Ballyclare trio get the call-up to represent Ulster seniors

Micahel Turkington, Valerie Martin and William Gourley have been named in the Ulster senior team for back-to-back clashes with Yorkshire on Saturday and Sunday.

Turkington, winning his first senior cap, has played for Ballyclare for the past 37 years. His selection comes after he won the Leinster Junior Men’s Doubles, the Irish Masters Mixed Doubles and the Ulster Masters Mixed Doubles - both with Martin.

“At this stage of my career I am absolutely delighted to have gained my first senior cap. It’s a very proud moment for all three of us to represent Ulster, not only as individuals, but for our great club here in Ballyclare,” Turkington told the Times.

Martin, who already has four senior caps to her name, has also won the County Louth Senior Ladies’ Doubles this year, and was a finalist in the Irish Junior Ladies’ Doubles.

For Gourley, this weekend marks a first senior cap, having claimed the Leinster Junior Mixed Doubles and Ulster Junior Men’s Doubles titles.