The four members of Ireland's Federation Cup team, narrowly pipped for promotion by Turkey in Spain recently, are reaping the rewards of a collective decision to go it alone on the Portuguese circuit.
Following defeat at the La Manga club, Kelly Liggan, Gina Niland, Yvonne Doyle and Karen Nugent vowed, that they would stick together and search for further experience as a unit.
They organised the three-week itinerary themselves and have realised early success when all four players achieved main draw qualification for at Elvas. Yvonne Doyle has advanced to the second round by beating England's Carol Smith 6-3, 6-1 having won three qualifying rounds. Niland has also won through in three qualifying rounds and Nugent has made the main draw as a lucky loser. Kelly Liggan got through in her own right. The second and third-week venues are Guinaraus and Azemeis. Meanwhile, Ireland's top junior, Stephen Nugent, has qualified for the main draw in this week's Italian junior open following two weeks of play in top-class Italian competition.
Thanks to renewed sponsorship, the Ireland's over-21 players will continue to have their day out in the highly successful Rover Ireland Club Doubles Championships which will provide a unique opportunity for good club players to compete at national level this summer.
The championships are team based and will have 17 regional qualifying rounds in clubs throughout the country running from June 12th to July 4th before the national finals are decided at Riverview from July 22nd-24th. Regional qualifying venues and dates are: June 12th - Stackallen, St Anne's, Tralee; June 13th - Kilkenny, Wexford Harbour; June 19th - Lime rick; June 26th Ennis; July 4th - Templeogue, Naas, Greystones, Ashbrook, Castleknock, Salthill, Hillview, Sundays Well.
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