ON TENNIS:Far from the big-time of grand slams, more modest local success stories still abound, writes Johnny Watterson
OCCASIONALLY Irish tennis has taken a few slugs for the lack of a player, male or female, who can regularly compete in the four grand slams when other countries, including little Luxembourg, can produce top-notch performers. Perhaps that view of the Irish game is unfair. Perhaps, too, success can be measured with different rules.
Two weeks ago, as drinkers were stacking up in the Bodega Bar in Dun Laoghaire, before taking position for landing into various functions across the road in the National Yacht Club and the Royal St George Yacht Club, the unmistakable profile of John O'Shea (who online dictionary, Wikipedia, describes as a 'humanitarian' and 'a controversial figure' known for his 'forthright statements' especially when 'political correctness' is getting in the way) loomed into view.
Surrounded by some of his family, wife Judy and sons John and Stephen (Lisa, the former national champion was not there), the great controversialist and bugbear of dimwitted leaders was looking a bit disheartened, not playing his typical role in the thick of things.
"Why the long face?," he was asked. Nursing a pint, the former journalist and Director of the relief agency, GOAL, Dr O'Shea (honorary, Notre Dame, 2008) pointed to his knee and explained.
"Sure I'm boll**ed," he said. "I've a new knee. The complete job." It was Monkstown Tennis Club's big night and prizes were to be presented after dinner over in 'The George'. Beside him coach and player Stephen had a trophy he was polishing with his sweater cuffs, one he had apparently kept in the boot of his car for the entire year. "I think there's a bit missing," he said casually.
Judy sat quietly sipping away and John jnr chatted aimiably about Rafael Nadal's wondrous left arm and whether the then seemingly doomed Roger Federer would regain confidence, find his forehand and win the US Open.
During a short lull, Dr O'Shea leaned over and whispered discreetly that Judy had played in the doubles final this year. "You know," he added with discernible pride. "The first time that she played in that f***kin doubles final was in 19 f**kin' 61." He then sat back and with that they left en masse to the posh Monkstown LTC nosebag in 'The George'.
Stephen was to pick up the trophy for winning the men's singles, having beaten his brother in the final. John jnr and Stephen were also the men's doubles winners and mother Judy was runner-up in the competition she first played in 1961, the women's doubles. John jnr was also runner-up in the mixed doubles.
Five days later a text arrived from Des Allen, the chief executive of Tennis Ireland. It said Conor Niland, James Magee and Louk Sorensen had made it into the quarter-final stage of Challenger events in various European countries, while Irish Davis Cup player, Colin O'Brien, also made it to the semi-finals of a Futures event. And so it was.
Niland, who won a Challenger event earlier in the year, made it through to the quarter-finals of the BMW Ljubljana Open in Slovenia before losing to the second seed, Croatia's Roko Karanusic 7-6 (4), 6-1. For his troubles he won €1,245 and 13 world ranking points.
James Magee also made it to the last eight of the same tournament before bowing out to Italian, Giancarino Petrazzuolo, 6-3, 6-4. Sorensen was involved in a tournament in the Ukraine and was going well until he met the number one seed Igor Kunitsyn. Belgian player, Xavier Malisse, the 2002 Wimbledon semi-finalist, lost in the first round there.
Sorensen, who struggled with a stomach injury in the early part of the summer, picked up €1,460 and 14 world ranking points.
Three or four Irish players going to the latter stages of Challenger and Future events in the one week represents modest success for Irish tennis and suggests a lot of hard graft is beginning to pay off in a small way. Now. No doubt when Dr John O'Shea gets back to full capacity he will take the trophy off Stephen in next year's Monkstown singles event, take both Stephen and John on by himself in the men's doubles and lament the fact he can't play Judy in the women's doubles.
If not he'll know the O'Shea brand in tennis continues to be a success and, like many families in Cork, Belfast, Limerick, Sligo and Galway that throw themselves into the game at club level and national level, is as valued as Niland (another tennis family) and his colleagues making strides in professional Challenger events. And 47 years of quality since 1961 must bring its own sweet satisfaction for Judy O'Shea.
