Net gains: Ireland ready to showcase progress in Davis Cup showdown

Conor Niland's side take on Austria in Limerick. 

Conor Gannon of Ireland signs an autograph for Úna Keane from Limerick during a meet and greet at the UL Sport Arena. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Ireland has played 170 Davis Cup ties across the last 92 years. That’s a wide sweep as history goes so it might seem curious to think that their World Group I playoff with Austria in Limerick this weekend will be a first hit on home soil since 2015.

There’s no single reason for it.