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Newry tennis lost one of the best players to emanate from the local Newry Tennis club in the week before Christmas.
Felimy McArdle was a much understated and unassuming tennis player but was undoubtably one of the top tennis players to emerge from Newry Tennis Club during the late seventies and eighties and in to the nineties, if not the best.
He was a self-taught product of the council provided tennis court in Carlingford Park and ‘graduated’ to Newry Tennis Club in the late seventies with his brother Jarlath as juveniles. He came to notice very quickly, defeating our own Tommy McKeown, then a leading player, to reach the quarter finals of the Newry Open, then an Ulster Grand Prix event.
He was promptly invited on to the club’s ‘A’ team representing the club in, Newry and Mourne and Belfast and District Leagues. He was a member of the teams that were promoted to division 1 of the B&D Mixed League and in the early 90’s captained the Newry team that was promoted to and played in the Ulster Division 1 Men’s’ Singles League. While the rest of the team at times struggled, Felimy won several of his matches defeating the best in Ulster Tennis. He was also a proud captain of the successful Intermediate Men’s Doubles Knockout cup team.
Throughout the eighties he was an almost permanent fixture in Newry Tennis finals, competing against the well-known players such as Frank McCormick, Stephen Phillpott and Mark Reynolds. Later he would have titanic final battles against Damien McLoughlin also having sadly passed during 2025. He was a multiple Newry Open and Closed champion at singles, doubles and mixed doubles as well as a multiple winner at Warrenpoint, Rostrevor, Kilkeel, Carlingford, Portadown and Dundalk. One of his greatest achievements was in defeating ex-Ireland Davis Cup player and Dundalk favourite, Larry Stein on his way to winning a North Leinster title.
Felimy was noted as having a steely determination on court, always remaining cool under pressure and entirely fair as a sportsman. His fitness and accuracy from the baseline made winning games or even points against him a marathon task.
His long time men’s doubles partner, Sean Sloan stated ”I had the privilege of being his men’s doubles partner winning Newry and Warrenpoint titles as well as Rostrevor Open on 5 occasions. I can truthfully say he carried me through those matches winning some unbelievable tussles from match-point down due to his coolness under pressure, determination and pure skill. He made you play better with simple words of encouragement and demonstration, (despite what his private thoughts were telling him!), He made playing doubles easier, exciting and enjoyable as many of his tennis partners through the years would testify.”
Felimy was an automatic choice to represent Newry and Mourne at the annual Ulster tennis events, as well as representing County Down at All-Ireland Intercounty Tennis. His late father Peader would have been proud, himself a hurling player for Newry Shramrocks and Down. During the 1980’s Felimy stepped up as club team captain and served on the committee of Newry Tennis Club. His expertise as a graphic designer is still evident today on the club’s letterhead and logo.
On meeting his beloved wife Clare, Felimy moved to Belfast and was a very successful player at Windsor Club representing them at both tennis and squash but always returned to play in our local tournaments. He quickly came to the notice of the Ulster Tennis selectors and went on to represent Ulster on several occasions at Inter-provincial level.
Unfortunately, tragedy struck 25 years ago when Felimy was the innocent victim of a road traffic collision which resulted in life-changing injuries. He faced these challenges with patience, determination and never complained openly. When asked about discomfort or pain, he gave the same humble response as he did in many of his tennis victories. The lines from Kipling which sit over the entrance to the All-England Tennis club - Wimbledon perhaps best typify him: "If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster … treat those two impostors just the same"
Newry and Newry Tennis have lost a great sportsman and genuine person.
To Clare, Niall, Rory and Orla who have lost a beloved husband and father and Deirdre and Jarlath, sister and brother, Felimy’s friends, club members and the tennis community throughout Ulster offer their deepest sympathies.
Felimy passed away on 23rd December 2025, peacefully at RVH hospital, late of Carryduff and was buried after a funeral service in Immaculate Heart of Mary Drumbo Parish Church, Carryduff on Saturday 27th December 2025
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam
Sean Sloan, friend and tennis partner
