The All-Ireland Schools Cup Finals took place on Friday 12th April in Sutton LTC. There were 19 schools from all 4 provinces in 6 sections

Boys Under 13/Boys Under 15/ Boys Under17/Boys Under 19

Girls Under 15/Girls Under 17

Thanks for a fantastic day of Squash. There was a total of 19 teams playing in 6 sections, Boys U/13, U/15, U/17, U/19 Girls U/15 & U/17 with a total of 72 match played from 9.00 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. Sutton LTC hosted the event and we would like to thank them for giving the use of their club.

It was a pleasure to run the All Ireland Squash Schools Final once again and all schools should be very proud of their students behaviour and sportsmanship both on and off court. It was great to see so many new faces alongside the well known players and we would hope that they are encouraged to progress to play in more events throughout Ireland in the future. Thanks to the teachers and parents for their help and patience and congratulations to all the prize winners.

Gerry Connaughton/Suzanne Ryan/ Eoin Ryan
Results

U/13 Boys

Winners: St Fintans NS (Leinster)   Runners-Up: Ballon NS  (Leinster)
U/15 Boys

Winners: St Fintans Highschool (Leinster) Runners-Up: Regent House (Ulster)
U/17 Boys

Winners: St Fintans Highschool (Leinster) Runners-Up: Methodist College (Ulster)

U/19 Boys

Winners: Campbell College (Ulster)  Runners-Up: Belvedere College (Leinster)
U/15 Girls

Winners: Santa Sabina (Leinster)   Runners-Up: Gaelcholáiste Ceatharlach  (Leinster)
U/17 Girls

Winners: Coláiste Iognáid (Connacht)  Runners-Up: Mount St Michael (Connacht)

 Very well done to all players who participated in the competition

 

Thanks to Gerry Connaughton, Suzanne Ryan. Eoin Ryan & Gerry Delaney for organising the event. Thank you also to the teachers, coaches and parents for their support and help in running the event.

WELL DONE AGAIN TO ALL THE SCHOOLS!!

 

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Aisling Blake squashes competition to be announced as ‘Sportswoman of the Month’

Dublin, Wednesday, 10^th April, 2013 –Irish Squash player, Aisling Blake has today been named The Irish Times / Irish Sports Council ‘Sportswoman of the Month’ for March 2013. Blake has become the Irish National squash champion for the first time after beating the long time champion Madeline Perry in Fitzwilliam LTC – Madeline having won on 14 previous occasions.

 

The Sligo native was just eight years old when she began playing squash, tennis and badminton and now as a full time world professional squash player, she has a world ranking of number 23. Blake is also a voice for her fellow professionals. In 2011 she was elected to the board of the International Women’s Squash Association as the players’ representative and at the beginning of the year was elected president of the association.

 

This is the first time Aisling has won the ‘Sportswoman of the Month’ award. The accolade of winning the Irish Times/Irish Sports Council ‘Sportswoman of the Month’ means Aisling will be the fourth of 12 sportswomen to be in the running for the prestigious title of ‘Sportswoman of the Year’ at an awards ceremony in December 2013.

 

Established in 2004, the aim of the Sportswoman of the Year awards is to recognize the abilities and achievements of women in Irish sports. The awards run over a 12 month period, with the judges selecting a winner each month for her ability to excel at sport. From the 12 monthly winners, the overall Sportswoman of the Year is selected and announced in December. The winner is decided by a judging panel, which is represented by individuals from The Irish Times, RTÉ, and the Evening Herald.

 

Further details on the Sportswoman of the Year Awards can be found onwww.irishtimes.com/events/sportswoman/.

Junior Interpros 2013 – Results

 

MadelinePerry had a very good KL Open last week, defeating the 6 seeded Low Wee Wern (MAS) in the 2nd round and then losing a tight quarter final match to the eventual winner, no. 3 seed Laura Massaro (ENG) in a tough 53min match 11-2, 9-11, 11-4, 11-5.

Massaro then went on to beat the world No. 1  Nicol David (MAS) in the semi final.

Laura Massaro then recorded only her second ever World Series title, after coming through to win the KL Open.

The final, held in front of crowds at the Berjaya Times Square in Kuala Lumpur, was without the two top seeds, with Nicol David falling to Massaro in yesterday’s semi-final, and Raneem El Weleily falling in the second round by way of Natalie Grinham.

Massaro, world ranked No.3, showed excellent form right from the first round, in which she defeated experienced Latasha Khan of the USA.  She then beat in-form Line Hansen in the second round, following the Dane’s upset of Rachael Grinham in their opening clash.

Her run continued with a strong four-game win over Irishwoman Madeline Perry to set up her excellent defeat of seven-time world champion, Nicol David.

This result for Madeline who was seeded 12th, should ensure she retains her 11th place world ranking for April, if not actually improve it. Obviously her form is very good at present which is encouraging news coming into the European team Championships in Amsterdam, starting on the 1st of May. Ireland women’s team will be defending their silver medal from last year’s Europeans.

Full Results

Final:

[3] Laura Massaro (ENG) bt [5] Alison Waters (ENG)      11-9, 11-7, 11-6 (44m)

 

Semi-finals:

[3] Laura Massaro (ENG) bt [1] Nicol David (MAS)          10-12, 11-6, 11-8, 11-5

[5] Alison Waters (ENG) bt [7] Joelle King (NZL)  12-10, 11-5, 12-10

 

Quarter-finals:

[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [8] Jenny Duncalf (ENG)           11-8, 11-7, 11-2 (43m)

[3] Laura Massaro (ENG) bt [12] Madeline Perry (IRL) 11-2, 9-11, 11-4, 11-5 (53m)

[5] Alison Waters (ENG) bt [4] Nour El Sherbini (EGY)   9-11, 12-10, 11-6, 10-12, 11-5 (51m)

[7] Joelle King (NZL) bt [11] Natalie Grinham (NED) 11-9, 11-4, 8-11, 8-11, 12-10 (63m)

 

2nd round:

[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [14] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY)         11-9, 11-7, 11-8 (46m)

[8] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) bt [15] Dipika Pallikal (IND)     11-9, 11-5, 6-11, 11-4 (48m)

[3] Laura Massaro (ENG) bt Line Hansen (DEN)  12-10, 11-7, 11-7 (35m)

[12] Madeline Perry (IRL) bt [6] Low Wee Wern (MAS) 12-10, 7-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-4 (96m)

[5] Alison Waters (ENG) bt [13] Kasey Brown (AUS)       11-8, 9-11, 11-8, 11-5 (50m)

[4] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt [10] Annie Au (HKG)        12-10, 11-9, 11-4 (30m)

[7] Joelle King (NZL) bt [9] Camille Serme (FRA) 12-10, 13-15, 11-8, 10-12, 11-8 (90m)

[11] Natalie Grinham (NED) bt [2] Raneem El Weleily (EGY)     11-6, 12-14, 11-8, 11-6 (48m)

 

1st round:

[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [Q] Siyoli Waters (RSA) 11-6, 11-8, 11-6 (31m)

[14] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) bt Aisling Blake (IRL)   11-7, 11-8, 8-11, 10-12, 11-9 (72m)

[8] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) bt [Q] Kylie Lindsay (NZL)        11-1, 11-3, 11-5 (23m)

[15] Dipika Pallikal (IND) bt [Q] Lisa Aitken (SCO)          11-7, 11-7, 11-7 (34m)

[3] Laura Massaro (ENG) bt Latasha Khan (USA)            11-7, 11-4, 19-17 (30m)

Line Hansen (DEN) bt [16] Rachael Grinham (AUS)        12-10, 11-8, 11-7 (32m)

[6] Low Wee Wern (MAS) bt Lauren Briggs (ENG)          16-14, 11-4, 11-3 (39m)

[12] Madeline Perry (IRL) bt [Q] Lucie Fialova (CZE)      11-2, 11-5, 11-3 (28m)

[13] Kasey Brown (AUS) bt Emily Whitlock (ENG)           12-10, 11-9, 11-5 (50m)

[5] Alison Waters (ENG) bt Joey Chan (HKG)        6-11, 11-3, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7 (45m)

[10] Annie Au (HKG) bt [Q] Emma Beddoes (ENG)          11-9, 11-5, 12-10 (40m)

[4] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt Nour El Tayeb (EGY)        11-4, 11-5, 7-11, 9-11, 14-12 (63m)

[9] Camille Serme (FRA) bt [Q] Nicolette Fernandes (GUY)        11-4, 11-7, 11-3 (30m)

[7] Joelle King (NZL) bt [Q] Joshana Chinappa (IND)      11-5, 11-4, 11-5 (35m)

[11] Natalie Grinham (NED) bt [Q] Zulhijjah Binti Azan (MAS)  11-3, 11-3, 11-2 (19m)

[2] Raneem El Weleily (EGY) bt Delia Arnold (MAS)        11-8, 11-7, 5-11, 11-1 (28m)

Ga Sabry Scores Galway Glory

RESULTS: PSA Challenger 10 Paddy Whack West of Ireland Open, Galway, Ireland

Final: Mazen Hesham Ga Sabry (EGY) bt Steven Finitsis (AUS) 11-9, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8 (56m)

Unseeded Egyptian teenager Mazen Hesham Ga Sabry celebrated the third PSA World Tour title success of his career when he beat Australian Steven Finitsis in the final of the Paddy Whack West of Ireland Open, the PSA Challenger 10 squash event in its seventh successive year at the Galway Lawn Tennis Club in Galway.

“It was a fantastic final with a packed audience – played at a ferocious pace that demonstrated what true athleticism was,” said tournament spokesman Andre Davies.

“Both players played with power and finesse in equal measure sending their opponent to every corner of the court.  It was incredibly evenly-matched in both the first and second game with both players reaching nine points – but it was the young Egyptian who managed to sneak both games 11-9 to develop a 2/0 cushion.

“Finitsis came back fighting in true style and in another tense and close game managed to close out the third 11-9.  The crowd were hopeful of the match going the distance but it proved to be a little too much for Finitsis as Sabry kept up the intensity and pace and had Finitsis covering every inch of the court.

“Unsurprisingly Sabry finished the match at the front of the court with another attacking shot that handed him the championship title, much to his delight,” concluded Davies.

The 11-9, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8 triumph in 56 minutes makes 18-year-old Cairo-based Ga Sabry the first Egyptian winner of the popular Tour event whose roll of honour includes players from Ireland, England, Scotland, Germany and Hungary.

West of Ireland Tournament Summary

A great weekend was had by all at this year’s west of Ireland squash championships held once again at Galway Lawn Tennis Club. 40 competitors made up the 3 sections of the graded tournament which provided a host of great matches to watch and play.

As far as the A section goes the first round provided some good encounters with some good results for local boys Ronan Tully who beat Kevin Moore in an epic 5 setter to move up the A section rankings and Conor O’Shea who beat the always impressive Anthony Lyons to hop up a few positions also.

Brian Byrne played some very steady squash to progress to the final where he met Arthur Gaskin who had been struggling all week with illness. Despite Arthur getting to a 2-0 lead He had to concede after Brian had played an excellent game to take the third to make it 2-1. Many congratulations to Brian – this years west of Ireland open A section champion.

The bottom of the A and top of the B section saw some good battles develop. This latest development with the A/B playoff is great and offers the opportunity for a scalp by one of the B section players. Shane Cluskey another local player had a great weekend racking up 3 victories in a row before finally loosing to Kevin Moore in the play off. He still managed to end up 16th in the A section and thoroughly deserved to be there. Some fantastic performances from Theo Anderson saw him climb the ranks as well to finish in 14th position in the A section having stated well down in the B section. Congratulations to Cormac MacMahon for winning the B section plate as well.

The C section was won by Jack Davies a junior squash player from Galway Lawn Tennis Club. He managed to come back from 2-0 to win 3-2 in a great effort which saw him diving all over the court. Congratulations to Martin O’Sullivan, the runner up in the C section and to Brian Dowley the C section plate winner.

All in all a great weekend in Galway and I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all those who took part in the tournament particularly those who travelled long distances to support the event.

 See you next year.

 Andre Davis

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Finishing Positions of the West of Ireland Squash Championship

A section

 

1 Brian Byrne

2 Arthur Gaskin

3 Keith Moran

4 Conor O’Hare

5 Conor O’Shea

6 Stuart Hadden

7 Paul Linehan

8 Ronan Tully

9 Darren Waring

10 Ciaran McCoy

11 Dara O’Flynn

12 Michael Conroy

13 Kevin Moore

14 Theo Anderson

15 Neal Pollock

16 Shane Cluskey

 

B Section

 

1 Charlie Sturm

2 Anthony Lyons

3 David Cassidy

4 Mark Gilliland

5 Andre Davies

6 Shane Shevlin

7 Tony Knights

8 bye due to withdrawal

9 Cormac MacMahon

10 Howard Gill

11 Nick Leeming

12 Eoghan Lynch

13 Aidan McDonnell

14 Dave Lalor

15 James Barrett

16 Curnan Reidy

 

C Section

 

1 Jack Davies

2 Martin O’Sullivan

3 Tom Cantwell

4 Gavin McLoughlin

5 Brian Dowley

6 David Murphy

7 Joe O’ Flaherty

8 Eamon Reilly

For the full draw see here

Venue:	Galway Lawn Tennis Club
Address:	Threadneedle Road Salthill Galway Ireland
Phone:	091522353
Website:	www.gltc.ie

Tournament contact

Name:	Andre Davies
Phone:	0862197268
Email:	[email protected]

Euro U19 Team Championships, Switzerland

Just lost out to Denmark for 11th place, so it is 12th place for Ireland – So,so close to a top 8 position. Margins are so tight at this level!!

Well done to the whole team for a magnificent effort, it has been a long week for the team especially the players who played in the individual championships as well.

Ireland[IRL] – [DEN] Denmark: 1-2

Time:	Sun 31/03/2013 10:30
Draw:	Team – 9-16
Score:	1-2

 

Match overview

Order	Event	Ireland[IRL]	–	[DEN] Denmark	Score	Points			Duration
1	MS1	Michael Craig [IRL]	–	[DEN] Thomas Laursen	10-12 11-5 6-11 9-11	0-1			0:46
2	MS2	Sean Conroy [IRL]	–	[DEN] Christian Steffensen	11-7 11-3 13-11	1-0			0:23
3	WS	Breanne Flynn [IRL]	–	[DEN] Line Falsig Berthou	6-11 7-11 11-4 11-2 10-12	0-1			0:49

 

Breaking News (Match reports by Henry Gillanders)

 

Place 11/12

Ireland V Denmark

Craig v Laursen

Trademark backhand cross court volley with nick opener from Michael
1-0
From opening exchanges it doesn’t look like Michael will be in trouble in this match although complacency can be dangerous, – 2 tins from Laursen brings the score to 4-1
Great cross court drive to backhand side from the Dane 4-3
A few tins from Michael and the Dane gets to 6-6

This score is slightly flattering the Danish player. He doesn’t seem to have any killer shots, it is  just Michael being a bit careless when trying to go short. 8-8

Another careless half  hit shot 8-9  A stroke gets Michael to game ball 10-9
Tight forehand drive and 2 misses from Michael and game over 10-12

This game is really Michael’s to lose and he is going about it the right way. Needs to find a bit of bite to his play much too casual.

2nd
A little bit more bounce in Michael’s movement at the start of this game.
Let ball and Michael puts  serve in tin. 0-1
Smashing volley nick on forehand side gets Michael to 3-1

Finally it looks like Michael is getting the upper hand in this game  8-3
Dane returns serve to tin to give Michael game ball 10-3

Two tight balls on backhand side from Dane  get back to 10-5
Two tins later game to Michael 11-5

Michael slowly returning to his fully alert state. Nine days of squash under his belt fatigue is understandable

3rd

Dame looks like a man with no ideas in the first few exchanges
However Michael is making him look good.
Super drive from Laursen to go ahead 3-4
A bad no let decision (should have been a stroke) get the Dane to 4-7

The score should not be 6-10  but it is. Michael making mistake after mistake. A very much below par performance from Michael so far

4th

Michael needs to smell the coffee very soon!!

Laursen is a bread and butter player and bread and butter may be enough get him a win in this match
The Dane goes 1-3 up

A better rally from Michael but finished with another tin – sloppy finishing
Then a return serve hit out and a no pressure tin 2-7

(Paul asks Sean to save us!)

Michael pulls 2 back and the Dane then hits a cross court volley with nick 4-8
Super frantic rally the first in the match, Dane doing court sprints and then a mistake 6-8

7-10 match ball
A no let decision  – the Dane thinks he has a stroke and the match.
8-10

Michael earns a stroke after another frantic rally, 9-10 -the Dane is apoplectic at the decision

However a solid cross court drive to the forehand side wins it for Laursen 9-11
Disappointing !
Conroy v Steffensen

This match is tinged with a little sadness as this is Sean’s last match for Ireland as a junior.  Sean has been a great player for Ireland over his junior career and a highly loved and team member.I have no doubt he will go on to represent Ireland as a senior player in the future. He will be missed from the junior ranks! Good luck Sean!!

1st
Steffensen is a tall, bearded U19,  (going on 23 years),  player, hair tied up like a samurai warrior
Sean is dwarfed by this big Dane

As expected the Dane hits hard but doesn’t turn so easily
Sean races to a 4-0 score

Dane works  his way back 4-3. Sean stops his run with a boast that the Dane’s frame can’t get to  5-3

A tasty volley drop off a cross court gets Sean 8-6.

Even at this early stage I sense the Dane is feeling the heat. It takes a lot of energy to move a frame like that around at such pace
Easy cross court drive wins the first for Sean
11-7

2nd
Paul told  Sean to make his opponent bend more to get to the ball with lower hit shots

Sean obliges and you can see the effort required by the Dane to get out of his low lung.
Sean’s uses this tactic to get to 5-1 Steffensen has a pained facial expression
Seems reluctant now to even go for the low balls. 7-2

Amazingly  Sean scrapes up  3 balls  from front courier,  back corner, front corner, back corner and a then plays a boast that lands tight, the great Dane just stands fully bent over hands on his knees looking towards the door – he doesn’t want this.
Sean finishes  easy 11-3

3rd

This game should last 8 mins  11.53

Steffensen has a second wind at the start of this game going 5-2 up with renewed vigour.

A few scrape ups from Sean in an intense rally gets Sean back in at 4-5
The Dane has to fold soon. 5-6

A lovely cross court drop from back catches Steffensen 7-6

A tired drive into the tin gets Sean to 8-7
9-8  Sean really turning the screw match ball 10-9

A tin from Sean prolongs the game  10-10
Sean doesn’t reach a boast from back 10-11
11-11
12-11
Match ends with Steffensen tripping over Sean on his way to backhand side wall  and landing on deck- strangely no appeal for let – I knew Steffensen wanted to go home.

Sean ends his junior career with a win!

Breanne has the honour of the decider

 

Flynn V Falsig

Long first rally and Falsig get caught up in herself 1-0.
Breanne gets to 3-1 but a perfect drive get Falsig back in.3-2

Falsig is very determined but keeps her position at least 3 feet behind the T , possibly something for Breanne to capitalise on as her opponent tires.

However the score now stands at 5-7
6-7
Super tight and deceptive drive from the Dane 6-8
6-9
6-10
Falsig finishes with a perfect length glued and dying to the backhand side 6-11

2nd
Very long rally ends with a drive cross court that Breanne can’t get her full racquet on 1-1
A nick 1-3
A tin 1-4
Another nick in same area of backhand side wall just at the back service
line 1-5
Two good cross court drives get Breanne back to 3-5
A super rally where Breanne was running her opponent around but ends in an unfortunate stroke against  3-6
Falsig’s strength wins her 3 points 3-9
Breanne hits back with a great drive and 2 errors from the Dane 6-9
Dane drives to get game ball 6-10
Strong volley right at Falsig to which she could adjust her body in time  7-10
A clash and Breanne holds her back with a pained facial expression . Breanne then hits ball into floor from an innocuous cross court  7-11

Looking at the two players in the interval the Dane looks much more fatigued maybe Breanne can take advantage in the 3rd
3rd

Breanne starts well,  finishes with a great drive 1-0
But then a tin 1-1
A tin from Falsig 2-1
Another placed drive from Breanne 3-1
Falsig is now looking tired and slower to the ball.
4-1
I think Breanne can win this if she just keeps the ball out of the tin
She is really working Falsig hard now 5-2
Perfect cross court in to the forehand side and Falsig just flaps at it 7-2
8-2
9-2
Easy now for Breanne
10-3
Falsig not running for anything at all
Very routine easy drive to finish   11-4

4th

I expect Falsig will come out with renewed purpose but if Breanne can keep the early rallies long and painful, it should be easy in the end.

Falsig is red faced and dripping sweat as she returns Breanne is the picture of calm

Breanne  quickly takes first 3 points  – (I was wrong Falsig doesn’t want to play at all )

6-1 same story Breanne working her like a pro. 7-1
Breanne’s boasts are tearing the heart out of Falsig’s resolve

Easy 11-2

There is only one winner now in my mind barring a catastrophe, Breanne  is still cam and breathing normally,  Falsig appears in serious stress. This is possibly the difference between a player playing both events and a player just the team event

5th

Falsig tries to summon up all her strength in a fast paced  first rally but Breanne takes it 1-0
Two tins from Breanne 1-2
Falsig has found her second wind at last but Breanne equal to anything thrown at her

Oh disaster ….! .Breanne reaches for a high ball to Volley over on the right hand side and loses her balance crashing into the wall and ending up on the floor
Twisted ankle – an injury break to try and work it out

3 minutes and Breanne goes back in to play 2-3

Breanne put serve down but wins next two 4-4

Smashing drive 5-4
Breanne is a little tentative on her feet and needs to finish this from the T

Great drop from Falsig and great drive from Breanne 6-7
Falsig really trying to force breanne to run. 7-7
Breanne moving better probably on an adrenaline painkiller and forces an error from the Dane  8-7
Breanne tins 8-8
Tremendous rally ends in stroke to Falsig 8-9
Another one and Breanne ends up hitting it out of court 8-10
match ball
Stroke to Breanne

Magic stuff from Breanne cross court drive winner 10-10

Class backhand volley drop from the Dane which nicked on backhand side 10-11

Short rally and from the front Breanne’s attempted drive goes skyward.
Match to Denmark!

An heroic performance from Breanne no doubt the fall and ankle injury had its part. Credit to Falsig she was down and out, but really found something in the 5t to put the pressure back on Breanne, (who was equal to it), and consequently the events that led to the injury.  Where is the ice?
So 12th place it is in Zurich

 

Match overview

Order	Event	Ireland[IRL]	–	[FIN] Finland	Score	Points			Duration
1	MS2	Oisin Logan [IRL]	–	[FIN] Jami Äijänen	6-11 11-7 6-11 11-6 7-11	0-1			0:51
2	MS1	Michael Craig [IRL]	–	[FIN] Kristian Rautiainen	13-11 11-3 11-7	1-0			0:33
3	WS	Breanne Flynn [IRL]	–	[FIN] Emilia Soini	10-12 4-11 4-11	0-1			0:22

Logan v Aijanen

Places 9-12

1st
A smashing backhand drive from AIjanen shows his intent.
Oisin trying to move his opponent around but the Finn likes to hit at a severe pace which is making it difficult for Oisin to slow it all down and get control 4-4

Oisin slips on the T and seems to have taken a knock but back up again
4-5

Plays a searing forehand drive to make it 5-5

Oisin not finding his rhythm yet 6-9
Great deception, sends Oisin the wrong way,to get the Finn to game ball
Easy finish 6-11
Oisin hasn’t found the gears yet.

2nd

Much more focus from Oisin, first rally is long and Finn forced into an error 1-0

Oisin having to put in some hard running in this phase of the game – the ball is being cracked by both players Oisin should have a stroke but let given, the Finn then takes the point 2-3

The Finn is now been moved around the court and losing control of the T
Super drive into the forehand side brings Oisin to 9-4
10-6
Extended rally and tin
10-7
and then and error from Aijanen give Oisin the game
11-7

The Finn is receiving a serious talking to by his coach- Oisin visits the bathroom – good sign
3nd
Oisin takes the first point
Second point consists of an alley game Oisin finally goes for the Egyptian spectacular and tins it 1-1

Oisin forced to the floor leaving his opponent with a simple tap in, misses
The bang as Oisin hit the deck must have unnerved him! 2-1

At 3-3 Oisin plays the sweetest back hand drop
winner,  but a let given!!
The Finn takes the next 2 points 3-7

Oisin makes a spectacular save while stretched flat out on the floor, unfortunately loses the point 4-6 – no justice !

The finn seems to have his shape back.
6-10
Another slip by Oisin (that’s 3 slips in this game)
6-10.
6-11
Oisin played a lot of the 2nd game from the floor
New runners required !

4h

Important that  Oisin takes this game

Aijanen gets to 0-2
Then tins 1-2
Super drive 1-3
Delicate drop forehand 2-3
An unforced tin and double hop 4-3
Oisin now orchestrating play 5-3
5-4
6-4
Another long rally finished with probably the best drive in any Irish match at this tournament
7-5
A terrible call by referee calling Oisin on a double bounce after he won rally.
Paul mutters ^*#^*

He wins the next point 8-5- justice!
Oisin too strong for the Finn in this phase

Great deception from Finn 9-6
A tin from the Finn
Game ball magnificent backhand cross court drive finishes it 11-6

Paul has sent Oisin to the bathroom !!!

5th

Paul predicts this game to last 20mins if the Finn can get his game back.

Start 15.48
Two decisive winers makes it 2-1
2-2
3-2
3-3
3-4
Bad miss on the drop
3-5
Tin from Finn
4-5
Finn now in command forcing a number of errors from Oisin 5-7
Two easy shots into tin from Oisin 5-9
A delicate boast from Finn 5-10
6-10
7-10
Oisin looks for a plausible let – no let
7-11

Craig v Rautiainan

1st

Start is typical of Michael just pushing the ball around looking for weaknesses.

Despite this the score is in the Finns favour 4-6

Michael plays a forehand boast through the eye of a needle and it is a winner 5-6

Another fantastic boast on backhand side gets Michael to 8-7
Long rally ends with a tin from Finn 9-7
A pinpoint drive on back side from Finn and a tin from Michael 9-9
Another accurate drive 9-10
Stroke 10-10
11-11
Perfect play by Michael
with a number of gut wrenching boasts softens the Finn up
12-11
An inevitable tin – gives Michael the game
13-11

 

2nd

Messy start, short rallies but in Michael’s favour 4-1

Pace increases dramatically in this point, 2 let’s slow it down again
5-1
6-1
No rhythm in this game yet,  average rally about 5 shots

Michael doing all the damage 11-3
3rd

This match so far is nothing to write home about !!
But we are getting the points

At 2-1 the rally hots up, Michael even playing the ball around his back to smiles from the audience. He loses the point however 2-2

A super short  boast get michael to 4-3 then a tin from the Finn 5-3

Rautiainen gets it back to parity 5-5
then goes ahead 6-5
Two tins from Finn
7-6
At 8-6 Michael is in exhibition mode  which can be dangerous  9-7
The sweetest volley drop on back hand side gives Michael match ball
and a tin from the Finn fin- ishes it.

Over to Breanne next

Flynn v Soini

Breanne must be a good 9 inches taller than Soini, I  hope her reach will be an advantage here

Breanne straight in with a winner  but that looks like as easy as it will get
Soini very determined but Breanne getting the best out of the exchanges at this point
6-3
6-4
Great cross court drive from Breanne 7-4
Breanne then just misses me with a wayward shot out of court !!

Soini making headway 8-8
Breanne drops 9-8
Soini boasts 9-9
10-10
10-11 gives Soini game ball ans she
finishes it 10-12

2nd
Soini means business and takes a 1-5 lead.

Breanne seems not to have an answer to Soini’s  power and quality shots
Soini quickly gets to 3-10
Game to Soini 3-11

Paul really needs to work his magic to get Breanne back on track
3rd
Breanne  starts well forcing Soini to put the ball out of play but Soini is quickly back  1-3
A drop from Breanne and then a tin from Soini   3-3

Breanne back in  it 4-3
A tin from Breanne and a tight fore hand drop from Soini  4-5
4-6
4-7
Soini takes control  of the game again
4-8
4-9
Breanne is in serious trouble now
4-10
A tight duel of drops at the front and Soini comes out on top
4-11

Prize : a 10.30 start tomorrow and a fight for 11th place against Denmark

Hard going!!!

Ireland[IRL] – [BEL] Belgium: 2-1

Time:	Sat 30/03/2013 10:00
Draw:	Team – 9-16
Score:	2-1

 

Match overview

Order	Event	Ireland[IRL]	–	[BEL] Belgium	Score	Points			Duration
1	MS2	Oisin Logan [IRL]	–	[BEL] Jordy Camps	11-8 11-13 11-5 11-2	1-0			0:39
2	MS1	Sean Conroy [IRL]	–	[BEL] Toon Van Baekel	11-6 11-6 11-8	1-0			0:27
3	WS	Griffin Gillanders [IRL]	–	[BEL] Tinne Gilis	1-11 4-11	0-1			0:13

Statistics

	Points	Won	Draws	Lost	Matches			Games			Points
Ireland	1	1	0	0	2	–	1	6	–	3	82	–	70
Belgium	0	0	0	1	1	–	2	3	–	6	70	–	82

Logan v Camps

1st
Oisin starts well catching Camps with a number of perfectly weighted drop shots Camps is hanging back a little and seems a little disinterested. Oisin playing very patiently and picking Camps off almost at will. Massive rally at 7-6 finished with a tight drive from Oisin 8-6. Camps on floor trying to pick ip a back hand side drop 10-6. Game to Oisin 11-8.

2nd
Oisin’s’ patient and measured game is working for now. Camps plays a super drop to the backhand side 1-0 camps seems up for this game after an ear bashing from his coach at the interval. Goes to a 2-5 lead. Oisin works his way back to parity 5-5
Two super drops from Oisin 8-5. Two drops into tin 8-7. A deep ball into back hand corner gives Camps game ball 9-10
Oisin saves 10-10. A tremendous backhand volley cross court with a nick gives Oisin game ball 11-10. Camps saves 11-11
Tin 11-12. A superb back hand drop nick from Camps wins the game 11-13. The ear roasting method of coaching seemed to work.

3rd
Oisin really doesn’t need to change much stay patient and tight. Camps is still enthusiastic but Oisin goes 7-2 lead. Camps still trying but Oisin staying in control 9-3. Oisin cruises home 11-5. Probably his easiest game of the tournament.
Short and sweet!
The contrast between the two coaches is stark
Camps getting a good talking to and  cool Oisin visits the bathroom. But calm Paul gets his message across in a couple of words -keep it  tight and varied.

4th

Oisin starts off where he finished  racing to 3-0 lead. A mistake into the tin gets camps back in 1-3. Oisin scrambles a few back to gain the momentum again 6-1, 7-1, 8-1. Camps looks finished, 9-1, 9-2, 10-2. All over 11-2.
Note:
Last night Oisin predicted that he could win this match 3-1 when asked by Paul if he thought he could beat Camps!

Over to Sean now.

Conroy v Van Bae

Sean took exception to my remarks regarding his ‘performance ‘against England. For the record he thought he played close to his best!
What do I know!

Sean should win this match, but  again will the exertions of yesterday and the toll of the individual championships have an impact. It seems to me playing both tournaments requires a super level of fitness. This is something that I think needs to be looked at for next year. Playing the two tournaments is like a marathon littered with sprints over a ten day period. A intense fitness regimen is required. We have to win this a

Ireland had 5 players competing in the Under 19 Individual Championships – Sean Conroy, Michael Craig, Cillian Dunne, Oisin Logan and David Ryan. All the players competed extremely well during the tournament.

Sean Conroy beat Amadeo Costa, Switzerland in Rd 1 easily, in 3 sets but lost to Michael Svec, Czech in Rd 2 and went on to finish a highly credible 18th overall.

Michael Craig beat a Welsh player in Rd 1 and lost in Rd 2 to Gadola, Swi who went on to get to the semis losing to Fallows the No. 1 seed. Craig finally finished 25th winning 3 games on the way. Cillian Dunne had a tough first round losing to Davies, Wales but went on to finish 45th, winning 2 games on the way.

Oisin Logan had a great tournament finishing 16th overall. he beat Gross, Denmark in Rd 1, in a very tight match which went to 5 sets, having lost the first 2. He got past an Israeli opponent in Rd 2 but lost to Solnicky, Czech in Rd 3.

David Ryan won his first 2 matches easily against a German & Czech opponent but lost to the No. 1 seed, Richie Fallows in a very close match which went to 4 sets, all of them very close. David then went unbeaten in the 9th – 16 play offs winning 3 matches against Hungarian, Swiss and French players to gain 9th place, which keeping in mind David is actually Under 17, is a magnificent achievement for this talented player from Sutton LTC.

The final was played between Richie Fallows and Oliver Holland, both of England with Holland prevailing in the end.

This was a superb championships by our 5 Irish players with them all doing themselves, their clubs and their country very proud indeed. Oisin, Sean and Michael now go on to play in the U19 team championships with the finals on next Sunday 31st March.

Result – 64 person draw

David Ryan – 9th

Oisin Logan – 16th

Sean Conroy – 18th

Michael Craig – 25th

Cillian Dunne – 45th

The Ballyearl Open took place in the Ballyearl Leisure Centre, Newtownabbey on Friday 19th April and Saturday 20th April.

Venue:	Ballyearl Leisure Centre
Address:	585 Doagh Road, Newtownabbey BT36 5RZ Belfast, Co. Antrim Route at Google Maps
Phone:	028 (048) 90848287

Tournament contact

Name:	Neal Pollock
Phone:	+44 7738973930
Email:	[email protected]

Events

Mens A, Mens B, Mens C, Mens D

Accomadation

The Knockagh Lodge, 236 Upper Rd, Greenisland BT38 8RP -Tel:- 02890 861444

 Twin room £50 – Quote:- Ballyearl Open

Tournament days

Friday, April 19, 2013 to Saturday, April 20, 2013

 

This weekend saw the Irish Masters Open 2013 take place in Fitzwilliam LTC. There were 8 events taking place – Mens O45/50/55/65/70 and Womens O 45/50/55.

We had 59 entries in the Tournament and all sections were keenly contested. Our eldest contestant was Hazel Marsh – now well into her eighties and we set a record of having the oldest couple competing with John Mc Bride in the Men’s Over 65 section and his wife Hilda in the Ladies Over 55 Section (she won’t say how much ‘Over’)

There was an excellent Final of the Premium Mens Over 45 section with Michael Cowhie beating Dave Flynn 3 nil. There were some incredible rallies and the score of 7, 6, and 7 did not reflect the closeness of the games.

At the other end of the spectrum there were some great battles fought in the Men’s Over 70 section with Myron Evans beating fellow Northern Ireland competitor Alex Richardson in a game that lasted almost 60 minutes.

Seamus Daly had some great matches in the Men’s Over 65 section. A really tough semi final against Tom Cantwell saw him come back from 7/4 down in the 5th set to win and then despite enjoying himself to the full on Sat night, he still had enough left in the tank to beat Arthur Adair in the Final.

There were three Ladies Sections and the closest fought was the Ladies Over 55 where 5 ladies played each other in a Round Robin. Each match consisted of two games and the results were based on the accumulated points scored in the 8 games played. Evelyn Hanrahan from ALSAA won the section with Barbara Sanderson beating Maeve Spotswood into 2nd place by one single point.

In the Ladies Over 50 section Anne Costello won her first tournament at Masters level. She won all her matches – two of them being 5 setters and the final match was won 10/9 in the 5th set!

Finally it was a pleasure to host Kate Collins and her husband Maurice at the dinner on Sat night. Kate is the widow of Liam Collins whom a lot of you will remember from the Bankers Squash Club and later of Fitzwilliam where he was Hon Secretary for many years. From the start, Liam was involved in running the ‘Grobond’ Veterans tournament which eventually turned into the current Irish Masters Tournament. The ‘Liam Collins Perpetual Trophy’, donated by Fitzwilliam LTC, is presented each year to the winner of the Men’s Over 45 section.

Brian McNally

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Please see the winners here.

                                                             Winner                                 Finalist 

Ladies  O/45                                       Rosie Barry                         Clare Jones        

Ladies O/50                                        Anne Costello                     Dympna Reardon

Ladies O/55+                                      Evelyn Hanrahan                Barbara Sanderson

Mens O/45                                          Michael Cowhie                  Dave Flynn

Mens O/50                                         George Hewitt                     Karam Singh

Mens O/60                                        John Kielty                          Martin Maher

Mens O/65                                         Seamus Daly                       Arthur Adair

Mens O/70                                         Myron Evens                       Alex Richardson

For the full draw and results see here