AN ODYSSEY of immense promise ended in bitter disappointment for the Irish women's tennis team at the Nairobi Club in Kenya on Saturday.
Promotion to Group One in the Federation Cup next season seemed almost a formality as the Irish women entered the final play off phase - with an unbeaten record - against Norway despite severe handicaps endured all week.
But illness and injury finally caught up with Peter Lowther's team and a 2-1 defeat followed against a sharp Norwegian side. Although one rubber - the doubles is credited to the Irish girls that match was not decided on court. Norway felt they could not muster a doubles pairing from their three players apparently because they also had injury problems.
"I am very disappointed after doing so well all week, a good week's work that yielded no ultimate reward," Lowther said.
An Irish women's tennis team rarely if ever before performed with such consistency. The wins over Cyprus, Kenya, Yugoslavia and Malta was convincing.
Whereas Ireland somehow managed to make do, despite illness, against seeded Yugoslavia on Thursday, Lowther defined the inevitable weaknesses following illness as Gina Niland went down in straight sets, 6-1 6-2, to Caroline Borgesen. "Gina did not do herself justice. Her game was out of character and I put it down to that midweek illness," said the team manager.
Karen Nugent who had missed out on crucial competitive play prior to the event because of achilles tendon trouble, lost a first set to Amy Jonsson she could have won with a set point at 6-5 after trailing 3-5.
Nugent's game looked jaded after that agonising reverse. She lost the tie break and then the second set 6-2.
Quite a lot of debate involving the referee ensued when Norway declared they were unable to find a doubles pairing. The upshot was that they conceded to Lesley, O'Halloran and Claire Curran.
Lowther is noted for his positive thinking when acting as team manager in these events. "We should not merely be competing in these tournaments just to avoid relegation," he insists. He went very close to realising his ambition in this instance. However, the reality is that the four teams to qualify for next years Group One are Portugal, Greece, Yugoslavia and Norway.
