Galway junior Mike Clarkson has won his fifth Irish Open title.
The GLTC youngster, partnered by Coilin MacNamara, defeated David Gardiner and Eoin McGovern 6-3 0-6 10-8 to win the u-18 boys’ doubles at Fitzwilliam over the weekend.
Clarkson also reached the final of the mixed doubles where he and Nicola Drummy were beaten 6-4 6-3 by David Gardiner and Rachel Daly.
Clarkson has previously won both doubles and mixed doubles at u-12 and u-16 level at Fitzwilliam and the promising lad from Bushypark this summer became the first Galway boy to achieve a junior world ranking since Barna native Enda Flynn in the 1990s.
Reigning Connacht Open champion Marion Hanley had an ITF Junior ranking in the late 2000s.
Next up for Clarkson is the challenge of retaining his Galway Lawn Tennis Club singles title in September as he attempts to make it three in a row.
