Ireland Finish 5th
The 2015 Under 19 Championships starts on March 28th with the individual championships. Ireland has 5 players participating with Stephanie Ryan in the girls event and Michael Craig, Oisin Dunne, Stephen Hearst and David Ryan in the boys event.
The team event starts on Thursday 2nd April with the Irish team as follows:
Michael Craig, David Ryan, Oisin Dunne, Hannah Craig, Stephanie Ryan. There is 19 teams in the event.
For photos see here
See here for draw and results of individual event.
See on Squash Site for information and pictures
For LIVE STREAMING – Court 1 – see here
See here for draw and results of team event.
Euro U19 facebook page
TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP – Thurs 2nd – Sunday 5th April
Day 8 – Sunday 5th April
Ireland finished their campaign with a win vs. Switzerland, their second over them, to win this 5/6th place play off. David Ryan won the first match 3-0 in a match with a very close 2nd game 14- 12 but a runaway 3rd 11-0. Hannah Craig continued to get good experience but the 16 year old couldn’t match her much more experienced opponent. Her brother secured the win for Ireland with a 3-1 win over Dimitri Steinmann,
So a competition that was a success in many ways but at the same time disappointing that a medal was not won.
Match overview
| Order |
Event |
Switzerland |
– |
 Ireland |
Score |
Points |
|
|
Duration |
| 1 |
MS2 |
|
– |
|
6-11 12-14 0-11 |
0-1 |
|
|
0:33 |
| 2 |
WS |
|
– |
|
11-6 11-4 12-10 |
1-0 |
|
|
0:19 |
| 3 |
MS1 |
|
– |
|
4-11 11-6 3-11 8-11 |
0-1 |
|
|
0:32 |
Day 7 – Saturday 4th April
Ireland 2 Scotland 1
Match overview
| Order |
Event |
Ireland |
– |
 Scotland |
Score |
Points |
|
|
Duration |
| 1 |
MS1 |
|
– |
|
11-6 11-5 11-6 |
1-0 |
|
|
0:25 |
| 2 |
MS2 |
|
– |
|
11-7 11-5 11-7 |
1-0 |
|
|
0:25 |
| 3 |
WS |
|
– |
|
11-6 3-11 5-11 11-9 4-11 |
0-1 |
|
|
0:38 |
Ireland 1 Finland 2
A disappointing tie that promised so much.
Ireland got the dream draw for the quarter final pairings. Unfortunately we were not able to capitalise on it. Michael Craig was on first against
the Finnish No.1 Jami Aijanen
Midway through the first half of the first game the Finn had a serious dizzy spell and had to walk off the court. With the first game conceded he came back on after a short break but looked pale and weak. He managed to see through the match but was out on his feet.David Ryan was next on against Miko Aijanen brother of Jani.This was the first match that would present David with a challenge and he duly broke sweat in the winning of the first game. However more sweat and frustration was to come as Mikko was well up for the challenge and took the match to the 5th game. There was nothing between the two players. However the referee had a significant influence in this match. He was giving nothing that wasn’t merited, unfortunately both players didn’t adapt to his strict standards and numerous ‘no let’ decisions were given. David suffered more than his opponent in this regard.
Causing a rising of his frustration and eventually contributing to the loss of the match.Yet again we were depending on Hannah Craig but Riina Koskinen the much more experienced Finish no. 1 was a step to far. Hannah’s power and aggression gained her some traction in early phases of each game but this was not going to upset her opponent and she finished off any loose balls when they came her way with confidence and well honed technique. Hannah lost 3-0.Ireland are now playing for 5th place in this tournament for the second year running. We had hoped for much much better.
Match overview
| Order |
Event |
Ireland |
– |
 Finland |
Score |
Points |
|
|
Duration |
| 1 |
MS1 |
|
– |
|
11-3 11-3 11-2 |
1-0 |
|
|
0:24 |
| 2 |
MS2 |
|
– |
|
11-7 9-11 11-9 10-12 8-11 |
0-1 |
|
|
1:22 |
| 3 |
WS |
|
– |
|
6-11 7-11 6-11 |
0-1 |
|
|
0:21 |
Ireland 2 Scotland 1
Ireland beat Scotland 2-1 in the 5-8th place play off. A fairly convincing win with the first 2 games going 3-0. Stephanie an had a cracking match just losing out 3-2 to Elspeth Young
Match overview
| Order |
Event |
Ireland |
– |
Scotland |
Score |
Points |
|
|
Duration |
| 1 |
MS1 |
|
– |
|
11-6 11-5 11-6 |
1-0 |
|
|
0:25 |
| 2 |
MS2 |
|
– |
|
11-7 11-5 11-7 |
1-0 |
|
|
0:25 |
| 3 |
WS |
|
– |
|
11-6 3-11 5-11 11-9 4-11 |
0-1 |
|
|
0:38 |
Day 6 – Friday 3rd April
Ireland 2 Switzerland 1
This was meant to be our biggest test so far- a top of the group clash with Switzerland.
We negotiated the task in a more convincing manner than the Hungarian assignment. David Ryan had no trouble in his match, although his opponent had plenty of heart, this was again no more than a light training session for David.
Michael played to a similar level as in his previous match, this time however he was in complete control – a testament to his Hungarian opponent – bar a passage in the 2nd, which went very close, Michael reasserted himself and won out 3-0. The tie was won and Ireland finished unbeaten and top of the group!
With the job done Stephanie Ryan played the Swiss no. 1. This was a hard ask for Stephanie. Despite losing 3-0 Stephanie showed some nice work and composure finishing on top in a decent number of hotly contested rallies.
Ireland are in the quarters their future opponents to be decided by lottery drawn from a hat!!
Switzerland were not too upset !
Match overview
| Order |
Event |
Ireland |
– |
Switzerland |
Score |
Points |
|
|
Duration |
| 1 |
MS2 |
|
– |
|
11-4 11-2 11-4 |
1-0 |
|
|
0:30 |
| 2 |
MS1 |
|
– |
|
11-2 11-7 11-9 |
1-0 |
|
|
0:50 |
| 3 |
WS |
|
– |
|
8-11 2-11 6-11 |
0-1 |
|
|
Ireland 2 Hungary 1
Ireland V Hungary This tie could not have been closer but the fight, determination and controlled aggression displayed by Hannah Craig in the deciding match was enough to awaken the fighting Irish spirit in those who were witness.
David started off the tie with probably one of his easiest matches you will get at this level, it took all of 15 min to finish and make way for the no.1’s…all too easy!
The second match was an altogether different story. After losing the first game the Hungarian no.1 found his best form and it looked like no matter what shot Michael played he was going to get it back. On this occassion Michael just couldn’t find the keys to unlock this particular Hungarian fortress. This gruelilng match went to 3-2 to the Hungarian.
Enter Hannah….eventual winner in an absorbing 5 game match, but you sensed there was only going to be one winner.
Michael and Hannah used a lot of energy in this tie and will need all of the 5 hours to recover in order to take on the Swiss, who are also unbeaten in this group, later this afternoon.
However This tie was all about Hannah Craig!!
Match overview
| Order |
Event |
Ireland |
– |
 Hungary |
Score |
Points |
|
|
Duration |
| 1 |
MS2 |
|
– |
|
11-2 11-3 11-7 |
1-0 |
|
|
0:16 |
| 2 |
MS1 |
|
– |
|
11-7 14-12 11-13 8-11 5-11 |
0-1 |
|
|
1:35 |
| 3 |
WS |
|
– |
|
11-5 8-11 11-8 8-11 11-8 |
1-0 |
|
|
0:45 |
Standings of U19 Teams – Group C
|
|
Points |
Played |
Won |
Draws |
Lost |
Rubbers |
Games |
Points |
| 1 |
Ireland |
8 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
– |
2 |
32 |
– |
9 |
418 |
– |
260 |
| 2 |
Switzerland |
6 |
4 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
10 |
– |
2 |
30 |
– |
6 |
359 |
– |
200 |
| 3 |
Hungary |
4 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
5 |
– |
7 |
18 |
– |
23 |
324 |
– |
356 |
| 4 |
 Norway |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
– |
8 |
4 |
– |
24 |
149 |
– |
290 |
| 5 |
 Israel |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
– |
8 |
3 |
– |
25 |
156 |
– |
300 |
Show draw…
Day 5 _ Thursday 2nd April
Ireland 3 Israel 0
The afternoon session on Day 1 went according to plan. Ireland, with Stephanie Ryan, Michael Craig and David Ryan, played Israel and claimed a nine game victory with no reply! David Ryan’s game was an exciting affair with apparently some inaudible (to the spectators) comments on court to add to the slightly edgy atmosphere between the two players. Although a decent player he was never going to trouble David squash-wise.
Stephanie Ryan v Israel
D.Ryan drives
Match overview
| Order |
Event |
Ireland |
– |
Israel |
Score |
Points |
|
|
Duration |
| 1 |
MS1 |
|
– |
|
11-2 11-4 11-4 |
1-0 |
|
|
0:18 |
| 2 |
WS |
|
– |
|
11-4 11-5 11-5 |
1-0 |
|
|
|
| 3 |
MS2 |
|
– |
|
11-4 11-5 11-4 |
1-0 |
|
|
0:18 |
Ireland 3 Norway 0
Ireland had a relatively easy first match in the U19 European Championships beating Norway in a comprehensive manner 3 matches to 0. Hannah Craig and David Ryan were dominant as reflected in the scores. David having so much time on the ball he resembled a marksman aiming for the nth degree of accuracy in his shots before he pulled the trigger and he was very very accurate!. Oisin had a slightly tougher match but took command in the last 2 games. This is is great experience for the 16 year old. It also gave Hannah Craig a match as she just arrived in Prague on Wednesday, not having played the individuals. She won 3-0 in 17 min.
Oisin Dunne v Norway
Ireland – Norway: 3-0
Match overview
| Order |
Event |
Ireland |
– |
Norway |
Score |
Points |
|
|
Duration |
| 1 |
MS1 |
|
– |
|
11-2 11-3 11-3 |
1-0 |
|
|
0:20 |
| 2 |
WS |
|
– |
|
11-4 11-2 11-5 |
1-0 |
|
|
0:17 |
| 3 |
MS2 |
|
– |
|
7-11 11-8 11-9 11-6 |
1-0 |
|
|
0:30 |
Day 4 _ Tuesday 31st March
It was a successful final day for the Irish players at the Under 19 Individual championships in Prague today.
Michael Craig who lost his semi final yesterday won the 3/4th place play off easily, winning 3-0 versus Finland’s Jami Aijanen. A super achievement for Michael. David Ryan also won his 5/6th place play off beating England No. 2 Patrick Rooney, also 3-0.
So Ireland have 2 boys placed in the top 5 in Europe – a great result!
Now its the team event starting on Thursday where Ireland have real medal possibilities, hopefully Gold!
Stephanie Ryan also had a good win today versus Hedvika Suchankova of Czech 3-1. With 1 games going to 16-14. Oisin Dunne also won his match over Belguim’s Sanja Jeeva 3-0 and Stephen Hearst also finished his championship with a good win over Norway’s Filip Pinto 3-1
There is a rest day on Wednesday and then the team competition starts on Thursday.
Day 3 _ Monday 30th March
The 3rd day started for the Irish players with a win for Stephanie Ryan beating Michaela Cepova 11-8 11-8 12-14 11-1. She now plays Hedvika Suchankova from Czech in her final match tomorrow.
Unfortunately Oisin Dunne went down in his match 3-0 to Jens Wegeberg from Denmark.
In today’s semi final of the boys U19 championship Michael Craig lost out to Spain’s Edmon Lopez Moller. 3-0. Edmon just didn’t make any mistakes and was very accurate. Michael
could not come up with a game plan to out wit him. So its a 3/4 place play off tomorrow for Michael.
David Ryan won his semi final in the 5-8th place play offs vs Benjamin Aubert of France. So David plays for 5th place tomorrow.
There is a rest day on Wednesday and then the team competition starts on Thursday.
|
|
– |
|
11-6 11-13 7-11 11-1 11-5 |
|
|
1:05min |
Day 2 _ Sunday 29th March
On the 2nd day of competition We had some more good results from the Irish players. David Ryan played Balázs Farkas from Hungary in the last 16 and won 3-0, 11-8,11-7,11-9. Next up was a match with the number 1 seed George Parker from England which unfortunately went against David 13-11,11-5,11-7. David now plays Benjamin Aubert from France in the semi for 5-8th place at 17.15 on Monday. Michael Craig had a super day where he qualified for the semi final with 2 victories over Rory Stewart from Scotland, who he beat in the final of this years Irish Open and James Peach from England. In this match he dropped his first game but won out 3-1. He now plays Edmon Lopez-Moller from Spain who had a super win over Patrick Rooney from England 3-0. So this will be a big test for Michael which takes place on court 1 at 17.15 on Monday. This match will be streamed live.
Oisin Dunne had a match vs Vojtech Ryba which just went against him 3-2. In his next match he beat a Czech 3-0 and plays Denmark’s Jens Wegeberg on Monday. Stephen Hearst had a match vs Jens Wegeberg from Czech which he lost 3-0.
In the girls event Stephanie Ryan had two good wins over Czech players and now plays Michaela Cepova again from Czech on Monday.
Day 1 _ Saturday 28th March
David Ryan started with two 3-0 wins over a Czech and Swiss opponents to reach the last 16. Stephen Hearst lost 3-1 to Germany’s Tobias Weggen 3-1. Oisin Dunne lost to another German Lucas Wirths also with a 3-1 scoreline. In his next match vs an Austrian he won 3-0. Michael Craig won he first 2 matches 3-0 vs a Slovak and Czech player to reach the last 16.
In the girls event Stephanie Ryan had a very tight 1st round match vs Henrietta Huuhka from Finland with 2 matches going to 18-16. Unfortunately both went to Henrietta and she also won the 3rd game 11-8.
| Venue: |
Sports Center Hector |
| Address: |
|
Tournament contact
| Name: |
Czech Squash Association |
| Phone: |
+ 420 777 638 360 |
| Email: |
events@cz-squash.net |
