Athlone Tennis Club — September 2026 Newsletter
September was one of the best months the club has had in years — a historic Adults vs Juniors decider, the 2026 Club Championships crowning new champions, a strong Midland League run for Division 4, and three weeks running on the back page of the local paper. Here's everything you need to know.
Club News
A Message from the Committee
What a September. From the closest-ever finish to our Adults vs Juniors event, to a brilliant three weeks of Club Championship tennis, to another fantastic Junior Open Day, the club has rarely been busier — and it's been fantastic to see so much of that captured in the local press too. Thank you to every member, volunteer and coach who made it happen.
What's Happening Around the Club
Athlone Tennis Club made the back page of the Topic Newspaper three weeks running this September — covering the Home Health Care Junior Championships and our Junior Open Day (10th September), our Dome fundraising sponsorship opportunities (17th September), and our Senior Club Championships alongside the Adults vs Juniors match (24th September). Great exposure for the club and a brilliant reflection of everything going on. If you have photos from the month to share, get in touch and we'll add them to the Gallery.
Junior Tennis
Our Junior Open Day on Sunday, 6th September was a huge success, with around 40 children aged 6 to 17 coming down for a fun, energetic introduction to tennis led by Coach Clem Higginbotham and Coach Lisa Brennan. Families praised the warm, welcoming atmosphere, and it was a great boost for junior development and future membership growth. Junior coaching continues every Saturday from 10am to 1pm for ages 5–17.
League News
Great news from our Division 4 team in the Midland League, who reached the semi-finals away in Moate at the start of September — a brilliant run for the squad. The team was Julie Costello, Cathal Kenny, Stéphane Kenny and Padraig O'Connor, with Paula Dowling, James Roche and Kieran McCarthy also involved as subs throughout the campaign. Well done to all!
2026 Club Championships
Finals Day on Sunday 27th September brought three brilliant weeks of Club Championship tennis to a close. Robert Treston came through a tense three-setter against David Manser to take the Men's Singles title, while Rachel O'Regan claimed the Women's Singles. There were also finals in the Dave Costello Cup, Ita Smith Cup, Men's Doubles, Women's Doubles and Mixed Doubles. See the full results here →
Adults vs Juniors — The Lisa Brennan Cup
Sunday 13th September gave us the tightest Adults vs Juniors event yet. With every court level after a morning of brilliant, competitive tennis across all levels, it came down to a champions' decider — Ronan Mehigan for the Adults against César Leal for the Juniors — with the Adults edging it 7–5 to retain the Lisa Brennan Cup. Relive the day in the full write-up →
Fundraising & Development
Dome Project Update
The Dome project featured in the local paper again this September, with a feature on our sponsorship opportunities for local businesses — Gold, Silver and Bronze packages, plus the Founders Wall. You can follow live progress and see the full sponsorship packages on our fundraising page.
Corporate Sponsorship
A warm welcome to two new sponsors who officially joined the club this September, and a reminder of the sponsors already backing us:
- Lidan Innovations (Gold Sponsor) — our first-ever Gold Sponsor, with Court 1 renamed in their honour. Read the Lidan announcement →
- Home Health Care (Silver Sponsor) — proud sponsors of our Home Health Care Junior Championships. Read more here →
- Ganly's (Silver Sponsor) — officially joined the club this September. Read more here →
- Innovize (Bronze Sponsor) — also officially joined this September. Read more here →
See the full lineup any time on our sponsors page.
Thank You to Our Supporters
None of this is possible without everyone who has bought a brick for our Supporters Wall. A heartfelt thank you to:
Want to add your name to the wall? Buy a brick for €250 →
Membership & Community
Welcome to Our New Members
A warm welcome to everyone who's joined the club this month — we're delighted to have you, and we hope to see you at a club night, coaching session, or out on court very soon.
Meet the Members
Big congratulations to our Division 4 squad, who reached the semi-finals in Moate this month:
- Julie Costello, Cathal Kenny, Stéphane Kenny and Padraig O'Connor, with subs Paula Dowling, James Roche and Kieran McCarthy
And congratulations too to every Club Champion crowned on Finals Day — see the full Club Championships results above.
Club Community
Athlone Tennis Club, established in 1885, has long been a cornerstone of local sporting life — and three weeks running on the back page of the Topic this September is a great reminder of just how much that community continues to grow. Thank you to everyone who makes the club what it is.
Coming Up
Dates for Your Diary
- 26th–30th October — Halloween Tennis Camp
What's Coming Up
Our Halloween Tennis Camp runs from 26th–30th October, with Camp 1 (Ages 6–11, 10am–1pm) and Camp 2 (Ages 12–17, 2pm–5pm) — all abilities welcome, new players very welcome too. Find out more and book in our Halloween Camp announcement →
Get Involved
There are plenty of ways to get involved beyond playing: buy a brick for the Supporters Wall, book your child into the Halloween Camp, or simply spread the word about the club to anyone who might want to join. Every bit of support helps bring the Dome closer to reality.
This Month at ATC
From a nail-biting Adults vs Juniors decider to three weeks of Club Championship tennis and a brilliant Junior Open Day, September has been a month to remember. Here's to a great October — see you on the courts!
Stay in Touch
Questions or something to include in next month's newsletter? Get in touch — we'd love to hear from you.
Email Us →