50th Running of Mona McGarry Cup proves a huge success

The 50th running of the Mona McGarry Cup proved to be an outstanding success at Carlow Lawn Tennis Club recently. It couldn’t have gone any better. With a hard-working and diligent committee who put everything in place they were rewarded in what was a special occasion.

The weather had a part to play. On what was the hottest day of the year, the players were able to enjoy the warm sun. While it is a competition, the focus is on taking part. The mixed doubles format works beautifully.

With Director of Tennis, Brian Farrell, the underage competition preceded the adults competition. Jack Byrne and Claire McDonnell beat Adam Lyons and Siofra Bolger in the Yellow Ball Final.

Ruadhan Moore and Ella Lawlor won the Green Ball event with Edward Blazevic and John McDonald having to settle for a gallant runners-up spot. 40 youngsters took part.

And so to the main event.

It has been said that “you don’t say no to Mona McGarry. She can be quite persuasive. As the day unfolded Carlow’s MEP, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú dropped in to wish everyone well. So did TD’s Catherine Callaghan and Jennifer Murnane. No doubt Mona worked her magic. Their presence added to the sense of occasion. It was wonderful to see them.

The weather was so good that the organisers changed tack. Instead of eating indoors the tables and chairs were moved out onto the green area in front of the courts. The prize giving also took place here. It all worked out so well.

So who is Mona McGarry?

Originally from County Mayo, as a Doctor of Optometry, she served the people of Carlow for many years. She was based on the Athy Road.

Cynthia Ní Mhurchú describes her as being “elegant, kind, witty, charming, and so committed to our community - including the sporting community.” 

According to the recently elected MEP, as former chairperson of the Carlow Kilkenny Home Care Team Mona advocated tirelessly for that service and, as an eye care specialist, she spent many years looking after the people of Carlow and researching the dangers of wearing incorrect reading glasses. Some of her work was published in the Journal of Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics.

Mona herself remembers when she came to Carlow first. Initially she became very friendly with the O’Doherty family. Niall O’Doherty, as a volunteer and member of the club, worked long hours in the old tennis pavilion beside where the present clubhouse is now.

“I could see how much pleasure, life and fun the O’Doherty family were getting out of tennis,” said Mona who, up to then, had never held a tennis racket.

“I hadn’t played. I thought, how am I going to get into this game? They were all playing competitions. It was quite clear to me, I was never going to win a competition. I decided the best thing to do was to put a new name on it and call it Tennis for Fun. It is quite incredible that sort of ethos has survived. Carlow is a great club,” says Mona who says her competition is unique and the only one of its kind in the country.

“Who else is alive that put up a trophy up fifty years ago? It is really a hallmark for Carlow,” she states.

Paul Quinn and Sharon Murphy beat Krzyastof Rapacz and Patricia Hannon to emerge as overall winners. For Paul, it was a special moment. His father, Donal, was a winner when he teamed up with Eimear Donaghy in 1990. Paul was actually winning it for the second time. A little bit of history had been created in the Quinn family. Their connection to the Mona McGarry Cup has been cemented even further.

What People Said

Sharon Murphy, Winner: “Thrilled. I had won little things like runners-up in minor competitions but nothing like this. Paul (Quinn), my partner, was great support. He was always there to give me little tips. He was a great mentor today. He minded me. He was telling me what to do and I just followed his advice. No scary moments.” 

Paul Quinn, Winner: “I suppose there are emotions for me here today. It probably came across in the few words I said at the trophy presentation. I remember playing in this. The first time I played in this when I was going into first year in school. They opened it up to juniors and Betty Hughes was partnered with me. No-one gave us a chance but we won it.

“My Dad (Donal) was running the tournament. The Australian Ambassador showed up that day. There were some high-flyers coming in. It was a long tournament.

"Today was a long day so to win it with Sharon who hadn’t played in it before was absolutely brilliant. I know she is relatively new to the club. We nearly lost in the semi-final so there was great excitement.” 

Colm Kelly, President of Carlow Tennis Club: “You couldn’t ask for more. The weather. All the people who are here. All the memories from over the years. A fabulous day. A big thanks to Mona McGarry. She brings her own mark to the day. All the changes over the years but this is one thing which hasn’t changed.” 

Deirdre Murphy, Tennis vice-captain and tournament organiser: “It was amazing. Bringing together the long-serving members of the club and the newer members was special. The weather was great. A lot of what we focus on in the club is competition but this tournament is about community, being in a community and celebrating volunteerism in the club and foremost that tennis is a hobby. Mona was amazing to work with and you can see the way people talk about her, how much respect they have for her, care for her and appreciate everything she has done for the club.” 

Cynthia Ní Mhurchú MEP: “I was thrilled to join Mona and others at Carlow Tennis Club to mark 50 years of the Mona McGarry Cup, honour and salute her lifetime of service and voluntary contribution to the Club and our community in Carlow.