Plenty of excitement as North Cork Tennis League concludes
AN exciting finals day recently marked the end of a hotly contested North Cork Tennis League. Well established at this stage, the North Cork offers an opportunity for all the local clubs to compete against one another, and make the most of the fabulous tennis facilities enjoyed by the clubs in our region. Hazelwood Tennis Club were the hosts this year, as the clubs rotate hosting annually. The first round matches began back in September, and there were some very close and exciting games along the way.
The North Cork League is a team league, featuring both doubles and mixed doubles matches within each fixture. When finals day rolled around on November 9, the teams left standing in the four divisions faced off in the lovely surrounds of Mallow Tennis Club.
The Premier Division and Division 1 finals both featured teams from Mallow and Dromahane. There was some excellent tennis played in both these finals which were played first on the day. It took a Super Doubles match to decide the Premier Division fixture, and at the end of two excellent matches, Dromahane emerged as winners in both divisions.
The Division 2 and Division 3 finals were up next, and there was quite a crowd of spectators gathered at this stage. Division 2 featured Kilworth against Dromahane, who were fielding a very impressive third team of the day. It took another super doubles match that went on well after dark to decide the outcome, and it kept everybody watching glued to their seats.
There was some really fantastic tennis played, and again Dromahane came out the winners. The Division 3 final featured Kilworth again, and they were against League host team Hazelwood. Kilworth put up a valiant effort, but it was Hazelwood who emerged as winners at the end of the day.
All the finalists were presented with specially commissioned sketches of woodland animals in Doneraile Park, which were particularly appropriate prizes for Hazelwoods host year. The sketches were by local artist Sandra Sheehan.