History

Irish Squash experienced a resurgence in popularity in the 2000s, following a dip in its profile during the 1990s. Belfast hosted the Women's International Squash Players Association World Championship in November 2006 with the final being played at the Ulster Hall.

The Irish senior ladies team have performed well at the WSF World Team Squash Championships, winning bronze in 1985 and finishing 5th in 2008. They also finished in 4th position at the European Team Championships in France.

Clubs

List of some active Irish squash clubs
Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club
Old Belvedere Squash Racquets Club
Mount Pleasant Lawn Tennis Club
Westwood
Aer Lingus
Galway Lawn Tennis Club
Naas Squash Club
Leinster Cricket Club
Sandycove Squash Club
Sutton Lawn Tennis Club
Thurles Squash Club
Tullamore
UCC
Trinity College Dublin Squash Club
Curragh Squash Club

Governance

Irish Squash, the national governing body for squash in Ireland, celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2010. Below the national body are four provincial organisations.

Notable players

Irish Squash includes notable players such as Jonah Barrington, Derek Ryan, Madeline Perry, Liam Kenny Aisling Blake and John Rooney. Jonah Barrington was honoured with a lifetime achievement award in 2006 at the World Squash Awards. Barrington played for Trinity and returned to compete against the Trinity team in 1992.

Competitions

The Irish Open is usually held at the Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club.

Irish Men's Open Results

Year Winner Opponent in final Score in final
2007Alex GoughBorja Golán11–6, 2–11, 11–10 (2–0), 8–11, 11–9
2006Borja GolánDavide Bianchetti11–5, 10–11 (4–2), 11–2, 11–9
2005Ong Beng HeeLaurens Jan Anjema11–9, 7–11, 11–7, 11–4
2003Not Held
2002
2001Peter NicolDavid Palmer15–11, 15–5, 15–9
2000Peter NicolJonathon Power15–12, 15–12, 15–9

Jonah Barrington won the Irish Open in 1966, 1967, 1969, and 1979, and was runner-up (to his rival, Geoff Hunt) in 1972. In 1976, Geoff Hunt beat Mohibullah Khan in the (then) new Squash Ireland Centre in Dublin. Earlier, from the mid-1950s onwards Donald Pratt, an all-round sportsman who also excelled at cricket, won the Irish Open for ten years in succession.

In 2005 the Pakistani squash team were unable to play in the Irish Open due to their visas for Ireland not being granted in time following qualification.[1]

Irish Women's Open Results

Year Winner Opponent in final Score in final
2007Madeline PerryJaclyn Hawkes9–3. 9–3, 9–5
2006Madeline PerryLaura Lengthorn9–7. 9–3, 9–4
2005Madeline PerryAnnelize Naudé9–4, 2–9, 7–9, 9–4, 9–6
2004Vanessa AtkinsonJenny Tranfield10–8, 9–1, 9–3
2003Vanessa AtkinsonCassie Jackman3–9, 9–4, 9–5, 4–9, 9–7

2003 marked the first Women's Irish Open since 1991, where Cassie Jackman - the 2003 losing finalist - reached the semi-finals.

References

  1. ↑ "Pakistani Squash Team article". Daily Times. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 8 January 2007.
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