It was a historic event for squash as Ireland traveled to Hong Kong to compete in the WSF Team World Championships—the first-ever edition to feature both men’s and women’s team competitions. Representing both categories, Ireland showcased the top talent our island has to offer, gaining invaluable experience against the world’s squash elite.
Ireland Women’s Team achieved 15th place
The women’s team, featuring Hannah Craig (PSA #71), Breanne Flynn (PSA #121), Hannah McGugan, and Ciara Moloney-Doheny, faced a challenging first round against France, Malaysia, and Macau, China.
After a tough opening defeat to France, the Irish women bounced back with a commanding 3-0 victory over Macau. However, a subsequent loss to Malaysia placed them third in their pool.
This result advanced Ireland to the 13th-23rd place draw, where they began with a bye before taking on Colombia. A fantastic performance from Hannah Craig, who defeated Lucia Bautista Sarmiento (PSA #81), and Breanne Flynn, who triumphed over Catalina Pealez (PSA #100), secured the victory for Ireland.
The team then faced Germany in the next round. Despite Hannah Craig’s straight-sets victory over Saskia Beinhard (PSA #67), Ireland narrowly missed out on overall success.
In their final match of the tournament, Ireland battled Switzerland for 15th place. Demonstrating exceptional resilience and determination, the team clinched a 2-1 victory. Hannah Craig delivered another stellar performance, defeating Nadia Pfister (PSA #87), while Breanne Flynn sealed the win with a strong result against Maja Maziuk.
Ireland Men’s Team achieved 20th place
The men’s team, featuring Sam Buckley (PSA #139), Conor Moran, Oisin Logan and Michael Creaven, started their competition in a rather difficult round against top teams India and Colombia.
The competition began on a high note, with Sam Buckley securing a brilliant victory in three games over Abhay Singh (PSA #54). Despite their determined efforts, the Irish team ultimately fell short against India, a side boasting three players ranked within the world’s top 90.
A similar challenge awaited Ireland in their match against Colombia, another squad featuring top-90-ranked players. Though the Irish players displayed great grit and heart, they finished last in their pool.
This result moved Ireland into the competition for 17th-26th place, where they faced Peru and Australia.
In the match against Peru, Conor Moran delivered an impressive display of stamina, triumphing over Rafael Galvez in a grueling 3-2 match, capped off by a nail-biting 12-10 win in the final game. Sam Buckley also earned special recognition for his spirited performance against PSA #3 Diego Elias, battling for every point and challenging the squash superstar.
Against Australia, Ireland secured a hard-fought victory. Conor Moran’s win over Rhys Dowling (PSA #138) and Oisin Logan’s solid performance against Brendan Macdonald sealed a satisfying result, setting Ireland up to compete for 20th place.
Ireland closed the tournament with confidence and momentum, delivering two dominant 3-0 wins against Korea and Kuwait. Bolstered by the high-level experience gained throughout the competition, the team ended on a high note, reflecting their resilience and growth.
All results can be found at wsf.tournamentsoftware.com
Date: Thursday, December 12th
Location: Online
Time: 6:30 – 9:30pm
Register Here: Squash Ireland Safeguarding Workshop – Level 1
Ensuring a safe and inclusive environment in sports is everyone’s responsibility. Whether you’re a coach, volunteer, or aspiring club leader, safeguarding training is a critical step in protecting children and vulnerable individuals while fostering trust within our community.
Squash Ireland is proud to host an online Safeguarding Level 1 Workshop on Thursday, December 12th. This workshop is the perfect opportunity for those involved in sports to gain essential skills and knowledge about safeguarding, ensuring compliance with policies and best practices.
Registration is simple! Visit the official event page on SportyHQ to secure your place. Spaces are limited, so act quickly to avoid disappointment.
Safeguarding is a collective effort, and every trained individual makes a difference. By participating in this workshop, you’re not just meeting a requirement—you’re committing to a culture of safety, respect, and care within your sports community.
Don’t miss out on this vital opportunity. Register today, and we’ll see you online on December 12th!
🎉 Nominate now at www.volunteersinsport.ie
🌍 Volunteers from all 32 counties will be celebrated
💰 €200 donation to each county winner’s club
⏳ Entries close December 17th, 2024
The Volunteers in Sport Awards, hosted by the Federation of Irish Sport in partnership with the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships, honour the outstanding contributions of Ireland’s 460,000+ volunteers. These heroes dedicate their time, passion, and energy to support sports clubs—including squash—nationwide. Their efforts enable over 1.47 million sports members to stay active and engaged.
🏅 Celebrate a Squash Hero: Shine a spotlight on someone who makes a real difference to your club or community.
💸 Win €200 for Your Squash Club: Each county recipient will secure funds to support their club’s development.
📣 National Recognition: Winners from all 32 counties will be honoured for their vital contributions to sport in Ireland.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of sport in Ireland, helping clubs thrive, grow participation, and create community spirit. Their collective contributions are estimated to generate €1.5 billion in economic value annually. This is your opportunity to say “thank you” and showcase their incredible impact on squash in Ireland.
🗓️ Nominations are open until December 17th, 2024.
Visit www.volunteersinsport.ie to submit your nomination today.
Let’s celebrate those who are #DedicatedToTheDedicated and give our volunteers the recognition they deserve!
THANK YOU
During this time of immense sadness and sorrow, we would like to express our deepest thanks to each and every one who joined in our heartbreak over the passing of our wonderful David.
Sutton LTC has been a part of our lives for many years and both David and Stephanie have grown up amongst the wonderful members and staff who became part of our extended family. Squash, being at the core of our existence, gave us an opportunity to make lifelong friends and many many acquaintances throughout Ireland.
We have been blown away by the constant kindness, help and heartfelt messages from the community that is Sutton LTC and the entire Squash Community worldwide. We hope you know how much it means to us during this incredibly difficult time.
Thank you
Eoin, Suzanne and Stephanie
Four new members will be joining the masters committee.
Orla Diamantino will be taking over the Irish Masters Facebook page with support from Amanda Burgio in the office, keeping going the great work started by Siobhan Parker.
Tanya Scullion, Suzie Connors and Gerry Connaughton will joining as committee members and we look forward to their voices going forward.
Geoff Wales has stepped down from the committee, but will continue to do the rankings until the end of the season. Thank you Geoff for your contribution over the last few years.
Squash Ireland and Ulster Squash are delighted to announce the appointment of Niall Jackman as part of its team of Club & Community Development Officers. This part-time role, supported by Sport Northern Ireland, will see Niall focusing on the growth and development of squash within Northern Ireland.
Niall brings a wealth of experience to Squash Ireland and will work closely with the Squash Ulster provincial association to drive growth in participation across Northern Ireland. As a former Development Officer at Queen’s University, he supported 55 student-led sports clubs and collaborated with a wide range of stakeholders to implement the university’s Strategy for Sport. Prior to that, Niall held key sports development roles with the GAA and Ulster Camogie and is a certified Coach Tutor up to Level 2. With more than a decade of sports management and coaching experience, Niall also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Psychology.
Commenting on the appointment, Squash Ireland CEO Scott Graham said:
“I am delighted to welcome Niall to our growing team. Just 12 months ago, we secured funding from Sport Northern Ireland for the first time in a decade. I am pleased to report that we’ve successfully demonstrated a return on investment and positively impacted squash participation rates, allowing us to secure further support under the Sports System Investment Scheme.
“Together with Squash Ulster, we intend to build on the progress already made, enhancing our capacity to deliver a broad range of club supports, as well as participation and inclusion initiatives.”
Recently elected Squash Ulster President, Judena Leslie, added: “Ulster Squash is delighted to welcome Niall. The Ulster Squash board is committed to working with Squash Ireland to grow and support our clubs. Niall’s expertise and experience will greatly increase our capacity to do this work”
Club & Community Development Team
Squash Ireland is proud to celebrate the launch of the 2024 Volunteers in Sport Awards, a national initiative honouring the remarkable individuals whose efforts ensure that sports like squash and countless others thrive at all levels across Ireland.
Hosted by the Federation of Irish Sport and supported by the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships, the awards recognise the unsung heroes who dedicate their time, energy, and expertise to support sports clubs and communities nationwide. Volunteers are the cornerstone of grassroots development, making sport accessible and inclusive for all.
This year’s awards will gather nominees from every corner of Ireland to shine a spotlight on their vital contributions to fostering participation and community spirit. The awards ceremony will take place in Dublin in February 2025, celebrating the people who make squash and other sports possible, from organising tournaments to coaching, officiating, and mentoring players of all ages and abilities.
Sarah Lavin, double Olympian hurdler and ambassador for the 2024 Awards, acknowledged the importance of volunteers:
“From grassroots to elite competition, volunteers are at the heart of every success story. Their dedication and passion enable opportunities for athletes and communities alike. I’m honoured to be part of this initiative that celebrates their invaluable work in making sport happen for everyone, including the squash community.”
Volunteers have been instrumental in the growth and success of squash in Ireland. Whether it’s organising junior development programs, maintaining facilities, or running local leagues, their commitment is essential. Across all sports, over 460,000 volunteers contribute weekly, ensuring that communities of all sizes remain active, engaged, and connected. Their collective contribution is estimated to provide an economic value of €1.5bn annually while fostering health and well-being across generations.
Mary O’Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport, highlighted their critical role:
“The goodwill and work of volunteers cannot be taken for granted. These awards are a moment to express gratitude and inspire more individuals to get involved, safeguarding the future of sport, including squash, in Ireland.”
The awards are supported by the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs), which help to overcome barriers to participation and promote inclusivity in sport. Phelim Macken, Limerick Sports Partnership Coordinator, explained:
“The LSPs work tirelessly to bring sport and physical activity to more people, and the Volunteers in Sport Awards are a fitting tribute to those who help make this possible. Squash clubs across Ireland have benefited enormously from the dedication of their volunteers.”
Squash Ireland encourages its members to nominate the extraordinary volunteers who make a difference in their clubs and communities. Whether it’s the club manager who dedicates endless hours or the coach who inspires the next generation of players, now is the time to recognise their contributions.
Nominations are open from Tuesday, 12th November 2024, to Tuesday, 17th December 2024. To nominate a volunteer, visit www.volunteersinsport.ie.
Let’s celebrate those who champion squash and Irish sport – the volunteers #dedicatedtothededicated.
Squash Ireland has selected both men’s and women’s teams for the 2024 WSF World Team Squash Championships in Hong Kong, taking place from December 9 to 15.
This is the first time the tournament will feature concurrent men’s and women’s events, as previous editions alternated between the two annually. The men’s team includes Sam Buckley, Conor Moran, Oisin Logan, and Michael Creaven, while the women’s team comprises Hannah Craig, Breanne Flynn, Hannah McGugan, and Ciara Moloney Doheny.
To support the players’ fundraising efforts, donations can be made here. Follow Squash Ireland on social media for updates.
Gerry has chaired the Masters Committee since 2019, helping to increase the number of Masters players in our squash community. Under Gerry’s leadership, the Irish Masters Open has become one of the marquee tournaments on both the domestic and European Masters circuits. Siobhan developed the Masters Facebook page, which now has almost 600 followers and serves as a significant part of our Masters social media presence.
The Board has appointed John Dineen as interim Chair of the Masters Committee until the end of the season. Current Masters Committee members include John Dineen (Interim Chair), Brendan Murphy, Neal Pollock, Geoff Wales, Maureen Duke, and Kevin Knox.
The next Masters event is the Leinster Masters Open, taking place on December 6th and 7th at two venues: Fitzwilliam LTC and Leinster CC. We look forward to another exciting tournament, building on the success of last weekend’s Ulster Open in Belfast, led by Neal Pollock and his team.
With immense sadness, we wish to share the news that David Ryan, son of Eoin and Suzanne, brother of Stephanie, passed away on 26 October 2024.
The Board of Squash Ireland and the wider squash community extend deepest condolences to all his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. In particular, we are mindful of the squash community in Sutton who will feel this loss acutely.
David will be remembered as a talented squash player, always courteous and good humoured, both on and off court. He captained the Under 19 Irish squash team and won several European Squash Junior Circuit titles.
Whilst on squash scholarship in Harvard, he captained the Harvard Men’s Varsity team and his pinnacle achievement was winning the 2018 College Squash Association National Individual Championship as an unseeded player.
He also enjoyed coaching juniors on a voluntary basis in Sutton, under the mentorship of his father, Eoin.
A Service to celebrate David’s life will take place in Dardistown Crematorium Chapel on Saturday at 1.30pm. More information can be found on rip.ie .
Taken too young, David RIP.
