Hopes for a strong home showing at the Irish Open 2025 were dashed as no Irish players advanced to the third round of the Cannon Kirk GIllenMarkets Irish Open 2025 in Dublin.
National Champion Conor Moran impressed in the opening round, but was unable to carry that momentum into his second match. Facing off against world No. 64 Rui Soares, Moran once again showcased his immense potential and shot-making talent. The Portuguese veteran, however, used his experience to weather Moran’s aggressive style, especially in a tightly contested second game that went to extra points. Despite Moran’s spirited effort, Soares secured a straight-sets victory to progress to round three.
Top Irish seed Hannah Craig also saw her tournament come to an early end. Drawn against top seed and world No. 21 Tesni Murphy, Craig pushed the Welsh player in a high-quality encounter that had squash fans on the edge of their seats. The opening game was a nail-biter, ending 14-12 in Murphy’s favour. Craig responded with grit, levelling the match in the second game. Both players dazzled with world-class shot selection and athleticism, but ultimately, it was Murphy who edged ahead to clinch the win and move on to the next round.
With the exits of both Moran and Craig, Irish hopes for a home soil success in this year’s competition have come to an end — but the performances of both athletes gave fans plenty to cheer and promise much for the future.
The quarter-finals of the Cannon Kirk GillenMarkets Irish Open take place on Thursday, May 22nd, with all eight matches streaming live on the SQUASHTV Live Streaming YouTube channel, starting at 2pm local time.
Charlie Lee (ENG) bt. [4] Yannick Wilhelmi (SUI) 3-1: 11-8, 5-11, 11-8, 11-9 (59m)
[1] Greg Lobban (SCO) bt. Samuel Osborne – Wylde (ENG) 3-1: 11-9, 11-8, 5-11, 11-8 (58m)
[7] Rory Stewart (SCO) bt. Shahjahan Khan (USA) 3-0: 11-6, 11-9, 11-0 (49m)
Tom Walsh (ENG) bt. [5] Patrick Rooney (ENG) 3-1: 11-9, 11-9, 8-11, 11-7 (57m)
[8] Rui Soares (POR) bt. Conor Moran (IRL) 3-0: 11-7, 12-10, 11-6 (40m)
Melvil Scianimanico (FRA) bt. [2] Jonah Bryant (ENG) 3-2: 5-11, 9-11, 11-6, 12-10, 11-9 (66m)
[6] Simon Herbert (ENG) bt. Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA) 3-1: 11-5, 7-11, 11-5, 11-8 (50m)
[3] George Parker (ENG) bt. Emyr Evans (WAL)3-0: 11-8, 11-1, 11-8 (36m)
[4] Torrie Malik (ENG) bt. Hana Ismail (EGY) 3-2: 11-6, 9-11, 11-5, 8-11, 13-11 (53m)
Millie Tomlinson (ENG) bt. [7] Saran Nghiem (ENG) 3-2: 11-7, 11-3, 5-11, 6-11, 11-7 (57m)
[2] Georgia Adderley (SCO) bt. Lowri Roberts (WAL) 3-1: 9-11, 11-9, 11-2, 11-3 (37m)
[6] Marta Dominguez (ESP) bt. Jessica van der Walt (AUS) 3-2: 11-3, 11-8, 7-11, 7-11, 11-6 (47m)
Xin Ying Yee (MAS) bt. [5] Joelle King (NZL) 3-2: 5-11, 9-11, 6-3 ret. (35m)
[1] Tesni Murphy (WAL) bt. Hannah Craig (IRL) 3-1: 14-12, 8-11, 11-8, 11-4 (46m)
Akanksha Salunkhe (IND) bt. [8] Enora Villard (FRA) 3-0: 11-9, 11-9, 11-9 (34m)
Madeleine Hylland (NOR) bt. [3] Grace Gear (ENG)3-0: 11-1, 11-9, 11-6 (27m)
[7] Rory Stewart (SCO) v Charlie Lee (ENG)
[1] Greg Lobban (SCO) v Tom Walsh (ENG)
[8] Rui Soares (POR) v Melvil Scianimanico (FRA)
[3] George Parker (ENG) v [6] Simon Herbert (ENG)
[4] Torrie Malik (ENG) v Millie Tomlinson (ENG)
[6] Marta Dominguez (ESP) v [2] Georgia Adderley (SCO)
[1] Tesni Murphy (WAL) v Xin Ying Yee (MAS)
Akanksha Salunkhe (IND) v Madeleine Hylland (NOR)
