Clarkson adds another title at Connacht Open
Mike Clarkson’s dominance on the courts continued at the weekend with a comprehensive victory over local rival Mark Smyth in the Connacht Open.
This is the latest title the Galway junior has won, adding to the Leinster Junior Open, the Castlebar Junior Open, and his first ITS matches (International U-18 Competition) in Donnybrook and Rushbrooke earlier in the year.
Clarkson, who has now won more titles at Fitzwilliam than anyone in his age group, won the doubles and mixed u-16 titles at the Irish Open, while last month he retained his Club Championship title.
Runner-up Mark Smyth completed a double with partner Al Waterson, winning both City Of Galway Championships and Connacht Open doubles titles in 2012. They defeated the experienced pairing of Greenfield’s natives Donal Hegarty and Kevin Burke in a tight final.
Galway Lawn Tennis Club players featured prominently this year as Marion O’Brien and Roisin Walsh won the ladies’ B doubles, defeating Helen Lawless and fellow Loughrea player Olivia Deely in a tense three-setter.
Dermot Flatley contested the men’s B singles final and the Kane siblings, Ger and Fran, won the C Mixed title. Gerry Smyth won the doubles and mixed plates with Eoin Brennan and Helen Lawless respectively.
