10 yrs of Kevin Tiernan

The Annual Kevin Tiernan Memorial Mixed Doubles Championship took place on Sunday 16^th August. With a total of 26 players taking part, this proved to be an excellent competition in dry but windy conditions. The format was 4 groups with the top team going straight into the semi final rounds. The results of these semis were wins for Peg Conway & Leonard Hanlon (5 – 3) over Andrea Whelehan & Pat Goughan. Ann Marie Hanlon with her partner Ritchie Ryan bet Ronnie Heffernan & Dermot O’Loughlin by the same margin. The final proved to be a step too far after playing so well all day for Peg & Leonard, being edged out by the deserving winners of Ritchie Ryan in his first Kevin Tiernan c/ships & the now three times winner Ann Marie Hanlon.

Liam Tiernan presented the cup on behalf of the Tiernan Family. In his speech, Chairman Tom Gallagher complimented everybody who took part in a fantastic day’s tennis. He also paid tribute to a few people, in particular the chief organiser Padraig Doyle, on the efficient & smooth running of the tournament & also the Club Captain Catherine Hackett on all her work. Thanks also to Mary McCrann for her homemade baking & finally Dermot Rowan for spending all those house behind the BBQ! John Goff

In 2007 some sixteen teams competed for the Kevin Tiernan Trophy on the second Sunday in August. After seven hours of competition, Andy Shiel and Kate Fullam took the trophy from Liam Tiernan and Claire Breen.

In the final it may have been Andy and Kate's youth and greater reach which gave them the edge. Andy was an awesome presence at the net playing some athletic brilliant, accurate and decisive driving shots while Kate played a lovely balanced measured yet forcefully searching long game. In contrast the opposing team swapped roles continuously. Both Liam and Claire performed admirably at the net and on the baseline.

It was the second year running that Liam and Claire were runners up for the trophy which is in memory of Liam's father, a stalwart founding member of the club. The pair had earlier beaten the eventual winners 4 games to 3 to take top spot in their section of the qualifying rounds, maybe the 44 games took their toll.

Andy's win continued a great family tradition, as both his father and mother, Martin and Francis, have had their names already engraved on the coveted trophy on a number of occasions.

Andy Shiel and Kate Fullam being presented with the Kevin Tiernan trophy by Liam Tiernan (centre)

The tournament was once again extremely close with only one single point deciding between teams qualifying for the knock outs in each section and while the quarter finals were taken decisively both semi finals went to a tie break. Kenny Roberts and Catherine Hackett eventually yielding to Andy and Kate while Liam and Claire just shaded Noel Hennessey and Jean Rowan.

The day had a very festive feel and a real party atmosphere was created by Dermot, Rachel and Claire O'Loughlin who erected a tented village to house the bar b que. Sean Martin was very accomplished in his new role of chef kept the spectators and players fed and watered throughout the day.

Runners up Liam Tiernan & Claire Breen flanking the victorius combination of Rachel Byrne & Leonard Hanlon

Leonard Hanlon and Rachel Byrne just shaded Liam Tiernan and Claire Breen at the end of a hard fought but great day. The result went to a tie break in the 13th and final game of the match. Rachel and Leonard made it something of a family double as Rachel's husband Dermot O'Loughlin lifted the trophy with Leonard's sister Ann Marie in 2004. Leonard, who only joined the club a few months previously also won the Mens' Summers Singles from veteran Martin Shiel, who now heads the club rankings. Rachel had earlier won the plate section of the summer mixed doubles accompanied by Padraig Doyle.

Fourteen mixed doubles competed on the second last Sunday in July. The weather was magnificent for the day long event, with just enough cloud for some great tennis yet enough sun for a perfect Bar B Que. A brilliant innovation by the club's chairman, Dermot O Loughlin. All in all a superb family event.