The Ireland Women’s team of Hannah Craig, Hannah McGugan, Aimee McConnell, and Lydia McQuillan claimed the bronze medal at the European Team Championships Division 2 in Wrocław, Poland.
The team emerged from Pool B with wins over Portugal and Slovenia, which saw them progress to the medal matches. A narrow loss to the Netherlands teed up a match against Italy in the battle for bronze.
Hannah Craig was up first against Cristina Tartarone of Italy. Tartarone took the first game 12-10, Craig fought back in the second winning 11-9. The back and forth continued but in a nail biting finish Craig took the fifth game 11-9 to get Ireland off to a winning start. Aimee McConnell sealed the win with a convincing 3-0 win over Beatrice Filippi in just 23 minutes.
The result was a major positive for the squad, with Aimee McConnell and Lydia McQuillan both earning their first senior caps for Ireland showing the strength in depth of the squad.
Ireland Men Relegated Despite Win Over World #7
The Ireland Men’s team finished 11th in Division 1, resulting in relegation to Division 2 next year. The team of Sam Buckley, Conor Moran, Michael Creavan, Oisin Logan, and Sean Conroy got off to a promising start as Conroy opened the scoring with a win over Rory Richmond of Scotland.
Sam Buckley, with a world ranking of 116, was next on court, playing exceptional squash against world number 18, Greg Lobban. A five-game thriller unfolded over the next hour, with Lobban eventually edging out Buckley. Narrow losses by Michael Creavan (against Alan Clyne) and Conor Moran, ranked 217, (against Rory Stewart, ranked 55) meant that Ireland lost the tie.
Motivated by a chance to reach the top 8, and buoyed by their performance the previous day, Ireland faced 44-time champions England with grit and determination. Oisin Logan suffered an early loss to world number 66 Tom Walsh.
Next up, Sam Buckley took on world number 7, Marwan Elshorbagy. Buckley had the Englishman under pressure from the outset, with the pair trading blows in a tight first game. Elshorbagy edged it 20–18, then took the second quickly. However, Buckley staged a remarkable comeback, taking the next three games 11–4, 11–9, 11–7. The win will go down as one of the greatest upsets in European Team Championship history and serves as a huge confidence boost for Buckley and the entire Ireland squad.
Michael Creavan followed, facing world number 33 Curtis Malik. Creavan took an early lead, winning the first two games 11–8, 11–7. England looked shaken, staring down the barrel of an early exit. But to his credit, Malik fought back and claimed the next three games 11–5, 11–8, 11–3. Creavan can be proud of a performance that raised his game to new heights.
Conor Moran was the final Irish player to take the court, facing rising star and world number 35, Jonah Bryant. Moran lost the first game 11–2 but had Bryant under pressure in the second and third, holding the lead at times with opportunities to win. However, it wasn’t to be, as Bryant sealed the win for England.
After the emotional high of pushing two of the top teams so close, Ireland struggled in the 9th–12th place playoffs, as fatigue began to take its toll. They tied with Belgium and lost to Hungary on Friday. A win over Israel wasn’t enough to retain a place in Division 1.
It was a rollercoaster campaign for the Ireland men’s team. However, they gained valuable experience and showed they are capable of competing with some of the world’s best players.
Full results here
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.comThe 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.
Squash Ireland invites applications from Northern Irish athletes for the Sport Northern Ireland Athlete Awards 2025-26.
The award is designed to help reduce the financial burden of maintaining a professional lifestyle for players with the potential to achieve elite-level success at the Olympic, World and Commonwealth Games level.
For the 2025-26 Athlete Award year, Sport NI will focus on athletes who are on a trajectory toward the LA 2028 Olympic Games and/or can deliver world-class performances at future Commonwealth Games.
Guidance notes are available here—please read carefully.
Application Process:
For any enquiries regarding the suitability of applications, please contact [email protected].
The 2025 Irish Senior Nationals delivered a weekend of gripping action at Fitzwilliam LTC, with dramatic encounters, upsets, and dominant displays across all divisions. Conor Moran stole the show in the Men’s A final, while Hannah Craig successfully defended her title in commanding fashion. Meanwhile, Brian Knox lived up to expectations in the Men’s B, cementing his status as the top seed.
Men’s A Final: Moran Stuns Buckley in Marathon Thriller: In what will be remembered as one of the most dramatic finals in recent history, Conor Moran triumphed over top seed and defending champion Sam Buckley in a five-game epic. Buckley looked set to retain his title after taking the first two games convincingly (11-8, 11-4), but Moran refused to back down. The Dublin native clawed his way back into contention with a tight 14-12 third-game win before dominating the fourth (11-3). The decider was an absolute nail-biter, with Moran holding his nerve in extra points to clinch the title 17-15, dethroning Buckley and claiming his place at the top of Irish squash. Fifth seed Sean Conroy took the final podium place, pipping Michael Creaven in another full-distance thriller.
Women’s A Final: Craig Goes Back-to-Back with Straight-Game Victory: Hannah Craig proved once again why she is the dominant force in Irish women’s squash, securing her second consecutive national title with a straight-game victory over Breanne Flynn. The Ulster star showcased her clinical finishing and composure in key moments, edging a competitive first game 13-11 before pulling away in the next two (11-7, 11-6). Craig’s back-to-back triumphs further solidify her reputation as the premier female player in the country, with Flynn once again finishing runner-up to her international teammate despite a spirited performance and dominate run to the final. Craig was joined on the podium by her fellow Ulster star, as Hannah McGugan dispatched Aimee McConnell in straight games to take third place.
Men’s B Final: Knox Claims Title as Top Seed The Men’s B division also saw its fair share of high-quality action, with top-seeded Brian Knox emerging victorious over fellow Waterford player Adam Power. In a match that remained tight throughout, Knox proved too steady, taking the final in straight games (11-9, 11-5, 11-9).
A Weekend to Remember – The 2025 Irish Senior Nationals once again delivered an unforgettable weekend of squash, with new champions crowned and old champions reaffirming their dominance. Moran’s resilience in his stunning comeback, Craig’s continued supremacy, and Knox’s composed run in the Men’s B ensured that fans were treated to high-stakes action from start to finish. As the dust settles, anticipation already begins for next year’s edition, where returning stars and rising talents will look to write the next chapter in Irish squash folklore.
Squash Ireland has selected both men’s and women’s teams for the 2024 WSF World Team Squash Championships in Hong Kong, taking place from December 9 to 15.
This is the first time the tournament will feature concurrent men’s and women’s events, as previous editions alternated between the two annually. The men’s team includes Sam Buckley, Conor Moran, Oisin Logan, and Michael Creaven, while the women’s team comprises Hannah Craig, Breanne Flynn, Hannah McGugan, and Ciara Moloney Doheny.
To support the players’ fundraising efforts, donations can be made here. Follow Squash Ireland on social media for updates.
Squash Ireland, formerly Irish Squash, has published the organisation’s first High- Performance Strategy for the period 2025–2028. The strategy is being released on the anniversary of squash’s formal inclusion in the LA 2028 Olympic programme by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Click here to view the Squash Ireland High Performance Strategy 2025 – 2028.
This strategy marks a significant shift in Squash Ireland’s approach to high-performance squash as the sport prepares for its debut in the Olympic Games. Its development was supported by extensive consultation and research, setting ambitious targets at the European, World, and Olympic levels.
A key objective for Squash Ireland is to qualify athletes for the LA 2028 Olympic Games and increase the number of players ranked in the world’s top 100, with a target of four. Securing substantial additional investment in the high-performance programme is essential for implementing the systems and structures necessary to achieve this strategy. Squash Ireland plans to launch a patrons programme and sponsorship strategy to support its high-performance goals and other objectives.
To kick-start the strategy, Squash Ireland is investing in world-class coaching by recruiting a high-performance Head Coach to provide player support and leadership for the high-performance programme.
Squash Ireland CEO Scott Graham said:
“Ireland has a proud history of competing at the highest levels in squash, reaching as high as number 3 in the world on the women’s side and number 7 on the men’s side. That success has instilled a belief among young players that they too can compete at the very highest level. With the inclusion of squash in the LA 2028 Olympic Games, we have a huge opportunity for young players to pursue a career in squash and strive to become Olympians. As a fast- growing and ambitious National Governing Body, we are committed to backing the players and putting the systems and structures in place to ensure long-term international success.”
“The development of this strategy has taken several months, and I want to thank everyone who contributed, particularly the members of the high-performance working group: Angus Kirkland (Chair), Arthur Gaskin, Derek Ryan, Gareth Brown, Eoin Ryan, and Ken Flynn.”
Sport Ireland’s Director of High Performance, Niamh O’Sullivan, commented:
“Squash Ireland has set clear and ambitious targets for its sport over the coming four years. Sport Ireland is encouraged by the National Governing Body’s plans to maximise the potential of its athletes, clubs and coaches. Our vision for international success by athletes and teams is that it is systemic and sustained; and critically, underpinned by high-functioning National Governing Bodies. I look forward to continuing to engage with Squash Ireland as their plans develop over the next cycle.”
Craig entered this $6,000 event as the number one seed and sought to take advantage of her first round bye.
The Lisburn native made light work of Chile’s Antonia Vera Sepulveda in the quarter final, dropping just 5 points in a comfortable straight games victory.
Hannah proved why she was the #1 seed for the event when she grinded out a 3-1 victory over her #3 seed Mexican opposition in the semi-final winning the last two games comfortably, 11-3, 11-4.
The Irish woman’s best was yet to come as she faced the #2 seed, Lucia Bautista in a titanic final. This was a very tense affair which went to the wire. Luckily for Hannah, she showed immense mettle to win the decider 11-7 and claim her first PSA title in South America.
After turning pro this time last year, Hannah dedicated her victory to the sacrifices she has had to make to to fully commit to squash and to those who have pushed and supported her to chase her dreams.
Congratulations Hannah. The first of many.
Irish Squash is seeking to appoint a Junior Secretary and a Senior Secretary to support the promotion and development of squash for their respective age groups. These are pivotal volunteer roles that require an in-depth understanding of the game, as well as the challenges and opportunities for players across the island of Ireland.
Applications are sought by the 2nd of August.
See Details of each role and how to apply below:
Irish Squash – Junior Secretary – Advertisement – July 2024
Irish Squash – Senior Secretary – Advertisement – July 2024
