Club Championships 2024

Breaking the Record Again with our Biggest Entry Yet

The Leixlip Tennis Club Senior Club Championships 2024 came to a close on Saturday 21 September with a full Day of Finals.

The number of entrants smashed last year's record of 112 with 129 individual entrants taking part over all of the events this year. Again, most entrants took part in multiple competitions creating record entries in each event too.

This year there was Trophy, Plate and Shield competitions in each of the following categories:

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

Everyone participating in the Trophy competitions initially and defeated players were then entered into the Plate competitions and subsequently the Shield, providing plenty of opportunity for success in all categories.

While the draws were issued a few days earlier, the tournament officially commenced on 1 September. As always, the tournament was played in great spirits and the courts were booked solid for the entire three weeks, all of which is a great testament to the superb sportsmanship of our fantastic members. Even the weather played it's part with the sun shining most evenings, helping to ensure that there was no delay in the matches being played. It was just as well because there were over 280 matches to be played over the three weeks of the tournament.

Saturday 21 September was the Day of Finals and again, we were very lucky with the weather with dry conditions for the entire day. This helped to ensure that the event was a massive success with fifteen fantastic finals being played from early afternoon to late evening. 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.

We even had some fantastic refreshments and food on the go provided by the club and many of our members so nobody went hungry over the long day.

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 and Vice Chairman, Des Bradley. The prizes 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 continues to be the highlight of our year at Leixlip Tennis Club and everyone who particpated should be really proud of what was achieved over the three weeks of the tournament. Everyone played in such great spirits and sportsmanship and should be applauded for their efforts, particularly with so many matches to be arranged and played with tight deadlines. It is the members that make the tournament so successful and so worthwhile.

"This was the most competitive Day of Finals that I can remember in the many years that we have been running the tournament. Most matches ended up in third set tie-breakers and being decided by just a few points. Every final was a great spectacle for our those who were watching on and cheering on every crucial point. The close matches created great tension and really added to the atmosphere of the day for both players and spectators.

“This event and the overall success of the club 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. We continue to receive feedback on how welcoming we are as a club and this is down to every committee member, who constantly go that extra mile to support new and existing members by being so welcoming and supportive.

“I want to thank the Tournament Committee (Annie Dowling Vincent, Mulhall, Aaron Ashmore, Mary Geraghty, Mary Boyle, Don Moore and Deirdre Power), for their support in developing the draws. A huge thank you (AGAIN) goes to Sean Kavanagh, who was at the club most nights to manage matches and floodlights, Des Bradley for organising all of the fantastic trophies and plaques and a special mention to Tina Cavanagh for organising and cooking food all day and making sure everyone was looked after.

“A massive thank you also to everyone who took part again this year and left it all on the courts, ensuring the success of the event.

“Again, the real winner is the sport of tennis that we all love.”

Click on the links below to see out photos on Flickr