Conor Niland, who will later today become the first Irish tennis player to play in the Mens Singles at Wimbledon since Matt Doyle in 1984, has strong connections with the GAA.

His father Ray was midfield on the Westmeath football minor team that lost the 1963 All-Ireland final to Kerry before going on to represent Mayo at senior level. When Mayo defeated Down in the 1970 National League final, Ray lined out at left corner back.

Ray later moved to Birmingham before returning to Ireland to settle with his wife Pat and their young family in Mungret, Co. Limerick.

Twenty-nine-year-old Conor, who turned professional in 2005, will be third up on Court 17 against Frenchman Adrian Mannarino with a mouth-watering tie against world number one Roger Federer awaiting the winner. Niland's game will be shown live on TG4 this afternoon.

He said: "I can't wait for it. I really want to go out there and play hard. Hopefully it will be a great game and the weather will stay fine." Tweet

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