November 08 - Floodlit A Team Comeback
Floodlit league A team pair, Adrian Armstrong and Stephen Smith staged a remarkable comeback after being 6 - 0 down in the opening match of the campaign against Banbridge. All the more surprising as the Gilnahirk partnership didn't get a single point on the scoreboard until the 4th game. Vicky McKimm and Julie-May Noteman were victorious in the ladies to seal a great 4 - 0 victory for the home side.

October 07 - Results of the Club Closing Tournament

August 07 - Anne Moore helps B&D team secure Harp Cup
The B&D veterans, including Gilnahirk's Anne Moore, brought the Harp Cup to Belfast after a hard fought win against the Dublin District Leagues. The annual challege event, which pitches teams made up from the Evergreens leagues, was played this year at Sutton Tennis Club in Dublin. Anne said 'It was a very tough competion and we had to fight hard for every point but we managed to come out ahead winning by just one set overall.' Congratulations to the whole Belfast team and in particular to Anne for carrying the Gilnahirk flag with such success.

June 07 - C Team win Division 10 of the Mixed League
Dropping only one match out of the series of six, the C Team have won Division 10 of the Belfast & Distrct, 2007 Mixed League. As clear winners the team now hope for promotion next year. Delighted with the outcome team captain, Ian Burch, sent a message of congratulations to all his players from his cruise ship somewhere in the Med.

June 07- Captains' Day
Despite the adverse weather conditions Anne Moore had runaway victory in the Ladies' section of the Captains' Day tournament gathering more than double the points of her nearest rival. The Mens' competition was a more closely fought event with Stephen Smith emerging as the winner after the three rounds of crossover doubles. After tea friendly play continued with the last stalwarts not leaving the court until 7.30!

March 2007- Opening tournament titles go to Amanda Calvert and Barry Harbinson
On a near perfect day for tennis the Ladies' 2007 Opening Tournament title went to Amanda Calvert who emerged as the clear points winner after the intial three rounds of matches. Barry Harbinson had to fight a bit harder for his victory as, after the initial three rounds, four gents (Barry, Harry Lester, Chris Sanlon and Hugh Moore) sat on the same points score. A tight four-way play-off, which included a deuce struggle for virtually every game, produced a result however, allowing Barry to carry off first prize.

October 2006 - Doreen's win secures 'Grand Slam' for Adrian
Doreen Halliday scooped the Ladies title in the 2006 Closing Tournament and in doing so assisted Adrian Armstrong claim the ‘Grand Slam’ of club tournaments. This season Adrian has taken honours at the Opening Day, the Captains’ Day and now the Closing Day tournaments giving him a clean sweep of the titles. Members enjoyed the ‘handicap’ tournament in bright sunshine and finished off the day with the requisite tea and buns followed by the club AGM.

July 2006 - Adrian Armstrong & Vikki McKimm take Mixed Doubles title at Belfast Hardcourt Chapionships
Adrian Armstrong & Vikki McKimm won the mixed doubles at the Belfast Hardcourt Championships held at CIYMS last week. Adrian and Vikki played through three tough rounds to reach the final which they won 6/3/ 6/2. This was the return of this tournament to the senior calender and Adrian and Vikki would recommend all Gilnahirk members giving it a go. According to Adrian "The event is friendly, well organised and best of all, close by!"

June 2006 – The sun shines again for Captains' Day
Captains’ Day again struck lucky with the weather. As last year, it was probably one of the best days of the year so far. Following the revised club tournament format the day’s competition left Rosie McGookin and Adrian Armstrong as the Ladies and Gents winners and, as always, the day ended with a fine spread of goodies for tea. Many thanks to all those who helped to organise things and to everyone who contributed to the tea.

April 2006 – Another season gets underway at Gilnahirk!
The 2006 season officially got underway yesterday at Gilnahirk with the annual Opening Tournament. With the men outnumbering the ladies 3 to 2 players launched into a new tournament format which saw Adrian Armstrong and Lynda Wallace emerge as winners. Adrian accrued 17 games over the three sets played but was hotly pursued by Ronnie McFarland who put in an overall score of 15. Things followed a similar pattern on the Ladies’ side where Lynda gathered a very respectable 16 games chased along by her daughter Lisa and Ruth Hill both of whom won 14 games over the afternoon. Tea, taken mid afternoon due to the weather, (even hardy Gilnahirk veterans don’t play in torrential hailstones!) was the usual sumptuous feast and thanks are due to all who provided the goodies plus the tournament organisers. Congratulations go to the winners as we all look forward to another successful season’s tennis at Gilnahirk.

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November 2005 - Gents' 'A' team win Autumn League - posted by Ronnie McFarland
After relegation to Division 3 at the end of last season the Gilnahirk 'A' team bounced straight back by winning all four matches to take the 2005 Autumn League title. An excellent 4/0 victory over Banbridge clinched the series and should mark the return of the team to Division 2 next year. Congratulations to the team of Adrian Armstrong, Norman Wallace, David Currie and Ronnie McFarland, not forgetting Barry Harbinson who subbed in for the first match.

October 2005 - Gilnahirk Pick up Trophies at the B&D Dinner
Ronnie McFarland and Anne Moore with trophies collected on behalf of GTC at the Belfast & District presentation dinner in the Boat Club on Friday 7 October. Winners of Division 2 of the 2005 Ladies' Winter League (Gilnahirk B) and Division 4 of the Men's Singles League, both teams carried off the trophies with an unbeaten run of matches. The prizes will be formally presented to the teams by outgoing captain Ronnie, at the Club Dinner on 11 November.

October 2005 - Closing Tournament won by Amanda Calvert and Harry Lester
The annual end of season tournament was won this year by Amanda Calvert and Harry Lester. Played in the usual handicap format, Amanda was the outright winner of the ladies' competition after the completion of the first round. At the same point Hugh Moore and Harry Lester were tied on nine points each and went forward to play a decider. Two ladies, Christine Sharpe and Heather Mercer kindly agreed to partner Hugh and Harry in a further mixed doubles which ended with Harry coming out on top. Play was followed by tea and the usual spread of tasty comestibles. Thanks are due to Ladies' and Gents' captains, Rosie McGookin and Ronnie McFarland, for organising the day and to all committee members who supplied the tea goodies!

September 2005 - Homework Saves the Day at CIYMS - Posted by Stephen Smith
"Last night we were (possibly) slightly fortunate to beat CI 3 -1. Their mens doubles conceded as one of the players had to leave to do his homework. Well it was 10.30 and he was only a third year! I remarked to Norman while we were struggling 4 - 1 down in the final set that it was bound to be way past his bedtime. We did manage to level it at 4 all before the game was conceded. Full marks mind you to Norman and Linda to win their first mixed and to Linda and Heather in the ladies doubles."  

July 2005 - High Standards at Junior Coaching Week
The 'Junior Coaching Week' was held in the afternoons of the week 25 -29 July with 24 young players, mostly from the junior club, taking part. Weather wise, thankfully the week got off to a fine start with good conditions on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and even though it poured on Thursday and Friday, things were going so well no one was deterred from turning up. During the sessions the full range of shots were covered with special emphasis on the serve, forehand, backhand and volley. A hotly contested tournament to finish on Friday brought some future stars to the fore, with Fiona Mercer, Hannah Cooke, Ryan and Adam Harbinson, Peter Smith, Ben Dunwoody and Holly Armstrong worthy of a special mention. Indeed the standard of play was so high that coach, Adrian Armstrong, said afterwards 'I may be the coach but some of these young people have shown me how to play!' Many thanks are due to Adrian, all of the young players and all who made the week such a resounding success.

June 2005 - Blazing Sunshine for Captains' Day
Weather wise, it was probably the best day of the year so far (did I really hear someone say it was too hot!) and a good day's craic was had by all. Blue skies and sunshine made it a perfect day for photographs but unfortunately this reporter forgot his camera - so pictures there aint. The now familiar club tournament format resulted in a clear win for Ruth Hill on the ladies' side whilst the men managed a five way tie. Keen to get to their tea and buns it was decided to draw for a winner and Graham Larmour took the laurels. A grand tea and more tennis for the stalwarts ended a perfect day. Many thanks to Ronnie and Rosie, the ladies' and Gents' captains, for organising the play and to all the committee for the grub.

April 2005 - New Season 'Hits Off' with Opening Tournament
The weather didn't offer much promise but, undeterred, an almost full turnout of members enjoyed a good afternoon's tennis followed by tea to get the 2005 season off to a flying start. The initial 'round robin' generated enough points for Chris Sanlon to claim the men's title outright pushed hard by Stephen Smith, just one point behind. Meanwhile the ladies had a closer battle with four players ending up on tied scores. To settle affairs, a further doubles match was played with Lisa Wallace and Amanda Calvert clinching victory over Lynda Wallace and Doreen Halliday. With time not on their side Amanda and Lisa agreed to share the honours an so finished the day as joint champions. The day concluded with tea and buns and the draw for the club tournaments.
Many thanks to committee members for providing the comestibles and to Ladies' Captain, Rosie McGookin for all her efforts in making the day a success.

March 2005 - Ladies 'B' win Winter League
Gilnahirk ladies maintained their unbeaten run with a win against Cavehill to clinch the division 2 Winter League title. Doreen Halliday & Wendy Phipps and auntie and niece partners Suzanne Kelly & Lisa Wallace finished the season putting in a, now typical, score card of win, win. Team captain Anne Moore, called up for the 'A' team' for the last match of the league, was disappointed not to be playing in the winning match but later said 'I had no doubt that the ladies would do the business and I'm delighted we've won.'
'Well done to all the team members Doreen Halliday, Wendy Phipps, Suzanne Kelly, Lisa Wallace, Rosie McGookin, Elana Patterson, Susan Cooke and Anne Moore.

February 2005 - Mixed fortune for Gilnahirk in the Floodlit and Winter Leagues
Gilnahirk had their ups and downs in both the Floodlit and Winter Leagues this week. In the penultimate round of the Floodlit League both the 'A' and 'C' teams managed to beat their Newcastle opponents by a margin of 3/1. The 'B' team unfortunately missed out on a win going down to Hilden 1/3.
Meanwhile in the opening round of the Winter League the Ladies came out on top with both teams winning their hard fought matches. The 'A' team beat CIYMS 'A' on a tie break set whist the 'B' team put in a win on sets against tough opposition Hawarden. The Men unfortunately couldn't offer a trio of wins as they were outclassed by a much stronger Donaghadee team who came away with a clean sweep. Stephen Smith did at least however, have the 'privilege' of being beaten in a singles tie by Roger Federer's ex room-mate!

January 2005 - Gilnahirk 'C' make it four out of four in the Floodlit League
Despite pretty awful winter conditions the 'C' team managed to maintain their unbeaten run in the Floodlit League by beatintg CIYMS away. Both the mixed doubles went Gilnahirk's way quite easily but things got a bit tougher when the teams moved on to the ladies and gents doubles. Ronnie McFarland and Hugh Moore fought their way to a 10/6 victory whilst the ladies, after a 8/3 lead, almost let things slip by allowing the CIYMS duo catch up and level the score at eight all. It was nip and tuck for the rest of the match but Susan Cooke and Wendy Phipps kept their cool and emerged as the 10 games to 9 winners. Final score: Gilnahirk 4, CIYMS 0

The Lurgan match, postponed from last week because of the stormy weather, has been re-scheduled for Tuesday 25 January with Newcastle and Windsor on the two weeks to follow.

December 2004 - Ladies 'A' and 'B' teams reach play-off for the Autumn Leagues
Both ladies' teams entered in the Autumn Leagues won through to a playoff for the title. The 'A' team, playing in division 2 entered a three way play-off involving Gilnahirk, Portadown and the Boat Club but, after a hard fought battle, lost out to Portadown. Hot on their heels in division 3, the 'B' team made it to a head to head with Hawarden who, with the home advantage, pulled through to a 3/0 victory. Nonetheless, congratulations are due to both teams for almost pulling off the double!

November 2004 - Great Night at the Presentation Dinner!
Twenty eight members had a very enjoyable time in Lisbarnett House at the annual Club Presentation Dinner on Friday 12 November. A great meal was followed by the presentation of prizes for the 2004 club tournaments. Adrian Armstrong also received a special presentation for his dedicated service to the Junior Section of the club. The evening was rounded off with an mind bending quiz organised by David Currie.
Many thanks are due to all those who helped make the night such a success with a special mention for the outgoing Ladies Captain, Wendy Phipps.

For more pictures and a list of all the tournament winners log in to the 'Members Only' section from here.