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Ratoath Tennis Club
Club News and Updates |
News
August 2010
Junior Leagues & Summer Champs progress
27 August - The junior selection Committee has been hard at work putting teams together for the junior league. Although for most of our juniors this will be their first taste of proper competitive tennis, this will serve them well for the future, win or lose. As those adults who have tasted league tennis for the first this year will testify, these games take some getting used to, because of match-day nerves and just the element of the unknown that comes from different places, different opposition and all the rest. The juniors are really the heart of the club and we wish them all the best.
The Summer Championships have really got into full swing this week with most competitions now through to the quarter-final stages. Although there are many familiar names, the mixed doubles competition is a very difficult one to call and should bring some new names to the final. We need everyone to get their matches played as soon as they can and of course these matches take priority over normal casual play. Feel free to ask other members politely to give way and they should oblige.
Glasnevin Open
Both Ger & Conor in the Mixed and Sheyi & Steve in the Men's Doubles did fantastically well at Glasnevin with Ger & Conor doing best with a run to the Class 6 final. They met a very well-organised pair in the final but enjoyed the tournament immensely. We encourage all our regular playing members to enter any Open competitions that they see as they are a great way to improve your tennis quickly. Templeogue, among others, is on soon, so give it a try.
Minor Mixed League Miracle
11 August - The 2nd team reached the Semi-Finals of the mixed league playoffs - an incredible feat for any team but all the more impressive as they only scraped into the playoffs in their final regular game as runners-up in their section. On their way, they beat Sutton and Malahide, both section winners and on Wed 12th they were narrowly overcome by Rathgar. The match was pretty even in the early stages but both Pat & Sue and Shane & Lillian lost the 1st set, while Malcolm & Charlotte closed out their 1st set in a tie-break after losing a 5-2 lead. After they finished first with a 2-set win, 7-6, 6-0, hopes were high of a first mixed lge final but Pat & Sue slowly lost their grip on the 2nd set despite huge efforts and the match score was 1-all. All hung on the final pair. Lillian & Shane went 3-0 down but fought back well to have points for 3-3 but, once that game was lost, the set didn't last much longer and Rathgar, magnanimous in victory, were through to the Playoff Final.
It should be remembered, though, that this team managed this miraculous run despite all kinds of difficulties, their captain Marcella Kelly has led them well and the core of the playing team - Sue O'Scanaill, Malcolm Drake, Charlotte Reid & Shane McDermott - have outperformed even their own expectations at this point. Olive and each of the subs who have come in when needed, especially Bill, kept us going longer than anyone believed possible.
You all did Ratoath very proud. And we hope everyone in the team will play in the Floodlight League beginning in September.
July 2010
Ups & Downs of League Tennis
6 August - The last round of mixed league matches before the playoffs saw Ratoath 1sts miss out on a playoff place effectively 'on goal difference' as we beat Naas but ended tied for 2nd in our Section with Castleknock, who had narrowly beaten us the week before. A painful way to miss out. The 2nds though beat another Naas team to qualify for the playoffs as runners-up and, on Weds 4th August, beat Sutton in Sutton to progress to the Quarter-Finals. They play their next match at Malahide on Friday. Win or lose, they've had a terrific run under the first-time captaincy of Marcella Kelly, with some recent help from Pat O'Hare. Well done.
The 3rds, who were league first-timers and many recent tennis beginners, gained solid experience and won their first match. This is probably the biggest and best surprise of the Mixed Leagues. Things look good for the future.
Karl Cooley's Summer Camps moved into the High Performance Junior stage this week, where Karl has been using advanced play-monitoring computer applications and video playback study to enhance his coaching of the more advanced 10-17 year-olds. We are looking forward to hearing Karl's analysis of this to help Ratoath structure its Junior Development programme for the future. We have aslo entered 4 junior teams for the leagues that begin next month: U14 Boys, U14 Girls, U16 Boys & U16 Girls. Let us know if anyone has children with experience who might like to try out for a team. Ages normally 10 and up.
Open Success Continues as Conor Davis comes of age
26 July - Conor Davis took the No.1 spot on the Singles Ladder and won Castleknock Open men's doubles in the space of just a few days. For the Castleknock title he needed more than a little help from Sheyi to bring home yet another bit of silverware and some more glory for Ratoath. Those who saw the Final said both men played well to prevent their Final opponents from getting any kind of rhythm and made the win look easy but the succession of evening matches at this busy time of year for tennis meant the achievement was well earnt.
The Mixed teams all played tough matches this week, with the 1sts losing 2-1 at home to Castleknock, the 2nds losing 2-1 at Malahide and the 3rd team going down in close matches against Mt Pleasant. The teams we came up against this week seemed much stronger but we may have to beat even better teams if we hope to get far in the play-offs. Some more mixed coaching may be needed for next year as the tactics are quite different from other forms of the game. But we are all learning fast. The final round of normal league matches is on Wed at 7.30 with the 2nds at home to Castleknock. 1sts play at Naas and 3rds play at Trackside in Sutton with wins for the 1sts and 2nds giving them a great chance of a play-off place.
A lively week for Ratoath
22 July - For the last few weeks Karl Cooley's Summer Camps have been busily bringing tennis to the masses - masses of children that is! Despite a rain-induced rash of slugs and some changeable weather, the camps are going well and Karl has high hopes that many of his latest juniors will go on to be great club players - or maybe even higher, you never know.
The mixed teams have been busy practising for the crucial 4th round of Mixed League, which sees both 1sts and 2nds with good hopes of playoff success. Both 1st and 3rd teams play at home this week, so non-team members won't get a look in to play that night I'm afraid, though support for the teams is always welcome. 2nds are away at Malahide.
Finally, Ratoath doubles pair Sheyi Dosonmu and Conor Davis have won through to another Open semi-final for the club by beating fellow Ratoathians, Steve Foley and Simon McDermott in 3 sets. Best of luck for the club's third trophy when they try to win the title over the weekend.
Club Challenge Ladders - Climb the Greasy Pole
16 July - Chiefly to increase the fun, the club, with huge help from Steve Foley, has introduced singles ladders for members. We have estimated where members are in terms of their playing standard but, if you think you have been placed too low, get challenging and find your true level. The current 1st team have been put at the top to start with, followed by 2nd teamers, etc. Others have been very roughly judged on their play at Club Nights or on other occasions where a Committee member has observed them play. Those who have never been seen, have been placed at the bottom of the ladders for now.
Usually members can only challenge those within 5 places on the ladder but every member has 2 wildcard challenges per year (ie you can challenge anyone), so these can quickly correct where on the ladder you should be. The ladders, full ladder rules and challenge sheets can be found inside the clubhouse. If you have trouble viewing the ladders or arranging matches, let a Committee member know and we will tell you who is within reach for you to challenge and give you contact numbers.
Good luck and have fun.
Mixing it in the Leagues
9th July - Having won 2 out of 3 matches in the first week of Mixed Leagues, the 2nd round on Friday saw ALL 3 teams win handsomely. This was the 3rd team's first win and saw first points scored by Niamh, Kevin, Jillian & Derek and led to many hours of celebratory drinking, which I can only applaud. Well done and may that be the first of many for you all.
I'd like to add that all the captains have started well, especially impressive as none of them had (as far as I'm aware) captained a tennis team in league play before. Thanks Ger, Marcella and Derek. 3rd round is played on Friday 16th.
Raining Silverware
3rd July - The club had several members entering Stackallen where semis were reached in the Class 5/6 Men's Doubles, Laytown Bettystown where a final was reached and Kells where Sheyi and Dave, our top men's pairing, won the final of the Class 5 Doubles. Congratulations to them and this may mean we will need a trophy cabinet before long - Pat?
June 2010
First Silverware for Ratoath
26th June - After playoff wins to LCC 3 at home and away at Rathgar it came down to a final in Wicklow Tennis Club on Saturday. Tension and nerves were huge but, thanks to the closest of 3rd set tie-break wins by Dave Curley and Conor Davis, showing incredible composure, we ran out 3-2 winners and collected a first trophy for the club. Pat McDermott and Steve Foley & Simon McDermott had earlier got the team to 2-2 to give Dave & Conor the chance of victory. Charleville were fierce but fair competitors and the match was played very much in the true spirit of sport.
Also thanks are due to our small but loud group of supporters: Heather (who came even though Sheyi was away on a stag weekend), Graham and Graham's girlfriend (sorry, not sure of your name but thanks for coming).
There are photos on this website, on www.dltc.net and on the RTC Facebook page.
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Playoff Pleasure
13th June - Despite a disappointing 3-2 defeat against Castleknock 7, the men's 1st team narrowly topped their group and play a quarter-final at home on Saturday 19th June. The competition is knock-out from here on. Our opponents have not yet been confirmed. Castleknock won all 3 singles matches, Damian Scattergood the only one to push his opposite number to 3 sets - but Ratoath won both doubles matches comfortably and so qualified top of their section by a single point thanks to better results against Swords 2 and Stackallen 2. The QF will be played in Ratoath on Saturday afternoon (time to be confirmed).
The men's 2nds emphatically won 5-0 in their final group game and qualified as runners-up - they now play Stackallen 3 on Wednesday 16th June in the Round of 16. By luck, they also get to play the match on home turf, so they have a great chance of progressing to the QF next Saturday.
We will have a new kitchen in which to prepare for these matches now that this was kindly donated to the club and fitted very efficiently by a contact of Pat O'Hare's called Seamus. Thanks both of you!
Full speed ahead for RTC
4th June - Each of our 4 Summer League teams have played home and away and this has made the Club feel truly up and running. Last night we also had - for only about the 2nd or 3rd time - a full Thursday club night - and I hope that is a sign of things to come.
The clubhouse has been painted and is slowly being fitted out fully with showers, lights, alarms and soon a kitchen to enable small groups to gather for match teas and - in time - meetings of various kinds. We are still in need of a cheap set of chairs as people have had to take back their own that they have leant from time to time as everyone needs their garden furniture thanks to the all the sun we're getting. Let us know if anyone has chairs they don't want and we'll arrange to have them taken off your hands.
The Leagues are going well. The Ladies teams - who are much less experienced in league tennis than the men's - have enjoyed their first foray into Summer League. We have mostly met very hospitable and friendly opposition - with only a few surprising exceptions. It certainly shows that league tennis even in Class 6 and 7 is keenly fought and will bring our team players on very quickly.
The Men's 1sts and 2nds look good bets for the playoffs too, which is depite having to bring in some subs - who have often agreed to play only after some persuasion and we thank every one of them.
I'd like to say even now a massive thanks to the all the team captains, who have put a lot of time and effort into organising us rabble into teams and maximising our fun at the same time. While we plan to rotate captaincy around a few different people to share the load, the first few captains have paved the way very well for those to come. Thanks Steve, Pat, Catherine & Niamh.
Ger Davis has agreed to captain the Mixed 1sts and will be selecting the team shortly. We have entered 3 teams, so anyone who wants to play or sub, let me or Ger know. Dave Kelly has agreed to captain the 3rds, so we also need a captain for the 2nds and one will be chosen once the players for each team are narrowed down.
I hope - like me - you are looking forward to a fantastic Summer of tennis in Ratoath.
May 2010
CLUBHOUSE FINISHED
14th May - It was a frantic rush in the end but thanks to the efforts of Pat O'Hare and his band of working men - builders, plumbers, electricians and the Loghouse lads doing the floors, decking and rails, we were ready for our first home match at Ratoath Tennis Club ever. Amazingly, given how tired everyone was, it was also a 5-0 win against a handy Swords side who were happy to muck in for their tea in slightly spartan conditions.
Thanks to everyone who has contributed items for the clubhouse already, whether permanently or on lend, including the Murtaghs of Ashbourne (table), Catherine Bannon (chairs), Steve Foley (cups, spoons, teapot, kettle) and probably other things I am forgetting. Thanks a million.
We look forward to many happy years of use from our new clubhouse and, one day, it will be able to welcome a playoff pennant to adorn the inside. Congratulations to all.
Summer Leagues Begin
11th May - Both the Men's 1st and 2nd team won away in the first week of Summer League, which is a great but not totally unexpected result. Several of the team had played leagues at a higher class before and were well able to control their games.
The Ladies 2nds had a losing start to their campaign but, considering they had never played league matches before, that's no disgrace. They all fought bravely and many games went to deuce but the opponents, Glenalbyn, were clearly hardened league players and had too much experience in the end. Thanks, though, to all the 2nds for making it there and trying their very best. Your first win won't be far away - mark my words.
The Ladies 1sts played on Tues night and lost narrowly 3-2 to Laytown/Bettystown 3. A very good Ratoath team lost some close matches but came up just short. Bad luck.
Clubhouse nearing completion
6th May - The electrical and plumbing contractors have begun work today on installing the toilets, showers and electrical fittings needed to make the clubhouse a place to be proud of. Pat O'Hare and Ronan Kelly have once again spent a lot of their valuable time on getting reasonable quotes, preparing their recommendations to the Committee and keeping the installation moving and the Committee and especially the Chairman thanks them warmly.
The latest estimate for completion of this phase and for the commencement of home league games is 10-14 days. Pat will be pushing them all the way.
Summer League starts on Friday 7th May
5th May - It has been a crazy fortnight picking all the teams and checking everyone can make the first match for each of our 4 teams but we are almost there! There will be no surprises that the Men's 1st team, who will play in Class 6, contains 4 of our successful Winter League team but due to a combination of some good form and greater league experience, Mark Whitbread, Damian Scattergood, and Simon McDermott, up-and-coming star of the club, have been chosen to complete the Men's 1sts.
Pat O'Hare and Conor Davis, who also did so well in the winter, head up the Men's 2nd team and should have a great chance, with Tommy White, Tony Cunningham, Malcolm Drake, Shane McDermott and Pat Flanagan, of getting to the play-offs in Class 7.
The Ladies teams, who will both be playing in Class 7, have come together in the last week or so, with Catherine Bannon heading up the 1sts and Niamh Byrne very kindly volunteering (under slight duress) to captain the 2nds. While the 1sts have a great chance of play-off glory, with a strong team of Catherine, Jacinta Lewis, Delma Flanagan, Sue Scannail, Carmel Adair, Marcella Kelly & Lillian Murtagh; the Ladies 2nd team are mostly very new to tennis or to league tennis and will be looking to get some fun experience, though they may surprise themselves. Ladies 2nds are: Niamh Byrne, Laura Flanagan, Linda Corr, Deborah McQueen, Olive McCann, Miriam Cremin, Jillian O'Sullivan. We plan to get as many of the keen beginner and returning lady players involved for a match or two during the season.
Good luck to everyone and thanks for representing the club.
1st May - All membership renewals are now due. Every member as at 30th April on a yearly Family, Single or Junior membership should have received a renewal letter with the exact renewal cost. They must pay this preferably by cheque (cash otherwise) on or before 15th May or they will be asked for their court key to be returned and to no longer use the tennis/campus facilities.
We have an action-packed Summer planned so we very much hope everyone will feel it is well worthwhile re-joining for 2010/2011.
April 2010
Summer League teams coming together
As you know, we are fielding 2 men's and 2 ladies' teams in the Summer League, which starts on 5th May, running initially for 5 rounds/matches, mostly on Saturdays. By 28th April, we have to nominate our teams and subs for this, so it is now time to put yourself forward if you'd like to play.
Just to explain a couple of things people have asked me about, firstly it is not necessary to be available to play every match. Even if you can only make 1 or 2, put your name forward and you will probably be included as a sub. If you can make 3 or more, you may still be nominated for the team and we will get subs for the matches you can't make.
Secondly, the playing level in Class 7 only requires a fairly reliable serve and groundstrokes. You don't need to be able to hit the cover off the ball or serve aces.
Thirdly, matches can be as far afield as Wicklow Town to the South and Navan to the North but it certainly helped me find my way around Greater Dublin. A lift with someone else in the team is always available to anyone who doesn't drive.
Finally, matches are the best way to develop your game quickly and to get the most from your time on a tennis court. There's also the social side of things; visiting other clubs is fantastic for making new tennis friends over a pint and a sandwich lunch/tea.
If you'd like more information or an idea of whether you'd be suitable to play, just call me on 086 852 0844.
Why are we waiting?
 9th April - The concrete base for the clubhouse is finally laid after some further frustrating delays by Loghouse. Although the weather hasn't helped, I notice that the car park at the National School has been completely dug-up and relaid in the time we have been waiting for our works to be carried out. Despite huge efforts from Pat O'Hare and Ronan Kelly to hurry them up, including threats of fines, they have been so relaxed they are horizontal and practically needed their arm breaking before they got on with it.
I'll say no more for fear of slowing down this latest activity and just hope progress is now swift and non-stop.
Thanks again to Pat and Ronan without whom we wouldn't have got this far.
March 2010
Brave defeat in Dublin League Semi
Steve Foley and the boys gave their all in the semi-final of Class 6 Dublin League out at Bettystown Golf & Tennis Club last Sunday, 14 March, ending up narrowly losing 2-1 to a very good Laytwon/Bettystown 2nd team. Sheyi & Dave Curley, our 2nd Pair, beat Laytown/Bettystown's 2nd Pair in a tight match but the other 2 pairs battled to narrow defeats against very good opposition. Everyone who played on the team as a regular or a sub can be rightly proud of our semi-final achievement in our first season of league tennis as a club.
Thanks to both Men's and Ladies' teams for their commitment to turning up in some mixed weather through the winter and playing all their matches away.
Sadly, Jo Davis, who played in our 1st Pair in the Ladies leagues, is leaving for new adventures in London, so we are looking all the harder for ladies to play team tennis in the Summer. But I have already seen many good candidates and I'll be asking them all to play.
Have fun Jo - we'll miss you!
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