Club Championships 2023

Another Record Breaking Club Championships at Leixlip Tennis Club

The Leixlip Tennis Club Senior Club Championships 2023 came to a close on Saturday 23 September with a full Day of Finals.

The record for the number of individual entrants was smashed again this year with 112 individual entrants taking part over all of the events, most of whom took part in multiple competitions. Within each competition, there was also record entries across all the following categories:

• Men’s Singles
• Ladies Singles
• Men’s Doubles
• Ladies’ Doubles
• Mixed Doubles

This year there was Trophy, Plate and Shield competitions in each category, with everyone participating in the Trophy competitions initially and defeated players being entered into the Plate competitions and subsequently the Shield in all categories.

The tournament was played in great spirits and sportsmanship and the courts were booked solid for the entire three weeks preceding the finals to facilitate matches, which totalled over 240. Due to the unprecedented amount of matches to be played over the three weeks of the tournament, the match rules were changed this year, where a championship tie-breaker (10 points), was played in all matches instead of a third set, where required. The competition commenced on 3 September and there was amazing Indian Summer weather for the first week. Unfortunately the bad weather came around the middle of the month and while this affected the deadlines of some of the later matches all of the players pushed through in great spirits and played in some very bad weather, which ensured that all matches were played up to the semi-finals on time.

Saturday 23 September was the Day of Finals and the weather behaved for the entire day and this helped to ensure that the event was a massive success with fifteen fantastic finals being played over the course of the day. The Day of Finals really showcased what’s great about Leixlip Tennis Club – IT’S MEMBERS, with plenty of excellent tennis being played and plenty of spectators on hand to support the players.

It was also a fantastic opportunity to showcase the club itself and the facilities now available with 8 state of the art all weather tournament courts, complimented by our fantastic clubhouse, with full changing room and shower facilities as well as a large function room with a full kitchen.

Following a fantastic day of tennis with the 15 finals taking place, the presentation of prizes was held. The prizes were presented by Club Chairman and Tournament Organiser Keith Ashmore. which included the perpetual Trophies, Plates and Shields, cash prizes and individual plaques for all of the finalists to proudly display at home.

Speaking at the event, Chairman Keith Ashmore said: “The club championships is the highlight of our year here at Leixlip Tennis Club and it was fantastic to see yet another record breaking number of entries and so much high quality tennis across all rounds, culminating in a showcase Day of Finals. Everyone who participated, did so in great spirits and amazing sportsmanship and this is why the tournament continues to be so successful, going from strength to strength each year.

“It wouldn’t be possible without the fantastic work of the Committee, all of whom give up a tremendous amount of time on a volunteer basis to continuously develop the club and create a wonderful tennis playing facility for Leixlip and surrounding areas. We are renowned for being so welcoming and supportive of all our members, particularly new members and this is down to the dedication of every committee member.

“The club championships is a fine example of what we can achieve when we work collaboratively to develop the sport we all love so well. I want to thank the Tournament Committee (Annie Dowling Vincent, Mulhall, Aaron Ashmore, Don Moore, Meadhbh Nelson, Nicola McKenna and Deirdre Power), for developing the draws. A huge thank you also goes to Sean Kavanagh, who was at the club most nights to manage matches and floodlights, Des Bradley for organising all of the trophies and plaques and Meadhbh Nelson for doing a superb job reporting details of the matches and winners on our social media accounts (Facebook, X and Instagram).

“A massive thank you also to everyone who took part and left it all on the courts.

“The real winner is tennis ”

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