Carrigaline Tennis Club comes out tops at its Spring Open Tournament

By Myriam Cotter

More than half of the 16 pairs competing in the finals of the Carrigaline Spring Open Tournament last weekend  were local. After a trailblazing week facing strong competition from clubs across Cork and Tipperary, 6 Carrigaline pairs emerged victorious.

In level 2 ladies, Fiona Geary and Katarzyna Gumienny had a comfortable win over Bishopstown’s Deirdre Hurley and Jennifer Kearney (6-2, 6-4). 

In level 3 mixed, Lyndsey Keohane and Cristiano Santos went to a tie break against Bandon’s Emma Davis and Steven Roycroft (6-4, 4-6, 10-6).

In level 4 mixed, Paula O’Donovan and Dave O’Brien went to a tie break against top seeds Karen Galvin and Clive Kerrisk from Sunday’s Well (6-7, 7-5, 10-8). 

Ger O’Connor from the Kerry Group, main sponsor of Carrigaline Tennis Club’s Open Week, with club members who successfully made it to Finals Day. Pictured right is Fiona Geary from sponsor MetLab Limited.

In level 4 ladies, Sylvia Fullgraf and Alison Sweetnam also went to a tie break against Bandon’s Clare Harrington and Olivia O’Sullivan (7-5, 1-6, 10-8).

In level 5 mixed, Michelle Mcgillicuddy and Gavin Chambers had a comfortable win over Douglas’ Emer O’Sullivan and Eoin Comerford (6-4, 6-1).

In level 6 mixed, Carrigaline club captain Joana Silva and Mike Stephen also won well over Lakewood’s (Ballincollig) Joan Morley and Damien Keane (6-4, 6-1).

Carrigaline captain Joanna da Sliva, said “The club had a very busy week welcoming 460 players extending from our members to neigbouring clubs Ballincollig, Bandon, Crosshaven, Douglas, Blackrock, Fountainstown, Kinsale, Monkstown, Rushbrooke, and from as far away as Ennis! 

Players hailed from over 17 countries including Australia, Brazil, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Japan Poland, Portugal, Romania, South Africia, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands and United Kingdom demonstrating the contemporary and welcoming fabric of Irish tennis.”

Carrigaline chairperson Noel Ronayne said that the “The generosity of our main sponsor Kerry Group and other local supporters Ahern, Roberts, O’Rourke and Williams; Astra Construction, Chocolate Hair and Beauty, Corner House,  Kilmoney Stores and Metlab Ltd. and Quay Coop is warmly appreciated.”