Carrickmines Croquet & Lawn Tennis Club hosted the 13th Centenary Tennis Clubs U12 international tournament on the weekend of August 31st to September 1st.

A total of eight teams took part in the competition, including 6 from overseas and 2 teams from the home club. This is a very significant event in the Carrickmines club calendar and is the largest annual CTC competition held by any club.

Congratulations to the I.Cesky Club from Prague, who were victorious this year, beating Carrickmines in a closely fought final. The other participating teams were SALK (Stockholm), RCTB 1899 and the Real Club de Polo (both Barcelona), Cumberland (London) and Santander.

In keeping with the ethos of the CTC competition, it was a weekend of high quality tennis but also of hospitality and friendship.

Thanks to all members who hosted the guests and also to all who helped out on the catering side, including Carrickmines’ BBQ chef, who flipped and cooked 100 burgers on the Friday evening!

All of the players enjoyed the weekend and for many of them this is their first “international tennis experience”. Many of the juniors will develop into serious players, indeed most of the current Ireland Davis and Fed Cup teams began their international tennis journeys with this competition.