David Mullins made the most valid comment when putting the Owen Casey factor into context. "For him to be beaten this year, some sort of handicap system would have to be introduced to even things up."

Mullins had just encountered the brunt of Casey's flair in the final of the Carlsberg Irish close championship at Donnybrook on Saturday.

Casey's margin of victory, 6-0 61, emphasised the extent of his monopoly on the home scene. He was never in danger of losing a set in the entire competition, gobbling up all challenges. "He's too good. I didn't feel free to play my own game. I knew that if my first serve was not right he would be all over my second," said Mullins ruefully.

Mullins, Ireland's representative at last year's junior Wimbledon, was hard pushed to win his only game, a 10-pointer in the second set of a match which lasted just over 40 minutes.

Gina Niland took advantage of a downslide in Claire Curran's game from the second set onwards to win the women's title for the fourth time, 4-6 6-1 6-1.

Niland said afterwards: "I think I surprised her with my more aggressive approach after the first set."