15/12/1951 – 25/1/2022
Fellow squash players, I regret to inform you of the death of Alf Kavanagh who passed away peacefully on Tuesday,
25th January, after an 11 year brave battle with cancer.
Alf’s first love was squash and he made a significant contribution at all levels as player, coach and sponsor in the Masters squash tournaments both here in Ireland and in England. He had far too many successes to mention, most notably playing for Ireland in the Home Internationals. His most important achievement was playing on 3 winning Connacht teams in the Masters Interpros, which he selected and managed. The last Interpro win for Connacht was a memorable win for Alf over Michael Conlon, saving match points in the fifth set to win the deciding match and the Interpro for Connacht.
Also in 2013, Alf captaining the Irish over 55s in the Home Internationals at the Park club in Nottingham, recorded a remarkable and unique victory over an English opponent in true Alf fashion coming from 2-0 down to win 3-2.
Alf also excelled at Racketball and in 2007 won the British National Racketball over 55 title at the Edgbaston Priory Club in Birmingham.
Alf was born in Galway City and was a proud Galway and Connacht man. He moved to Coventry in the 1960s. He entertained many Irish squash players in his Coventry squash club, and his hospitality in both the club and in his home while there was legendary. While playing there, he had the ability to find players whose ‘father or mother’ were from Connacht and immediately recruited them to play for the province! He followed the Galway football and hurling teams avidly, and one of his proudest moments as a Galway man was attending the 2017 hurling final in Croke Park with Gerry Fahy, one of his great squash buddies from Galway, when Galway won the McCarthy Cup for the first time in 29 years.
Alf is survived by his wife Cath, mother-in-law Irene, sister Marie, brothers Pat, John and Michael and nephews and nieces.
Alf’s funeral will take place at St. Laurence’s Church in Meriden, Coventry CV77Hx at 2.30 p.m. on Friday, 11th February 2022 with burial afterwards in the Church grounds.
Refreshments will be provided afterwards in the Manor Hotel in Meriden.
Rest in Peace Alf. You were a great friend to all who knew you and a proud Galway, Connacht and Irish man.
An appreciation by Dave Lalor
WSF COACHING COURSE – CONNACHT
Irish Squash are pleased to invite you to a WSF Level 1 Coaching course in Connacht.
Course organiser: Eddie Murphy
email: [email protected]
Venue: Westport SC, Co. Mayo
Weekend 1 – 5th & 6th March 2022
Weekend 2 – 26th & 27th March 2022
Course Duration: The course will run for 4 days from 9.30am – 5.30pm with assessment on the final day. Each candidate must submit a video of themselves playing squash for 2 mins approx on Whatsapp to 087 2651645 prior to being accepted on the course.
Candidates will be on court and in class room during the course.
COURSE FEE
The course fee of €275 can be paid in this link: – HERE
As this course is part of the WSF Coach Education Programme, participants must register for their SPIN on the WSF website – HERE
As L1 Coach Candidate, which costs GBP 16. You must do this before the course starts.
If not already vetted with Irish Squash, candidates must apply for Garda vetting – Details on the Irish Squash web site – HERE
Also you must attend a Safeguarding 1 course, see the Local Sports Partnership in the county you live, to register for a course. It is just €15 and takes one evening to complete. Search for a course – HERE
Courses are not in strict chronological order!
N.B. Please send in your Garda Vetting & Safeguarding certs and WSF Coach SPIN to [email protected] before you start the course.
If you are under 18 then you will have to wait until you become 18 to do these.
You will get your coaching badge then if you are successful.
Irish Squash are pleased to invite you to a Leaders course in Limerick LTC.
Course organiser: Eddie Murphy
email: [email protected]
Course Venue: Limerick LTC
Saturday February 12th @ 10.30pm
Course Duration: The course will run for 1 day from 10.30am – 5.30pm.
COURSE FEE
The course fee of €50 can be paid in this link: – HERE
If not already vetted with Irish Squash, candidates must apply for Garda vetting – Details on the Irish Squash web site – https://www.irishsquash.com/garda-vetting/
Also you must attend a Safeguarding 1 course, see the Local Sports Partnership in the county you live, to register for a course. It is just €15 and takes one evening to complete. Search for a course HERE
Courses are not in strict chronological order!
If you are under 18 then you will have to wait until you become 18 to do these.
You will get your coaching badge then if you are successful.
The Leinster Masters’ Open takes place in Fitzwilliam LTC from February 11th-12th.
Enter HERE
Entry deadline is Saturday February 5th, so ENTER NOW!!
The Mount Pleasant Open was on from January 28th to the 30th. The results for the Women’s A, Men’s A, B, & C events can be viewed HERE
Pictures – See here
WELCOME NEWS FOR SQUASH
Please see email received today from Shane Califf in Sport Ireland regarding public health measures and how the recent changes announced by the Government apply to sport and physical activity.
This is truly great news for our sport and we look forward to seeing more people returning to their clubs for social squash. Our events are now open to all players, irrespective of Covid-19 vaccination status and can be run without additional Covid screening measures in place.
The most important advice is that anyone with symptoms suggestive of Covid infection should stay away, test and isolate.
Please check our website and calendar regularly for information on upcoming events, coaching courses, refereeing courses and more!
Rosie Barry
President Irish Squash
Dear Sport Ireland Stakeholder
On Friday January 21st 2022 the Government made an announcement in relation to Public Health Measures.
The full announcement can be accessed here: gov.ie – Government announces that most of the public health measures currently in place can be removed (www.gov.ie)
As set out in the announcement a large number of the public health measures currently in place can be removed. Key items in relation to sport & physical activity are as follows:
The Government have reiterated the need for ongoing close monitoring of the virus. Sporting bodies should continue to risk assess individual activities and events. This includes the continued implementation of good hygiene practices along with recommending symptomatic individuals do not participate in or attend sporting activities.
Ø Mask Wearing: The requirements for mask wearing in settings where currently regulated for will continue until February 28th 2021.
Ø Close Contacts: This continues to follow the current advice for those with symptoms, cases and close contacts as announced by the government on 12 January 2022
Ø International Travel: Organisations partaking in international sporting activity should continue to monitor the travel requirements both in Ireland and the destination country. Sports should also note that the use of the Digital Certificate will continue for international travel for the immediate future.
Further information can be found here: gov.ie – International travel (www.gov.ie)
Organisations are free to submit any additional queries in relation to their individual sports and activities to the relevant NGB, High Performance and Participation Units.
Sport Ireland would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and recognise the continued commitment of the Sector in implementing and supporting the various public health measures.
Kind Regards
Shane Califf
Irish Squash is pleased to announce the appointment of the underage coaches for this season. After such a difficult time for all sportspeople and in particular for indoor sports over the last 2 years, we are looking forward to getting back to full activity and events.
Our underage teams will participate in international competitions for age groups – U13, U15, U17 & U19’s.
JUNIOR COACHES for 2021/22 SEASON
U13 – Andrew Gillespie and assistant Gavin L’Estrange
U15 – Josh McVeigh and assistant Nigel Peyton
U17 – Michael Conroy and assistant Nigel Peyton
U19 – David Noone and assistant Stephanie Ryan
Congratulations to all the coaches and the best of luck to them and all the players who play in the international events.
The Munster Masters Open takes place in Cork from January 21st – 22nd.
Results are available
Irish Squash are pleased to invite you to a WSF Level 1 Coaching course. One in Munster and one in Leinster.
Course organiser: Eddie Murphy 
email: [email protected]
Course No.1
Venue: Gleneagle SC, Killarney, Co. Kerry
Weekend 1. 29th & 30th Jan 2022
Weekend 2.26th & 27th Feb 2022
Course No.2
Sportslink SC, Santry, Dublin
Weekend 1. 19th & 20th Feb 2022
Weekend 2. 12th & 13th Mar 2022
Course Duration: The course will run for 4 days from 9.30am – 5.30pm with assessment on the final day. Each candidate must submit a video of themselves playing squash for 2 mins approx on Whatsapp to 087 2651645 prior to being accepted on the course.
Candidates will be on court and in class room during the course.
COURSE FEE
The course fee of €275 must to be paid upon entry to this link: – HERE
As this course is part of the WSF Coach Education Programme, participants must register with their SPIN on the WSF website – HERE
As L1 Coach Candidate, which costs GBP 16. You must do this before the course starts.
Candidates must apply for Garda vetting details on the Irish Squash web site – https://www.irishsquash.com/garda-vetting/
Also you must attend a Safeguarding 1 course, see the Local Sports Partnership in the county you live, to register for a course. It is just €15 and takes one evening to complete. Search for a course HERE
Courses are not in strict chronological order!
If you are under 18 then you will have to wait until you become 18 to do these.
You will get your coaching badge then if you are successful.
