Cassidy to represent Ireland at the worlds
TENNIS Ireland are sending three teams to the ITF World Tennis Masters Team Championships 2024 in Mexico City from April 28 to May 3.
Among those representing Tennis Ireland is Sligo’s Noreen Cassidy, a teacher in Colaise Muire, Ballymote.
Tennis Ireland have selected three teams of four men and four women in each age category 50, 55 and 60.
Noreen told The Sligo Champion she is delighted to have been selected and the opportunity to represent her country.
She said: “We will play women’s singles and doubles at two clay court venues, The Reforma Athletic Club and the Centro Deportivo Israelita club.
“Two official practice days are set aside for us on Friday April 26 and Saturday. The Ladies Irish team in Mexico will comprise of four women; Sophia Dobbs, Larne, Mary Power, Waterford and Jennifer Lyle, Belfast and myself. Each team will play two singles games and one doubles. I hope to play doubles, my best event! But this will be at the discretion of the Team Captain. I have competed on a number of occasions with my teammate Mary Power from Waterford, but only when my Sligo doubles partner Marina Swann, who helped me qualify, is unavailable!
“Teams are selected in consideration of the results of National Masters Tournaments and many Interprovincial competitions. We compete in our age categories (ages over 30), nationwide throughout the year. In October 2025 Sligo will have it’s own inaugural Masters Event in October.
“Mexico City is a high-altitude location, approximately 2,200 metres above sea level. This may prove a challenge to acclimatise, but we will give it our best shot,” Noreen said.
“Colaiste Muire Ballymote, where I teach, has been incredibly supportive in allowing me time off to embrace this challenge. Both teachers and students are delighted for me. As a lead up to Mexico, we have introduced a tennis module for Transition Year, run by the excellent coach John Conlon. This has proven very popular with all, and something we hope to continue to evolve.
“I am deeply touched by both the Club and fellow member’s generosity, and support. It serves as a reminder of the great solidarity that we have in Sligo’s Tennis Club’s sporting community,” Noreen added.