Brian King, Club President,Noreen Cassidy, Martin Reilly, Main Sponsor, Aoifin Shorten, Tuyan Vu And Mel Bourke.
Sligo Tennis Club held its inaugural National Masters 500 in association with Martin Reilly Motors recently .This event features on the Tennis Ireland calendar and is one of three annual National events held at the club. There were over 110 entrants from players in clubs all over the country.
Events were held across all age categories ranging from the over 30s to the over 75s. National Masters events have play off in age categories so it’s a level playing field. Sligo tennis players were crowding the winners’ emporium with Tuyan Vu winning the men’s o45 singles defeating Mel Bourke who unfortunately had to retire .Mel however scooped the men’s doubles o35s prize with his partner David Hannon .
Hilary Kilcawley, despite losing the first set 6/1 came back and won the ladies over 45 singles in a battle against a seasoned Leinster competitor.
Sarah Clarke (Coleman) and Aoife Callaghan won the o45s ladies doubles . These two were STC junior champs and are still a dynamic duo! They won by two points beating Hilary Kilcawley and Alva Atkinson 13/11 in a third set championship tie break.
Men’s Doubles 045s champions were Jeff Kay and Brian Fahy. This pair showed great character to achieve an epic win in a third set championship tie break dispute losing the first set 6/1.
Noreen Cassidy, who represented Ireland earlier this year won her o50s doubles with her Galway partner against a determined Enniskillen pairing. She also won the women’s doubles over 55’s with her partner Marina Swann. Noreen and Marina achieved phenomenal success playing for Connaught recently and the winning form has continued.
Aoifin Shorten, who has also represented Ireland won mixed Doubles 060 with John McGuire and she also made the final of the Singles over 60s this was some feat.. she was also the director and chief organiser of the tournament. Well done Aoifin!
It was a first Masters event for many other Sligo Tennis Club players and they made their mark . Mel McKeown and Deirdre Moylan were runners up in the mixed doubles over 50s, Anne Mc Kiernan and Jo Mullan were runners up in the WD 60s.Marian Coyne and Kay Curley and Francis Mahon and Barbara Hanragan were semi finalists in the WD65s . Conor Caheny made it to the semi finals in the ms over 30s and Brian McCaughy also made it to the semi finals in the mso50s. Maureen Campbell paired up with Patricia Lord from Dublin and made it to the finals in the WD65s this was a great achievement for Maureen’s first Masters event congrats.
The event was so well supported by club members who all chipped in. Also it could not have gone ahead without the generous sponsorship from Martin Reilly Motors, Aurivo, Riverstown Pharmacy and the Handy Handyman, the club said most heartfelt thanks to you all. Sligo Tennis Club is always welcoming new members and offer coaching of all levels from complete beginners to more experienced. Please call Derek new manager on 07191 62580 or check out their website sligotennisclub.ie.. Add 10 years to your life, pick up tennis!