Castlebar players win Connacht Open Tennis titles
A fantastic weekend of tennis was enjoyed by all who took part in the AIB Connaught Open Championships at Castlebar Tennis Club during the August Bank Holiday weekend 2003. The weather throughout the tournament was marvellous and many visitors and players commented on the wonderful atmosphere of hospitality, which exists at the Club.
In all, eighteen competitions were run off, with courts at Claremorris and Westport also being used. Tournament referee, Maria Kilkelly was ably assisted by club captains Darragh Dunne and Monica Joyce and club coach, Garrett Barry. Finals were played on Monday afternoon with prizes being presented at a colourful and good-spirited outdoor presentation ceremony at the pavilion.
When opening the ceremony club chairman, Mr Adrian Gavin, welcomed the president of Tennis Ireland, Mr. Seamus McCusker, Mr Patrick Morley, on behalf of tournament sponsor Allied Irish Banks, and the club president, Ms Ann Garavan. He paid numerous compliments to the organising committee on the success of the tournament. The chairman also remarked on the wonderful spirit, which exists at the club and stated that recent refurbishment work at the club, which has been carried out by club members, has rekindled a sense of pride in the facility.
Special presentations were made to tournament referee Maria Kilkelly and to Ms Ann Garavan who has a wonderful record of participation in the tournament.
Local players acquitted themselves very well during the weekend. Warren Atkins won the Mens A singles, beating his club mate Daniel Glancy in a thrilling final. Paul Dunne, an up and coming local player, beat David Boland in the Mens B final. A name to watch out for on court also is local man David McHale, who was narrowly defeated in the Mens C singles competition.
In the ladies competitions, club players Loretta O’Malley and Ann Sweeney were victorious in the Ladies B and C sections respectively. Other players to do well included Garrett Barry and John McGuire who won the Men’s A Doubles and John McAlpine and David Boland who won the Men’s B Doubles.