Irish Squash Senior Nationals 2009

 

Men's Final:
Irish number two, John Rooney won his first Irish Senior Nationals title in front of a packed Court One at Fitzwilliam with a 3-0 result against Irish team-mate Arthur Gaskin.

Rooney played some of his best squash of the tourament in the final and his tremendous ability in retrieving seemingly dead balls as well as his deft drops and controlled lengths kept him clear of his opponent throughout the match.

For his part Gaskin, though disappointed with the result, will have relished his first taste of a senior National final and will, no doubt, be back next year even better and stronger.

In their semi-finals neither player was truly tested as Rooney beat a below form Steve Richardson 3-0 whle Gaskin played only three games when Derek Ryan pulled up with calf-muscle trouble.

Women's Final:
Madeline Perry was odds on to win her 11th Senior National title and although she duly obliged with a 3-0 win, she was pushed all the way by an improving Aisling Blake.

Results: (We'll have full results up later)

Ladies A:
Final: (1) Madeline Perry bt (2) Aisling Blake 3-0 (11/8, 12/10, 11/9).
3rd Place Play-Off: Laura Mylotte bt Zoe Barr 3/1.

Men's A:
Final: (1) John Rooney bt (3) Arthur Gaskin 3-0. (11/6, 11/5, 11/7).
3rd Place Play-Off: Steve Richardson w/o v Derek Ryan (injured in semi-final).
5v6 Rory Byrne bt Nick Staunton 3-2.
7v8 Neil Martin bt Nigel Peyton 3-0.
9v10 Kevin Knox bt Keith Moran 3-0.

Women's O35:
Rosie Barry bt Sheryl Abernethy 3-2.

Men's O35:
Rob Staunton bt Dara O'Flynn 3-2.

Men's O40:
Eoin Ryan bt Michael Cowie 3-0.

Irish Squash Champions 2009 - John Rooney and Madeline Perry.
Irish Squash national Champions 2009 - John Rooney and Madeline Perry.
Madeline Perry and Aisling Blake before their final at Fitzwilliam.
Perry v Blake - Irish National Championships 2009.
The finalists in action . . . all eyes on the ball!
Rooney v Gaskin - Irish National Championships 2009.
Perry and Blake - Irish Squash National Championships 2009.
Finalists pictured with Irish Squash President John O'Connor, above Madeline Perry and Aisling Blake and below John Rooney and Arthur Gaskin.
Rooney and Gaskin, Irish Squash National Championships 2009.
Irish National Squash Championships 2009.
From left: Joe Ruddy, match referee, John Rooney, John O'Connor, President of Irish Squash, Arthur Gaskin and Tournament Referee, Brian Williams.
John Rooney - Irish National Squash Champion 2009.
John O'Connor, John Rooney and Irish Squash Chairman, Michael J. Hynes.
Presidents Award 2009 - Ger Holohan.
The President's award for contribution to squash in 2009 was made to Ger Holohan - Carlow - for his great work on the Irish Junior Open in recent years. Photo shows Ger receiving his award from Irish Squash President, John O'Connor and Irish Squash Chairman, Michael J. Hynes.
Well done John O'Connor!
There was a special award from the board of Irish Squash to our President, John O'Connor for his untiring work on behalf of squash and the organisation. Ed Dunne made the presentation on behalf of the board.

All pics above courtesy of Martin Maher Photography

Check out Irish Nationals 2008