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ILTB Irish National Championships 2008
19-21 Dec, Dublin |
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Kenny
and Perry
Retain Titles in Dublin
Liam Kenny and Madeline
Perry both retained their national titles in today's finals
at the ILTB Irish Senior National Squash Championships in
Fitzwilliam LTC today.
Kenny again had to come from behind as he defeated the number
two seed John Rooney by three games to one. The first game was a
very cagey affair with neither player looking willing to take
any chances. Rooney managed to maintain a marginal advantage
throughout and took the game 11/9. Rooney then stormed into a
5/3 lead in the second and the match seemed to be swinging in
his favour. However a few well played rallies from Kenny coupled
with some unforced errors from Rooney saw Kenny take the next
five points in a row to take an 8/5 lead. This was a gap that
Rooney could not close and Kenny levelled the match at one game
all.
The third game proved to be the
decisive one as Rooney appeared to tire considerably opening up
the court for Kenny, which the defending champion took full
advantage of. Kenny proceeded to dominate the remaining two
games as he clinched the match and with it his fifth national
title. In the third place play off Carlow man Arthur Gaskin
continued his recent good form as he beat veteran Derek Ryan by
three games to one. The form of Gaskin this weekend has been one
of the highlights of the event and he will look to come back
next year and go even further than his semi-final place this
year.
In the Ladies Event Madeline Perry
put on a flawless display as she beat Sligo's Aisling Blake by
three sets to nil and secured her tenth national title. Perry
has dominated the women's game in Ireland in recent years and
her achievement of winning ten titles is one which must be
applauded. The World number nine, Perry, proved too good for
Blake, and managed to finish the match within half an hour.
Perry took the first game with relative ease, but Blake started
the second extremely well and managed to work herself into a 3/0
lead. However Perry moved up through the gears with ease taking
the second set 11/6 and winning the third by the same scoreline.
In the third place play off Zoe
Barr continued to upset the seedings as she beat Tanya Owens the
third seed by three games to one. Barr will be delighted with
her perfomance this weekend as she adds the scalp of Owens to
that of Kerri Lancaster who she defeated in the Quarter Finals.
Men's
Final:
(1) Liam Kenny bt
(2) John Rooney 9/11, 11/8, 11/6, 11/6
3rd/4th: (4) Arthur Gaskin bt (3) Derek Ryan 3/1
Ladies Final:
(1) Madeline Perry
bt (2) Aisling Blake 11/4, 11/6, 11/6
3rd/4th: (5) Zoe Barr bt (3) Tanya Owens
3/1
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Kenny and Perry Remain
on Course in Dublin
The top two seeds in both the men's and ladies events have
successfully navigated their way to tomorrows finals in the ILTB
Irish Senior National Squash Championships in Fitzwilliam LTC.
In the Men's Event Liam Kenny had to come from behind to
defeat Carlow's Arthur Gaskin. Gaskin has been in devastating
form of late and got off to a flying start as he clinched the first
set 11/8. In the second Gaskin again set the pace and had the lead
at both 5/3 and 7/5, however Kenny kept in touch and took advantage
when Gaskin started making unforced errors towards the end of the
second game. Kenny earned two game balls at 10/8 the first of which
Gaskin saved however a harsh "no let" call against Gaskin saw the
game go to Kenny. From that point on Kenny took control, as Gaskin
tired and seemed to lose concentration, and closed out the remaining
two games 11/6, 11/8. While Gaskin will be disappointed not to have
reached his first Senior National Final he will take a great deal of
heart from the perfomance he put on and will no doubt return next
year hoping to go one step further.
In the second semi-final John Rooney overcame the challenge
of Irish Squash stalwart Derek Ryan in straight games. 38 year old
Ryan, who had a gruelling five-setter with Stevie Richardson in this
afternoon's quarter-finals was up against the odds from the start
against Rooney who was in peak condition. Rooney was however made to
work for his victory as Ryan pushed him hard in each of the games
and could easily have won the first or third.
Tomorrow's final sees a repeat of last years showpiece with Kenny
and Rooney facing off. While Australian-born Kenny remains the firm
favourite, Rooney will take confidence from the way Gaskin went
about his task this evening and will look to ensure a new name
appears on the ILTB Irish Senior Squash Championships trophy
tomorrow evening.
In the ladies event Madeline Perry eased by the challenge of Zoe
Barr in straight sets. Perry has been in scintillating form this
weekend and will face tomorrow's final with her confidence sky-high.
Barr appeared a little tired after her exertions in the afternoon
where she ousted fourth seed Kerri Lancaster and will be happy with
her weekend's display as she picks up priceless ranking points.
Sligo's Aisling Blake booked her place in the final with an
accomplished display as she defeated Ulster's Tanya Owens in
straight sets. Blake's strength and shot selection proved too much
for Owens who faces a 3rd/4th place play off in the morning with Zoe
Barr. Blake faces Perry yet again in the final of the ILTB Irish
Senior National Championships and on the evidence provided this
weekend, both women look likely to continue their dominance of the
domestic squash circuit in Ireland for the next couple of years at
least.Men's
A Section
(1) Liam Kenny 3/1 (4) Arthur Gaskin (8/11, 11/9, 11/6, 11/8)
(2) John Rooney 3/0 (3) Derek Ryan (11/9, 11/7, 11/9)
Ladies A Section
(1) Madeline Perry 3/0 (5) Zoe Barr (11/1, 11/1, 11/5)
(2) Aisling Blake 3/0 (3) Tanya Owens (11/2, 11/4, 11/7)
Tomorrow's Finals:
Madeline Perry -v- Aisling Blake 2:30 p.m.
Liam Kenny -v- John Rooney 3:20 p.m.
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Ryan Wins Five-Set Thriller to
Book Semi-Final Place
When Derek Ryan was drawn to meet Stevie Richardson in the
Quarter-Finals of the ILTB Irish Senior National Championships in
Fitzwilliam everyone expected a titanic battle and that is exactly
what the crowd in Fitzwilliam LTC were treated to today as Ryan came
from two games down to take the deciding game on a tie breaker after
a stuinning 82 minutes of play. Ryan, who at two sets down and
looking fatigued was staring at the thought of not making the last
four at the Nationals for the first time since the 1980's, had to
draw on all his experience and racket skills to fightback against
Richardson. Having levelled the game at two games all Ryan had to
come from behind right the way through the deciding game. Richardson
stormed into a 5/2 lead in the fifth but Ryan then pegged the scores
back to 5/5. Richardson managed to push forward again and earned to
match balls at 10/8. The last four points of the match were long
tight rallies and Richardson will be unhappy that one or two
decisions did not go his way. Ryan will now look to dust himself
down and prepare to face John Rooney in this evening's semi-finals.
Rooney came through his Quarter-Final against fellow Connacht man
Keith Moran with relative ease. Rooney is in excellent physical
condition and has not had to get out of second gear so far this
weekend. Ryan will provide a much sterner test this evening however
it remains to be seen how much of an effect his battle this
afternoon with Richardson will have.
In the other Semi-Final top seed Liam Kenny will face Arthur Gaskin.
Kenny eased into the semi's with a straight sets victory over
Fitzwilliam's Nigel Peyton. Kenny who has four Irish Titles to his
name already is still the man to beat and should come across a
tougher test this evening in young Carlow man Gaskin. Gaskin is in a
rich vein of form and was ruthless as he despatched Niall Rooney in
straight games. Gaskin is fitter and stronger than ever before and
this is starting to show in both his world ranking (now at a career
high 94) and his recent results.
In the ladies event Zoe Barr upset fourth seed Kerri Lancaster to
book a place against tournament favourite Madeline Perry. Barr who
lost the first game 14/16 managed to dominate her opponent in the
remaining three games and gains valuable ranking points which could
see her push for a place on the Women's Senior Team. Perry eased by
Westwood's Jenny Dillon conceding just a handful of points. Perry
has not been troubled so far this weekend and should have too much
in her arsenal to be troubled by Barr this evening.
Aisling Blake is set to face Tanya Owens in the other semi-final.
Both ladies had straight set victories over their respective
opponents and will be in good condition for tonights match. Sligo's
Blake has reached a career-high position of number 31 in the world
and will be looking to further cement her place as Ladies No. 2 by
overcoming Owens this evening. She will then face her toughest task
of all when she faces Perry in tomorrow's Final.
Men's A Section
(1) Liam Kenny 3/0 Nigel Peyton (11/3, 11/4, 11/7)
(2) John Rooney 3/0 (7) Keith Moran (11/7, 11/6, 11/9)
(3) Derek Ryan 3/2 (6) Stevie Richardson (9/11, 10/12, 11/3,
11/5,12/10)
(4) Arthur Gaskin 3/0 (5) Niall Rooney (11/2, 11/3, 11/5)
Ladies A Section
(1) Madeline Perry 3/0 (8) Jenny Dillon (11/2, 11/4, 11/5)
(2) Aisling Blake 3/0 Julie McMurray (11/7, 11/5, 11/4)
(3) Tanya Owens 3/0 (6) Claire O'Brien (11/3, 11/2, 11/2)
(5) Zoe Barr 3/1 (4) Kerri Lancaster (14/16, 11/3, 11/7, 11/5)
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