Irish Squash are delighted to announce that the Connacht Squash Leagues are making a return in the coming weeks.
This is a crucial step for squash in Connacht as the provincial leagues in Leinster, Munster and Ulster have been a massive success and have provided a wonderful opportunity for players to engage in competitive squash in a social context, achieving the best of both worlds.
This year’s format will feature a Men’s A, Men’s B and Women’s A League and action will take place on the 20th of January in Westport Squash Club, 17th February in Sligo Lawn Tennis Club and 6th April in Galway Lawn Tennis Club.
Recent provincial tournaments in the west have shown that there is a resounding appetite for squash and huge demand for some type of league structure. With some of the finest courts and facilities nationwide based in Connacht, it is only right that the west hosts a provincial league structure.
Building upon the recent news that Squash will be included in the LA28 Olympic Games, the development of this league is a crucial step in the development of the sport across our nation.
Irish Squash CEO, Scott Graham commented;
“I’m delighted to see the Connacht League reestablished, providing a great outlet for people to engage, play, and test themselves against players from a variety of clubs in the region. A huge thank you to Connacht Squash and the many volunteers who have gotten it off the ground and will ensure the league runs smoothly. I would encourage all clubs in the province to consider entering a team, regardless of playing ability, as this is all about enjoyment and camaraderie”.
So far, Galway LTC, Loughrea, Westport and Sligo have all joined the league but there is still time for any other clubs who may want to join. If you have an interest in joining or want to find out more, contact us at [email protected].
Best of luck to all players playing in these leagues for the rest of the season!
Happy new year to you all. We hope you had a wonderful festive season and are raring to go for squash in 2024!
January, as always, is a very busy period in the squash calendar with events happening each week across the country.
Our headline billing for this month is the Leinster Senior Open which takes place in Fitzwiliam LTC next weekend 13-14th Jan.
Munster is a busy province that weekend (13-14th Jan) with masters action coming from Cork for the Munster Masters Open, while the Munster Junior Closed also features that weekend. Further north, Ulster are hosting their own Junior Closed on Saturday and Sunday 13-14th.
The Mount Pleasant Senior Open (25-28th) is another marquee event, while Highfield hosts their 2nd Women’s One Day Open at the end of the month.
Intercontinental action comes from the Czech Republic for the Czech Junior Open in the middle of the month as well as the Portuguese Masters Open from the 19-21st.
Our appetites are already watering as last weekend saw some strong performances from the Irish contingent at the British Junior Open, while Leinster held their annual Junior Closed. Results from these can be viewed under the latest results tab on our website.
Leinster Senior League
Matches resume this week after the Christmas with all to play for.
Current leaders in each division are
Latest Results, Tables, and Fixtures are available here.
Leinster Tournaments
Congratulations to Conor Moran who won the event this year after overcoming his brother Dylan in the final. Full recap can be found here
The next Senior Tour event is this weekend in Fitzwilliam LTC with a high quality entry in both the mens and womens draws. Full event information here
Running 27/28th Jan. Entry now open here
Great matches over the weekend at Sutton LTC in the Leinster Junior Closed, with over 50 juniors taking part over 2 days of matches. Full results here
3/4th Feb 2024. Entry now open HERE
For full calendar of upcoming events, see the events calendar on SportyHQ, here
December was a busy month for all involved with Irish Squash with plenty of action taking place at home and further afield including the WSF Men’s Team World Championship, where team Ireland finished 17th, usurping their original seeding and finishing top of the 2nd play-off tier. A full recap on the team’s journey can be found here
The Connacht Masters Open and The Munster Junior Invitational occurred in early December, with results available here
Over the festive period, Old Belvedere played host to The Old Belvedere Open & Handicap Championship.
On the junior circuit, two major junior events took place over the last few weeks, The Scottish Junior Open and the British Junior Open. On top of this, The Leinster Junior Closed took place last weekend with results available here
Here’s to more of the same for January!
A 17th place finish, usurping their original seeding (18) was the ultimate outcome for team Ireland at the recent Men’s Team World Championship in Tauranga, New Zealand.
In a week filled with high-quality squash, unlimited drama and lifelong memories, the Irish team consisting of Sam Buckley, Michael Creaven, Oisin Logan and Sean Conroy proved they belong at the top table of international squash, with some stellar performances and convincing victories proving their mantle.
Ireland were facing an uphill battle before even making it down under as they were seeded 18th of 24 and were drawn in Group A alongside top seed, reigning champions and eventual champions, Egypt and a tough Malaysian outfit. Despite the inevitable challenging task, there was plenty of optimism surrounding an Irish team comprising youth and experience with the team winning silver in Division 2 of the European tournament equivalent, ultimately gaining promotion to the premier division of European squash earlier in 2023.
After a wonderful, culture driven opening ceremony, the boys in green got their campaign underway against a fancied Malaysian side. Ireland’s number 1, Sam Buckley gave the side a dream start and provided a true highlight of the tournament comfortably defeating Adreen Idrakie, world no. 64 (more than 60 places above Sam) in straight sets (11-9, 11-4, 11-6). Unfortunately, that was as good as it got for Ireland in match one with Sean Conroy and Oisin Logan battling to tight losses against their Malaysian opponents. This left Ireland with a mountain to climb, knowing only a win against the titans of Egypt would give them the opportunity to reach the finals play-off section.
Our young stars got to experience a massive developmental learning curve against eventual tournament winners Egypt, as they had the opportunity to go toe-to-toe with three of the world’s best players under the biggest spotlight. Sean Conroy took on world no.7 Mazen Hesham, Sam Buckley faces world no.4 Mostafa Asal and Oisin Logan battled world no. 12 Youssef Soliman. Each player succumbed to straight set defeats against their African opponents, meaning Ireland fell into the 17-24th place play-off section.
The team faced outsiders Tahiti as their first barrier in their quest for 17th spot and comfortably saw off their island opponents 2-0 with Sam Buckely and Michael Creaven producing the goods in two straight set victories. This win set up a battle with Japan.
Ireland once again showed their superiority and emphasised the impact they may have had on the 1- 16th part of the draw, had they been drawn in a more favourable group as they dismantled Japan 2-0, as Sam Buckley and Oisin Logan ensured Ireland would battle the Netherlands for in a showdown for the 17th spot.
Having made it to the 17/18th place play-off final, team Ireland had already matched their seeding with a chance to finish top of the bottom half of the draw, against their higher seeded European opponents. In what proved a tense affair, straight set victories from Sam Buckley and Oisin Logan meant Ireland left New Zealand with 17th Place wrapped up, the best possible outcome after falling into the 17-24th place playoffs.
In winning each play-off game without losing a match, Ireland once again proved that they have what it takes to compete against the world’s elite and had things gine differently, may have caused some shocks in the 1-16th place play-offs. Ultimately this was a wonderful learning curve for the lads as they now turn their focus back to their individual campaigns for the remainder of the 23/24 season.
Hopefully, this tournament was just a sign of things to come for a young squad as the Olympic Games qualification looms closer in 2028.
Massive thank you to our sponsors and supporters who supported the team; UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic, Cassidy Travel, EventHaus and GillenMarkets. This journey would not have been possible without their generosity.
Every January, a highly anticipated junior event event is the British Junior Open which sees 800 of the most promising junior players from across the globe testing their mettle against one another. Irish Squash are always well represented at this event and this year was no different with 14 players donning the Irish colours across the weekend.
This is a seismic event with over 500 matches per day, held across Edgbaston Priory Club, arguably England’s best racquets club, University of Birmingham, Solihull Arden Club and West Warwick’s Sports Club.
Ireland’s contingent comprised of Daisy Morrissey, Jamie Morrissey, Alfie Knox, Harry Knox, Jack Clery, Michael Lai, Harry Yeomans, Adam Power, John Day, Zoe Yeomans, Conal Jackson, Aaron Knox, Rebecca Day and Ailong Chen.
All players had brilliant tournaments, lots of winning and learning, testing themselves against the world’s best, in what will stand to them in their squash development. In particular, there was an impressive showing from the Waterford Celtic club who brought players as young as Alfie Knox, just 8 years old.
This tournament always proves to be an invaluable experience to each player, which so many lessons learned, which will fuel future training, to drive our Irish players to their best potential.
Massive thank you to David Noone for attending the event as a coach and representing Irish Squash and creating this video of the event – British Junior Open 2024
The sheer magnitude, entertainment and quality of opponent makes The British Junior Open a tournament that should be on all budding junior squash competitors calendars and is held in Birmingham every January.
Results of each player can be found here
Squash is back in the headlines once again as Colm Greaves of the Irish Examiner has just published a feature article on the sport of squash and the future of squash in Ireland, including an in-depth interview with our CEO Scott Graham.
Be sure to pick up a copy of today’s Irish Examiner (5th Jan), to read the full story or read online here
Massive Thank you to Colm and all at the Irish Examiner for shining a spotlight on our sport and helping it to grow.
Irish Squash is seeking to appoint a Club & Community Development Officer with a particular focus on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. This presents an exciting opportunity for someone with the experience and energy required to break down barriers and provide opportunities for lifelong participation in squash.
The position is funded through the Dormant Accounts Fund, and the successful candidate will be tasked with delivering a range of projects aligned with Sport Ireland’s Diversity & Inclusion in Sport policy.
In addition to working closely with dedicated volunteers, the Club & Community Development Officer will collaborate proactively with partners such as Sport Ireland, Sporting Pride, Active Disability Ireland, and Local Sports Partnerships to promote inclusive and welcoming squash programs and initiatives.
The position is initially offered on a 12-month fixed-term contract, with the possibility of an extension subject to continued receipt of Dormant Account Funding.
Key Responsibilities
Experience & Competencies
Further Information
The appointment will be made subject to satisfactory:
How to Apply?
Applications must be sent by email with the subject line: [ATTN: Club & Community Development Officer]. When applying by email, please include a letter of introduction detailing your skills and experience relevant to the role and your Curriculum Vitae outlining your skills and work experience. Please send these materials no later than the 2nd of February 2024, to Irish Squash at [email protected].
Irish Squash is an equal opportunity employer, celebrating diversity and championing inclusivity. If you require any reasonable accommodations to assist you in participating in the employee selection process, please simply let us know.
Irish Squash will distribute almost €23,000 in funding to affiliated clubs under Phase III of the Irish Government’s Sports Energy Supports Scheme. The generous funding will be welcomed by the seven clubs that applied through Irish Squash, with the funding made available to support clubs with the increase in energy costs experienced of late. Many of the clubs that applied will have already received their grant funding, which was provided by the Irish Government and Sport Ireland.
Irish Squash CEO, Scott Graham, commented: “I am sure the funding secured via the Sports Energy Supports Scheme will be warmly welcomed by the clubs that applied and received grants. We are very thankful to Sport Ireland and the Government for this vital funding. The funding will help clubs deal with the increased cost of energy, keep courts open and heated for our members to play and socialise through sport, and ultimately allow us to continue growing the game.”
Clubs are encouraged to affiliate with Irish Squash to be eligible for and notified of similar funding opportunities.
Irish Squash has welcomed an investment in the sport under the Dormant Accounts Fund allocated by Sport Ireland and the Government of Ireland. It is the first time since 2016 that Irish Squash has received Dormant Accounts Funding.
The Dormant Accounts Funding enables unclaimed funds from accounts in credit institutions in Ireland to be utilised to support the delivery of projects focused on overcoming the barriers and challenges to participation for those in diverse communities, regardless of socio-economic background, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity.
Following a successful application, Irish Squash was granted €48,500 for advancing Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in Sport and €8,000 for the Her Moves project. The Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in Sport Fund aims to break down barriers through proactive and innovative initiatives, outreach, and addressing challenges regarding access. The Irish Squash project will promote squash to people from diverse communities, encouraging participation and engagement and breaking down the barriers and challenges to participation for those in diverse communities.
The Her Moves Programme Fund is focused on supporting the development and testing of programs and initiatives that target reducing the drop-out in sport and physical activity in adolescent girls.
Irish Squash CEO, Scott Graham, commented:
“The announcement of Dormant Account Funding for Irish Squash is very welcome news as we look forward to 2024. We are extremely grateful to Sport Ireland and Minister Thomas Byrne for their investment in Irish Squash, and we look forward to delivering these important programs and making a positive impact in disadvantaged communities across Ireland.
Thanks to this targeted investment, we will be looking to add to our team of development staff in the New Year to scale up our delivery of funded programs and offer greater support to clubs. Our newly appointed Club & Community Development Officer in Northern Ireland is already having a great impact, and I am confident will help to introduce more people to squash and grow the game.”
