Mahers Tennis

Joanne Williamson 

Joanne is a well established coach and works in many clubs and schools around Cork.  She coaches groups and individuals and works with some of Munsters most promising juniors.

Playing Achievements:
Current Munster Senior Interprovincial
Current Munster Veterans Interprovincial
Winner of various doubles and mixed doubles tournaments throughout Cork.
Is one of only 2 players to play on the Senior and Veterans interprovincial winning teams in 2010.

Conor O Callaghan

Present:
Tennis Ireland Level 2 Performance Coach
Currently coaching in Rushbrooke Tennis Club and Sundays Well Tennis Club
Munster Regional Development Officer (including junior, senior and provincial development)
Coaching Munster development and performance squads for a 6 year period
Private Coach to Under 10/12/14 top National ranked Players
Non Playing Captain to Under 12 National team which took part in the four nations in september 2008 and 2009.
Experience at Under 12 and Under 14 European Tour Events.
University College Cork Inter Varsity Team Trainer 2009.
Past:
Tennis coaching for a 10 year period
Started off with a lot of development work through out Munster with established clubs but also start up clubs
Ran Junior Coaching Programme in Carrigaline Tennis Club for 4 years increasing numbers in the junior coaching programme substantially
Took Part in coaching Programme’s in:
Sundays Well Tennis Club
Douglas Lawn Tennis Club
Ballinlough Tennis Club
Ballyvolane Tennis Club
St.Michaels Tennis Club
Areas of Special Interest:
I enjoy working with all level of players ranging from young children to veterans.

Greg Morris 

Greg is the most experienced of all our coaches both in terms of playing experience and coaching experience.
Having played as Munster No.1 for many years and playing for Ireland Greg's playing experince helps him when working with promising juniors.
He coaches in various clubs around Cork working with both juniors and groups.

Conor Twomey 

Conor coaches in Bishopstown LTC and is also a qualified SAQ advanced trainer (speed and quickness). Conor plays at grade 1 level within Munster.

Playing Achievements:
Munster Vets O-40 interpro 2009
Has won numerous doubles tournaments around Munster.

Sporting Ambition:
To be a physical trainer at the top level.  Every sport at any level requires proper physical preparation, in Ireland this is one area that needs huge improvement.  Look at the pros and you will see a common trend that it's no longer just the tennis coach, in fact a physical coach is a must have in the modern game.  Rodger Federer has no coach but two physical coaches, as the great man says "when I move well, I play well".
As a coach and a trainer Conor believes 99% of players in Munster have the potential to bring their game to the next level, whether they are grade 7 or grade 1, with proper tennis specific training.
Training for sport has come a long way since the days of lung bursting runs.  As a SAQ trainer Conor has seen the difference this training can make, after all most if not all professional sports people train with this system.

Conors tip: Train fast, play fast.

Deirdre Collins

Deirdre is a very active member and tennis coach in Limerick Lawn tennis club.  She is involved at every level of tennis development within the club from juniors to seniors.
Deirdre is a Level 1 Coach and has being coaching in Limerick Lawn since 2001.

Playing Achievements:
Current Irish Veterans International
Current Connacht Senior Interprovincial
Current Irish Open Veterans singles and doubles winner
Senior South of Ireland Open Singles winner '05 and runner up '09.
Member of L.L.T.C team that has won a record 10 Munster Senior Cups. 

Martin Cusack

Martin is currently working as Head Coach in both Rushbrooke and Youghal Tennis Clubs, aswell as being very active in the various national schools in Cobh, and in some Munster Regional squads. He has being coaching a long time now and still produces some of the best juniors in Munster.

Playing Achievements:
Represented Cork at Senior level.
Represented Munster U-25.
Has won many doubles tournaments at both Grade 1 and 2.  

Val O Grady 

Val has years of coaching experience and has being very involved in developing the junior coaching setup in Ballinlough tennis club.
Val works with groups or individuals and is a very good technical coach.
He holds a Level 1 qualification.

Martin Higgins 

Martin is involved in coaching all over Cork in both schools and clubs. He currently does lessons in 10 schools and in Ballinlough, Mallow, Dromahane and Bandon tennis clubs.
He has being involved with Munster junior squads from U-8 to U-16.

Playing Achievements:
Represented Ireland U-18,
Represented Munster in all ages from U-14 to Senior.
Played ITF tournaments in Russia, Ukraine and Estonia.
Reached number 2 position in Ireland U-18 and number 7 in Senior.
Won the Jurys Hotel Sports Person of the Year 2002.

Cian Blake

The newest addition to our Coaching team.
Cian also coaches in various clubs around Cork and is one of the main coaches in the very promising player development scheme in Bishopstown where he coaches and travels to the bigger tournaments with the Elite Squad.
As well as being a very good coach, Cian's playing ability allows him pass on valuable tips when his players are preparing for and playing in tournaments.

Playing Achievements:
Current member of the Munster Senior Team.
Winner of various Open doubles tournaments around Cork.
Member of the Senior Interprovincial Team that won the 2010 Interprovincial Championships.

Mark Cunningham 

Mark is currently working as Head Coach in both Carrigaline and Douglas Tennis Clubs.
He has being working with the Munster Branch for the past 5 years on Regional Squads.
Mark is a Level 2-Development Coach and has being coaching for the past 7 years.  He also has a certified qualification as a Director of Tennis.

Playing Achievements:
Mark is currently playing in Grade 2 and has won numerous Grade 2 and 3 doubles events in both Mens and Mixed.