Autumn Team Tennis

Autumn Team Tennis started last week. Once again we have 96 players - 8 teams playing on Thursday and 4 teams playing on Wednesdays. Rain has already halted play so let's hope for better weather. One really important thing to note is the importance of arriving and starting on time. This rule, which was the brainchild of a participant not the committee, is designed to ensure that 11 people are not disrupted because one person is late. It is not designed to penalise the person who is late but that is the result. If someone is late starting then the other 3 players are delayed longer than they should be. Then the 4 starting after are delayed by the same time as are the next four due to go on. In the past this caused huge anger especially amongst the people due to go out last as it meant their matches cdid not finish till 10.30. So it really is a question of being fair to everyone. Generally with a little effort we can be on time but in the rare cases where we can't it's only fair to apologise and forfeit the appropriate number of games.

Senior League

The worst thing about Senior league is that the first match takes place the day after Captain's Day. Fortunately this year both the men's and ladies teams got off to a good start with 3-0 wins. The men have had mixed fortunes since then but the ladies have continued their winning ways and are set to qualify for playoffs. Our last match today will determine whether we qualify as winners or runners up. Winning would give us home advantage in the next round so fingers are crossed.

Captains' Day

Captains' Day took place on Sat, Aug 28th and what a day it was! People started arriving from 10.30 and registration began about 11am. We imbibed glasses of punch as teams assembled and finally it was time to start. Teams of 8 did good natures battle with each other until mid afternoon until a winning team emerged. This was Tean B led by past Captain Bill Scott and included John Sheridan, Joanne Cosgrave, Joanne Poland, Mary Rose Callan, Michael Glynn, Stella Nolan & Annmarie Ryan. Thanks Judy Matthews, Lisa Matthews & Sally de Foubert for you did to give us such a wonderful day's tennis. I know exactly how difficult a job this is and really appreciate it.
I left Elm Park at around 4.30 and there was nothing to indicate the transformation that would take place over the next couple of hours. I arrived back at 7.30 and was absolutely astounded - it looked like Carolyn McArdle and her team of Olwyn Ryan, Marielle Blake & Joan Harley had waved a magic wand over the dining room. To say the room looked amazing is such an understatement - it was simply gorgeous and ablaze with colour which I am passionate about.
The colour theme continued when we sat down to dinner -Mary Grier, Rose Haugh, Brian Hagan & John Ryan provided us with some very colourful entertainment and set the tone for the night.
Paul Dunlea & his team served up an excellent meal which was punctuated with speeches and prize givings. We tried to keep these to a minimum and hopefully did not bore you too much. After dinner entertainment was provided by The Snails and it wasn't long before everyone was dancing.
Once again a heartfelt thank you to eveeryone who helped make this such a special day.

Junior Grasscourt Finals

The Junior Grasscourt Finals took place on Sun, Aug 22nd. The sun shone and there some great matches were played. I think there was 13 finals in total but don't have the list to hand - I will post later. However I would like to single out Danny Maher - winner of U18s Singles, Boys Doubles & Mixed Doubles. Brilliant Danny!
Thanks to Yvonne Sheedy, Lisa Matthews and Junior Captains Joanne & Danny for all your hard work.

2010 Handicap Tournament

The Handicaps took place throughout the month of August and as usual there were some great battles. The Men's and Ladies' Singles were captured by new members John Purcell & Suzanne Cahill. They beat Brian Maye & Yvonne Sheedy respectively. In the Men's Doubles Brian Hagan & Mick O'Dwyer beat Paddy O'Boyle & Seamus McLaughlin while in the Ladies Doubles Mary Mulloy & Joan Feeney beat Stella Nolan & Iris Taylor. The Mixed saw Brian Hagan & Mary Mulloy triumph again beating Seamus McLaughlin & Joan Feeney. Congratulations to all of you - just making a final is some achievement.

Elm Park v Banbridge

The annual match took place in Banbridge this year on Sat Aug 7th. The team that travelled was Derek Collins, Joe Meehan, Noel Devitt, Eanna McHugh, Frazer McKimm, Seamus McLaughlin, Mary Mulloy, Yvonne Ryan, Pauline O'Driscoll, Siobhan Ryan, Deirdre Howett & Linda Clarke. We had a very enjoyable day's tennis with the final score being 6-6 which really reflected the day. We had a fabulous meal in The Pot Belly and drank and danced well into the early hours of Sunday. Indeed there were a few who carried on a bit longer back at the hotel but I'll say no more about that.
For those of you who don't know the history this is an annual match that goes back to the 70s and the Troubles. Teams have travelled up and down every year since it's inception and often at times when few people would cross the boarder. It is a very special event and something to be proud of. In addition it is great fun as everyone who has travelled will testify to.

It's been a long time!

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted but I've been without broadband at home. A long ruuning saga finally ended yesterday morning and I am back online. Elm Park takes up a lot of time at work as it is so blogging as well is simply not an option.