Real victory

Real tennis seems to have gotten a foothold in Ireland after a lengthy battle. Having campaigned to have the unique black marble court at Earlsfort Terrace preserved, the Real Tennis Association of Ireland appear to have made their point.

The association's argument was that original owners, the Guinness family, left the court to the state so that Real Tennis could be played and that's how it should be. The state was then trusted with the matter. That the building has become historically significant was of additional import, as was the fact that the current world champion is of Irish descent.

Robert Fahey, the great great grandson of Irishman James Fahey, is currently the best player in the world. James Fahey was born in Loughrea in 1832 and emigrated to Australia in 1855. A competing group wanted the court converted into a recital hall. On this logic, could Stephen's Green, another gift to the nation, be turned into a 50-lane bowling alley?