The highly anticipated Irish Masters Open took place at the weekend drawing significant attention and an abundance of international entries, with over 20 countries represented. From newcomers to seasoned veterans, the Irish Masters Open showcased some thoroughly entertaining and high-quality squash, proving once again that age is just a number.
As this was European Squash Federation accredited event, the world’s best masters’ players made an appearance, with two former World Masters Champions and three former European Masters Champions making the journey to Dublin.
More than 180 players of Europe’s finest masters’ players took to the court across 14 different categories, with male and females from 35-75+ competing and displaying their skillsets.
Over 350 matches took place from Thursday to Sunday in Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club and Mount Pleasant Lawn Tennis club in Ireland’s capital. Action was intense across all four days with multiple finals matches going right to the wire, being decided in five-sets.
The event was superbly run and organised by Gerry Callanan, while Brian Rock was also instrumental as the tournament software operator. The event received brilliant feedback from players, fans, and other stakeholders alike.
Our very own Irish contingent put on a valiant showing, securing a podium position in 13 of the 14 categories and ultimately winning 8 of them with impressive results against world-renowned opposition. This terrific haul secures valuable ranking points for Irish players alongside bragging rights.
Full Podium places from all 14 categories can be seen below, with full placings and results available at: https://www.europeansquash.com/sport/winners.aspx?id=99051FDA-6D26-43B0-A631-618EB1ED93AE
If you’d like to watch back, you can watch the livestream via Irish Squash TV here: https://www.irishsquash.com/live/
Irish Masters Open – 2023 (Podium Positions)
MO 35+ WO 35+
1st – Sam Olwill (IRE) 1st – Ciara Moloney Doheny (IRE)
2nd – Richard Hill (PRT) 2nd – Tanya Scullion (IRE)
3rd – Dermot Macnamara (IRE) 3rd – Monica Drusian (ITA)
MO 40+ WO 40+
1st – Nigel Peyton (IRE) 1st – Siobhan Parker (IRE)
2nd – Guillermo Pedernera (ARG) 2nd – Ciara Davey (IRE)
3rd – Karl Gillis (IRE) 3rd – Aoileann Ni Chomhrai (IRE)
MO 45+ WO 45+
1st – Neil Macarron (IRE) 1st – Catherine Ruffle (ENG)
2nd – Alberto Ferreiro (ESP) 2nd – Saoirse O ´Sullivan (IRE)
3rd – Kevin Knox (IRE) 3rd – Stefanie Leiber (GER)
MO 50+ WO 50+
1st – Adrian Hansen (SA) 1st – Melanie Kreisel (GER)
2nd – Rob Stauton (IRE) 2nd – Annabelle Diamantino (MAL)
3rd – David Ayerst (IRE) 3rd – Rachel Mcnulty (IRE)
MO 55+ WO 55+
1st – David Sly (CAN) 1st – Rosie Barry (IRE)
2nd – Adrian Leeson (NI) 2nd – Störte Becker (GER)
3rd – Richard Elliot (USA) 3rd – Dympna Reardon (IRE)
MO 60+ MO 65+
1st – William Hosey (IRE) 1st – Allen Barwise (ENG)
2nd – Jonas Ulvsback (SWE) 2nd – Andrew Clarkson (ENG)
3rd – Lluis Suárez (ESP) 3rd – José Luis Orizaola (ESP)
MO 70+ MO 75+
1st – Patrick Hanley (IRE) 1st – José Luis Alba (ESP)
2nd – Martin Francis Maher (IRE) 2nd – Tim Murphy (IRE)
3rd – Joey Mc Auley (ENG) 3rd – Robert Keilmann (GER)
What a week for squash worldwide! Following on from the colossal development that squash will takes its place in LA28, coverage has skyrocketed!
A massive thank you must be given to RTE Sport, The 42.ie & Sport For Business who all ran stories on the momentous decision to include squash in the Olympics and to include reaction from our very own CEO, Scott Graham and President, Rosie Barry in their pieces. This type of coverage and exposure is immensely important for growing awareness of our sport and ultimately driving opportunities including participation growth and sponsorship opportunities! To view each of these media houses stories, use the links below;
Additionally, to read what our President and CEO had to say on the news, read here.
Finally, Sam Buckley, Irish Squash’s no.1 ranked male player appeared on Today FM yesterday afternoon to discuss all things Squash in the Olympics! Sam did an amazing job and his full interview can be found here (go to 21-27 min for Sam interview)
What a week for squash worldwide! Following on from the colossal development that squash will takes its place in LA28, coverage has skyrocketed!
A massive thank you must be given to RTE Sport, The 42.ie & Sport For Business who all ran stories on the momentous decision to include squash in the Olympics and to include reaction from our very own CEO, Scott Graham and President, Rosie Barry in their pieces. This type of coverage and exposure is immensely important for growing awareness of our sport and ultimately driving opportunities including participation growth and sponsorship opportunities! To view each of these media houses stories, use the links below;
Additionally, to read what our President and CEO had to say on the news, read here.
Finally, Sam Buckley, Irish Squash’s no.1 ranked male player appeared on Today FM yesterday afternoon to discuss all things Squash in the Olympics! Sam did an amazing job and his full interview can be found here (go to 21-27 min for Sam interview)
This month has seen the return of the eagerly anticipated provincial squash leagues! We have action across Leinster, Munster and Ulster with conversations ongoing surrounding a Connaught League.
These leagues are the perfect opportunity for players to engage in competitive squash in a social context, getting the best of both worlds!
We are pleased to see that registration for these leagues has been positive with huge growth reported. Leinster Squash has been the epitome of this with the number of teams growing from 43 to 52 since last season (see chart)
Additionally, Leinster Squash have introduced Saturday leagues this year, which are more beginner friendly leagues. These Saturday leagues also give players the opportunity to play during weekends & weekdays, therefore maximising their time on the court, developing their game!
Best of luck to all players playing in these leagues for the rest of the season!
For all the latest results and updates from these leagues, use the following links:
For any inquiries about these leagues, please contact:
This month has seen the return of the eagerly anticipated provincial squash leagues! We have action across Leinster, Munster and Ulster with conversations ongoing surrounding a Connaught League.
These leagues are the perfect opportunity for players to engage in competitive squash in a social context, getting the best of both worlds!
We are pleased to see that registration for these leagues has been positive with huge growth reported. Leinster Squash has been the epitome of this with the number of teams growing from 43 to 52 since last season (see chart)
Additionally, Leinster Squash have introduced Saturday leagues this year, which are more beginner friendly leagues. These Saturday leagues also give players the opportunity to play during weekends & weekdays, therefore maximising their time on the court, developing their game!
Best of luck to all players playing in these leagues for the rest of the season!
For all the latest results and updates from these leagues, use the following links:
For any inquiries about these leagues, please contact:
Fresh after the exciting news that squash has officially become an Olympic sport, Irish shores once again welcome some of the world’s top masters’ players to Dublin to compete in this years edition of the Irish Masters Open, an ESF accredited event.
This year’s tournament will run from the 19th to 22nd October across Fitzwilliam LTC and Mount Pleasant LTC. Interest has been soaring with a full field registered for the event, meaning we can look forward to;
This event is open to all players who are over 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75 for men and 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 for ladies. You can catch the action from court one on our livestream everyday, following the link below: https://www.irishsquash.com/live/
To see all seeding, draws and fixtures please visit this link: https://www.europeansquash.com/sport/tournament?id=99051FDA-6D26-43B0-A631-618EB1ED93AE
With so many categories, action will be exciting, competitive and entertaining with plenty of storylines on show!
Elite Players come to town!
As the growing prestige of the Irish Masters Open is plain to see as we welcome 2 World Masters champions as well as 3 European Masters champions. With so many elite and world renowned players involved there is set to be a tremendous showcase of skills!
Irish Players a plenty!
Across all categories, men’s and women’s Irish players account for over half of all participants with many category seedings being topped by homeland players, emphasising our terrific chances of success across each category.
Fresh after the exciting news that squash has officially become an Olympic sport, Irish shores once again welcome some of the world’s top masters’ players to Dublin to compete in this years edition of the Irish Masters Open, an ESF accredited event.
This year’s tournament will run from the 19th to 22nd October across Fitzwilliam LTC and Mount Pleasant LTC. Interest has been soaring with a full field registered for the event, meaning we can look forward to;
This event is open to all players who are over 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75 for men and 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 for ladies. You can catch the action from court one on our livestream everyday, following the link below: https://www.irishsquash.com/live/
To see all seeding, draws and fixtures please visit this link: https://www.europeansquash.com/sport/tournament?id=99051FDA-6D26-43B0-A631-618EB1ED93AE
With so many categories, action will be exciting, competitive and entertaining with plenty of storylines on show!
Elite Players come to town!
As the growing prestige of the Irish Masters Open is plain to see as we welcome 2 World Masters champions as well as 3 European Masters champions. With so many elite and world renowned players involved there is set to be a tremendous showcase of skills!
Irish Players a plenty!
Across all categories, men’s and women’s Irish players account for over half of all participants with many category seedings being topped by homeland players, emphasising our terrific chances of success across each category.
Irish Squash, The World Squash Federation (WSF) and the Professional Squash Association (PSA) welcome the decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to officially select squash for inclusion in the LA28 Olympic Games sports programme.
This significant decision provides squash’s world-class athletes the opportunity to compete on the biggest sporting stage in the world, with two medal events – men’s and women’s singles competitions.
WSF President Zena Wooldridge said “on behalf of the entire global squash community, I would like to express my immense delight at squash’s inclusion in the LA28 Olympic Games. Squash is an amazingly dynamic, diverse, and demanding sport that is perfectly suited for the Olympic Games”.
Irish Squash Chief Executive Scott Graham also welcomed the monumental inclusion of squash in the Olympics. He noted “squash is an exciting and diverse sport which deserves its place at the games”, he further added that “this news is particularly exciting for Irish Squash and our crop of talented budding stars and is sure to inspire more youngsters across the island of Ireland to join their local club and try their hand at squash”. While Irish Squash president Rosie Barry, remarked “this is a momentous day for squash players worldwide. Now is the time to believe in our big dreams of competing on the Olympics world stage. Heartfelt thanks to the WSF, PSA and US Squash for their effective work in promoting squash and ensuring its inclusion in the LA28 Olympic Games”.
Squash has been lobbying tirelessly for a place at the Olympics so its upcoming inclusion is a major milestone for the sport on a global scale which will act as catalyst to increase the awareness and participation in truly global sport, suitable for all ages. As such, squash’s core values of inclusion, integrity and innovation align with those of the Olympic Games, and through today’s announcement, a new era of squash is born.
Regarding high-performance athletes, PSA Chief Executive Alex Gough explained “our athletes have worked tirelessly to earn this recognition and we are grateful for the opportunity to see them compete for glory at the LA28 Olympic Games. This inclusion marks a significant milestone in squash’s journey, and I look forward to watching our players inspire the world with their incredible skill and athleticism on the biggest stage of all.”
Additional details on the LA28 Olympic Games sporting schedule will be announced by the LA28 Organising Committee.
The entire Irish Squash community expressed their sincere gratitude to the Organising Committee of the LA28 Olympic Games and the IOC for recognising the immense value that squash brings to the Olympic Games. Squash’s inclusion in the LA28 Olympic Games will help the IOC and LA28 advance the mission to “deliver an unparalleled experience” for athletes, fans, and the entire sports community. Already with millions of everyday participants and fans around the world, inclusion in the Olympics will extend the reach of the sport to new audiences and inspire players and fans globally. Not only will squash leave a positive and lasting legacy in the Los Angeles community, today’s historic news will also provide rich motivation to Irish squash players and rejuvenate squash on the island of Ireland!
Irish Squash, The World Squash Federation (WSF) and the Professional Squash Association (PSA) welcome the decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to officially select squash for inclusion in the LA28 Olympic Games sports programme.
This significant decision provides squash’s world-class athletes the opportunity to compete on the biggest sporting stage in the world, with two medal events – men’s and women’s singles competitions.
WSF President Zena Wooldridge said “on behalf of the entire global squash community, I would like to express my immense delight at squash’s inclusion in the LA28 Olympic Games. Squash is an amazingly dynamic, diverse, and demanding sport that is perfectly suited for the Olympic Games”.
Irish Squash Chief Executive Scott Graham also welcomed the monumental inclusion of squash in the Olympics. He noted “squash is an exciting and diverse sport which deserves its place at the games”, he further added that “this news is particularly exciting for Irish Squash and our crop of talented budding stars and is sure to inspire more youngsters across the island of Ireland to join their local club and try their hand at squash”. While Irish Squash president Rosie Barry, remarked “this is a momentous day for squash players worldwide. Now is the time to believe in our big dreams of competing on the Olympics world stage. Heartfelt thanks to the WSF, PSA and US Squash for their effective work in promoting squash and ensuring its inclusion in the LA28 Olympic Games”.
Squash has been lobbying tirelessly for a place at the Olympics so its upcoming inclusion is a major milestone for the sport on a global scale which will act as catalyst to increase the awareness and participation in truly global sport, suitable for all ages. As such, squash’s core values of inclusion, integrity and innovation align with those of the Olympic Games, and through today’s announcement, a new era of squash is born.
Regarding high-performance athletes, PSA Chief Executive Alex Gough explained “our athletes have worked tirelessly to earn this recognition and we are grateful for the opportunity to see them compete for glory at the LA28 Olympic Games. This inclusion marks a significant milestone in squash’s journey, and I look forward to watching our players inspire the world with their incredible skill and athleticism on the biggest stage of all.”
Additional details on the LA28 Olympic Games sporting schedule will be announced by the LA28 Organising Committee.
The entire Irish Squash community expressed their sincere gratitude to the Organising Committee of the LA28 Olympic Games and the IOC for recognising the immense value that squash brings to the Olympic Games. Squash’s inclusion in the LA28 Olympic Games will help the IOC and LA28 advance the mission to “deliver an unparalleled experience” for athletes, fans, and the entire sports community. Already with millions of everyday participants and fans around the world, inclusion in the Olympics will extend the reach of the sport to new audiences and inspire players and fans globally. Not only will squash leave a positive and lasting legacy in the Los Angeles community, today’s historic news will also provide rich motivation to Irish squash players and rejuvenate squash on the island of Ireland!
It’s official! Squash is an Olympic Sport!
In a very welcome development, we are delighted to announce that squash has been ratified as a sport for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games by the IOC following an IOC session in Mumbai this morning!
This is a truly exciting and significant milestone for the entire sport, which we hope will kickstart the rejuvenation of squash worldwide and fend off charges from other fast-growing racquet sports! This announcement serves to be the turning point for the game of squash in its quest to sit at the top table of international sport and this news is very much welcomed by the The WSF and PSA.
The finer details will later be ironed out, but for now, Men’s and women’s singles will their bow at the LA28 Olympic games!
A massive well-done to the WSF and all involved who turned this dream for many squash enthusiasts into a reality.
Thank you for your support and stay tuned for more information as we embark upon a fantastic journey across the Olympic movement.
To read more about the process please read: here
