06-07-2015
Summer Camps
We have two summer camps this year, the first starting Monday 13th July and the second starting Monday 27th July. The camps start at 10am and continue until 1pm for five days. To book a place or more information contact Clem Higginbotham 0864022490.
Athlone Senior Open
Our senior open is running all this week with all the finals to be played from 2 o’ clock on Sunday. Our open week is the busiest period of the year and the lights will be burning late a few nights. We appreciate the patience of our neighbours during the week as in tennis some matches can go to three sets.
It is of course a very busy period for our organiser Lisa Brennan. She has vast experience as the chief official for a number of years now. She keeps four matches running approximately every hour and a half. Her son Warren is always involved and is fast learning the ropes.
There is always a great buzz on final Sunday as the lady and men finalists play for honours. The spectators can watch any of four matches been played as well as having a peep at the men’s Wimbledon final. If Andy is involved the excitement and dissertation is greatly heightened. Finals day is always unforgettable.
Midland Leagues
The Midland Tennis Leagues will start in the week commencing 20th July after the completion of the Birr Wilmar Open. The tournaments committee will be deliberating this week on the formation of our representative teams.
Athlone won division 5 twice. The winning team in 2004 was Mary Breen, Alice Johnson, Ruth Donnelly and Anne O’ Meara. In 2009 Melanie Samuels, Carolyn Tunney, Kathryn Raleigh and Paula Dowling were victorious.
Senior Summer Leagues
The presentation of prizes for the winners and runners up of the ladies and men’s summer leagues took place last Thursday evening. This clears the way for our open which is ongoing this week and for the midland leagues which start from July 20th.
Lady winners Groups 1, 2, 3: Paula Dowling, Ann O’ Sullivan, Sine Mac Farlane.
Runners up Groups 1, 2, 3: Joan Conway, Anne Dooley, Mary Jo O’ Farrell
Men winners Groups 1, 2, 3, 4: Pawel Michalski, Sean Raftery, Luciano Molinari, Matthew Conway
Runners up Groups 1, 2, 3, 4: Des Windsor Mc Glynn, Jeremy Clarke, Evan Conway, Pat Conway.
The pyramids have been up dated with two competitors from each group promoted and two relegated as the results dictated.
Ladies Pyramid
Paula Dowling is on the pinnacle of the ladies pyramid followed by Joan Conway in second place. Orla Kinahan is third while Michele Culligan is in fourth position. Ann O’ Sullivan is fifth.
Men’s Pyramid
Pawel Michalski has top spot on the men’s pyramid and Des Windsor Mc Glynn is second. Tim Clarke is number three followed by Harry and Martin O’ Rourke in fourth and fifth positions respectively.
Social Tennis
Alex Ocsenas ans Tomas Manik were in top form last Monday both combining to compete as a formidable duo.
Sarah Seoige and Sine Mac Farlane played steady consistent tennis last Tuesday both really good for the exhausting rallies.
Paula Dowling and Dave Costello were the winning partnership during the rain interrupted session on Thursday.
Coaching
Clem Higginbotham continues coaching lessons for junior members every Saturday. The lessons begin at 10 for children under 8, at 11 for under 12 and at 12 o’ clock for older children. His contact number is 0864022490.
Derek Stenson is available to give individual lessons contact number 0851080013.