The 2016 European Individual U19 Championship started on March 19th and is being played in Kriens, Switzerland. Ireland has 3 Girls, Caitlin Telford, Hannah Craig & Stephanie Ryan and 3 boys Stephen Hearst, Aidan O’Brien & Oisin Dunne playing in the event.

Follow their matches including LIVE SCORE HERE

19 March 2016 to 22 March 2016

• SAT19MAR
• SUN20MAR
• MON21MAR
• TUE22MAR

Players Pictured L/R:  Ciara Moloney, Stephen Hearst, David Noone, Rory Byrne (Captain), Gordon Harpur, Niamh Maher, Niamh Brennan,: 

It was a great weekend of squash in Edinburgh with the Irish select team (4 Men and 3 Ladies).   The objective for this event is to help develop the emerging Irish players and expose them to International test match squash providing a player pathway into the A events.  This was achieved where the games were all extremely competitive and while the results were not in our favour it was a huge learning experience for all the Irish players.   Last year we came close to winning the event, this time around we suffered the loss of our number 1 Sean Conroy which put pressure on the players to move up the team order, our thanks to Gordon Harpur who answered the call and travelled up to Edinburgh late on Friday evening.

Some results of note included Rory Byrne with a fine win over Doug Kempsall (PSA ranking of 99) which according to David Noone was the best he has even seen Rory play and a real highlight of the weekend. Gordon Harpur also picked up a comprehensive win 3.0 in the same fixture but overall Ireland lost 5.2. It was a step up in standard for Stephen but according to team captain he acquired himself very well and the experience will help benefit him no doubt.  David Noone and Gordon both were competitive in the two remaining fixtures and both stretched their opponents but fell short in their matches.

Wales and Scotland sent out two very strong teams with travelling professionals at 1 and 2. The competition itself was run professionally with tournament referees which created a very competitive atmosphere. When asked for feedback David Noone reflected that this competition is a great stepping stone for myself and other squash players attempting to compete in an international event in May and I hope to be part of it next year when it is hosted in Ireland. 

There were lessons learned from participating in the event which we can take in consideration for next season and look for improvements accordingly.

Irish Masters Open 2016

Friday, March 11, 2016 to Sunday, March 13, 2016Tournament days

• FRI11MAR
• SAT12MAR
• SUN13MAR

New ESF junior rankings for February published. Denis Gilevskiy and Conor Moran are ranked #1 position in their respective age groups (BU13 and BU15). Very well done to both Boys

Other players in the top 10 – Luke Logan is ranked 4th and Scott Gillanders 6th in the Under 17 age group. Sam Buckley is 7th in the Under 15’s. Dylan Moran is 7th in the Under 13’s and Ali Carton 10th in the Girls Under 13’s.

Congratulations to all our IRISH players competing in European Opens.
For all the rankings see here –
http://esf.tournamentsoftware.com/ranking/ranking.aspx?rid=90

Irish Squash Federation Ltd

Friday, March 11, 2016 to Saturday, March 12, 2016Tournament days

• FRI11MAR
• SAT12MAR

Irish Squash Federation Ltd

Friday, March 11, 2016 to Saturday, March 12, 2016Tournament days

• FRI11MAR
• SAT12MAR

Senior National Championships 2016

Fitzwilliam LTC, Appian Way, Dublin 6

19th – 21st February 2016

RESULTS AVAILABLE HERE

Irish Squash Federation Ltd

Friday, February 19, 2016 to Sunday, February 21, 2016Tournament days

• FRI19FEB
• SAT20FEB
• SUN21FEB

Neil O Sullivan R.I.P.
2/3/1956 – 14/2/2016

The board of IRISH SQUASH wish to pass on its condolences to the family of the late Neil O’Sullivan. May he Rest in Peace.

Squash players in Munster and throughout Ireland have been left devastated at the sudden and untimely passing of Neil. Having complained to some of his friends on Tuesday last of not feeling well with “man flu”, no one realised that this would lead to him being hospitalised early on Saturday morning and ultimately to his passing away peacefully at around 9 pm on Sunday night.

Neil was an avid GAA fan and a former committee member who worked tirelessly for the famous Glen Rovers Hurling and Football Club. He began his squash career in the early 80’s when he joined Collins’ Barracks Squash Club with lifelong friend Mick Hackett. There, under the guidance of Derry Mc, he progressed rapidly through the ranks. He went on to form lasting friendships with many other members. Despite the best efforts of Neil and Derry, Collins’ Barracks Squash Club eventually closed and he joined Sunday’s Well and became one of its most popular members.
A non-drinker, non-smoker, he liked nothing better than a good sing song and was always the last man standing when the bar closed. Breakfast and coffee breaks with Jimmy Doc and his many business friends were a regular feature of his routine.
Travelling with Neil on many golf trips and provincial squash Opens was always a pleasure – Cork’s hurling and football games were analysed, dissected, criticised and sometimes praised with Martin, Donal and Jim, (leaving Eamonn (Keefa) bemused). With the radio off, the singing would start- led by Neil. Many a long journey back from Ulster, Leinster and Connacht was shortened considerably.
His knowledge and interest in GAA was phenomenal. He could recall at will the positions and names of all the Cork players that played in any All-Ireland Final over the last 50 Years. Whether Cork were playing or not, he never missed an All-Ireland Hurling Final.
Most of his weekends were spent attending hurling matches with his good friend Jack Lynch. It did not matter at what level – Minor, Junior or Senior – they would think nothing of attending three matches in a day. One of the highlights of his life was seeing the Glen winning the Senior County Hurling Championship of 2015 after a lapse of many years and, despite being on crutches, attended a hugely enjoyable victory celebration only a short few weeks ago.
His squash career blossomed over the past 15 years, winning an individual Irish Masters Open title and an Munster Masters Open. He became an integral member of the Munster Masters Over 45 and 55 teams that dominated Masters squash over the past 15 years. Neil represented Ireland at Over 45, 50 & 55 levels.
When not playing, he liked nothing better than spectating at all levels of squash – indeed his last weekend was spent at the Coventry Masters Open watching some of his friends compete. Due to injury, he was unable to play. His interest was such that when all his friends went for a meal at 8 pm on Saturday night, he refused to leave and stayed to watch the remaining matches.
He was an avid golfer and enjoyed immensely playing with his brothers and golfing buddies. And he was always first on the list for the annual trips with his squash friends to sunny climates.
An extremely generous man, his company, OSB Group has been a sponsor of many of Cork and Munster squash events. Shy in his benevolence, he never sought recognition for any of his good deeds.
His love of family, and especially his wife Agnes, was known to all. He was immensely proud of his four children and no matter where in the world he was, he was in daily contact with them. Those travelling with Neil would have to wait until all the phone calls were made and he had all the news from home. He had just recently become a grandfather for the first time and his grandson Cillian had quickly become his pride and joy. He will be sadly missed by his brothers and sisters, extended family and many friends. He will be a tremendous loss to his loving wife Agnes and his four children Colette, Audrey, Niall & Una, sons in law Brendan and Tom, and Niall’s partner Ann-Marie.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

As published on MunsterSquash.com

Neil O Sullivan R.I.P.
2/3/1956 – 14/2/2016

The board of IRISH SQUASH wish to pass on its condolences to the family of the late Neil O’Sullivan. May he Rest in Peace.

Squash players in Munster and throughout Ireland have been left devastated at the sudden and untimely passing of Neil. Having complained to some of his friends on Tuesday last of not feeling well with “man flu”, no one realised that this would lead to him being hospitalised early on Saturday morning and ultimately to his passing away peacefully at around 9 pm on Sunday night.

Neil was an avid GAA fan and a former committee member who worked tirelessly for the famous Glen Rovers Hurling and Football Club. He began his squash career in the early 80’s when he joined Collins’ Barracks Squash Club with lifelong friend Mick Hackett. There, under the guidance of Derry Mc, he progressed rapidly through the ranks. He went on to form lasting friendships with many other members. Despite the best efforts of Neil and Derry, Collins’ Barracks Squash Club eventually closed and he joined Sunday’s Well and became one of its most popular members.
A non-drinker, non-smoker, he liked nothing better than a good sing song and was always the last man standing when the bar closed. Breakfast and coffee breaks with Jimmy Doc and his many business friends were a regular feature of his routine.
Travelling with Neil on many golf trips and provincial squash Opens was always a pleasure – Cork’s hurling and football games were analysed, dissected, criticised and sometimes praised with Martin, Donal and Jim, (leaving Eamonn (Keefa) bemused). With the radio off, the singing would start- led by Neil. Many a long journey back from Ulster, Leinster and Connacht was shortened considerably.
His knowledge and interest in GAA was phenomenal. He could recall at will the positions and names of all the Cork players that played in any All-Ireland Final over the last 50 Years. Whether Cork were playing or not, he never missed an All-Ireland Hurling Final.
Most of his weekends were spent attending hurling matches with his good friend Jack Lynch. It did not matter at what level – Minor, Junior or Senior – they would think nothing of attending three matches in a day. One of the highlights of his life was seeing the Glen winning the Senior County Hurling Championship of 2015 after a lapse of many years and, despite being on crutches, attended a hugely enjoyable victory celebration only a short few weeks ago.
His squash career blossomed over the past 15 years, winning an individual Irish Masters Open title and an Munster Masters Open. He became an integral member of the Munster Masters Over 45 and 55 teams that dominated Masters squash over the past 15 years. Neil represented Ireland at Over 45, 50 & 55 levels.
When not playing, he liked nothing better than spectating at all levels of squash – indeed his last weekend was spent at the Coventry Masters Open watching some of his friends compete. Due to injury, he was unable to play. His interest was such that when all his friends went for a meal at 8 pm on Saturday night, he refused to leave and stayed to watch the remaining matches.
He was an avid golfer and enjoyed immensely playing with his brothers and golfing buddies. And he was always first on the list for the annual trips with his squash friends to sunny climates.
An extremely generous man, his company, OSB Group has been a sponsor of many of Cork and Munster squash events. Shy in his benevolence, he never sought recognition for any of his good deeds.
His love of family, and especially his wife Agnes, was known to all. He was immensely proud of his four children and no matter where in the world he was, he was in daily contact with them. Those travelling with Neil would have to wait until all the phone calls were made and he had all the news from home. He had just recently become a grandfather for the first time and his grandson Cillian had quickly become his pride and joy. He will be sadly missed by his brothers and sisters, extended family and many friends. He will be a tremendous loss to his loving wife Agnes and his four children Colette, Audrey, Niall & Una, sons in law Brendan and Tom, and Niall’s partner Ann-Marie.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

As published on MunsterSquash.com