Last Thursday was a major day in the history of the Mullingar Tennis and Badminton Club, which is catering for approximately 300 members.
Michael Ring TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, was special guest to formally open four re-surfaced tennis courts which have been upgraded at a cost of approximately €80,000. The project was part funded to the tune of €37,000 by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, while the club itself raised over €40,000 to ensure the modern facilities were put in place.
Last year the Mullingar club, which is located right in the centre of Mullingar and is at the heart of local community, celebrated its 75th anniversary and members were proud to welcome Minister Ring on Thursday. John Murphy (President), Jo Daly (Secretary) and Patricia Sheridan (Treasurer), leading committee member, are delighted with the positive development.
Patricia Sheridan has served on the committee since 1972 and says the tennis club remains as popular as ever. Those wishing to make a return to the club can benefit from a six week training programme under Fergus Murphy, the club’s head coach, and then decide whether they will join.
President, John Murphy was proud to welcome Minister Ring and praised the sterling work of Richard Flynn in the installation of the four new courts. Murty Hanly and Aidan Gilhooley of Westmeath County Council were acknowledged and the President said the latest development will benefit the club enormously.
“It’s great to get funding for the project and I want to thank staff in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport who have always been courteous and efficient with us,” he said.
The Minister recalled the work of former members like Michael Creighton and Fr Willie Cleary and praised the work of the many volunteers who help keep the tennis club to the fore.
He did not rule out further fundraising for the club, explaining that he is adjudicating on various projects at the moment and has yet to reach a final decision on how next year’s Sports Capital Programme of €40m will be distributed.
Minister Michael Ring explained how former Fine Gael TD, Paul McGrath has committed to a voluntary role at the department, assisting as project manager. “He travels to Dublin at his own cost every week. He has a great brain and I’m delighted to have him involved,” he said.
Thursday’s Ministerial visit comes on the back of other great news for the club as Simon Carr, a very talented and dedicated sports star, made tennis a career choice and turned professional. He was present last Thursday and all the club extend their best wishes to the young man for the future.
The club is planning for its next major fundraiser, a night at the Mullingar Greyhound Stadium on 19 September, with tickets currently on sale at €10 each. The next big project involves new floodlighting at the front courts of the tennis club.
