| <a href="http://esf.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/matches.aspx?id=8
Junior Interprovincials took place in Belfast on the 22nd & 23rd of March.
FULL RESULTS
Boys U13
Boys U15
Boys u17
Boys U19
Girls U13
Girls U15
Girls U17
DAY 4 – Saturday 3rd MAY
Saturday morning is the playoff for 3rd/4th place. It started with a practice session on the glass court at 9.00am and then the playoff for third and fourth place started at 9.30am against the Czech Republic. Ciara Moloney was first on against Anna Klimundova. Ciara played well but Anna was too strong for her in the first two games and Ciara lost them 3/11 and 2/11. In the third game, it was a different story, Ciara edged ahead 3/1, and slowly they both crept up with scores, Ciara was 8/4 up, she put the ball out so it was 8/5 but Ciara came back and it was 9/6, 10/6, 10/7 – could Ciara hold onto the game, she did, she won her first game at senior international level 11/8. However Anna came back in the fourth and won it 11/3. First match to Czech Republic.
Aisling Blake, playing number 1 due to Madeline Perry being injured, played Olga Ertlova. Aisling looked relaxed and played very well, she won the first game 11/3. Olga fought back in the second and took it 11/6. One game all. Aisling then took control of the third game and won it 11/7, followed by the fourth 11/9. One match each.
Laura Mylotte went on to play the decider against Lucie Fialova. Laura played very well, but Lucie was too strong for her on the day. Lucie won the match 11/7, 11/3 and 11/3.
Irelands women’s team did us proud, coming fourth, they all played their best and couldn’t have put a better effort in. Well done to them all.
DAY 3 – Friday 2nd MAY
Friday and the Irish women are up against England in the first semi-final. First on was Madeline Perry against Laura Massaro. First game was very close, with Madeline losing 9/11. The next one went also to Laura 3/11. In the third Madeline came out firing on all cylinders, she quickly got a 2/0 lead, then it went to 10/5 lead. Laura cane back strongly to make it 10 all, but Madeline came through and won the game 12/10. The next game started off well for Madeline going 2/0 up but then as she lunged into a shot she pulled her adductor muscle and had to retire.
Aisling Blake was next on playing Alison Waters. The first was very close with both players neck and neck until Alison won it 9/11. Aisling lost the next two 3/11 and 4/11.
Ciara Moloney played the dead rubber against Sara-Jane Perry. It was Ciara’s first cap at senior level. Ciara played some great shots but Sara-Jane proved too strong for her and Sara-Jane took the match 4/11 and 1/11.
Saturday morning is the playoff for 3rd/4th place. It is at 8.30am (Irish Time) on the glass court again, so go on line and watch it on the live stream.
Match overview
| Order |
Event |
England W |
– |
 Ireland W |
Score |
Points |
|
|
Duration |
| 1 |
WS1 |
|
– |
|
11-9 11-3 10-12 11-2 |
1-0 |
|
|
|
| 2 |
WS2 |
|
– |
|
11-9 11-3 11-4 |
1-0 |
|
|
|
| 3 |
WS3 |
|
– |
|
11-4 11-1 |
1-0 |
|
|
DAY 2 – Thursday 1st MAY
Thursday 1st May and day two of the European Team Championships, Ireland’s women’s team were up against France in their third pool match. First up was Aisling Blake playing Laura Pomportes. First game started off neck and neck till it got to 6/7 and Laura hit Aisling with her racket and caused a cut near Aisling’s eyebrow. Aisling came off court as it was a blood injury. She had to go to see the doctor to get the blood flow stopped (only minor) and covered up as players are not allowed to play with a blood injury. Aisling returned to court but lost the first game 7/11. The second game started with the two players getting to 4 all, and then Aisling pulled steadily away and won the game 11/8. The third was very close but Aisling took the game 12/10. In the final game Aisling played very decisively and confidently and won it 11/0.
Next on was Madeline Perry playing Camille Serme. Madeline lost the first 7/11 but came back strongly to win the second 11/3. The third game was hard fought the whole way through with Camille winning it 11/9. The fourth was the same with Camille winning it also 11/9.
Now the tie was at 1 match each. Laura Mylotte went on to play Cyrielle Peltier. Cyrielle won the first game 11/7. In the second game Laura came back from 7/10 down to make it 10 all, but Cyrielle managed to take the game 13/11. Laura then pushed Cyrielle and she won the third game 11/4. In the fourth game Cyrielle got ahead again and won the game 11/4. France had won the tie and came first in Pool B. Ireland came second in Pool B and is due to play England (winners of Pool A) in the semi finals at 10am (Italian time). The match will be on the glass court and will be on the live stream.
DAY 1 – WEDNESDAY 30th APRIL
IRELAND V DENMARK
The Irish Women’s team is in Division 1 and their opponents in the pool matches are Denmark, Wales and France.
The first match was Tuesday at 13.00 against Denmark. Madeline Perry was playing first against Line Hansen. The first game was very close; neither player breaking away, Madeline won it 12/10. In the next game Madeline went 4 – 1 up and then pulled away to take the game 11/4. Next game was neck and neck again; it went to Line 12/10. Fourth game, Madeline was 2/4 down but came back strongly to win 11/8.
Next on court were the number 3’s, Laura Mylotte against Mathilde Lauridsen. Laura took the first game comfortably 11/7. In the second game Laura had game ball at 10/8 but Mathilde fought back and took the game 12/10. Laura won the third 11/5 with a lovely cross court volley drop and she went on to win the fourth game 10/5.
Aisling Blake played Sally Skaarenborg. The first game was long and exciting with Aisling winning 16/14. Aisling played more decisively in the second and took it 11/6. The third was another long game with Aisling coming from behind to win it 12/10. A good start for the Irish women’s team. Next match is against Wales later this evening at 20.00.
| Order |
Event |
Ireland W |
– |
 Denmark W |
Score |
Points |
|
|
Duration |
| 1 |
WS1 |
|
– |
|
12-10 11-4 10-12 11-8 |
1-0 |
|
|
|
| 2 |
WS3 |
|
– |
|
11-7 10-12 11-5 11-5 |
1-0 |
|
|
|
| 3 |
WS2 |
|
– |
|
16-14 11-6 12-10 |
1-0 |
|
|
IRELAND V WALES
Second match on day one was against Wales.
Madeline was first on playing against Tesni Evans. Madeline won comfortably with 3 very consistent scores, 11/7, 11/7 and 11/7, she never looked as if she would lose the match.
Laura played Jenny Haley and took the first game 11/5 with some lovely drop shots, she then took the second 11/4. However the third went to 6 all and then Jenny pulled away and got a good nick on the back wall to take the game 11/8. Laura got back into the game and took the fourth 11/7.
Aisling was up against Deon Saffery. Deon was playing well and took the first two games 11/7 and 11/4. Aisling came back well in the third, she played some terrific drops to win the game 11/2. In the fourth, Deon, got her form back and won 11/6.
Ireland won the tie by 2 matches to 1. Tomorrow, the match is at 14.00 (Italian time) against France on the glass court. It will be available on the live streaming federsquash.it/European-team-championships-2014
Match overview
| Order |
Event |
Ireland W |
– |
 Wales W |
Score |
Points |
|
|
Duration |
| 1 |
WS1 |
|
– |
|
11-7 11-7 11-7 |
1-0 |
|
|
|
| 2 |
WS3 |
|
– |
|
11-5 11-4 8-11 11-7 |
1-0 |
|
|
|
| 3 |
WS2 |
|
– |
|
7-11 4-11 11-2 6-11 |
0-1 |
|
|
DAY 4 – 3rd MAY
IRELAND V ITALY
The final match of the tournament was against the hosts Italy for 5th place in Division 2, it wasn’t going to be the easiest match with the partisans home crowd.
Arthur Gaskin started off the day’s play at one against the very experienced Marcus Berrett. The match started with some great play from both players but Marcus came out on top winning the first 11/9. The second started off in the same manner with Arthur always being in front but at 11/11 Marcus Played two great winners to win 13/11. Unfortunately in the third Arthur couldn’t keep the pressure on like the first two sets loosing 11/6.
Brian O’Brion played next at two against Jose Facchini. Brian won the first set 11/8 with some of his trade mark retrieving which frustrated his opponent. The next two sets didn’t go to plan with Jose playing some great squash to win them 11/5 11/9. With Jose now tiring the game started to become very broken up with the Italian arguing with the ref and time wasting, this didn’t bother Brian at all with him wining the fourth 11/8. Now with the pressure on, Jose started to revert to a lot of deliberate blocking and gamesmanship which got him to a 7.1 lead. Brian not fazed about the whole situation, started to claw back the deficit with some great squash but once again the game changed at 9/9. Jose played a shot with an over aggressive swing resulting in his racquet hitting Brian in the face. Brian asked, but didn’t get a let which gave Jose match ball. The next point can only be described as blatant cheating Jose deliberately hit the ball at Brian to win the set 11/9 and match 3.2.
Ireland were now really up against it, two nil down and needing to win the remaining two matches and only able to drop one set between them. Michael Craig stepped on court at three against Andrea Torricini, Michael raced to an early lead which he held well to 10/6, 4 game balls later it was 10 all Michael then saved 3 game balls to eventually win 16/14. This took a lot out of Andrea and Michael won the next two sets easily enough to win 3/0.
So it all rested on one of Ireland’s most capped players Steve Richardson at No 4 he played the youthful Michelangelo Bertocchi. Steve won the first easily 11/8 by controlling the T and playing some great lengths. The second went the same way with Steve having the upper hand the whole way through the set winning it 11/6. The third was a totally different set with Michelangelo making a lot less mistakes. It also didn’t help Steve that the ref was starting to make some strange decisions which Steve didn’t take to well. 11/7 to Michelangelo, with the tension growing and the Italian crowd growing by the minute, the forth was going to be a big battle for Steve as he was having to play his opponent, the hostile crowd and most importantly the ref and his strange decisions. It all started well with a 5.2 lead but Michelangelo kept fighting back and at 7/5 Steve received a conduct point for racquet abuse after another bad call against him. Then at 9/9 Steve played two great rallies to win 11/9 and the match 3.1 which also meant Ireland won the tie on count back of sets 8/7.
So after a long hard four days of squash Ireland finished in a very respectable 5th place, a great effort by the team which hopefully they can build on for next year to gain promotion to Division one.
DAY 3 – FRIDAY 2nd MAY
IRELAND V AUSTRIA
Ireland played Austria today in the 5th/8th play-off in Riccione, Italy
First on today was Conor O’Hare who played against the Austrian No. 4 Daniel Haider. Conor played well in the first two sets but couldn’t capitalise on some good play going down 11-6 11-6. In the third Conor let Haider dictate the pace who rushed to a 10-5 lead Conor then saved four match balls but couldn’t just keep it going and went down 11-9 to lose 3-0. (6-11, 6-11, 9-11)
Next on court was Arthur Gaskin playing Aqeel Rehman, the Austrian No.1. Having played in every match this week this was another hard fought match with Arthur winning the first set 12-10, but Rehman came back in the second set to win 12-10. The third went the same way with Gaskin pushing all the way but going down again 10-12. The Austrian then took the 4th 3-11 winning the match 3-1. (10-12, 12-10, 10-12, 3-11)
Brian O’Brion took the court next against Jakob Dirnberger at No 2 needing to get a win on the board to keep the tie alive in the first he played some great drives and drops to win a very close set 11/8. The second was again another close encounter with Brian winning it 11/8. The third was over in minutes with … Couldn’t couple with Brian’s consistent pressure and pin point shots the seat was won 11/3 and match 3/0. (11-8, 11-8, 11-3)
Last on court was young Michael Craig who played Markus Grelehner the Austrian No.3. After a difficult match yesterday against the Welsh, Craig came out with something to prove and needed to win in straight sets to get Ireland into the next match against the host nation Italy. Michael the first was over very quickly with Michael playing some great attacking shots to win 11-5 in the second set was closer with Greslehner caming back with more pressure and some great play but Craig came through with an 11-8 win. With the tension mounting Michael played the set of his life with some unbelievable kills to win 11/7 and the match 3/0. (11-5 11-8 11-7).
The final result was 2-2 with the Irish lads going through on count back 7-6. They will now meat Italy tomorrow for the 5/6 position at 11.30 (local time)
Match overview
| Order |
Event |
Ireland M |
– |
 Austria M |
Score |
Points |
|
|
Duration |
| 1 |
MS4 |
|
– |
|
6-11 6-11 9-11 |
0-1 |
|
|
|
| 2 |
MS1 |
|
– |
|
10-12 12-10 10-12 3-11 |
0-1 |
|
|
|
| 3 |
MS2 |
|
– |
|
11-8 11-8 11-3 |
1-0 |
|
|
|
| 4 |
MS3 |
|
– |
|
11-5 11-8 11-7 |
1-0 |
|
|
DAY 2 – THURSDAY 1st MAY
IRELAND V WALES
Ireland Men played an experienced Welsh team in the Quarter Finals today in Italy.
First up was Ireland No. 2 Brian O’Brion who was up against a strong Joel Makin, both players were evenly matched and some of the most exciting rallies were played in this match, but unfortunately Brian came out on the wrong end of each of them losing 3-0 (11-5,11-5,11-2)
Next up was Arthur Gaskin, the Irish No1 who was playing Peter Creed a player who has beaten Arthur in their last 2 matches. The first set was extremely tight and Arthur won it with some great deep drives 7-11 but was under pressure throughout. The Ireland No1 won the next 2 sets 9-11 in one of the best performances of the week. (7-11, 9-11, 9-11)
With the game evenly balanced at 1-1 Steve Richardson was up next against an opponent half his age, David Haley playing at No. 4. Steve took a 2 -0 lead by putting the young Welsh player under great pressure. In the 3rd set Steve was 8-4 up when David started to play some great squash coming back with a volley nick to win the 3rd 11-9. With the match at 2-1 to Ireland, Steve got a wakeup call between sets and came out to beat David in the 4th 5-11. This put Ireland in front 2-1 with only needing 2 sets for them to progress. (7-11, 7-11, 11-9, 5-11)
Last up was Michael Craig playing the Welsh No. 3 Scott Fitzgerald. Scott played some unbelievable squash in the first set to win 11-8 but Michael came back in the second with some aggressive and attacking play to win 11-6 levelling the match at 1-1.But unfortunately in the 3rd & 4th sets Scott came back and put Michael under a lot of pressure winning both sets 11-5. (11-8, 6-11, 11-5, 11-5)
The match ended 2-2 and 7-7 with Ireland losing on count back, the players put everything into this match and deserved a little more luck, but they all played some of their best squash this week in parts.
Next up for Ireland is Austria who are coached by Ireland’s Colin White.
Match overview
| Order |
Event |
Wales M |
– |
Ireland M |
Score |
Points |
|
|
Duration |
| 1 |
MS2 |
|
– |
|
11-5 11-5 11-2 |
1-0 |
|
|
|
| 2 |
MS1 |
|
– |
|
7-11 9-11 9-11 |
0-1 |
|
|
|
| 3 |
MS4 |
|
– |
|
7-11 7-11 11-9 0-11 |
0-1 |
|
|
|
| 4 |
MS3 |
|
– |
|
11-8 6-11 11-5 11-5 |
1-0 |
|
|
DAY 1 – WEDNESDAY 30th APRIL
IRELAND V NORWAY
Ireland took on Norway in the first match on Day 1 of the Europeans Team Championships in Riccione on the East coast of Italy.
First on court was Arthur Gaskin, the Irish No.1 who beat Norway’s Kim Killingberg 3-0 but was pushed in the 3rd 13-11 but came through to win 11-9, 11-4, 13-11.
Also playing at the same time was Ireland No.3 Michael Craig who also won 3-0 against Ronny Aasbo 11-4, 11-4 & 11-6.
Up next was Irish No. 4, Conor O’Hare who played the Norwegian, Edvard Egbom. He continued the winning ways with a comfortable 3-0 win 11-5, 11-5, 11-2
Last but not least! was Brian McBrion playing at No 2 against Kristian Solhuag, after winning the first 11-8 he dropped the second game in a tight 12-14 set but went on to win the next two sets 11-4 and 11-7 winning 3-1.
This was a great start the Men’s event with a 4-0 win, next up this evening is Sweden at 1800hrs (local time) which is expected to be a much harder match for the Irish team.
| Order |
Event |
Ireland M |
– |
 Norway M |
Score |
Points |
|
|
Duration |
| 1 |
MS3 |
|
– |
|
11-4 11-4 11-6 |
1-0 |
|
|
|
| 2 |
MS1 |
|
– |
|
11-9 11-4 13-11 |
1-0 |
|
|
|
| 3 |
MS4 |
|
– |
|
11-5 11-5 11-2 |
1-0 |
|
|
|
| 4 |
MS2 |
|
– |
|
11-8 12-14 11-4 11-7 |
1-0 |
|
IRELAND V SWEDEN
The Second match of the day against Sweden was delayed due to terrible weather conditions with thunder and lightning and torrential rain which flooded some courts. Was this a sign!
When the match eventually started Michael Craig playing at No.3 played the very experienced Swedish Christian Drakenberg. Unfortunately for Michael his youthfulness couldn’t break down Sweden’s No.2 and he went down in a very close 3.0. (9-11, 8-11. 8-11)
Next up was Irish No. 1, Arthur Gaskin playing who took on Romain Tenant. The two players were well matched and at 2 games all the fifth was going to be a fight to the end. In the 5th Arthur played some great squash to move to 10-5 but 4 match balls later it was 10 all, he then saved 3 match balls to eventually win 16-14 after 109 minutes of play one of the best matches so far.
Steve Richardson played his first match of the day at No.4 against the experienced Swedish player Alex Christensson. This match also turned out to be another five set marathon with Steve playing some fantastic squash plus he helped to educate the referees at the same time with his many years of wisdom in a way only Steve can!
Steve eventually won the 5th 11-6 to put Ireland 2-1 up going into the last match. For the record the match result was 10-12, 11-6, 12-10, 6-11 & 11-6.
Rasmus Hult was next up the Ireland’s No.2 Brian O’Brion. Brian’s opponent had a very unusual style playing with a two handed back which made it hard to read where the ball was going most of the time. Brian played some great squash in the first two sets but lost them 8-11 and 10-12. In the third set he dominated from the start and didn’t let his opponent in to take it 11-3 unfortunately he couldn’t keep it up in the fourth to lose 6-11 in a well fought match.
The match finished 2-2 with Ireland losing out on count back of games 10-7. Next up is Wales in the Quarter Finals which will be another hard match for the men.
For more information http://esf.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/teammatch.aspx?id=8F55C925-429F-4E6D-A537-70659A0EAD24&match=165
Match overview
| Order |
Event |
Ireland M[IRL] |
– |
 [SWE] Sweden M |
Score |
Points |
|
|
Duration |
| 1 |
MS3 |
|
– |
|
9-11 8-11 8-11 |
0-1 |
|
|
|
| 2 |
MS1 |
|
– |
|
8-11 11-5 11-9 3-11 16-14 |
1-0 |
|
|
|
| 3 |
MS4 |
|
– |
|
10-12 11-6 12-10 6-11 11-6 |
1-0 |
|
|
|
| 4 |
MS2 |
|
– |
|
8-11 10-12 11-3 6-11 |
0-1 |
.
| 
The Under 15/17 team championships take place in Prague from the 8th May to the 11th.
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