Ireland lose Davis Cup playoff but win big off the court

The sight of Agwi and O’Hoisin being swamped by youngsters looking for selfies and signatures was in itself a snapshot of the potential the sport has. 

MAMMOTH TASK: Ireland's Michael Agwi taking on Austria's former US Open champion Dominic Thiem in the first singles match of the Davis Cup. Pic: Kieran Ryan-Benson

Sometimes you just have to take the leap of faith. There was a body of opinion within tennis in Ireland that the weekend’s Davis Cup World Group I playoff against Austria should have been played on familiar ground.

Somewhere like Fitzwilliam, or Castleknock where the last home tie in this competition was held all of nine years ago. The safe option.