Ken Wright
Tennis Club - August Weekend
By Ken Wright
14, Aug 2012 - 09:29

CASTLEBAR TENNIS CLUB - PAMEX OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Castlebar Tennis Club Open Tournament sponsored by Pamex, Castlebar l-r; Hilda Dunne, Chairperson, Pauline O’Donohue, lady captain and winners of ‘C’ ladies doubles, Tom Murphy, sponsor and Kathy McGreal winners of ‘C’ ladies doubles. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2012.

The inauguration of Castlebar Tennis Club took place in the Imperial Hotel in April 1937 - yes that means we in the Tennis Club are celebrating our 75 birthday this year.

Castlebar Tennis Club, built in 1950 in Pavillion Road was regarded as the sporting centre in its day as new clubs had not come on the scene at that time, so the tennis club was the place to be with clergy and townspeople all involved.

The club had a great social element to it, dances, fancy dresses, badminton, table tennis and card clubs all helped to keep the club going and made it a great outlet for one's well-being, "up to the Club" was the saying of the day.

Castlebar Tennis Club Open Tournament sponsored by Pamex, Castlebar l-r; Pauline O’Donohue, lady captain, Hilda Dunne, Chairperson, Frances Venson winner mixed doubles, Tom Murphy, sponsor, Elaine Chamber, winner mixed doubles, Garret Barry, club coach and Pat Conlon, men’s captain. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2012.

The highlight of the club events was of course the "Hardcourt Tennis Championships" which took place over the August week-end. A high profile tournament in the country it attracted great players from all corners of Ireland. This was one great event, which up to this day, continues in our New Majestic Club.

Coaching is a key part of the club's success. Young players are taught under the guidance of Garrett Barry & Maria Kilkelly. Garrett brought the club to a new high with his professional coaching methods. Many young players have played at provincial and national level and in Daniel Glancy, a professionally ranked player, is now participating successfully in the international scene.

Castlebar Tennis Club Open Tournament sponsored by Pamex, Castlebar l-r; Pat Conlon, men’s captain, Pauline O’Donohue, lady captain, Hilda Dunne, Chairperson, Bernadette Hearns from Castleknock , Tom Murphy, sponsor and Garret Barry, club coach. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2012.

The Tennis Club is very proud of its wonderful new facility set in Lough Lannagh surrounded by nature at its best. Plans for the future will possibly include an indoor facility or covering for some of the existing courts.

From August 3rd to August 6th last, the PAMEX Open Championships took place with 177 participants from all over Ireland competing. Local International player, Daniel Glancy won the Mens Singles and with his brother, Rossa, won the doubles as well. Local player, Aisling Towey won the ladies singles and in a thrilling nail biting mixed doubles finals just lost out to Francis Venzon & Elaine Chambers.

Castlebar Tennis Club Open Tournament sponsored by Pamex, Castlebar l-r; Pat Conlon, men’s captain, Pauline O’Donohue, lady captain, Hilda Dunne, Chairperson, Aishling Towey, winner of the ladies Singles Cup, om Murphy, sponsor and Garret Barry, club coach. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2012.

Results

A MENS SINGLES	WINNER	DANIEL GLANCY
	RUNNER-UP	ALAN MCCORMACK
A LADIES SINGLES	WINNER	AISLING TOWEY
	RUNNER-UP	DONNA MCSORLEY
A MENS DOUBLES	WINNERS	DANIEL & ROSSA GLANCEY
	RUNNERS-UP	GARRET BARRY & ALAN MCCORMACK
A LADIES DOUBLES	WINNERS	CHRISTINA GRIER & SHIELA KILDUFF
	RUNNERS-UP	BARBARA BONNER & ELAINE CHAMBERS
A MIXED DOUBLES	WINNERS	FRANCIS VENZON & ELAINE CHAMBERS
	RUNNERS-UP	AISLING TOWEY & PHILIP KING
B MENS SINGLES	WINNER	BRENDAN MURTAGH
	RUNNER-UP	CORMACK O'CONNOR
B LADIES SINGLES	WINNER	THERESE RUANE
	RUNNER-UP	UNA COLTON
B MENS DOUBLES	WINNERS	BRENDAN MURTAGH & KEITH HOPKINS
	RUNNERS-UP	CHRISTOPHER BARRY & JOE MCFADDEN
B LADIES DOUBLES	WINNERS	AUDREY DUFFY & CALUDINE FITZGERALD
	RUNNERS-UP	THERESE RUANE & GRAINNE CASHIN
B MIXED DOUBLES	WINNERS	STEPHEN & MARY CUTHPERTSON
	RUNNERS-UP	JOE & BARBARA BONNER
C MENS SINGLES	WINNER	STEVE O'GORMAN
	RUNNER-UP	KEVIN PEARCE
C LADIES SINGLES	WINNER	PAULA MCDONAGH
	RUNNER-UP	MOYA GALLAGHER
C MENS DOUBLES	WINNERS	ED HANLON & JOHN COFFEY
	RUNNERS-UP	EAMON BYRNE & PAT WALSH
C LADIES DOUBLES	WINNERS	CLAIRE & DEIRDRE BYRNE
	RUNNERS-UP	GRAINNE DOYLE & MARJORIE FLOOD
C MIXED DOUBLES	WINNERS	FRANCIS KANE & JOANNE DALY
	RUNNERS-UP	EAMON & CLAIRE BYRNE

Castlebar Tennis Club Open Tournament sponsored by Pamex, Castlebar l-r; Winners, Pat Conlon, men’s captain, Terese Ruane, Castlebar, Frances Venson & Elaine Chambers Ballybofey TC (mixed doubles winners ), Aisling Towey, Castlebar ladies singles winner, Audrey Duffy, Castleknock and Pauline O’Donohue, lady captain & ladies doubles winner. Back l-r; Andy Moore, Omagh, Paul Gavin, Castlebar, Francis Keane, Claremorris, Tom Murphy, sponsor, Daniel Glancy, Castlebar men’s singles winner, Kathy McGreal, Castlebar, ladies doubles winner, Rossa Glancy, Castlebar, Bernadette Hearns, Castleknock, Brendan Murtagh, Galway and Theo Ingham, Castlebar. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2012.

There was also a consolation section in which many Castlebar pairings came through:-
C Mixed Doubles won by John Keegan & Francie Mahon

C Ladies Doubles won by Pauline O'Donohue & Kathy McGreal

C Mens Doubles won by John Keegan & John Kelly with Runners-up Brendan Killion & Des Morris

B Mens Doubles won by Paul Gavin & Andy Moore

B Ladies Singles won by Bernie Burke

A word of thanks to our Main sponsor, PAMEX headed by local businessman Tom Murphy for his very generous sponsorship. Also thanks to our Court Sponsors, McHale Cabins, Caravans & Marine, Allure Hairdressing & Beauty, Baxter Healthcare, Castlebar Credit Union, David O'Malley, Consulting Architects & Engineers, Lough Lannagh Holiday Village, SNAP Mayo, Hynes Shoes.
Castlebar Tennis Club is extremely thankful to all our sponsors without whom we would not be able to host many of the successful events that take place in the Club.

Castlebar Tennis Club Open Tournament sponsored by Pamex, Castlebar l-r; Pat Conlon, men’s captain, Pauline O’Donohue, lady captain, Hilda Dunne, Chairperson, Alan McCormack runner up mens doubles , Tom Murphy, sponsor and Garret Barry, runner up men’s doubles & club coach. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2012.

Castlebar Tennis Club Open Tournament sponsored by Pamex, Castlebar Runners up l-r; Pat Conlon, men’s captain, Terese Connolly, Claremorris, Terese Ruane, Castlebar, Grainne Cashin, Castlebar, Aisling Towey, Castlebar and Pauline O’Donohue, lady captain. Back l-r; Henry Venson, Ballybofey TC, Eamonn Canning, Derry, Philip King, Castlebar, Alan McCormack, Tom Murphy, sponsor , Garret Barry, club coach, Kevin Pearce, Castlebar and Dave Grimes, Claremorris. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2012.

Castlebar Tennis Club Open Tournament sponsored by Pamex, Castlebar l-r; Pat Conlon, men’s captain, Pauline O’Donohue, lady captain, Hilda Dunne, Chairperson, Daniel Glancy, winner mens singles , Tom Murphy, sponsor and Garret Barry, club coach. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2012.

Castlebar Tennis Club Open Tournament sponsored by Pamex, Castlebar l-r; Pat Conlon, men’s captain, Tom Murphy, sponsor, Aisling Towey, winner of the ladies Singles Cup, Anne Garavan, Club President and Pauline O’Donohue, lady captain. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2012.