New book tells famed Sunday’s Well club story

THE 110-YEAR story of one of Cork’s most renowned sporting clubs has been brought to life in a new book launched last night.

Sunday’s Well History: 1899-2009 documents more than a century of sporting activity at Sunday’s Well Boating and Tennis Club, situated on the banks of the River Lee at the Mardyke.

Researched by historian Kieran McCarthy and written by Irish Examiner sports journalist, Alan Good, the book – launched last night by Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Dara Murphy – thematically examines the fortunes of the club and the myriad of challenges it has faced over the years.

These include the knock-on effects of a flailing economy in the 1950s, the unlikely role squash played in dragging the club out of financial trouble and the contentious issue of female membership. While these are perhaps the most memorable, they are by no means exclusive.

Tennis is the mainstay of the club, but boating, billiards, squash, cricket, bowls, card-playing and fishing, among others, have all had halcyon years throughout the club’s history.

Today, the club is open 363 days a year, boasts one of the best junior tennis coaching structures in the country and an ever-expanding roster of more than 1,000 members.

Painstaking research by Kieran McCarthy, who trawled through the club’s minute books to track the key developments and events down the years, is augmented by a series of interviews by Alan Good with club members, which help discover what makes the place and its members tick.

The book also features dozens of rare photographs from throughout the club’s history, as well as looking at the role it played in some of Cork society’s most historic events, the Cork International Exhibition, near the turn of the 20th century.

The book will be available directly from the club, priced €30.

For further information contact the club on 021-4272733.