Top seeds Ong Beng Hee and Madeline Perry claimed the titles in the Irish Open Squash Championships after marathon finals at the Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club in Dublin.

No 1 Irish player Madeline Perry thrilled the packed audience by bringing the women's title back home after two years in Dutch hands. The 28-year-old Irish National champion took the first game easily 9-4. But her Netherlands opponent Annelize Naude, the No2 seed, powered her way through the next two games to go 2/1 up.

Perry regained the initiative to level the match and force the final into a decider. The fifth game became a very contentious affair with most points being replayed on let decisions. However, Perry finally came through to take the match 9-4 2-9 7-9 9-4 9-6 in 90 minutes - one of the longest women's matches on record.

The triumph marked Perry's second WISPA World Tour title of the year, and the fourth of her career.

The men's final produced a confidence-boosting win for former world junior champion Ong Beng Hee. The UK-based Malaysian was stretched for 75 minutes by third seed Laurens Jan Anjema, the fast-improving 22-year-old Dutchman who knocked out second seed Alex Gough in the previous round.

But Beng Hee ultimately prevailed 11-9 7-11 11-7 11-4 to claim his first PSA Tour title of the year and the ninth of his career.

Semi-Finals
A tense opening game had spectators on edge in last night’s semi-final of the women’s event in the Irish squash Open held in Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club. Irish number one, and world ranked 12, Madeline Perry took a game to settle down before winning 3/9, 10/9, 9/0, 9/4.

The first game saw Madeline hit the tin on many points and mistime her shots. Her opponent, Stephanie Brind, the third seed and world ranked 21, played a focused game with plenty of lobs, followed by drops to unsettle Perry. Madeline played a better length, with a mixture of drops that nicked and quickly taken volleys to race to a 8/3 lead in the second game. Stephanie played her way back into the game until her racket broke in two at 8/8. Perry played a superb volley to get game ball at 9/8. The game was not over yet, Stephanie had a chance to go 2 games up as she served at 9/9. A very brave drop gave Perry a second chance to serve at 9/9 and finally win the game on a stroke.
Madeline then raced ahead to take the third game 9/0. With renewed confidence the outcome was never in doubt. Stephanie’s mistakes mounted while Madeline’s winners increased. A magnificent drop volley gave Perry a 8/4 lead, another nicked shot won the match in style for Madeline.

Men's Semi-Finals:
Ong beng Hee ( Mal) 1 bt Rodney Durbach ( RSA) 4 9/11,11-7, 11-6, 11-8.
Laurens Jan Anjema ( NED) 3 bt Alex Gough (WAL) 3-0.

Women's Semi-Finals:
Madeline Perry 1 (IRL) bt Stephanie Brind ( ENG) 3 3-9, 10-9, 9-0 ,9-4
Annelize Naude ( NED) 2 bt Tegwen Malik ( Wal) 4 9-4, 9-5, 9-4 ( 31 mins)

Gina Menzies