Nenagh win first Munster Winter Tennis League title

Nenagh Lawn Tennis Club again scaled the summit of Munster Tennis when winning the club’s first Grade 1 Munster Winter League title, defeating Lakewood in the final in Nenagh on Sunday.

The Nenagh team was Deirdre McSherry (captain), Anne-Marie Darcy, Frank O’Keeffe and James Morris.

Nenagh has now completed the deck in Grade 1 Munster tennis as the club won its first Grade 1 Munster Senior (Summer) Cup in 2016 and retained that title the following year.

Two of last Sunday’s team, Frank and Anne-Marie have featured on all three winning teams. Frank (as captain) and Anne Marie were on that history making 2016 team, with Lena O’Connor and Robert Carkill. Then, in 2017 the team was Anne Marie (as captain) and Frank, again with Lena O’Connor and this time David Hackett.

Nenagh’s Grade 5 team (John Minogue, Jim Egan, Elaine Brown and Claire McGrath) were also finalists on Sunday but despite playing very well overall in a close encounter had to give best a very good Lakewood team which had remained unbeaten throughout its league campaign.

Nenagh hosted all six Mixed finals on Sunday. Conditions were cold but dry, with no wind, excellent for tennis. The easing of Covid restrictions made the day more enjoyable for everyone as Nenagh LTC President Michael Gilmartin and his committee rolled out their customary generous hospitality to the large home and visiting contingent which included Robert Cummins, Pres of Munster Tennis.

Other titles went to Bandon (Grade 2) over Causeway, Kinsale (Grade 3) over Clonakilty, Sunday’s Well (Grade 4) over Lakewood, and Ennis (Grade 6) over Mitchelstown.