Page 214 - Gonzaga at 60
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GONZAGA AT SIXTY: A WORK IN PROGRESS
1999 Leinster Senior Cup
Final at Fitzwilliam LTC
Back Row (L to R): Mark Earley,
Peter Barry, Oisin Flanagan,
Adam Kelly, Gavin Brophy,
Stephen Lyons, Cilian White.
Front Row (L to R): Killian
McCrea, Patrick Doran, George
McMahon, Barry King, David
McGrath, John O’Donovan,
Conor Fearon, Eamonn Halpin
David Keenahan developed. Even though rugby is the main sport in Gonzaga he insilled in us
the signiicance of achieving success at Gonzaga in the classroom and on the tennis court. I
remember playing away to Blackrock on many occasions when his pre match speeches would
give my teammates and I goosebumps. These speeches have inspired Gonzaga players past and
present to produce victories against internaional standard Blackrock players that belied their
status on the Irish junior circuit. Eventually, I let Gonzaga in 2003 with great memories of the
tennis team and the special bond I had with my teammates which I will cherish forever. Three
months later I won the Irish Naional Junior Championships and then headed across the Atlanic
to Notre Dame University on a full scholarship because of my tennis and academic achievements.
I would never have been accepted to such a presigious insituion as Notre Dame if it weren’t for
the help of my teachers and the tennis success I had at Gonzaga.
Having graduated Notre Dame in May, 2007 with a degree in inance and achieved good
success at the American collegiate tennis circuit. I felt I had a strong enough academic background
behind me to give the uncertain world of the professional tennis tour a shot. A few years down
the line, I.ve experienced the thrill of winning for Ireland at the highest level of internaional
tennis namely Davis Cup and winning several professional itles around the world. Playing tennis
for Ireland with a big crowd watching is a tremendous thrill because unlike other sports there
is no one to pass the ball to, no one to turn to if you.re not playing well, you simply have got to
igure things out on the court and keep a cool head when things are not working in your favour.
Luckily I have always felt comfortable in that environment where a teammate or supporters are
relying on me because of my ime at Gonzaga and Notre Dame.
Barry King
Class of 2003
GONZAGA AT SIXTY: A WORK IN PROGRESS
1999 Leinster Senior Cup
Final at Fitzwilliam LTC
Back Row (L to R): Mark Earley,
Peter Barry, Oisin Flanagan,
Adam Kelly, Gavin Brophy,
Stephen Lyons, Cilian White.
Front Row (L to R): Killian
McCrea, Patrick Doran, George
McMahon, Barry King, David
McGrath, John O’Donovan,
Conor Fearon, Eamonn Halpin
David Keenahan developed. Even though rugby is the main sport in Gonzaga he insilled in us
the signiicance of achieving success at Gonzaga in the classroom and on the tennis court. I
remember playing away to Blackrock on many occasions when his pre match speeches would
give my teammates and I goosebumps. These speeches have inspired Gonzaga players past and
present to produce victories against internaional standard Blackrock players that belied their
status on the Irish junior circuit. Eventually, I let Gonzaga in 2003 with great memories of the
tennis team and the special bond I had with my teammates which I will cherish forever. Three
months later I won the Irish Naional Junior Championships and then headed across the Atlanic
to Notre Dame University on a full scholarship because of my tennis and academic achievements.
I would never have been accepted to such a presigious insituion as Notre Dame if it weren’t for
the help of my teachers and the tennis success I had at Gonzaga.
Having graduated Notre Dame in May, 2007 with a degree in inance and achieved good
success at the American collegiate tennis circuit. I felt I had a strong enough academic background
behind me to give the uncertain world of the professional tennis tour a shot. A few years down
the line, I.ve experienced the thrill of winning for Ireland at the highest level of internaional
tennis namely Davis Cup and winning several professional itles around the world. Playing tennis
for Ireland with a big crowd watching is a tremendous thrill because unlike other sports there
is no one to pass the ball to, no one to turn to if you.re not playing well, you simply have got to
igure things out on the court and keep a cool head when things are not working in your favour.
Luckily I have always felt comfortable in that environment where a teammate or supporters are
relying on me because of my ime at Gonzaga and Notre Dame.
Barry King
Class of 2003
