Meet the unlikely doubles duo proving age is just a number

They may be 66 years apart in age, but on the tennis court David McCandless and his doubles partner Liam have developed a partnership that has proved a winning combination.

The 80-year-old and his 14-year-old counterpart teamed up two years ago and have not looked back since.

Since then, the unlikely pairing have won more than half of their North West of Ireland league games - after ironing out a few kinks.

"We started on court and it was a case of who is going to go where," Liam said. "Then after a couple of matches we started winning because we realised we got a system down and we realised we are a pretty good duo."

David said the partnership came about "purely by accident" but two years later it had "worked out very well indeed".

"He's a very strong young junior and I think he will be a top class player," he said.

David was the same age as his partner when he first took up tennis and has loved every minute of his time on court, now playing up to four or five times a week.

He believes the experience he has gained over the years can complement Liam's coaching and natural ability.

"He got coaching from a young age which I never got," David said. "I wouldn't have the same ability in playing the correct shots. I'm just self-taught."

"I do have a bit of experience and I do think that I can help him as regards how to move on the court at times," he continued.

"And he knows what I'm capable of and he covers for me at other times."

Liam is equally complimentary about his older partner, saying he brings a lot of experience to the court.

"He's a solid player and consistent and I've learned a lot from him playing in the league," he said.

The pair are part of City of Derry Tennis Club, which now has around 100 members despite not having a clubhouse or courts of its own.

The club said its membership included people of all ages and backgrounds from across the community.

"That's something we pride ourselves on," club spokesman Keith Bloomfield said.

"We have a great cross community and cross border club and we have many foreign nationals now taking up the game - from India, Ukraine, and Malaysia amongst others."

And for those involved, tennis is about much more than winning matches.

Coach Catherine Gallen said the sport had become an important outlet for her.

"It's just so good for your physical and mental health," she said. "Like I'd come back from school and play tennis and it's just such a release.

"I've made so many friends from tennis. It's just so sociable."

Club colleague Alison Miller agrees.

"If you've had a tough day or you are going through something difficult just to get out there and hit those balls it's a fantastic release," she said.

But despite the club going from strength to strength, it faces a significant problem - it has no home of its own and has to rent different courts around Derry.

For decades, the tennis courts at St Columb's Park were regarded as the home of tennis in the city - and the club would like to see the site restored to its former glory.

"It is a great shame that such a beautiful and iconic facility cannot be restored," Bloomfield added. "What will happen to those courts?"

He said funding for repairing and upgrading the courts was not included in any council capital plans - and the club believes other towns have facilities that Derry is lacking.

"Neighbouring towns have bespoke clubs and clubhouses and facilities and it's a pity that a city the size of Derry doesn't have such a facility of its own," Bloomfield said.

Over the last two years, club representatives have met with council staff to discuss facilities for tennis in the city.

A spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council said it recognised "the value of tennis and the very positive contribution local clubs make to the sport".

They said the council was aware of concerns regarding some facilities and representatives had met with the club to discuss ways to address them, and with Tennis Ireland and Sport NI to explore funding opportunities to upgrade existing courts.

"It is council's assessment that there is currently adequate provision for tennis across the city, based on existing capacity, usage levels and booking demands across available facilities," the spokesperson added.

The club said that, on paper, there were enough courts in the city - there are four at Waterside Shared Village, six at St Columb's Park and two at Clooney Park West, but the reality is a different story.

The St Columb's Park courts have been closed to the public throughout the summer pending a safety assessment, while the tarmac courts at Clooney Park are also said to be in poor condition.

That leaves the courts at Waterside Shared Village, where, the club said, even the line markings are showing their age.

And yet the club continues to grow.

For David and Liam, their unlikely partnership is a small example of what tennis can offer - regardless of age.