Squash: Hat-trick for Madeline

The third Cannon Kirk Irish Squash Open took place at Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club from 19th-22nd April 2007. In addition to commercial sponsorship this event was supported by the Irish Sports Council. Competitors from 18 countries took part, including India, Mexico, South Africa, Columbia,.the USA and New Zealand
 
Irish squash players featured in both the men's and women's main 16 player draw. Leading the Irish challenge in the women's event was number one seed, Madeline Perry. Currently ranked 10 in the world Madeline was going for her third Irish Open title. Madeline did not drop a game all the way through to the final where she emerged a comfortable victor in a three game final against New Zealand challenger Jaclyn Hawkes, ranked 21 in the world.

Ireland's Aisling Blake, who has improved her rankings by 20 places to reach a current 38 since last year, had a tough first round encounter with finalist Jaclyn Hawkes, losing 3/1. Laura Mylotte from Galway, a recent addition to the tour has already reached 55 and pushed Tricia Chuah of Malaysia, ranked 26, all the way before Tricia gained a second round place in the main draw.
 
Borja Golan from Spain returned to defend the title first won last year when he was 38 in the world. Now ranked 20, his performance in the semi-finals and final left spectators gasping as he ducked and dived, fell, lost his racket and recovered in time to play the next shot. The final against number 2 seed, 36 year old world ranked, Alex Gough of Wales was a classic at every level. Experience won out in the end as Gough used all his mental strength to dig deep and pull off a sensational and surprising victory in the fifth set.  The average rally in the match was between 30 and 50 strokes and one rally of 106 strokes was replayed on a let decision!
 
Irish interest was well rewarded by Irish number 1, Liam Kenny, ranked 5 in the tournament, reached the quarter final stage and demonstrated that his world ranking of 31 will not be his final ranking.  Derek Ryan, a former world number 7, now retired from the international circuit, had to go through the qualifying event to reach the main draw. The effort proved too much but at 37 years, Derek has lost none of his competitive instincts. Most heartening of all was the performance of Galway man, John Rooney. John has had 2 years away from the circuit due to illness and at 27, demonstrated that his current ranking of 154 will quickly be history. Previously, John had reached 50. His first round match against the eventual tournament winner, Alex Gough, a five game match where John led 5-2 in the final game is a sure sign that he is back to form and nearly caused the sensation of the tournament!  His ability to cover the court and his all round shot making talent mean that he is going to challenge for a much higher world ranking in the near future.
 
Finals
MEN Alex Gough (2) (Wales) bt Borja Golan (1) (Spain) 11-6, 2-11, 11-10, 8-11, 11-9

WOMEN Madeline Perry (1) (Ireland) bt Jaclyn Hawkes (5) (New Zealand) 9-3, 9-3, 9-5

For Further Information: Gina Menzies, Tournament Organiser 087-2643087