Owen Casey, at 28 the oldest player in the championship, was gracious in victory after the Pamela Scott-sponsored Irish Open indoor tennis championships at Riverview yesterday.

He attributed his success to his wife, Orla, for her culinary skills in keeping his dietary habits in check, and had only praise for his opponent, Harvard University student John Doran (20), for "the best I have seen him play."

After an absorbing one hour and 44-minute final, decided in a final set 3-6 6-3 6-4, a dejected Doran said he could not sum up his performance in a word.

Instead his analysis extended to the `flu bug that struck him during the week, some hotly disputed linecalls, over ruling by the umpire and not least that he was never happy with his game.

Any dubious line-calling in the second and final set that Doran vigorously disputed faded into insignificance compared with the opportunities presented to the young Irish international in the seventh game of the second set. At this crucial stage Doran, deservedly a set up, proceeded to forge six break points in nail biting exchanges. Caseys flow of aces and service winners, combined with a line call that Doran just could not forget, rescued the older man to hold at 4-3.

"This was a huge momentum turn in the match," admitted Casey.

When push came to shove, Casey's experience was a major factor. He saved a break point with a brave screamer down the line in the eighth game of the final set.

Doran revitalised his service game notably when holding at 4-5 but Casey needed only one more service game to prove that his was a triumph for patience, mature skills and subtlety.

Gina Nilands victory over unseeded Laura McCracken in the women's final was a welcome return to form for the Millfield School coach. Barring a shock Niland was always going to win the title.

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