy 6-1, 6-4
Ladies Doubles 4: Dara Carbery/Louise Nestor V Lisa Fulcher/Joanne O Keeffe 2-1 retired.
Mixed Doubles 4: Anne Rose Purdon/Odran Cafferky V Louise Nestor/Paul Healy 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
Mens Doubles 5: Senan Ahern/Damien O Donovan V James Cooney/Declan Whelan Curtin 6-3, 7-6
Ladies Doubles 5: Teresa O Donovan/Lorna Power V Catherine Griffin/ Maria O Keeffe 6-1, 3-6, 6-4
Mixed Doubles 5: Sheila McCarthy/Tim Ryan V Sarah Dunne/Kevin Moynihan 7-5, 2-6, 7-6
Mens Doubles 6: Derek Murphy/John O Donovan V Jack Daly/Tom Noonan 6-2, 6-2
Ladies Doubles 6: Susan Cogan/Deirdre Deane V Anne Marie O Brien/Michelle O Connell 6-4, 6-3
Mixed Doubles 6: Bridget Webb/Frank Delaney V Liz Moore/Philip Neville 6-4, 6-4.

Well done to all the winners.

Summer Cup Finals this weekend.

After a lot of hard matches and plenty of travelling, Finals day has finally arrived and for some it will all be worthwhile after Sunday, for others disappointment and thoughts of what could have being.

The Finals of the Munster Summer Team Competitions takes place this Sunday in Rushbrooke Tennis Club and anyone who attends should be treated to some fabulous tennis.

Team events always provide great excitement and people can find a new level in these competitions as they are now playing for their team and the pride of their clubs and this sometimes means players dig deeper than they might if it was just for themselves.

Teams from all over Munster will be involved hoping to be crowned Munster Champions.

Division 1: Bishopstown V Limerick Lawn
Division 2: Nenagh V Rushbrooke
Carslberg Cup: Nenagh A V Crosshaven A
Division 4 Ladies: Sundays Well V Crosshaven
Division 4 Men: Sundays Well V Carrigaline
Division 5 Ladies: Tralee V Rushbrooke
Division 5 Mixed: Hillview V Kinsale
Division 6 Ladies: Rushbrooke V Carrigaline
Division 6 Men: Nenagh V Dromahane
Division 6 Mixed: Crosshaven V Dromahane

Best of luck to all teams.

Bandon Open - Enter Here

Entries for Bandon Open are now being taken and you can enter online by clicking here.

This is the last Senior Open of the year and always attracts a good crowd.

To check out your draw and keep up to date with the scores when the tournament starts, all the details will be available on the blog.

Busy weekend for tennis in Cork and Cork players.

This coming weekend is going to be a very busy one for Cork tennis, the finals of the Ballinlough Open will take place on Saturday and hopefully the weather holds out and makes for a very enjoyable days playing and spectating.

The Vets head to Belfast for their Interpros on Friday and Saturday where a large contingent of Cork players will join up with players from the rest of the province to try and bring the title home for Munster. 

And last but definitely not least our 4 Internationals, Niamh Coveney, Rachel Daly, Jamie Blake and David Gardiner head off to Wales for the Four nations, so hopefully we will have headlines galore next week.

Ballinlough Senior Doubles next on calender

Ballinlough Senior Open starts Thursday 2nd of September and as always Ballinlough have received a good entry.

To check your draw or to see when you're playing click here.

Good luck to all competitors especially to those who only require a few points for upgrading.  This is your second last chance of the season.

East Cork Open - Lower Aghada Results

Mens Doubles 1 - Cian Blake\Paul Fitzgerald V Duncan Cronin\Conor Kelly 6\4 6\7 6\2
Womens Doubles 1 - Danielle Geary\Aileen Sutherland V Marie Duffy\Mary Claire McCarthy 3\6 6\3 6\4
Mixed Doubles 1 - Danielle Geary\Conor Kelly V Mary Claire McCarthy\Vince Lawton 7\6 6\3
Mens Doubles 2 - Colm Cronin\Paul Kelleher V Nick McCabe\Eric Young 6\2 6\4
Mens Doubles 3 - Bill Howie\Eddie Ronayne V Paul Kelleher\Jason O Brien 6\4 7\5
Womens Doubles 3 - Marion Gargan\Marion Healy V Berni Kenny\Helen McCarthy 7\6 6\2
Mixed Doubles 3 - Orla Hosford\Eddie Ronayne V Lisa Long\David Thompson 4\6 6\4 6\4
Mens Doubles 4 - Dermot Carbery\Kevin Moynihan V Stephen McCarthy\Ron Sisk 6\1 6\3
Womens Doubles 4 - Louise Nestor\Tricia O Leary V Maria Harrington\Betty Thompson 6\0 6\4
Mixed Doubles 4 - Deirdre Murphy\John Hurley V Susan O Donovan\Paul Healy 7\6 6\2
Mens Doubles 5 - Dermot Carbery\Kevin Moynihan V Kevin Day\Pat O Brien 6\1 6\4
Womens Doubles 5 - Katherine\Sheila Daly V Catriona McGregor\Ticia O Leary 6\3 6\4
Mixed Doubles 5 - Susan Hamel\Brian Wade V Liz Moore\Tim Ryan 6\1 6\3
Mens Doubles 6 - Jack Daly\Tom Noonan V Stephen Bellis\Geoff Hayes 4\6 7\6 6\4
Womens Doubles 6 - Suzanne Buckley\Pauline Byrne V Rosemary McCarthy\Mary Walsh 6\2 6\4
Mixed Doubles 6 - Bridget Walsh\Frank Delaney V Cathy Brooks\Tony Lawlor 6\1 6\0