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Irish Davis Cup team captain Conor Niland is hoping the crowd gets behind his team for the high-profile clash against Austria at University of Limerick this weekend. The proud Limerick man hailed the “world class” tennis facility that has been specially constructed in the UL Sport Arena for the match this Saturday and Sunday. A sold-out crowd of 2,400 people per day will see Niland’s team take on Austrian counterpart Jurgen Melzer’s charges in a feast of top-class tennis at the UL venue. UL Provost Professor Shane Kilcommins paid a visit to the Arena this Wednesday to meet Conor and the Irish team ahead of the World Group 1 playoff tie, which will take place over two days on Saturday and Sunday, the first staging of a Davis Cup match in Limerick in 35 years. “It is unbelievable, it looks like a full tour event here, the quality of the court is first class – it was the same court I think that they used for the Bille Jean King cup final in London in November and the seating arrangements, it looks like a top-class pro event, which is what this is. So it’s super exciting,” said Conor, who captains the team in the first home tie Ireland has hosted in nine years. The former tennis professional, who played at Wimbledon and the US Open, is hoping that the home supporters make their voices heard and get behind the team of players Simon Carr, Osgar O’hOisin, Michael Agwi and Conor Gannon. “It is sold-out, 2,400 seats both days – so I really want to encourage people who have bought tickets to come out, get loud, the Davis Cup atmosphere is allowed to be a little bit more raucous than a tour event, and we are going to need the support and use the home advantage, so we are really excited. Hopefully everyone will get behind the lads. “It is very special to be in Limerick, obviously I haven’t had a lot of opportunity to be back in a tennis context in a long time, and to have it in such a world-class, purpose-built Irish Davis Cup team captain Conor Niland is hoping the crowd gets behind his team for the high-profile clash against Austria at University of Limerick this weekend. The proud Limerick man hailed the “world class” tennis facility that has been specially constructed in the UL Sport Arena for the match this Saturday and Sunday. A sold-out crowd of 2,400 people per day will see Niland’s team take on Austrian counterpart Jurgen Melzer’s charges in a feast of top-class tennis at the UL venue. UL Provost Professor Shane Kilcommins paid a visit to the Arena this Wednesday to meet Conor and the Irish team ahead of the World Group 1 playoff tie, which will take place over two days on Saturday and Sunday, the first staging of a Davis Cup match in Limerick in 35 years. “It is unbelievable, it looks like a full tour event here, the quality of the court is first class – it was the same court I think that they used for the Bille Jean King cup final in London in November and the seating arrangements, it looks like a top-class pro event, which is what this is. So it’s super exciting,” said Conor, who captains the team in the first home tie Ireland has hosted in nine years. The former tennis professional, who played at Wimbledon and the US Open, is hoping that the home supporters make their voices heard and get behind the team of players Simon Carr, Osgar O’hOisin, Michael Agwi and Conor Gannon. “It is sold-out, 2,400 seats both days – so I really want to encourage people who have bought tickets to come out, get loud, the Davis Cup atmosphere is allowed to be a little bit more raucous than a tour event, and we are going to need the support and use the home advantage, so we are really excited. Hopefully everyone will get behind the lads. “It is very special to be in Limerick, obviously I haven’t had a lot of opportunity to be back in a tennis context in a long time, and to have it in such a world-class, purpose-built

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Tennis Ireland announces team ahead of Davis Cup action at University of Limerick

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4 weeks ago

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Tennis Ireland announces Conor Niland’s team ahead of Davis Cup action at University of Limerick

Tennis Ireland has announced the members of the Davis Cup Team set for a showdown with Syria at University of Limerick

Tennis Ireland announces team ahead of Davis Cup action at University of Limerick
Limerick’s Charlie Barry has been named among the squad ahead of the tie in Limerick

Tennis Ireland has confirmed the Ireland team for the upcoming Davis Cup World Group II Play-offs against Syria, taking place on Saturday, 7th February and Sunday 8 February at the UL Sport Arena on the University of Limerick Campus.

Ireland will be represented by Michael Agwi, Peter Buldorini, Conor Gannon, Ammar Elamin and Charlie Barry, with the tie set to bring international team tennis back to the heart of Munster.

The selection includes a first Davis Cup call-up for Limerick native Charlie Barry, who becomes the newest member of the Ireland team. Barry is a member of Limerick Lawn Tennis Club and will have the opportunity to represent his country on home turf, in front of local supporters, as Ireland looks to deliver a strong performance across the two-day contest.


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On being named on the squad, Barry commented, “I’m extremely excited for the opportunity to perform on home soil. It’s always been a dream of mine to play Davis Cup for Ireland. Almost 20 years since I first picked up a tennis racket, it feels incredibly special to come full circle and play my first tie in Limerick.”

Fellow Limerick man, and Team Captain, Conor Niland added,” I’m thrilled to announce the team for our upcoming match against Syria. The last Be in my hometown of Limerick was very special. To now also have a Limerick player in Charlie Barry, whose recent performances on the Futures circuit more than justifies his selection, adds something extra. We all can’t wait to compete in front of our home fans!”

National Performance Development Director, Cian Blake, looked ahead to the tie, “We are excited to return to Limerick for the upcoming Davis Cup Tie against Syria. The atmosphere was incredible there in our last tiand the team are looking forward to experiencing that again.

“The team are in good spirits and are very much looking forward to another great tie. Our last two matches against Austria and PR China showed our players’ capacity to rise to the big occasions. They know they need to be at their best, and are quietly confident they will be.”  

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