CLUB CALL
GOREY TENNIS
Gorey Tennis Club has been a hive of activity for the past six weeks. The court facilities have been totally upgraded, with new court surfaces, fencing and floodlighting.
This refurbishment has been carried out by Gorey Tennis Club aided by a Sports Capital Grant and the use of saved funds by the club over recent years.
The first ‘official’ adult tournament took place on Friday, June 29, with the Anne Roice Memorial played in glorious sunshine, and there was plenty of action on the courts with hard-fought games throughout the evening.
Following a very close final between Aime Butler and Richard Cremins versus Mary Ryan and Diarmuid Swords with long rallies, aces, slices and backhands, the latter were winners in a close game.
It was a pity that there had to be any runner-up as every effort was given to the game by all players. Well done to all those who played.
Following the tournament, members and friends sat down to the annual barbeque. Chefs as usual were club trustee Paddy Bernie, assisted by Willie Sweeney. A lovely barbeque was enjoyed by all.
Ger Murphy (Chairman) welcomed and thanked all who had played in the tournament, organised the catering and organised the running of the tournament.
The presentation of prizes were made by Carmel Roice, representing the Roice family.
She also thanked everyone for their support of the club over the past years. She welcomed new members who had played in the tournament and wished all many years of great tennis on the new court facilities.
Thanks was expressed to the committee for their hard work over recent months in providing the great playing conditions now available at Gorey Tennis Club.
On Sunday, July 1, Wimbledon started early, as the monthly Junior tournament was designated as ‘Junior Wimbledon 2018’. Once again a large number of Juniors attended this tournament.
Thanks to club coach Jamie Stafford for organising this event, which was a great success. All participants were delighted to enjoy strawberries and ice cream after the competition.
The winners were Luca Clopin, Callum Ryan and Seán Flood (Over10s), along with Patrick Breslin, Oisán Molumby and Georgina Lande (Under-10s), but as usual all who played were winners for taking part.
Gorey Tennis Club express their great thanks to Jamie Stafford, Bríd Cleary, James Geoghegan and the wonderful volunteers, both members and parents of Juniors, who help out at this monthly event.
The next Junior tournament will be held on August 12 at 2 p.m.
Junior tennis summer camps take place during July and August, and for further details see www.jsta.ie or phone 087-2788985. Both members and non-members are welcome.
On July 12 (Thursday) at 8 p.m., the usual adult tennis tournament will be ‘Wimbledon night’.
Those playing are asked to wear whites. In keeping with the Wimbledon tradition, strawberries and cream will be served after the tournament.
As the club will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, club championships will take place in September, along with the official opening of new amenities and a 50th party!
Exact details of dates will be posted in the clubhouse, website and newspaper as soon as finalised.
For any enquiries re-membership or coaching, please see the club’s website: www.goreytennisclub.ie
S.B.R. A.C.
It was a very warm weekend once again for racing, so well done to the many S.B.R. athletes that took to the roads and trails around Wexford and beyond to compete in various events.
On Friday evening, the Slaney Olympic A.C. summer series moved to Castlebridge, with a 6k race taking place, and S.B.R. had two runners in action here, with Darragh Cloake finishing in fifth place behind race winner Niall Sheil of St. Killian’s, and Michael Sweeney also having a good run to finish 38th overall.
Then on Saturday morning, Pedro Calvo was back to winning ways in the Gorey Parkrun, as he got the better of a good battle with Croghan’s Mark Poole to win by just one second.
Also on Saturday morning, we had a contingent from the club that travelled to Dublin to compete in the Clontarf half-marathon and five-mile race.
A tough challenge lay ahead for all, as although the course is pancake flat, there is a mixture of road, hard sandy beach and soft sand to contend with, so well done to Tim O’Neill, Shay O’Neill and Pat Crean for completing the half-marathon, and to Mairéad O’Neill and Tom Kavanagh for tackling the five-miler.
Then on Saturday afternoon, a number of S.B.R. runners and supporters turned up in Ballyfad for the annual Jim Carton memorial race.
This year saw a new course, with a fast downhill start on the road being followed by a nice shaded section in Ballyfad woods, before emerging back on the road for a steadily rising incline over the final two miles on the way back to the finish in the village.
Paul Gibbons was first home, closely followed by his brother Myles in second, with St. Killian’s athlete Brian O’Shaughnessy a good third.
Bernard Fortune picked his way through the field for fourth position. Darragh Cloake also competed, following his good run the night before in Castlebridge.
Claire Gibbons was first lady home. This was great going from Claire, and well done to everyone for a good challenge on an extremely warm evening.
Christine Hill took part in the Tramore Parkrun on Saturday morning and she had a good run in the Waterford seaside resort to finish seventh lady in 24.36. Well done Christine.
Last Wednesday saw Bernard Fortune in action on the mountain running scene, and the S.B.R. man had an excellent result, finishing fourth behind the Rathfarnham W.S.A.F. pair, race winner Brian Furey and Barry Minnock, in the near 10k race on Sorrel Hill in Co. Wicklow.
The opening night of the county Wexford Senior track and field championships took place at the Sport Hub in Enniscorthy on Wednesday also, and S.B.R. had some athletes in action.
Well done to Tomás Breen, Lisa Breen and Mag O’Leary for competing in their respective events.
The second night (of two) takes place this coming Wednesday evening, so best of luck to all taking part. The walks start at 6.30 p.m., with the rest of the programme beginning from 7 p.m.
S.B.R. always welcome new members and anyone looking for further information should check out the club’s website (http://www.sbrclub. com) or contact club Secretary Louise on 086-8276661 or club Chairman Lukie on 087-3222914.
ST. CORMAC’S F.C.
Following this season’s Youth Division 2 and men’s ‘A’ team titles, St. Cormac’s Under-14 girls secured their Division 2B crown in style by winning 4-1 away to second-placed New Ross Celtic.
This was a must-win match to secure the title, and St. Cormac’s were up for it and started as they intended to go on.
They piled on the pressure in the first-half, resulting in a free-kick and penalty, both of which Sophie Kirwan took and scored.
St. Cormac’s kept up the momentum and were in the New Ross Celtic half for much of the game.
Just before half-time Sophie Kirwan scored again from a well-placed ball which caught the ’keeper off her line.
At the start of the second-half New Ross Celtic made some changes and began well. They had some chances and eventually scored.
However, St. Cormac’s came back and controlled the game, with great play by the entire squad, giving very little away.
Just before the end Emerson Doran sealed it with a well-taken goal, hitting the top right corner.
The champions have enjoyed an unbeaten run in the league, having won twelve and drawn two of their 14 games.