Clontarf holds all the aces at 1014 event

TO commemorate the Battle of Clontarf in 1014, Clontarf Lawn Tennis Club (CLTC) ran two events recently – mostly for fun but also with the aim of raising money for St Francis Hospice, Raheny.

The first event began at 10.14am on May 3 when tennis players from all over the Northside – invited by CLTC – gathered to do battle!

The big difference between the 1014 and 2014 battles was that there was no bloodshed and there was plenty of fun!

Clubs from Portmarnock, Malahide, Sutton, Glasnevin, Charleville and Clontarf Parish played in the event at class 2, 4 and 6 levels.

There was a real Viking feel to the day as the teams were all named after famous Vikings, and some even togged out in the proper battle gear. The weather was kind and everyone really enjoyed the day.

Appropriately, history repeated itself, and Clontarf won the battles at all three class levels. It was a great day in the history of Clontarf Lawn Tennis Club made all the better when Fujifilm came on board as sponsors. Everyone got a photo of their team as a memento of the event.

Once the battle was over and prizes were given out, the participants danced the night away to a Garth Brooks Tribute Band.

Lady club captain at CLTC, Louise Walsh, told Northside People:

“We thought it was really important to mark such a historic event and it was really appropriate that we should invite neighbouring clubs.

“After all, who can be certain that the Battle in 1014 actually took place in Clontarf as we know it today?

“Participation from all of the clubs has been great – many thanks to all.

?

Meanwhile, on May 16, a second event and another battle ensued at the club with Sutton Lawn Tennis Club. The sole aim was to raise e20,000 for St Francis Hospice.

The seeds for this event were sown a couple of years back when Head of Coaching at the club, Alan Beaddie, visited former Dublin GAA manager, Kevin Heffernan, in the Hospice shortly before he died.

Kevin had been a great friend of Alan’s Dad, Douggie Beaddie, a former President of CLTC who died 25 years ago. Alan was so struck by the care given in the Hospice – so professional, so warm, and such fantastic staff – he vowed to some day raise money for them.

What a tribute, and what better year to do it than 2014. Overwhelmingly, Alan exceeded his target through the huge generosity of participants and the event brought in over e23,000 for the Hospice.