Kenny and Perry Take Titles in Dublin
Liam Kenny and Madeline Perry both
successfully retained their national titles in todays 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 performance this weekend as she
adds the scalp of Owens to that of Kerri Lancaster who she defeated in the
Quarter Finals.
Final Results
Men's A:
Final: (1) Liam
Kenny 3/1 (2) John Rooney (9/11, 11/8, 11/6, 11/6)
3rd Place Play-Off: (4) Arthur Gaskin
3/1 (3) Derek Ryan (11/5, 11/8, 5/11, 11/5)
Ladies A:
Final: (1) Madeline
Perry 3/0 (2) Aisling Blake (11/4, 11/6, 11/6)
3rd Place Play-Off: (5) Zoe Barr 3/1
(3) Tanya Owens (7/11, 11/5, 11/4, 11/7)
Kenny and Perry
Remain on Course to Retain ILTB Titles
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.
Semi-Finals
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)
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 stunning
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 fight
back 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 tonight's 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.
Quarter-Finals
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)
Top Seeds In Cruise
Control In Dublin
There were no major upsets this
evening at the ILTB Irish Senior Squash National Championships in Fitzwilliam
Lawn Tennis Club with all the top players easing into tomorrow mornings
quarter-finals.
In the Men's Event it looks as the
only upset came in the shape of Fitzwilliam's Nigel Peyton who overcame number
eight seed Kevin Knox in straight sets. Defending Champion Liam Kenny beat
Carlow's Sam Olwill with the minimum of fuss and looks the red-hot favourite to
retain his crown. He should however face a tough test in the Semi-Final as he is
seeded to meet another Carlow man, Arthur Gaskin. Gaskin despatched Sutton's
Ronan Peyton this evening and looks to be a man high on confidence having
recently broken into the World's Top 100. All the hard work that Gaskin has been
putting in since turning professional four years ago appears to be paying off.
Physically he is in top condition and is starting to put together results on the
world tour. He will surely be hoping to push Kenny all the way in the
Semi-Final.
Eight-time champion Derek Ryan seemed
to be fully over the recent injury he suffered at the Ulster Senior Open as he
saw off the challenge of Fitzwilliam club-mate Dermot McNamara in straight sets.
Ryan moved McNamara around all four corners of the court and will look forward
to a tough quarter final with Ulster's Stevie Richardson. Galway brothers John
and Niall Rooney also secured safe passages to tomorrow's Quarter-Finals as they
over came up and coming talent from Ulster in the shape of Conor O'Hare and Neil
Martin.
In the Ladies Event, the only upset
to the seedlings' saw Jenny Dillon clinically despatch eigth seed Jody Hannon in
straight sets. Madeline Perry, who has recently returned to the top ten in the
World Rankings will look to add another ILTB National Championship to her tally
this weekend and it will take a huge performance to stop the in-form Banbridge
Woman who saw off Junior player Rachel Black (11/2, 11/1, 11/5). Aisling Blake
is the most likely candidate to stand in Perry's way. Blake who is currently
ranked 31 in the world has improved a lot over the last 12 months and will be
looking to push Perry further than she did last year. Other players to watch out
for in the Women's Event are Tanya Owens, fresh from her Senior Debut for the
Women's Team in Cairo at the beginning of the month, and London based Kerri
Lancaster currently ranked 110 in the world.
First Round
(1) Liam Kenny 3/0 Sam Olwill (11/2,
11/1, 11/5)
(2) John Rooney 3/0 Conor O'Hare
(11/2, 12/10, 11/4)
(3) Derek Ryan 3/0 Dermot McNamara
(11/3, 11/7, 11/4)
(4) Arthur Gaskin 3/0 Ronan Peyton
(11/4, 11/1, 11/5)
(5) Niall Rooney 3/0 Neil Martin
(11/5, 11/7, 11/4)
(6) Stevie Richardson 3/0 Paul
Linehan (11/6, 11/4, 11/6)
(7) Keith Moran w/o Nick Staunton
Nigel Peyton 3/0 (8) Kevin Knox
(11/5, 11/6, 11/8)
(1) Madeline Perry 3/0 Rachel Black
(11/2, 11/3, 11/3)
(2) Aisling Blake 3/0 Sarah Murphy
(11/2, 11/3, 11/3)
(3) Tanya Owens 3/0 Gabriella
McMillan (11/1, 11/1, 11/3)
(4) Kerri Lancaster 3/0 Cathryn
Abernethy (11/2, 11/3, 11/3)
(5) Zoe Barr 3/0 Jennifer Hegarty
(11/5, 11/4, 11/6)
(6) Claire O'Brien 3/0 Sheryl
Abernethy (11/8, 11/5, 11/7)
(7) Julie McMurray 3/0 Katie Wilson
(11/4, 11/7, 11/2)
Jenny Dillon 3/0 (8) Jody Hannon
(11/1, 11/2, 11/2)
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