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Irish Nationals 2004
Fitzwilliam LTC, Dublin, 16-19 Dec
19-Dec, FINALS:
Kenny and Perry Claim Irish Titles
Ray Byrne reports from Dublin
Number one seeds Liam Kenny and Madeline Perry were
crowned Irish National Champions 2004 tonight at the Fitzwilliam LTC
in Dublin.
Kenny saw off the determined challenge of 8 times national
champion Derek Ryan. Australian born Kenny showed great character
and determination as he gained his second national title.
Perry seemed unstoppable as she outplayed and outclassed number two
seed Aisling Blake, retaining her title in straight games for the
loss of a single point.
Perry, now ranked at number 17 in the world, is out on her own in
Irish Squash and surely will add more titles to her name.
Niall Rooney and Laura Mylotte defied the odds in the third place
play offs with Rooney defeating the experienced Stevie Richardson in
a five game thriller and Mylotte beating Anna McGeever 3-1.
Other Results of note were that of Dara O'Flynn from the host club
who finished in a very credible 6th position while Rory Byrne the 15
year old Irish Under19 No.1 finished at no. 12.
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MEN'S FINAL:
[1] Liam Kenny bt
[2] Derek Ryan
9/5, 7/9, 9/5, 9/4
WOMEN'S FINAL:
[1] Madeline Perry bt
[2] Aisling Blake
9/0, 9/1, 9/1 |
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Irish Nationals 2004
Fitzwilliam LTC, Dublin, 16-19 Dec
18-Dec,
Semis:
TOP SEEDS TO CONTEST
IRISH FINALS
Ciara Cogan reports from
Dublin
Madeline Perry and Aisling Blake will stage a repeat of
last years final as both won their way through to the final this
evening. Perry put on another no-nonsense performance and showed why
she has dominated Irish Women's squash in recent years as she
crushed number 4 seed Laura Mylotte in straight sets. Blake however
had a more difficult passage to the final. Anna McGeever stood in
her way and McGeever put in a determined display but was to
eventually go down in five games losing 9/7 in the fifth having had
five match balls in the fourth.
Liam Kenny produced a very good performance in despatching
Niall Rooney in straight games, Kenny was pushed all the way by
Rooney in the first taking it 9/7. The Irish No.1 then took control
of the match and closed out the following two games 9/2 9/4 to win
in convincing fashion.
Derek Ryan and Stevie Richardson went to five games with Ryan
winning out 9/2 in the fifth in controversial circumstances.
Ryan was 2/1 down in games before levelling the match by winning the
fourth set 10/8. Ryan then went 8/2 match ball up and on match point
Ryan called a let ball on a Richardson drop shot. Richardson
appealed the decision and gave dissent to the referee who had
previously warned him. This resulted in a conduct point to Ryan and
the match.
Ryan now faces no.1 seed Liam Kenny in search of his 9th national
title.
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SEMI-FINALS:
Liam Kenny
bt
Niall Rooney
9/7, 9/2, 9/4
Derek Ryan bt
Stevie Richardson
10/8, 6/9, 7/9, 10/8, 9/2
Madeline Perry bt
Laura Mylotte
9/0, 9/2, 9/0
Aisling Blake bt
Anna McGeever
1/9, 9/5, 6/9, 10/8, 9/7
Derek Ryan -
going for a 9th title |
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18-Dec,
Quarters:
Ryan and Kenny Ease
through to Semi-Finals
Ray Byrne reports from Dublin
Results in this afternoons Irish
National Squash Quarter-Finals went with the seedings with the
exception of Niall Rooney who overcame the number 4 seed Patrick
Foster.
Rooney, now ranked at number 121 staked his claim for a
place on the Irish Team which competes in the European Championships
next year with an excellent performance this afternoon.
Meanwhile top seed Liam Kenny eased past the challenge of Brian
Byrne. Kenny is on top form at the moment and will be glad with his
performances so far.
Derek Ryan, 8 times national champion, took on Dara O’Flynn from the
home club. Ryan was never under pressure as he completed a 3-0
victory and booked his place in the Semi-Finals against Stevie
Richardson.
Richardson, winner of this event in 2002 overcame 19 year old Arthur
Gaskin, Gaskin who is now playing on the professional circuit
competed well but was outclassed by the more experienced Richardson.
In the Ladies the top four all won through to the semi-finals in
straight sets.
Madeline Perry beat Tanya Owens to book her place in the Semi’s
against Laura Mylotte who came through against Eleanor Lapthorne. In
the other Quarter Finals Aisling Blake cruised past the challenge of
Kerri Shields. Blake will now face Anna McGeever in her Semi-Final.
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Quarter-Finals:
Liam Kenny bt Brian
Byrne
9/2, 9/3, 9/0
Derek Ryan bt Dara O'Flynn
9/2, 9/0, 9/4
Stevie Richardson bt Arthur Gaskin 9/4, 9/2, 9/6
Niall Rooney bt Patrick Foster
9/6, 9/6, 9/5
Mens Semi-Finals
Liam Kenny –v-
Niall Rooney
Derek Ryan –v-
Stevie Richardson
Ladies Semi-Finals
Madeline Perry –v-
Laura Mylotte
Aisling Blake –v-
Anna McGeever |
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17-Dec, Round One:
Seeds Fall in Dublin
Ray Byrne reports from Dublin
The first round of the Westwood Irish National Championships at
Dublin's Fitzwilliam LTC saw some notable upsets ...
Arthur Gaskin, the young professional seeded 11 who is now based
in Nottingham and world ranked 161, beat David Ayerst the no. 6 seed
from Ulster 3-1.
Dara O'Flynn seeded 10 caused the second upset of the night
beating his club-mate Nigel Peyton 3-0. He now faces Derek Ryan
the no.2 seed who came through easily when beating Rory Byrne who
plays for the host club.
Derek will be hoping to have a couple more easy rounds to save his
energy for an eagerly anticipated final with Liam Kenny.
Kenny outclassed his opponent David Noone 3-0 and now plays Brian
Byrne who will find it hard in the morning after his tough five
setter this evening against the no. 8 seed Neil Murphy.
Niall Rooney, ranked 124 in the world and seeded 5, beat
Keith Moran from Sligo to reach the quarter-finals.
(1) Liam Kenny 3-0 David Noone
(2) Derek Ryan 3-0 Rory Byrne
(3) Stevie Richardson 3-0 Daniel Roberts
(4) Patrick Foster 3-0 Brian Knox
(5) Niall Rooney 3-0 Keeth Moran
(6) David Ayerst 1-3 Arthur Gaskin
(7) Nigel Peyton 0-3 Dara O'Flynn
(8) Neil Murphy 2-3 Brian Byrne |
Men's Quarter Final Draw
From 1pm
(1) Liam Kenny -v-
Brian Byrne
(2) Derek Ryan -v-
Dara O'Flynn
(3) Stevie Richardson -v-
Arthur Gaskin
(4) Patrick Foster -v-
(5) Niall Rooney |
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16-Dec,
Qualifying:
Gerry Callanan reports ...
Tonight at Fitzwilliam The Westwood sponsored Irish Squash National
Championships saw the top qualifying seeds all come through.
The number two seed in the qualifiers Dara O Flynn from the
host club Fitzwilliam beat Keith Flynn the former Irish junior No 1
from Sutton. O Flynn who according to the tournament Director
Neil Murphy “just missed out on being seeded in the top eight
due to his non appearance at the Munster Open in October” looked
very sharp and looks set to push his fellow club mate Nigel
Peyton (world ranked 250) all the way on Friday night 6pm.
The Number one seed in the qualifiers Brian Byrne had a bye
and now plays Neil Murphy in what promises to one of
highlights from the first round proper on Friday night. Byrne who
two years ago was on the Irish junior team at the world
championships is only now settling in on the senior tour and will be
one to watch as the season progresses.
Liam Kenny the No 1 seed and world no 52 will play David
Noone from Galway. Kenny comes into the tournament the hot
favourite having won the Brazilian open at the end of August and
only last week losing the final of the Saskatoon Tournament in USA.
Rory Byrne the 15 year old who is currently the Irish No 1
under 19 highlighted the progress he is making beating Kevin Knox
and now plays Derek Ryan the 8 times national champion and no
2 seed. Derek, no longer playing full-time, will, as always be a
difficult man to beat and only last month made a triumphant return
to Dublin winning the Leinster Open.
Stevie Richardson the British Amateur Champion and winner of
the event in 2002 will be seed 3. Patrick Foster and Niall
Rooney will also hope to make an impact Rooney who’s world
ranking is now 124 has yet to make the breakthrough on home soil but
will hope to make amends over the weekend and stake his claim for a
slot on the Irish Team for the European Championships.
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Qualifying Results:
Dara O Flynn (Fitzwilliam) beat Keith
Flynn (Sutton) 3-0
Brian Byrne (Fitzwilliam) beat Conor O Hare (Ulster w/o
Arthur Gaskin (Carlow) beat Daniel Long 3-0
Daniel Roberts beat David Cassidy (Mount pleasant ) 3-0
Rory Byrne (Fitzwilliam) Beat Kevin Knox (Celtic) 3-0
Keith Moran (Sligo) Beat Paul Lenihan (OBSC) 3-2
David Noone (Galway ltc) Beat Nicky Staunton (Lambs)w/o |
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