Scott Barron's victory over Owen Casey in the Pierre Men's Irish Close tennis final in heat wave conditions at Donnybrook on Saturday means the Ireland team will travel to Denmark for their crucial Davis Cup tie next weekend with greater confidence.

Any doubt that hung over Barron's fitness levels - a shoulder injury kept him out of competitive play for over six months - were dispelled by the end of the one and a half hour match. In fact his serve was one of his primary assets despite losing the first set tie-break.

The Riverview player's early returns were also a strength in the second set. Gina Niland also came from a set down to beat a worthy challenge from Yvonne Doyle and win a fifth successive women's singles title. Niland claimed a deserved win in an hour and 40 minutes.