Page 219 - Gonzaga at 60
P. 219
Tennis Team, 1985 with David Keenahan, left and Bobby Byrne in attendance. The Tennis Captain is Sean Molloy, at the time still in fifth
year. Aged 17, he had already played Davis Cup tennis for Ireland
SEAN MOLLOY THE SMITHS
The years 1985 to 1996 saw the emergence of another Gonzaga tennis
Sean Molloy (class of 1986), by then a Chiropractor in
London, wrote about his experiences of tennis and the family – the Smiths – Connor (’91), Paul (’94) amd Barry (’96) They joined
school in the Gonzaga Record, 1993. Like other schoolboy Gonzaga tennis just as David Keenahan assumed the reins from Father
tennis-players, paricularly those with internaional Edmond Keane SJ. In addiion to ataining individual successes at both
commitments, he found study and sport hard to reconcile. naional and internaional levels (Connor and Barry both were Naional
Fortunately, he found in David Keenahan both a tennis Junior champions while Paul represented at junior inter-provincial level),
coach and Maths teacher, who could provide tuiion they played a part in some of the most successful teams ielded by
between trips abroad. Gonzaga. Unfortunately, during this period, Senior Cup honours eluded
He was selected by the Irish LT Associaion to play in the school but the teams had signiicant successes at Junior and Minor
Junior Wimbledon. A ‘major misunderstanding’ thwarted levels. These oten came against our chief tennis rivals – Blackrock
this ambiion, but gave him ime to study for Leaving Cert College and Belvedere. The excellent results achieved were due to the
and entry to medicine, his irst choice. Contemporaries take combinaion of talented and enthusiasic players, a very supporive
note: the points required for medicine were 26 that year. network of tennis parents and especially the boundless energy of Mr
No, there are no digits missing: twenty-six. He achieved David Keenahan. For those who had the pleasure of playing on his teams,
25, and he opted for Chiropracic, which he studied in he will always be remembered for his great enthusiasm for the game
Bournemouth. and the compeiions, his unceasing encouragement for the players and
He subsequently played numerous matches for Ireland, his strategic analysis of the matches. In addiion, the teams were always
and was a member of the Davis cup team on two further grateful to Father Keane for his support at all home matches and oten the
occasions. away ixtures as well.
year. Aged 17, he had already played Davis Cup tennis for Ireland
SEAN MOLLOY THE SMITHS
The years 1985 to 1996 saw the emergence of another Gonzaga tennis
Sean Molloy (class of 1986), by then a Chiropractor in
London, wrote about his experiences of tennis and the family – the Smiths – Connor (’91), Paul (’94) amd Barry (’96) They joined
school in the Gonzaga Record, 1993. Like other schoolboy Gonzaga tennis just as David Keenahan assumed the reins from Father
tennis-players, paricularly those with internaional Edmond Keane SJ. In addiion to ataining individual successes at both
commitments, he found study and sport hard to reconcile. naional and internaional levels (Connor and Barry both were Naional
Fortunately, he found in David Keenahan both a tennis Junior champions while Paul represented at junior inter-provincial level),
coach and Maths teacher, who could provide tuiion they played a part in some of the most successful teams ielded by
between trips abroad. Gonzaga. Unfortunately, during this period, Senior Cup honours eluded
He was selected by the Irish LT Associaion to play in the school but the teams had signiicant successes at Junior and Minor
Junior Wimbledon. A ‘major misunderstanding’ thwarted levels. These oten came against our chief tennis rivals – Blackrock
this ambiion, but gave him ime to study for Leaving Cert College and Belvedere. The excellent results achieved were due to the
and entry to medicine, his irst choice. Contemporaries take combinaion of talented and enthusiasic players, a very supporive
note: the points required for medicine were 26 that year. network of tennis parents and especially the boundless energy of Mr
No, there are no digits missing: twenty-six. He achieved David Keenahan. For those who had the pleasure of playing on his teams,
25, and he opted for Chiropracic, which he studied in he will always be remembered for his great enthusiasm for the game
Bournemouth. and the compeiions, his unceasing encouragement for the players and
He subsequently played numerous matches for Ireland, his strategic analysis of the matches. In addiion, the teams were always
and was a member of the Davis cup team on two further grateful to Father Keane for his support at all home matches and oten the
occasions. away ixtures as well.
