This year, Prague is playing host to the U19 Championship—an event that’s fast becoming a standout on the European junior squash calendar. For many, it’s a highlight of their playing careers, a week with some of their fondest juniors memories. Spanning 10 days, the event is split into two parts: the first half dedicated to individual competition, the second to the team championship.
Both the men’s and women’s events featured 64-player draws, with only each nation’s top talents competing. That meant every match was a battle—rarely an easy run for anyone.
The competition was spread across two venues. The primary site was the impressive Hector Centre, home to five glass-back squash courts lined up in a row, which served as the event’s vibrant hub. Beyond squash, Hector boasts tennis, badminton, padel, beach volleyball, a gym, and on-site accommodation—though squash was very much the star this week. A secondary venue, a squash and bowling centre across town, hosted a handful of matches.
Credit to the Czech Federation for organizing a seamless event, including securing a fantastic hotel just minutes from Hector—a nice treat for the players.
The individual championships had its ups and downs for all players. There were huge highlights, some performances that need forgetting quickly, and some major 5 set battles that went both ways. For all involved, it was an invaluable learning curve. How best to progress from here is the mission.
All results can be found at esf.tournamentsoftware.com .
U19 Boys – Final Ranking
16th place – Aaron Knox
24th place – Christian Dromgoole
45th place – Danny Lynch
50th place – Conal Jackson
61st place – Frank O Flynn
U19 Girls – Final Ranking
23rd place – Lydia McQuillan
25th place – Ella Erickson
30th place – Ella Walsh
38th place – Zoe Yeomans
45th place – Riley Slade
The event was closed out with the men’s and women’s finals. Both had impressive French winners, showcasing an incredible level of squash and inspiring many of the spectators!
The team event starts on Thursday for Danny, Conal, Christian, Lydia, Ella and Ella. An exciting week ahead!
An event that didn’t quite meet Danny’s own high expectations, but did provide some great performances and battles that will stand to him in the team event. He ended with three wins and three losses, showing moments of real grit. An agonizing first-round defeat, followed by a heartbreaking 12–10 fifth-set loss (after holding match balls), were tough pills to swallow. But his ability to bounce back mentally and refocus was perhaps his biggest win of the week. Sometimes the making of an athlete is how they react!
Thrown in at the deep end with the No. 3 seed in round one, Conal gave a good account of himself, making the opponent work for his victory. Then came a series of grueling five-setters—three in a row, two of which he won. By his final match, fatigue had taken its toll, bringing to a final loss. Still, a solid performance that sets him up nicely for the team event.
Off to a flyer with a 3–1 win in round one, Christian followed up with a closely contested four-set loss. Day two brought a strong win over Maltese Julian Scerri [17/24], pushing him into tougher territory in the draw. Though he didn’t notch another win, his top-25 finish and trademark tenacity made for a strong outing.
What a start from the Waterford man—two wins on day one, including a nail-biting 11–8 in the fifth against a top French opponent to break into the top 16 – and providing his teammates with the nervous excitement that only these events can bring. A performance to be proud of for us all! Though he faced Europe’s best in the later rounds, he never lost heart. His poise and fight at just 16 years old bode well for the future.
A few tough opening matches for Frank. He was always competitive in the games, always fighting hard. Frank played superb squash in parts, and it all came together in the later stages where he closed out the event with two commanding 3–0 victories. A strong finish to a valuable learning experience.
Making her Irish debut, the American-based Ella did not disappoint. A clinical first-round win was followed by a valiant effort against a top English player. Pushing her in each game, Ella lost 3-0 but showed what she’s capable of. A narrow 11–9 fifth-set loss in round three stung, but she rebounded in style—winning the rest of her matches and gearing up confidently for the teams event.
Lydia opened with a commanding win, before a narrow round-two loss which set up an unfortunate all-Irish clash against teammate Ella Walsh in round three. Lydia came through that in straight games and continued with strong performances. After two tough losses, her final win—15–13 in the fifth—was a thriller and a great note to end on.
A huge round-one comeback win for Ella—down two games, she clawed back to win 11–9 in the fifth. Brilliant effort from the Dublin based player. Tough luck followed, running into the second seed (for the second year in a row) – held a good account of herself but was out in 3 games – and then drawing Lydia in round three. She bounced back with a dominant 3–0 win over a Croatian player and a spirited match against a higher-seeded Norwegian. Plenty of positives to take forward.
Still just 16 years old, Zoe showed impressive maturity winning three from six! Her event began with a loss to the eventual finalist, England’s Emily Coulcher-Porter—a player with the rare skill of using opposite hands on either side of the court, avoiding backhand. Zoe’s standout moment came in a commanding win over a German rival who had previously troubled her. Always nice to see improvements coming along, positive event for sure!
A tough event for the athletic Mount Pleasant player, with early matchups against powerful opponents. Riley posses plenty of speed, but struggled to answer to some of the big hits. She also had the misfortune of drawing teammate Zoe—never ideal in a large event. But Riley saved her best for last, taking down a tricky Norwegian opponent in a five-set thriller on the final day. Valuable lessons learned.
On Saturday April 12th, Sutton Lawn Tennis Club and ALSAA hosted the Juniors Interprovincials 2025. The most talented juniors from each province competed in U11, U13 and U15 categories, for a day of thrilling matches.
Girls U11: 🥇 Leinster, 🥈 Munster
Boys U11: 🥇 Munster, 🥈 Leinster
Girls U13: 🥇 Leinster, 🥈 Munster
Boys U13: 🥇 Leinster, 🥈 Munster
Girls U15: 🥇 Leinster A, 🥈 Leinster B
Boys U15: 🥇 Leinster, 🥈 Munster
Squash Ireland is delighted to announce GillenMarkets and Cannon Kirk as the title sponsors for the upcoming Irish Open, scheduled to take place from May 20th to 24th at Fitzwilliam LTC in Dublin. This year, the tournament has been elevated to a Professional Squash Association (PSA) Copper status event, featuring a $75,000 prize fund, split equally between the men’s and women’s draws.
The upgraded status is set to attract top-tier international talent, providing an exceptional platform for both seasoned professionals and rising stars. World No. 22 Tesni Murphy leads the women’s draw as the top seed, while World No. 19 Greg Lobban enters the men’s draw as the favourite, with Jonah Byrant World No. 35 returning to defend his title.
Among the Irish contenders are Hannah Craig, Sam Buckley, Conor Moran, Breanne Flynn, and Hannah McGugan, all of whom will have the opportunity to compete against some of the world’s best on home soil.
Notably, Irish No.1 Hannah Craig recently secured her maiden PSA Tour title at the Paraguay Open and has climbed as high as World No. 63, underscoring her readiness to make a significant impact at the Irish Open.
On the men’s side, Sam Buckley and Conor Moran have been making great strides in their game and continue to climb the world rankings in what is a pivotal year ahead of the announcement of the LA 2028 Olympic qualification process.
Meanwhile, Breanne Flynn hopes to make a strong return following an ankle injury that sidelined her for several weeks, while Hannah McGugan aims to gain valuable competitive experience against some of the world’s top-ranked players.
Tournament Director Dara O’Flynn expressed enthusiasm about the event’s growth: “The support from GillenMarkets and Cannon Kirk has been instrumental in elevating the Irish Open to a PSA Copper event. This enhancement not only boosts the tournament’s prestige but also provides our Irish players with a valuable opportunity to compete at a higher level on home soil. We anticipate thrilling matches and
encourage fans to come and support our players.“
“Alongside our title sponsors, we are very grateful to Fitzwilliam LTC and their members, who have been wonderful hosts for what is a marquee tournament in the Irish sporting calendar.”
Squash enthusiasts and sports fans are encouraged to attend the Irish Open to witness world-class squash action and support Ireland’s top talent.
For more information on the tournament draw, participating players, and schedule, visit www.psasquashtour.comOn Saturday April 12th, Sutton Lawn Tennis Club and ALSAA will host the Juniors Interprovincials 2025. The most talented juniors from each province will compete in U11, U13 and U15 categories, for a day of thrilling matches.
U11 and U13 Boys and Girls will compete in Sutton Lawn Tennis Club, starting 10am.
U11 Boys
10am – Munster vs Connacht & Leinster vs Ulster
12pm – Leinster vs Connacht
2pm – Munster vs Ulster
4pm – Munster vs Leinster & Ulster vs Connacht
U11 Girls
10am – Leinster vs Ulster
12pm -Munster vs Ulster
2pm – Munster vs Leinster
4pm – Munster vs Ulster (rotate)
6pm – Leinster vs Munster (rotate)
U13 Boys
12pm – Munster vs Connacht & Leinster vs Ulster
2pm – Munster vs Ulster & Leinster vs Connacht
4pm – Ulster vs Connacht
6pm – Munster vs Leinster
U13 Girls
10am – Connacht vs Leinster A & Munster vs Leinster B
12pm -Munster vs Leinster A
2pm – Connacht vs Leinster B
4pm – Munster vs Connacht
6pm – Leinster A vs Leinster B
U15 boys and girls team will compete in ALSAA, starting 10am.
U15 Boys
10am – Munster vs Connacht & Ulster vs Leinster
12.30pm – Munster vs Ulster & Connacht vs Leinster
3pm – Connacht vs Ulster & Munster vs Leinster
U15 Girls
10am – Munster vs Leinster B
12pm – Leinster A vs Leinster B
2pm – Ulster vs Leinster A
4pm – Ulster vs Leinster A (rotate)
The adventure began early Thursday morning with a bleary-eyed 3:30am start at Dublin Airport. Excitement buzzed through the group—especially for those donning the Irish shirt for the very first time. The team landed in Nantes before breakfast and headed straight to La Maison du Squash, the tournament venue, for a practice session to get familiar with the courts and surroundings.
La Maison du Squash proved to be a fantastic host throughout the weekend, providing a warm and welcoming atmosphere for players, coaches, and parents alike. After training, the team enjoyed some well-earned downtime with a fun evening at the bowling alley—a perfect opportunity for team bonding.
It was lights out early that night, as the early start was catching up with everyone. Spirits were high, and the team was ready to take on the competition ahead.
The team arrived early at La Maison du Squash for the opening ceremony, followed by a quick warm-up session to prepare for the first challenge of the weekend—England.
The U13s were first on court, with several players making their international debuts. Despite facing a very strong English side, our players settled in well and found their game. Special mention goes to our No. 1s, Saibh Darcy and Jamie Morrissey, who both came heartbreakingly close to taking a game.
Next up were the U15s, clearly inspired by the grit shown by the U13s. Every player delivered a strong performance, pushing their opponents and showing real fight. There was some excellent squash on display, with a special shoutout to Danny Jones (Sutton LTC) and Nathan Walsh (Freshford and Celtic SC), both earning their first caps for Ireland. They rose to the occasion, playing bold, attacking squash. Danny even pulled off the trick shot of the tournament to earn a point for the team!
Final Scores:
U13: England 6 – 0 Ireland
U15: England 6 – 0 Ireland
Saturday morning brought another big challenge as both Irish squads faced off against hosts France.
The U13s were up first, with debuts for Eoin O’Brien (Sutton Lawn Tennis Club) and Ruby Carroll (Limerick Lawn Tennis Club). Both players gave it everything, battling hard and showing real determination against top-class opponents.
The U15s followed, facing some of Europe’s finest junior talent. Despite the tough opposition, the team rose to the occasion and showed serious grit and skill. Gabby Curran (Belfast Boat Club) and Ben Lynch (Galway LTC) stepped into the lineup for this one, both putting in strong, composed performances and making life difficult for their French opponents.
Final Scores:
U13: France 6 – 0 Ireland (1-18)
U15: France 6 – 0 Ireland (1-18)
U13s were first on court, and the squad delivered some brilliant performances. Harry Knox (Celtic Squash Club) impressed with a commanding 3-1 win, while Josh Archer (Belfast Boat Club) cruised to a 3-0 victory—both showcasing a level of squash beyond their years. Jamie Morrissey (Celtic Squash Club), Saibh Darcy (Sutton LTC), and Aurora McDonnell (Mountpleasant LTC) also put in high-quality performances that kept the pressure on throughout their matches.
But the standout clash—and a top contender for match of the day—came from Daisy Morrissey (Celtic Squash Club). In a nail-biting 3-2 thriller, Daisy edged out her opponent in a match that swung back and forth: up 1-0, down 2-1, then mounting a spirited comeback to seal it for Ireland. A special shoutout to the travelling parents who (unofficially) played every point of that final set from outside the glass!
With the tie ending 3-3, it came down to countback—Wales narrowly edging it 12-9.
Determined to flip the narrative, the U15s came out firing. Nathan Walsh, Danny Jones, and Michael Lai (Mountpleasant LTC) delivered dominant 3-0 wins, giving Ireland a crucial edge. The girls—Laya Sabry, Ashrakat Elmahgoub, and Zoe Nyhan (all Mountpleasant LTC)—fought hard, with Ashrakat and Zoe grabbing those all-important points needed to push Ireland over the line.
This time, it was Ireland who took the countback win with an 11-9 score!
Final Scores:
U13: Ireland 3 – 3 Wales (9-12 on countback)
U15: Ireland 3 – 3 Wales (11-9 on countback)
The final day of the tournament came around all too quickly, with both Irish teams set for one last challenge—taking on Scotland in a Sunday morning battle to close out a fantastic weekend of squash.
U13s kicked things off, determined to finish strong. There were solid performances across the board from Saibh, Jamie, Josh, Aurora, Eoin, and Ruby. Eoin O’Brien opened the scoring for Ireland, sealing the win with great returns and some slick trickle boasts. Over on the other court, Ruby Carroll followed up with another win, coming through 3-1 after a marathon third game that ended 17-15—showing serious grit and mental toughness.
Next up, it was time for the U15s to bring the weekend to a close. Danny Jones and Nathan Walsh once again delivered excellent wins, demonstrating maturity beyond their years and creating plenty of attacking opportunities. Ben, Ashrakat, Zoe and Gabby all played with heart and determination, ending the tournament with strong performances they can be proud of.
Final Scores:
U13: Ireland 2 – 4 Scotland (6-13)
U15: Ireland 2 – 4 Scotland (6-13)
A fantastic weekend showcasing some of Ireland’s brightest young talent at U13 and U15 level—an exceptional group of players we’re sure to see plenty more of in the years to come!
Full scores:
Squash Ireland is proud to launch HIIT Squash, an exciting new initiative designed specifically to increase female participation in squash through a fun, welcoming, and accessible programme that blends high-intensity fitness with squash-based skills and games.
The development of HIIT Squash was funded through Sport Ireland’s Women in Sport programme, in response to the clear need for more inclusive entry points for women in squash. Currently, just 23% of squash participants in Ireland are women, a figure Squash Ireland is determined to change.
Delivered over six weeks, HIIT Squash combines short bursts of high-energy movement with simple squash drills in a supportive, social setting. Whether participants are trying squash for the first time or returning after a break, the sessions are designed to build confidence, fitness, and connection, without needing prior experience.
Speaking on the launch, Squash Ireland CEO Scott Graham said:
“Increasing the number of women and girls in squash is a key strategic priority for us. Thanks to the support of Sport Ireland’s Women in Sport funding, HIIT Squash allows us to reimagine how women experience our sport, making it more accessible, engaging, and enjoyable from the very first session.”
“This programme is about more than just fitness. It’s about creating space for women to belong in our clubs, to feel confident on court, and to become lifelong participants, and potentially future coaches, leaders, and role models in our sport.”
The programme has been developed with input from coaches and female players and is easy for clubs to deliver with minimal equipment and tailored session plans. Clubs will receive training and marketing support to ensure the programme can be rolled out successfully in their local communities.
Following a successful pilot phase, HIIT Squash will now be available to affiliated clubs this spring, as part of Squash Ireland’s broader commitment to growing the game in an inclusive, sustainable way, ensuring that squash reflects the diversity of the communities it serves.
We’re calling on clubs to get involved! If you’re a club interested in running this programme, get in touch with Squash Ireland today to learn how you can run this exciting new opportunity.
Email Women In Sport Development Officer on [email protected]
As squash prepares to make its Olympic debut at LA 2028, initiatives like HIIT Squash are crucial to building a stronger, more balanced future for the sport — from grassroots to high performance.
For more information on HIIT Squash and how your club can get involved, visit the HIIT Squash webpage
The news comes as the sport prepares to make its debut at the LA 2028 Olympic Games. In recent years, Squash Ireland has been professionalising its operations and governance, helping to grow the sport and secure increased investment.
A key aspect of this progress has been the strengthening of high-performance structures through key coaching appointments. Arthur Gaskin was appointed Head Coach in late 2024, while David Noone recently joined as Junior Performance Coach, and Michael Conroy as Junior Development Coach.
A new structured Junior Performance Academy will soon launch, offering enhanced support to help young players progress to the top levels of the PSA World Tour.
Alongside these new structures and increased coaching capacity, Ireland’s top senior players have shown strong progress in what is a pivotal year ahead of the opening of the LA 2028 Olympic qualification window.
Speaking on the announcement, Squash Ireland CEO Scott Graham said: “Squash Ireland’s inclusion as a recognised High-Performance Development Sport is a key milestone and a well-deserved recognition of the talent and potential within our sport.”
“In addition to the welcome €50,000 funding allocation, this opens up new opportunities to learn from national governing bodies that consistently deliver medals at European, World, and Olympic levels. We can also tap into the growing expertise within Sport Ireland, the Sport Ireland Institute, and the wider high-performance system in Ireland.”
“This achievement has been made possible thanks to the dedication of the High- Performance Working Group volunteers, our Board of Directors, our excellent coaches, clubs, and, of course, our talented and committed players.”
“While squash’s inclusion in the LA Olympic Games has shone a spotlight on the sport, it is not our only focus. We have high aspirations for success at European and World Championships in the coming years. With the support of Sport Ireland and Sport NI, we aim to create structures and performance programmes that will develop young talent for years to come.”
For more information see the Sport Ireland High Performance Investment press release here .
The countdown is on for the ESF European Team Division 1 & 2 Squash Championships 2025, set to take place from April 30th to May 3rd in Wroclaw, Poland. This prestigious event will see the continent’s best squash talent come together to compete at the highest level, and Ireland is set to field two teams ready to leave their mark on the competition.
Representing Ireland on the men’s side are Sam Buckley, Conor Moran, Sean Conroy, Michael Creaven, and Oisin Logan.
Arthur Gaskin, Squash Ireland Head Coach, commented “With Sam’s recent run on the PSA World Tour and Conor’s consistency as of late, the team will be led out with some real quality. All players are super competitive and have been pushing each other to greater heights all season, bringing strength in depth.”
On the women’s side, Ireland will be represented by Hannah Craig, Hannah McGugan, Aimee McConnell, and Lydia McQuillan. It’s a lineup that boasts a compelling blend of youth and experience.
“Our women’s team suffered a big loss in Breanne Flynn due to injury. But in our #1, Hannah Craig, we have great leadership that the younger players can greatly benefit from. In particular, Aimee and Lydia, who are poised to make their senior debut for Ireland,” said coach Gaskin.
The Women’s team is settled to start their competition in the Women’s Division 2 in Pool B, facing Ukraine, Slovenia and Portugal.
The Men’s team will compete in the Men’s Division 1, seeded in Pool A with two strong competitors: England and Scotland.
Dublin will host the second Trans-Atlantic Masters Squash Series (TAMS) between England, Ireland, USA and Canada at the iconic Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club in Dublin on the weekend of 14-16 March.
Ireland agreed to host an expanded series after the success of the inaugural event in March last year in New York City. See full schedule of the weekend here .
Irish event organisers Dara O’Flynn and Jennifer Dillon shared their excitement in welcoming an elite international masters squash group to Dublin. O’Flynn, Squash Chairman at the famous Fitzwilliam Club said, “we’re proud to promote the growing international masters squash game and we have a great event planned”. With the event fast approaching, Dillon stated, “it just happens to be held on St Patrick’s weekend so what better time to showcase the best of Irish hospitality!”
Paul Boyle (England), one of the founding organisers of the New York event, said the TAMS organising committee listened to feedback following New York which resulted in an expanded event over 3 days in men’s and women’s over 50s and 60s age categories. Boyle said, “we’ve had huge interest in the event internationally and I remain grateful to England Squash Masters for continuing to back us”.
Richard Chin (USA), also one of the founding TAMS organisers, hoped that the event would become entrenched in the squash calendar. “After the successful New York event and the World Squash Masters in Amsterdam in 2024, we’ve had no problem finding players who are keen to travel and represent the USA”, said Chin.
Fiona Curthoys of the Squash Canada Masters Committee agreed with Chin. “Canadian players have embraced the opportunity to play international squash, also being enticed by the prospect of the ‘Full Irish Experience’ in Dublin”, said Curthoys.
The 2024 event in New York City was won by the England men’s over 50s and 60s teams with Canada winning the over 50s women’s trophy. England were also declared overall winners, but this year they face a sterner test from strong Ireland teams across all age groups and an equally strong North American travelling contingent. The timing of the event was not lost on O’Flynn when asked to predict a winner, funny things can happen over St Patrick’s weekend”, he said.
For further information on this event, please contact:
Ireland: Dara O’Flynn, tel +353 (87) 905 8679, [email protected]
England: Paul Boyle, tel: +44 (0)770 953 2326, [email protected]
What an unforgettable evening we had yesterday at the Masters Nationals Dinner, where we proudly hosted the 2024 Squash Ireland Awards! Amid great food and great company, we celebrated the outstanding individuals in our squash community—those who achieved remarkable success and made a lasting impact on the sport in 2024.
Joe Ruddy has been awarded Referee of the Year for his outstanding dedication to officiating and mentoring the next generation of referees. His commitment to maintaining high standards, fairness, and professionalism has made a significant impact on the sport. Alongside fellow nominee Dmitry Gilevskiy, Joe has consistently stepped up to ensure smooth-running competitions. His passion for developing others and his unwavering excellence make him a truly deserving recipient of this honor.
Jennifer Dillon has been named Coach of the Year for her groundbreaking contributions to squash coaching and development. A trailblazer in the sport, she has empowered women in coaching, led innovative programs like HIIT Squash, and played a key role in Squash Ireland initiatives. As Europe’s first fully certified female coaching tutor, Jenny has set a new standard for inclusivity and excellence. Her dedication, innovation, and lasting impact on the squash community make her a truly deserving recipient of this honor.
This year’s finalists were Lydia McQuillan, Harry Knox and Danny Lynch, all of whom had fantastic seasons.
However, after an incredible performance that saw him claim the national Boys U19 title and some fantastic performances on the international stage, donning the Irish colours, the award went to Danny Lynch of Galway Lawn Tennis Club.
Hannah Craig has been named Senior Player of the Year for her incredible achievements in Irish squash. In 2024, she became Irish National Champion, helped Ireland win gold at the European Team Championships, and claimed her first PSA Tour title at the Paraguay Squash Open. Her standout performance at the Irish Open, where she upset the #7 seed in front of a home crowd, further cemented her status as a rising star. Though competing abroad this weekend, Hannah’s success, dedication, and impact make her a truly deserving winner.
Mary Sceney has been named Masters Player of the Year for her historic achievements in Irish squash. In 2024, she became Ireland’s only masters world champion, showcasing that age is no barrier to excellence. Despite being based in Australia, Mary has remained a dominant force, winning multiple senior national titles and the Waterford Masters in 2024. Though unable to attend, she expressed deep gratitude for the honor. Her remarkable accomplishments, dedication, and humility make her a truly deserving recipient.
Peter O’Halloran was honored with the President’s Award for his longstanding dedication to Squash Ireland and Squash Leinster. A key figure in the development of Irish Squash first and Squash Ireland after, Peter played a pivotal role in shaping the past and future of our association. As part of the strategic development team, he helped pave the way for a more professional and structured organization at national and provincial level. His experience, commitment, and passion have made a lasting impact on the squash community, and this award is a well-deserved tribute to his invaluable contributions.
Mark McKane has been named Volunteer of the Year for his unwavering dedication to growing squash in his community. As the driving force behind New Ballymena Squash Club, he has expanded membership, advocated for new facilities, and introduced countless young players to the sport through outreach programs. His tireless efforts, from organizing leagues to securing local support, have ensured that squash continues to thrive in Ballymena. Mark’s passion, leadership, and commitment make him a truly deserving recipient of this award.
In4Squash has been named Club of the Year for its incredible impact on the squash community. As Ireland’s only LGBTQIA+ squash club, it has doubled its membership, competed internationally, and launched inclusive initiatives such as coaching programs for women and non-binary people, and outreach for asylum seekers. Despite not having a permanent home, the club continues to thrive, proving that a club is built on its people, not just its facilities. With plans to host the European LGBTQIA+ Squash Tournament, In4Squash is shaping the future of the sport with passion, inclusivity, and innovation.
