PICTURES: Limerick Lawn Tennis Club mark return of the David Cup to Limerick

LIMERICK Lawn Tennis Club marked the return of the Davis Cup to Limerick for only the third time in it’s long and storied history last weekend by holding a reception to honour it’s past members who have represented Ireland at Davis Cup level.

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At the reception, Brian Lawlor, George McGill, Charlie Barry and Sam Barry were awarded Honorary Life Membership of Limerick Lawn Tennis Club, the club they grew up in and represented during their playing careers.

Brian, George, Sam and Charlie joined Michael Hickey, John O’Brien and current Ireland Davis Cup non-playing captain Conor Niland, who have previously been honoured with this accolade by representing Limerick with distinction on the international stage of Davis Cup, the world cup of tennis.

A large crowd on the night, heard from Cllr Sharon Benson (acting on behalf of Mayor Moran), Deputy Conor Sheehan and Letty Lucas, President of Tennis Ireland. All recognised the achievements of these players, who all grew up locally with many going to JFK Primary School just across the road from the tennis club.

Also present were representatives from the other tennis clubs in the region. At the reception, Club President Diarmaid Mulholland spoke of the important role LLTC plays in the north side of Limerick city building on it’s ethos of being a community club in the community for the community.

In addition to producing world class tennis players, the club runs tennis programs for the surrounding primary and secondary schools. It also runs North Munster’s only tennis program specifically for adults and children with special needs or physical disabilities as well as being the only tennis club in Munster to have a Wheelchair Tennis program.

LLTC is very proud of it’s community outreach programs with it’s facilities being used by many of the neighbouring sports clubs and groups for meetings, functions and classes.

Participation levels in tennis continues to grow across Limerick and hopefully last weekend's Davis can inspire the next generation of Charlie Barry’s.