Irish Tennis Updates Podcast
By Adam Wade
Irish Tennis Updates PodcastMay 27, 2021
2024 Spring Update
Hello and welcome back to the Irish Tennis Updates Podcast.
This episode is the latest updates on Irish tennis with Mark Finnegan. We catch up on the college tennis season, and discuss some events closer to home with the recent Davis Cup tie in Ireland and the several junior ITF and Tennis Europe events held in Ireland recently which are great to see. We also mention the recent success of Michael Agwi, who has continued to build on his strong Davis Cup performances.
Best of luck to the Irish players finishing off their college seasons over the next few weeks!
Thanks for listening to this episode. Please consider sharing it around, subscribing and leaving a comment or review. Also, don’t forget to use the code TENNISUPDATEIRE5 to get 5% off your order on tennispro.eu
Davis Cup Review - with Sam Barry and Players
back to the Irish Tennis Updates Podcast.
In this episode I’m
reviewing the recent Davis Cup tie in Limerick. I do this with the help of Sam
Barry, who was at the event commentating for Premier Sports on live TV within
Ireland. We both agree it was a fantastic event with a lot of positives for Irish
tennis.
Over the weekend I
got the chance to interview some of the players, including Dominic Thiem, Sebastian
Ofner and Michael Agwi. This episode also features the audio from these
interviews.
The draw for the
next round has been done and Ireland has drawn Tunisia away in the next round,
which will take place in September. There is a lot to build on for the Irish
team as they look ahead to this tie.
If you enjoy this
episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a comment on iTunes. Also,
share the show with anyone you think may be interested. It really does help me
grow the podcast, so thank you in advance.
Don't forget to
check out and follow me on Twitter @TennisUpdateIRE for daily updates on
everything Irish tennis. You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter there,
for a recap of the month's action.
Finally, remember
to use the code TENNISUPDATEIRE5 to get 5% off your order at tennispro.eu. A
great site with great prices, well worth checking out.
I am always happy to receive any feedback about the
show, or anything else. Let me know what you thought by sending an email to
irishtennisupdates@gmail.com
Ireland vs Austria Davis Cup Preview
back to the Irish Tennis Updates Podcast.
This time I’m
chatting to Davis Cup captain Conor Niland to look ahead to the upcoming tie
Ireland vs Austria in Limerick on 3rd and 4th February.
This is the first home tie in Ireland since 2015 and promises to be a great
weekend of tennis.
We chat about the
tie itself, the players likely to play on both sides and some of Ireland’s
recent ties that have led to this point. This includes recent away wins against
El Salvador and Barbados. We also talk about some of the tougher Davis Cup years
spent in group 3 and group 4.
This is a great
chat to get in the mood for the upcoming tie. If you’re lucky enough to have a
ticket, make sure to make some noise! And if not, still get involved over the
weekend with live scores and live streaming. Good luck team Ireland!
If you enjoy this
episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a comment on iTunes. Also,
share the show with anyone you think may be interested. It really does help me
grow the podcast, so thank you in advance.
Don't forget to
check out and follow me on Twitter @TennisUpdateIRE for daily updates on
everything Irish tennis. You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter there,
for a recap of the month's action.
Finally, remember
to use the code TENNISUPDATEIRE5 to get 5% off your order at tennispro.eu. A
great site with great prices, well worth checking out.
I am always happy to receive any feedback about the
show, or anything else. Let me know what you thought by sending an email to
irishtennisupdates@gmail.com
Eoin Collins Interview
In this episode I’m
chatting with current O/55s world champion Eoin Collins. Eoin was also the
world champion over 45 and has played for Ireland in Davis Cup over many years,
and in the Olympics in Seoul and Barcelona.
We chat about all
of this and discuss Eoin’s secrets to still be playing at such a high level.
Eoin has lived in the US since attending college there on a scholarship, and he
also talks about his experiences with college tennis.
If you enjoy this
episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a comment on iTunes. Also,
share the show with anyone you think may be interested. It really does help me
grow the podcast, so thank you in advance.
Don't forget to
check out and follow me on Twitter @TennisUpdateIRE for daily updates on
everything Irish tennis. You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter there,
for a recap of the month's action.
Finally, remember
to use the code TENNISUPDATEIRE5 to get 5% off your order at tennispro.eu. A
great site with great prices, well worth checking out.
I am always happy to receive any feedback about the
show, or anything else. Let me know what you thought by sending an email to
irishtennisupdates@gmail.com
Colin O'Brien Interview
back to the Irish Tennis Updates Podcast.
This time on the podcast
is Colin O’Brien. Colin has had many roles in tennis and has a lot of
experience in the game. He won 9 pro doubles titles and reached the top 600 in
the world in singles. Since retiring from playing, Colin has begun coaching and
has been based in Templeogue for the last few years as performance director.
We chat about Colin’s
journey in tennis and his best experiences along the way. We also talk a lot
about Colin’s thoughts on Irish tennis – what’s changed over the last 20 years
and what could be done to further improve the state of the game.
If you enjoy this
episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a comment on iTunes. Also,
share the show with anyone you think may be interested. It really does help me
grow the podcast, so thank you in advance.
Don't forget to
check out and follow me on Twitter @TennisUpdateIRE for daily updates on
everything Irish tennis. You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter there,
for a recap of the month's action.
Finally, remember
to use the code TENNISUPDATEIRE5 to get 5% off your order at tennispro.eu. A
great site with great prices, well worth checking out.
I am always really
happy to receive any feedback about the show, or anything else. Let me know
what you thought by sending an email to irishtennisupdates@gmail.com
Celine Simunyu Interview
back to the Irish Tennis Updates Podcast.
In this episode I’m
chatting to Celine Simunyu. Celine is Ireland’s top female tennis player and
has recently moved into the world’s top 1000 with some strong performances on
the ITF tour so far this year. Celine is just 18 years old and has a very
bright future.
We chat about
Celine’s tennis journey so far, including her move to live and train in
Barcelona, where she is still based. We touch on her experiences playing Billie
Jean King Cup for Ireland the past three years, among many other topics.
If you enjoy this
episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a comment on iTunes. Also,
share the show with anyone you think may be interested. It really does help me
grow the podcast, so thank you in advance.
Don't forget to
check out and follow me on Twitter @TennisUpdateIRE for daily updates on
everything Irish tennis. You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter there,
for a recap of the month's action.
Finally, remember
to use the code TENNISUPDATEIRE5 to get 5% off your order at tennispro.eu. A
great site with great prices, well worth checking out.
I am always really
happy to receive any feedback about the show, or anything else. Let me know
what you thought by sending an email to irishtennisupdates@gmail.com
2023 Spring Update
Welcome back to the Irish Tennis Updates Podcast!
This episode is the latest update episode with Mark Finnegan. We touch on a number of updates in the world of Irish tennis.
Including:
· US college tennis updates
· DLTC Winter League
· Davis Cup results
· Billie Jean King Cup tie coming up
· New CEO for Tennis Ireland
· Irish tennis players on tour
· And more!
Hope you enjoy this episode, and please consider sharing it around if you found it interesting
James McGee Interview
Hello and welcome back to the Irish Tennis Updates Podcast.
Ever since I started this podcast, I’ve known that I had to have a chat with James McGee. And finally, here is that episode!
James is a legend of Irish tennis and is probably our most successful player in the last 10-15 years. He reached the top 150 in the world ATP, won a Challenger event in 2016, and in 2014 he qualified for the main draw of the US Open. He also won many crucial matches for Ireland in the Davis Cup.
These days James is based in Las Vegas and works for the Inspiring Children Foundation, where he is making a big difference in the lives of so many young people, giving them the chance for a better future.
In the episode we chat about all of this, and James shares many stories from his journey, with incredible levels of detail! I loved talking to James and I’m sure that you’ll find this a great listen.
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a comment on iTunes. Also, share the show with anyone you think may be interested. It really does help me grow the podcast, so thank you in advance.
Don't forget to check out and follow me on Twitter @TennisUpdateIRE for daily updates on everything Irish tennis. You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter there, for a recap of the month's action.
Finally, remember to use the code TENNISUPDATEIRE5 to get 5% off your order at tennispro.eu. A great site with great prices, well worth checking out.
I am always happy to receive any feedback about the show, or anything else. Let me know what you thought by sending an email to irishtennisupdates@gmail.com
Conor Gannon Interview
This time I’m chatting to Conor Gannon, who is currently at the University of Memphis, and previously attended Tennessee. Conor has also recently been selected for his Davis Cup debut in Barbados later this month, the 16th and 17thof September. This is a brilliant achievement for Conor
In this episode, we hear about Conor’s journey in tennis so far, his experiences in junior tennis, and his memories of watching Davis Cup as a kid and what it means to now be playing for his country.
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a comment on iTunes. Also, share the show with anyone you think may be interested. It really does help me grow the podcast, so thank you in advance.
Don't forget to check out and follow me on Twitter @TennisUpdateIRE for daily updates on everything Irish tennis. You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter there, for a recap of the month's action.
Finally, remember to use the code TENNISUPDATEIRE5 to get 5% off your order at tennispro.eu. A great site with great prices, well worth checking out.
I am always really happy to receive any feedback about the show, or anything else. Let me know what you thought by sending an email to irishtennisupdates@gmail.com
Garreth Greene Interview
In this episode I’m chatting to Garreth Greene. Garreth is Ireland’s number one wheelchair tennis player, and is currently ranked inside the top 100, at number 92. He is targeting qualification for the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
We talk about Garreth’s tennis journey, from finding the game at 28 to competing in the Irish Open, to winning his first professional singles title in Switzerland earlier this year. We also discuss the state of wheelchair tennis in Ireland at the moment, what we could be doing better, and how the global game is going from strength to strength and the exposure that wheelchair tennis is getting these days.
I think this is an amazing episode and I’m sure that after you listen you’ll be wishing Garreth the very best for his tennis journey over the next couple of years.
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a comment on iTunes. Also, share the show with anyone you think may be interested. It really does help me grow the podcast, so thank you in advance.
Don't forget to check out and follow me on Twitter @TennisUpdateIRE for daily updates on everything Irish tennis. You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter there, for a recap of the month's action.
Finally, remember to use the code TENNISUPDATEIRE5 to get 5% off your order at tennispro.eu. A great site with great prices, well worth checking out.
I am always really happy to receive any feedback about the show, or anything else. Let me know what you thought by sending an email to irishtennisupdates@gmail.com
Final College Tennis Update 2022
Welcome back to the Irish Tennis Updates Podcast. This is the latest episode with Mark Finnegan and this time we’re looking back at the end of the US College tennis season, as well as talking about summer league back in Ireland and some upcoming tournaments over the summer
Thanks for listening to this update, get out there and enjoy some tennis!
2022 Second College Tennis Update
In this episode I catch up once again with Mark Finnegan. We look back at the recent ITF junior event in Dublin and get an update on the results of the Irish players in US college tennis as we come into the final few weeks of the season.
The very best of luck to everyone competing over the next few weeks, both in the States and also back here in Ireland as we come into the exciting summer months for tennis.
Thanks for listening and please do tune in again next time for another update.
2022 College Tennis Update
In this episode with Mark Finnegan, we hear all about the progress of the Irish players in US college so far this season. We also hear about some recent results from college tennis here in Ireland, and also get some updates on the recent DLTC winter league that is moving into the play off stages.
It’s a busy time for tennis at the moment so tune in to hear all about it
2022 Preview with Mark Finnegan
Please do tune in over the coming weeks and months to see how things progress. The very best of luck to all players in action this year.
Wesley O'Brien Interview
This week I’ve been chatting to Wesley O’Brien, an Irish tennis coach. Wesley is the founder of Hit and Hope Tennis and has visited various refugee camps around Europe, running tennis sessions and making the sport available to so many people who would otherwise not have access to it. Back home in Ireland, Wesley is involved with the Enjoy Tennis programme and blind tennis in particular, working with the Irish team at the 2018 blind tennis World Championships.
We talk about all of this and more. Listen to find out how Wesley got started with these projects and about some of the experiences he’s had. This is a very inspirational episode and it’s brilliant to hear about this work.
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a comment on iTunes. Also, share the show with anyone you think may be interested. It really does help me grow the podcast, so thank you in advance.
Don't forget to check out and follow me on Twitter @TennisUpdateIRE for daily updates on everything Irish tennis. You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter there, for a recap of the month's action.
Finally, remember to use the code TENNISUPDATEIRE5 to get 5% off your order at tennispro.eu. A great site with great prices, well worth checking out.
I am always really happy to receive any feedback about the show, or anything else. Let me know what you thought by sending an email to irishtennisupdates@gmail.com
Stuart Haxell Interview
In this episode I’ve been talking to Stuart Haxell, who is one of Ireland’s top blind tennis players. We talk about Stuart’s experiences in the sport, in the past and looking ahead to future competitions. We also look at the state of the sport in Ireland and around the world and discuss how it’s grown over the last few years.
Most people don’t know a lot about blind tennis, and I think it’s brilliant to get to hear about it, especially from someone like Stuart who is so involved in it and has had so much success on the court. There is a lot to take from this episode!
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a comment on iTunes. Also, share the show with anyone you think may be interested. It really does help me grow the podcast, so thank you in advance.
Don't forget to check out and follow me on Twitter @TennisUpdateIRE for daily updates on everything Irish tennis. You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter there, for a recap of the month's action.
Finally, remember to use the code TENNISUPDATEIRE5 to get 5% off your order at tennispro.eu. A great site with great prices, well worth checking out.
I am always really happy to receive any feedback about the show, or anything else. Let me know what you thought by sending an email to irishtennisupdates@gmail.com
Larry Jurovich Interview
This time I’ve been talking to Larry Jurovich. You may know of Larry as the coach who worked with players such as James McGee and James Cluskey during the early 2000s. Larry is from Canada, and that’s where he’s now working, and he’s also spent time working in the UK, China and more along the way.
He’s had a great journey in the coaching world with a lot of success and I really enjoyed talking to him.
This year Larry has offered a tennis scholarship to two Irish junior players to his tennis centre in Canada. We also talk about this, how it’s going so far and what his plans are for the future.
And check out the website for Larry’s centres here: p3tennisacademy.ca/
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a comment on iTunes. Also, share the show with anyone you think may be interested. It really does help me grow the podcast, so thank you in advance.
Don't forget to check out and follow me on Twitter @TennisUpdateIRE for daily updates on everything Irish tennis. You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter there, for a recap of the month's action.
Finally, remember to use the code TENNISUPDATEIRE5 to get 5% off your order at tennispro.eu. A great site with great prices, well worth checking out.
I am always really happy to receive any feedback about the show, or anything else. Let me know what you thought by sending an email to irishtennisupdates@gmail.com
National Hospice Fundraiser 2021
Hello and welcome back to the Irish Tennis Updates podcast.
In this episode I’m talking to Paul O’Sullivan and Alan Beaddie about the upcoming fundraiser for the Irish Hospice Foundation. This is something that Alan has been running in his club of Clontarf for several years with great success and now it’s coming nationwide. Paul is the commercial manager at Tennis Ireland and he also joins the chat to tell us more.
It takes place on October 1st and everyone can get involved. Make sure to listen to learn more and feel free to send Paul an email at posullivan@tennisireland.ie
Thanks for listening and do get involved!
Olwyn O'Toole and the Access Tennis Foundation
This week I’ve been chatting to Olwyn O’Toole. Olwyn has been involved with tennis for many years and has recently founded the Access Tennis Foundation, which aims to make tennis accessible to those in disadvantaged circumstances, for example people living in direct provision centres and emergency accommodation.
This is an amazing Foundation and it was great to hear about all of the work that it’s doing. As Olwyn mentions, there are many ways that you can get involved and help out.
See this link to check out the fundraising campaign: www.idonate.ie/event/3064_share-the-love---the-access-tennis-foundation-clg.html
And here’s the main website for the ATF: www.accesstennisfoundation.ie/
You can also check out Facebook and other social media sites for more information
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a comment on iTunes. Also, share the show with anyone you think may be interested. It really does help me grow the podcast, so thank you in advance.
Don't forget to check out and follow me on Twitter @TennisUpdateIRE for daily updates on everything Irish tennis. You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter there, for a recap of the month's action.
Finally, remember to use the code TENNISUPDATEIRE5 to get 5% off your order at tennispro.eu. A great site with great prices, well worth checking out.
I am always really happy to receive any feedback about the show, or anything else. Let me know what you thought by sending an email to irishtennisupdates@gmail.com
Summer Update and Fitzwilliam Preview
In this episode of the Irish Tennis Updates podcast, myself and Mark Finnegan look back at the summer so far and look ahead to the national junior championships in Fitzwilliam this week.
Hope you enjoy this episode, and the very best of luck to all players this week.
Siobhan Nicholson Interview
This week I’ve been chatting to Siobhan Nicholson. Siobhan had a very successful tennis career, with career high rankings in the top 300 for singles and doubles and several pro ITF titles to her name. More recently she has won the world over 50 championships.
We talk about all of this, as well as her time representing Ireland at Fed Cup, her experiences in the US College tennis system in the 1990s and moving into the world of work after retirement.
I really enjoyed this episode and I think you will too!
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a comment on iTunes. Also, share the show with anyone you think may be interested. It really does help me grow the podcast, so thank you in advance.
Don't forget to check out and follow me on Twitter @TennisUpdateIRE for daily updates on everything Irish tennis. You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter there, for a recap of the month's action.
Finally, remember to use the code TENNISUPDATEIRE5 to get 5% off your order at tennispro.eu. A great site with great prices, well worth checking out.
I am always really happy to receive any feedback about the show, or anything else. Let me know what you thought by sending an email to irishtennisupdates@gmail.com
Karen Nugent Interview
This week I’ve been chatting to Karen Nugent. Karen has had a lot of success in her tennis career and it was great to talk to her. She reached the quarter finals of junior Wimbledon, reached the top 250 in doubles as a pro and won numerous pro titles along the way.
In this episode we talk about playing the junior grand slams, playing Martina Navratilova in Dublin as a 17 year old, the challenges she faced in her professional career and her relationship with tennis post retirement.
I really enjoyed this episode and I think you will too!
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a comment on iTunes. Also, share the show with anyone you think may be interested. It really does help me grow the podcast, so thank you in advance.
Don't forget to check out and follow me on Twitter @TennisUpdateIRE for daily updates on everything Irish tennis. You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter there, for a recap of the month's action.
Finally, remember to use the code TENNISUPDATEIRE5 to get 5% off your order at tennispro.eu. A great site with great prices, well worth checking out.
I am always really happy to receive any feedback about the show, or anything else. Let me know what you thought by sending an email to irishtennisupdates@gmail.com
Claire Curran Interview part 2
This week I’ve been talking to Claire Curran and this is part two of our chat. Claire had a lot of success as a pro tennis player, and represented both Ireland and Great Britain during her career. She got to top 100 in doubles and played in Wimbledon four times.
This episode, in part two, Claire talks about her pro tennis days and the success that she enjoyed, making the switch from representing Ireland to Great Britain, why, and how that was for her, playing at Wimbledon and her roles in tennis since retiring.
If you enjoy this episode and you missed part one, make sure to check it out.
I really enjoyed this episode and I think you will too!
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a comment on iTunes. Also, share the show with anyone you think may be interested. It really does help me grow the podcast, so thank you in advance.
Don't forget to check out and follow me on Twitter @TennisUpdateIRE for daily updates on everything Irish tennis. You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter there, for a recap of the month's action.
Finally, remember to use the code TENNISUPDATEIRE5 to get 5% off your order at tennispro.eu. A great site with great prices, well worth checking out.
I am always really happy to receive any feedback about the show, or anything else. Let me know what you thought by sending an email to irishtennisupdates@gmail.com
Claire Curran Interview part 1
Hello, and welcome back to the Irish Tennis Updates Podcast.
This week I’ve been talking to Claire Curran and this is part one of our chat. Claire had a lot of success as a pro tennis player, and represented both Ireland and Great Britain during her career. She got to top 100 in doubles and played in Wimbledon four times.
This episode, in part one, Claire discusses her current involvement with tennis, her junior days in the sport, spending four years in the US on a tennis scholarship and playing at the US Open.
If you enjoy this episode make sure to tune in again next week for part two.
I really enjoyed this episode and I think you will too!
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a comment on iTunes. Also, share the show with anyone you think may be interested. It really does help me grow the podcast, so thank you in advance.
Don't forget to check out and follow me on Twitter @TennisUpdateIRE for daily updates on everything Irish tennis. You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter there, for a recap of the month's action.
Finally, remember to use the code TENNISUPDATEIRE5 to get 5% off your order at tennispro.eu. A great site with great prices, well worth checking out.
I am always really happy to receive any feedback about the show, or anything else. Let me know what you thought by sending an email to irishtennisupdates@gmail.com
Billie Jean King Cup Update
In this episode I've caught up with Grainne O'Neill, Ciara Finucane and John McGahon who are in Lithuania this week with the Billie Jean King Cup team.
We discuss how team preparation went, winning the group stages, promotion play-offs and look ahead to the last match tomorrow. Enjoy this episode, and best of luck to the team for tomorrow.
Davis Cup Update with Cian Blake
With Davis and Billie Jean King Cup teams both in action this week, I caught up with Cian Blake, interim co-captain for the Davis Cup team, to get his thoughts on the week so far and look forward to tomorrow’s match-up.
The very best of luck to both teams, and keep an eye out for more content like this over the coming days.
Cian Blake, Carlos Miranda and Davis Cup 2021
This week I’m chatting to Cian Blake and Carlos Miranda, the interim captains for the upcoming Davis Cup tie in Cyprus this week. You’ll hear about their background in tennis, their journeys as coaches, and they also preview the matches this week. They discuss the team, the format and how to follow along. Also, find out how they fare with their Irish Davis Cup trivia.
I really appreciate their time with this episode and wish them and the team the very best of luck in Cyprus. The Billie Jean King Cup team is also in action this week in Lithuania, and I’ll be keeping up to date with both teams on Twitter, starting on the 15th.
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a comment on iTunes. Also, share the show with anyone you think may be interested. It really does help me grow the podcast, so thank you in advance.
Don't forget to check out and follow me on Twitter @TennisUpdateIRE for daily updates on everything Irish tennis. You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter there, for a recap of the month's action.
Finally, remember to use the code TENNISUPDATEIRE5 to get 5% off your order at tennispro.eu. A great site with great prices, well worth checking out.
I am always really happy to receive any feedback about the show, or anything else. Let me know what you thought by sending an email to irishtennisupdates@gmail.com
JoAnne Williamson Interview
This week I am chatting to JoAnne Williamson. JoAnne has been involved in tennis her whole life and spent time as a teenager in the Bollettieri Academy and represented Ireland at the Junior World Championships. More recently she has played for Ireland at a vet level and done so with a lot of success. And she has also spent a number of years coaching to a high level.
JoAnne has a lot of passion for tennis and has a lot of great stories. I really enjoyed this chat.
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a comment on iTunes. Also, share the show with anyone you think may be interested. It really does help me grow the podcast, so thank you in advance.
Don't forget to check out and follow me on Twitter @TennisUpdateIRE for daily updates on everything Irish tennis. You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter there, for a recap of the month's action.
Finally, remember to use the code TENNISUPDATEIRE5 to get 5% off your order at tennispro.eu. A great site with great prices, well worth checking out.
I am always really happy to receive any feedback about the show, or anything else. Let me know what you thought by sending an email to irishtennisupdates@gmail.com
Rob Leahy and Racket Restringing
This week I’m chatting to Rob Leahy. Rob has a huge amount of experience in the racket restringing business and has worked as a stringer at several professional events over the years in addition to working in shops in Cork for many years and more recently Doha where he now lives and works.
As well as discussing some of his own journey in tennis and how he started stringing, Rob also shares a huge amount of advice for those interested in stringing, and also for players who are looking to get the most out of rackets, strings, tension and so on. There is a huge amount to take from this episode and I hope you find it useful.
If you have any queries at all after listening to this episode please feel free to send Rob an email at rob@racketrestringing.ie. You can also send me an email with any thoughts or feedback and irishtennisupdates@gmail.com
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a comment on iTunes. Also, share the show with anyone you think may be interested. It really does help me grow the podcast, so thank you in advance.
Don't forget to check out and follow me on Twitter @TennisUpdateIRE for daily updates on everything Irish tennis. You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter there, for a recap of the month's action.
Finally, remember to use the code TENNISUPDATEIRE5 to get 5% off your order at tennispro.eu. A great site with great prices, well worth checking out.
End of College Tennis Season Update
We are in the final week of the US college tennis season so tune in to hear how the Irish players have fared in the National Championships over the last 2-3 weeks. Also find out which players have been recognised by their conference as having had outstanding seasons.
There are visuals that accompany this episode, so I’d recommend watching on YouTube if you can, to see the images and draws that Mark is discussing.
A big well done to all the players for a great season and many thanks to Mark for his time with this episode and throughout the season.
Georgia Drummy Interview with Fergus O'Rourke
Many thanks to both Fergus and Georgia for taking the time to do this, and best of luck to Georgia for the rest of the tournament. She plays her next match at 6:30pm Irish time today, May 25th.
Check out this link for some other videos that Fergus has made during the tournament, including a chat with Dave Mullins: www.youtube.com/channel/UCS-nUhfpvpF_c3QmIOwP2qQ
End of Season Preview with Mark Finnegan
With the regular season now finished, Mark Finnegan takes us through what the remainder looks like. From NCAA D1, D2, NAIA and Junior Colleges, team, singles and doubles, tune in to learn all about it and hear about which Irish players are competing over the course of May.
The very best of luck to all players.
With thanks to the NCAA where all the draws used in this episode are taken from. See https://www.ncaa.com/sports/tennis-women/d1 and https://www.ncaa.com/sports/tennis-men/d1 for more info.
If you’re accessing this on a podcast site, then here is the YouTube link so you can see the visuals that go with this episode: https://youtu.be/VH51v_sEzwE
Liam O'Donoghue and Enjoy Tennis
This week I’ve got a really special episode with Liam O’Donoghue, the founder of Enjoy Tennis. Liam gives a brilliant insight into what Enjoy Tennis does, how it has grown and is continuing to do so, and the impact that it has had on so many people all around the country. This is without a doubt one of the most moving and uplifting chats that I’ve had on the podcast.
As we say during the episode, if you have any questions or would like to get involved in Enjoy Tennis in any way whatsoever, you can reach out to the Development Officers that Liam mentions, whose email addresses you can find on the Tennis Ireland website: https://www.tennisireland.ie/clubs/enjoy-tennis, and you can also feel free to send Liam an email at odonoghueliam@gmail.com
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a comment on iTunes. Also, share the show with anyone you think may be interested. It really does help me grow the podcast, so thank you in advance.
Don't forget to check out and follow me on Twitter @TennisUpdateIRE for daily updates on everything Irish tennis. You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter there, for a recap of the month's action.
Finally, remember to use the code TENNISUPDATEIRE5 to get 5% off your order at tennispro.eu. A great site with great prices, well worth checking out.
I am always really happy to receive any feedback about the show, or anything else. Let me know what you thought by sending an email to irishtennisupdates@gmail.com
Sixth College and Pro Tennis Update
As the US College tennis season nears an end and we reach the Conference championships this week, tune in to catch up on all the action from the last two weeks.
Thanks as always to Mark Finnegan for the updates and make sure to listen again as the National Championships are fast approaching.
Gina Niland Interview
Hello and welcome back to the Irish Tennis Updates Podcast.
I’m really excited to have Gina Niland on the podcast this week. Gina has had a really great tennis journey, including being Ireland’s most successful Fed Cup player over 12 years, and she has career high rankings in the top 500 for singles and doubles.
During the chat we talk about her early tennis development and progress, both in England and after her family moved back to Ireland. We talk about Fed Cup, the not-so-glamorous life on tour domestic tennis in Ireland, and more. I really enjoyed this and think you will too!
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a comment on iTunes. Also, share the show with anyone you think may be interested. It really does help me grow the podcast, so thank you in advance.
Don't forget to check out and follow me on Twitter @TennisUpdateIRE for daily updates on everything Irish tennis. You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter there, for a recap of the month's action.
Finally, remember to use the code TENNISUPDATEIRE5 to get 5% off your order at tennispro.eu. A great site with great prices, well worth checking out.
I am always really happy to receive any feedback about the show, or anything else. Let me know what you thought by sending an email to irishtennisupdates@gmail.com
Fifth College and Pro Tennis Update
On this episode I’m talking with Mark Finnegan about all of the Irish players playing college tennis in the US at the moment. There are a lot of players doing amazingly well over there and this is a chance to give them some of the recognition they deserve. Enjoy this update and tune in again in two weeks to see how the season is progressing.
The History of Irish Tennis - Episode Five - Fed Cup, Ireland's Oldest Club and More
Over the course of the series, we have looked back at various areas of the history of the sport in this country. Join us for this fascinating journey and learn something new.
In the fifth and final episode, Tom discusses various topics, including the Fed Cup, US tennis scholarships, and the not-so-easy question of the oldest tennis club in Ireland. There are also some other areas explored, listen to find out more.
Tom’s three volume book, also entitled “The History of Irish Tennis”, is available to buy for €50 and can be delivered to anywhere in Ireland. Send Tom an email at higgins.tom@itsligo.com if you are interested or to find out more.
I hope you enjoy this episode and have also enjoyed the whole series and learned a lot from it. My thanks to Tom for everything he’s done.
Thanks for listening and please share this episode so that as many people as possible can hear it.
The History of Irish Tennis - Episode Four - The Olympics and the Davis Cup
Over the course of the series, we will be looking back at various areas of the history of the sport in this country. Join us for this fascinating journey and learn something new.
In the fourth episode, Tom discusses the Olympics and the Davis Cup; the origins of these competitions, how they have developed and progressed, and of course Irish successes over the years, from Olympic medals won all the way back in the first modern games in 1896, all the way to our Davis Cup exploits of the 1980s. This is well worth a listen.
Tom’s three volume book, also entitled “The History of Irish Tennis”, is available to buy for €50 and can be delivered to anywhere in Ireland. Send Tom an email at higgins.tom@itsligo.com if you are interested or to find out more.
I hope you enjoy this episode and will join us again soon for episode five, the final episode of the series.
Thanks for listening and please share this episode so that as many people as possible can hear it.
Fourth College and Pro Tennis Update
On this episode I’m talking with Mark Finnegan about all of the Irish players playing college tennis in the US at the moment. There are a lot of players doing amazingly well over there and this is a chance to give them some of the recognition they deserve. Enjoy this update and tune in again in two weeks to see how the season is progressing.
And also in this episode I’ve caught up with Dave Mullins for some more explanation of the competition structure, and the structure of the college tennis season. A really useful chat with Dave.
Garrett Barry and the National Performance Strategy
This week on the podcast is Garrett Barry. Garrett is the National Performance Coordinator at Tennis Ireland and has been part of the team developing a new national performance strategy. The plan is ready to go as soon as Covid allows and Garrett takes us through all the main details here.
As Garrett mentions towards the end of the episode, he is more than happy to receive any feedback, queries or advice on the plan, and you can reach him at garrett.barry@tennisireland.ie. I’d encourage you to get in touch.
Garrett also discusses his tennis journey, best experiences and the influences that stand to him today.
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a comment on iTunes. Also, share the show with anyone you think may be interested. It really does help me grow the podcast, so thank you in advance.
Don't forget to check out and follow me on Twitter @TennisUpdateIRE for daily updates on everything Irish tennis. You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter there, for a recap of the month's action.
Finally, remember to use the code TENNISUPDATEIRE5 to get 5% off your order at tennispro.eu. A great site with great prices, well worth checking out.
I am always really happy to receive any feedback about the show, or anything else. Let me know what you thought by sending an email to irishtennisupdates@gmail.com
The History of Irish Tennis - Episode Three - The Defining Families of Irish Tennis
Over the course of the series, we will be looking back at various areas of the history of the sport in this country. Join us for this fascinating journey and learn something new.
In the third episode Tom discusses some of the individuals and families that have shaped Irish tennis over the years – from the top players of the early and mid-1900s, to more recent families such as the Nilands and Mileys – as well as famous sporting all-rounders who played tennis. This episode really sets the scene for the development of Irish tennis.
Tom’s three volume book, also entitled “The History of Irish Tennis”, is available to buy for €50 and can be delivered to anywhere in Ireland. Send Tom an email at higgins.tom@itsligo.com if you are interested or to find out more.
I hope you enjoy this episode and will join us again soon for the next one.
Thanks for listening and please share this episode so that as many people as possible can hear it.
Third College and Pro Tennis Update
On this episode I’m talking with Mark Finnegan about all of the Irish players playing college tennis in the US at the moment. There are a lot of players doing amazingly well over there and this is a chance to give them some of the recognition they deserve. Enjoy this update and tune in again in two weeks to see how the season is progressing.
The History of Irish Tennis - Episode Two - The Golden Era of Irish Tennis
Over the course of the series, we will be looking back at various areas of the history of the sport in this country. Join us for this fascinating journey and learn something new.
In this second episode, Tom discusses the Golden Age of tennis in Ireland, the success of the Irish at the major championships, as well as touching on other issues such as what caused Ireland to lose its grip on the international tennis scene, the introduction of tie breaks and when women used to play five sets.
Tom’s three volume book, also entitled “The History of Irish Tennis”, is available to buy for €50 and can be delivered to anywhere in Ireland. Send Tom an email at higgins.tom@itsligo.comif you are interested or to find out more.
I hope you enjoy this episode and will join us again soon for the next one. In episode three we will discuss some multitalented Irish tennis players and influential Irish tennis families of the past.
Thanks for listening and please share this episode so that as many people as possible can hear it.
The History of Irish Tennis - Episode One - The Beginnings, and the Irish Championships
Over the course of the series, we will be looking back at various areas of the history of the sport in this country. Join us for this fascinating journey and learn something new.
In this first episode, Tom discusses the origins of the sport of tennis, how it first came to Ireland, the inaugural Irish Championships in 1879 and why they were such a big success.
Tom’s three volume book, also entitled “The History of Irish Tennis”, is available to buy for €50 and can be delivered to anywhere in Ireland. Send Tom an email at higgins.tom@itsligo.comif you are interested or to find out more.
I hope you enjoy this episode and will join us again soon for the next one. In episode two, we will be discussing the success of Irish players at the Grand Slams and the “golden era” of Irish tennis.
Thanks for listening and please share this episode so that as many people as possible can hear it.
Second College and Pro Tennis Update
On this episode I’m talking with Mark Finnegan about all of the Irish players playing college tennis in the US at the moment. There are a lot of players doing amazingly well over there and this is a chance to give them some of the recognition they deserve. Enjoy this update and tune in again in two weeks to see how the season is progressing.
Elsa O'Riain Interview
This week I’m talking to Elsa O’Riain. Elsa played pro tennis for two years and achieved a top 400 singles ranking in that time. She’s represented Ireland in the Fed Cup, competed at three of the four junior grand slams and had a very successful time playing tennis at Harvard University. I really enjoyed talking to Elsa and hearing her tennis story.
As well as discussing the highs and lows of her journey, we also talk about the wider benefits of tennis and how her tennis background has helped her achieve success in the finance world.
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a comment on iTunes. Also, share the show with anyone you think may be interested. It really does help me grow the podcast, so thank you in advance.
Don't forget to check out and follow me on Twitter @TennisUpdateIRE for daily updates on everything Irish tennis. You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter there, for a recap of the month's action.
Finally, remember to use the code TENNISUPDATEIRE5 to get 5% off your order at tennispro.eu. A great site with great prices, well worth checking out.
I am always really happy to receive any feedback about the show, or anything else. Let me know what you thought by sending an email to irishtennisupdates@gmail.com
Rosa Stephens Interview
This week I’m talking to the wonderful Rosa Stephens. Anyone who’s been involved in tournaments or leagues in Leinster over the last number of years definitely knows Rosa and what a great job she does. During her time working for Leinster Tennis Rosa has been involved in bringing in Tournament Software, organising junior leagues, introducing Phoenix draws and a lot more.
Rosa has done amazing things for Irish tennis and you’re not going to meet a nicer person in the sport. We talk about the introduction of a ratings system, the advantages of junior leagues, the differences between tennis in Ireland and in Spain, where Rosa grew up, and more.
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a comment on iTunes. Also, share the show with anyone you think may be interested. It really does help me grow the podcast, so thank you in advance.
Don't forget to check out and follow me on Twitter @TennisUpdateIRE for daily updates on everything Irish tennis. You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter there, for a recap of the month's action.
Finally, remember to use the code TENNISUPDATEIRE5 to get 5% off your order at tennispro.eu. A great site with great prices, well worth checking out.
I am always really happy to receive any feedback about the show, or anything else. Let me know what you thought by sending an email to irishtennisupdates@gmail.com
College and Pro Tennis Update
On this episode I’m talking with Mark Finnegan about all of the Irish players playing college tennis in the US at the moment. There are a lot of players doing amazingly well over there and this is a chance to give them some of the recognition they deserve. Enjoy this update and tune in again in two weeks to see how the season is progressing.
Mike Cation Interview
This week I’m delighted to be chatting to Mike Cation. Mike is a legend of pro tennis commentary, working primarily on ATP Challenger level tennis on the USTA Pro Circuit. And he’s also worked at the Australian and US Opens. We talk about where this started for Mike, what he loves about the job and some of his best memories.
In the second half of the episode, we talk about Mike’s experiences and memories of some of the best Irish players of recent years, including McGee, O’Hare, Cluskey and Sam Barry. I loved this chance to get a new perspective on these players and hear Mike’s stories.
And here’s some links to check out!
McGee’s semi final on the way to the title: livestream.com/accounts/5057055/cary2016centrecourt/videos/136037203
And the final: livestream.com/accounts/5057055/cary2016centrecourt/videos/136186640
O’Hare’s semi final on the way to the title: livestream.com/accounts/5057055/events/6966118/videos/148464601
And the final: livestream.com/accounts/5057055/events/6971789/videos/148564273
Sam Barry semi final:
livestream.com/accounts/5057055/events/6612791/videos/141364823
Great Cluskey win: livestream.com/accounts/5057055/kazan2015court1/videos/80555823
And finally, check out Mike’s great podcast: behindtheracquet.com/podcast/
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a comment on iTunes. Also, share the show with anyone you think may be interested. It really does help me grow the podcast, so thank you in advance.
Don't forget to check out and follow me on Twitter @TennisUpdateIRE for daily updates on everything Irish tennis. You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter there, for a recap of the month's action.
Finally, remember to use the code TENNISUPDATEIRE5 to get 5% off your order at tennispro.eu. A great site with great prices, well worth checking out.
I am always really happy to receive any feedback about the show, or anything else. Let me know what you thought by sending an email to irishtennisupdates@gmail.com
Mark Carpenter Interview
Hello and welcome back to the Irish Tennis Updates Podcast.
This week I’m talking to Mark Carpenter. Mark has been around tennis his whole life and has a lot to offer to tennis in Ireland. As a junior he grew up in Switzerland and got to experience the tennis system over there. We touch on what we can learn from the Swiss when it comes to competitions. We also discuss other issues in Irish tennis as well as Mark’s time working on the committee for the Irish Open and what that experience taught him.
I really enjoyed talking to Mark and think a part two might be needed at some point!
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a comment on iTunes. Also, share the show with anyone you think may be interested. It really does help me grow the podcast, so thank you in advance.
Don't forget to check out and follow me on Twitter @TennisUpdateIRE for daily updates on everything Irish tennis. You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter there, for a recap of the month's action.
Finally, remember to use the code TENNISUPDATEIRE5 to get 5% off your order at tennispro.eu. A great site with great prices, well worth checking out.
I am always really happy to receive any feedback about the show, or anything else. Let me know what you thought by sending an email to irishtennisupdates@gmail.com