So time to wrap this all up. It has been a truly fantastic nine days which had some great match ups, players who travelled from as far afield as Dublin and Dundalk, Warrenpoint and Rostrevor, variable weather with a few matches played in torrential rain and dark courts and also pleasant September sunshine. We all had a blast. We had the deepest draws and strength in quality that we have had in a very long time.

 

Womens Plate - You never know what will happen in this sport as the last minute scratch team of Marie and Irene made it to the Plate final and played solid stuff with deep drives coming back from a 1-4 deficit in the first set to 4 all and make it a tense encounter for the habs (husbands and boyfriends) present (Michael and Rory), but with encouragement from the bus from son Jamie, Derval punched those volleys and Siobhan was secure in her groundies to pull away for victory. Derval has been marvellous in organisation all week so this was a justified reward.

 

McArdle Cup - Thanks to Jeff and Giby for filling us in with some info on the man this Cup was named after. Tommy will tell us more on his return but it sounds like it was a great idea to name a cup after him due to his involvement with Newry tennis and tragic young life. So I suppose it was fitting that the first ever winners were the McAteer brothers who bring such vibrant athleticism and fighting spirit to all their competitions. Today they proved too powerful as they worked in tandem to defeat Derek and Harry. Everyone agrees D&H had a brilliant tournament and at 14 Harry has a big future. An in joke with Harry but the capital of Kiribati is Tarawa! We have been testing each other on world capitals all week, as we both have it as a specialist subject and that was the one that tripped our young man up! Back to tennis and Mal and Shane win their first ever Newry doubles title together. It wont be the last!

 

Womens final - Battle of the Giants as the two most formidable local players June and Mary faced up against the dynamic teenagers Ciara and Amberlie. Although it would prove one sided, as I have said the standard has been immense from all the women. Lets hope we can continue to attract the best female talent around. Much of that credit should go to Jeff Collins. He has been wonderful for Newry Tennis Club over the years unearthing nationally ranked players such as Ruth Coppas, Vivienne Bond and the unforgettable Marie Perla Biansumba. The extended family who were here today added to the proceedings including Greta from Bilbao, Fidelma and the very well behaved Sparkle and Bruno. Please send a pic of them. Also Fidelma I want to see you on these courts!

 

Mens final - What a climax to our tournament as the numerous spectators were treated to I think a classic final. The legends playing the underdogs and both sides gave us an intense, enjoyable spectacle. In the early stages it was Cormac and Tim who were leading but at 4-3 up the momentum swung to Gib Jam as they took 3 games in a row and exerted pressure to claim the first set. it seemed it was all plain sailing from there as they went 3-0 up in the second so a full 6 games in a row, Jamie was using his kick serve and Giby was pouncing at the net. In particular his lobs were effective too. But Tim and Cormac showed amazing resolve and connected with difficult shots. Tim has a ferocious forehand whilst Cormac stood up to the bombardment and used his silky net skills and moon balls to find chinks in the armour. We were back level at 3 all and anything could happen. The players were getting more tense but Giby and Jamie were always ahead in the second set, leading 5-3 but again Tim and Cormac came back to parity at 5 all. Breaking Cormac next and then Giby serving out was the finish of a fitting finale. Giby title No14, I kid you not, the Phil Taylor of Newry Tennis, Jamie has his fifth win, last four years plus one as a young teenager! It was also emotional to have Giby's dad and Jamie's gran Dorothy in attendance.

 

Mens Doubles Plate - Gary Hanratty and Nigel Bingham became the first pair to defend this title in the period our records go back to, It was Gary's sixth Doubles Plate final and third win and it could have been more if he and Mal Junior had not played the 2017 final. Ina match of high quality they started the better against new partnership Karolis Janavicius and Valdas Milusionas. The first set was 6-3 as Gary was thumping the ball hard whilst Nigel was volleying when required. The Lithuanian duo then began to connect and their power play struck a big blow for the second set 61. The third was anyones and Karolis and Valdas had won 6 games in a row but showing his fist pumps and competitive spirit it was the reigning champs who played best on the big points and when at 4-3 up Valdas double faulted twice to hand the initiative to the experienced pair who closed out the win.

 

Thanks to all who helped and supported during this tournament, Irene for the delicious sandwiches, June for that yummy choc cake with almonds, Peggy for the lemon drizzle, my friend Theresa for especially made tennis cake, Gary Hanratty for the help, Pat and Derval for org skills, Kieran for keeping us all in check, the many supporters, Mary from Warrenpoint and Jill from Dundalk for ensuring collaboration, Sile who was new to Newry tennis but played both events. I apologise to those I have left out. It just goes to show it takes a joint effort to get something as enjoyable as this completed. 

 

As one of my favourite people Maya Angelou said "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel" 

 

After this tournament we all feel enlivened!