Background
This is a unique award for the recognition of the “Outstanding Contribution to Irish Tennis” personality and was first presented in Carrickmines in 2009.
The Award
The award recognises the outstanding contribution made by members of the tennis community in making a material difference to the development of Irish tennis.
Award Committee
Established to select recipient and to develop and promote award.
- Fergus Murphy (Tournament Director)
- Director of Tennis (Pat Crowe)
- Trustee (Eddie French)
- Past President (Pat Delaney)
- Past Fitzwilliam President (Frank Egan)
Roll of Honour
- 2009: Gerry Clarke
- 2010: June Ann Byrne
- 2011: Joe Hackett
- 2012: Harry Barniville
- 2013: Jim McArdle
- 2014: Conor Niland
- 2015: Tom O’Loughlin
- 2016: Henry Lappin
- 2017: Gerladine Barniville
Award recipients
2009: Gerry Clarke
Gerry established veteran’s tennis competition in Ireland! He was instrumental in setting up the national senior team’s representing Ireland in the ITF International competitions. A two times winner of the British Open O80s Singles title.
Gerry presented with the 2009 award by Lady Captain Deirdre O O’Meara.
2010: June Ann Byrne
A Senior International player and played in the DLTC Leagues for eight decades! June Ann is a former Carrickmines Lady Captain and she won the County Dublin Ladies Singles three times. She played in the Grand slams and was winning her Semi-final of the French Open Mixed Doubles, at Roland Garros in the late 50s only for her partner, Manuel Santana, having to retire with an injury.
2011: Joe. D. Hackett
Ireland top player for over a decade. Joe played Davis Cup for Ireland as the leading player and also NPC to the team after his playing days were over. He won the Open singles in Carrickmines five times, a record for the Men’s. Joe was chosen to be the Fitzwilliam President in their centenary year, 1977 and is also a member of the All England Club.
Joe on the right receiving the award from President Pat Delany with tennis Director Pat Crowe.
2012: Harry Barniville (1927 -2013)
Harry was a former International Player and Captain of Ireland, His legacy was establishing the “Barniville Babes”,christened by Irish Times Columnist, Vera McWeeney, (herself a former international player and member of Carrickmines). This initiative spring boarded many future Irish Champions and improved the quality of tennis substantially. Harry represented Carrickmines on the Leinster Branch of the ILTA & Tennis Ireland and was a Past President of Fitzwilliam.
2013: Jim McArdle
Jim was presented with the 2013 award for “Outstanding Contribution to Irish Tennis”. Jim has been a regular visitor to Carrickmines, winning the Men’s Open Singles four times spanning three decades!
Jim was a regular member of the Irish Davis Cup Team. In 1983, he played on the Irish team, the only time Ireland played in the World Group. Ireland narrowly lost to a John McEnroe inspired USA team before a packed audience at the RDS in what was the golden era for Irish tennis. After retiring from playing, Jim captained the Irish Davis Cup Team for seven years and also captained the team in the Seoul Olympics in 1988.
2014: Conor Niland
Conor was presented with the 2014 award for the “Outstanding contribution to Irish Tennis” at Open Week Finals Day Presidents lunch on 12th July.
Conor reached an ATP Ranking of 129! He won three Challenger Events in India, and both the Austrian and Israel Opens. He also qualified Wimbledon and the US Open where he lost to the eventual champion Novak Djokovic in the Arthur Ashe Stadium Court. He has played for 13 consecutive years on the Irish Davis Cup teams, as the leading player, from 2000 -2013.
His career was unfortunately cut short with hip injuries in 2013 but Conor remains active in tennis. He coaches at the National Tennis Centre in DCU and with some of the most promising juniors in Carrickmines.
Conor receiving the 2014 award from Club President, Cathal Muckian with Tennis Director, Pat Crowe and below pictured in action at Wimbledon in 2011.
2015: Tom O’Loughlin
Tom is the founder and driving force behind Parks tennis in Ireland. The scheme was founded over 40 years ago giving many the opportunity, including many of Irelands top players to play tennis.
- 25,000 children take part in all year round nationwide programmes.
- Operated by 330 coaches and assistants.
- 165 venues in 32 counties including Northern Ireland.
- Squad coaching for the more talented players is provided in Dublin and Cork.
Tom O’Loughlin receiving the 2016 Award from President Hugh Brennan.
2016: Henry Lappin
Probably best known for his very successful FORTY years running of the Irish Open Junior Tennis Championships of Ireland – at Fitzwilliam, where he is also a prominent Member.
All of the best juniors of this long reign – would have been overseen by Henry, along with their parents!
Henry was the first Irish official to be awarded a Gold Badge by the International Tennis Federation and Refereed many tournaments including the Irish Open.
A keen supporter of the sport of kings – Henry is also a racehorse owner. Rumour has it that many bookmakers’ only want to see the ample back of him!
He is also a golfer and “organises and runs” the many Law Society golf outings during the year; I wonder does he have any trouble with “golf parents”!!!
In between times he managed to become a Partner in one of the biggest legal practices in Dublin -and even has some acquaintance with Apothecaries in his native town of Kells.
A man of many skills, sports and legalese.
2017: Geraldine Barniville
Geraldine has played at International level more than 70 times, in tennis alone, and amongst others has beaten Virginia Wade, in both Singles and in Doubles (partnered by Eleanor O’Neill). She played in 10 Federation Cups.
Playing for Ireland, when she was just 20, Geraldine has played against some of the great names of tennis including – Billie Jean King. In 1964 she took Christine Trueman ( Wimbledon runner up in 1961) to 3 Sets, and in 1966 won the Irish Ladies Doubles playing with Margaret Court.
Uniquely, she has won the Co. Dublin Championships (Carrickmines) on no fewer than 9 occasions – a record!
Wife to our own great late Harry Barniville, a man of no mean achievement, this medical duo together won many mixed titles. Harry was recipient of this award in 2012; we are delighted that Geraldine will now complete the “slam”.
Geraldine collecting the award from Club President, Alan Looney and Pat Crowe, Tennis Director.
Graham Sedgwick, Open Tournament Director 2014-2016, Tom O’Loughlin, recipient 2015 and Eddie French’ Open Tournament Director 1990-2000 & Club President 1998-2000.
Award recipients Henry Lappin (2016), Gerry Clarke (2009) and Conor Niland (2014).