Padel: Ireland's fastest-growing sport is making a racket

One of the world’s fastest growing sports has taken off here with some people playing for fun and others representing the country on the international stage, writes Jonathan DeBurca Butler

Douglas Oldrey, second from left, with competition partner Padhraic Macgillycuddy representing Team Ireland in Spain

At 49, Douglas Oldrey was fairly sure that his chances of representing Ireland in any sport had probably long since passed him by. Yet last month, the Dubliner walked out behind the tricolour as organisers of this year’s Spanish Padel Masters tournament announced Team Ireland on to the court.

“We sent 16 men and 12 women out,” says the international. “It was a great experience to represent Ireland at vets level. I’m nearly 50 and never thought I’d be representing my country at this stage in life.”