Oisin Logan has predicted a bright future for the Ireland men’s team following their European Championships promotion back to Division 1.
The No. 1-seeded Irish were too good for the opposition they faced last week in Amsterdam, defeating Slovakia, Norway, Austria, Sweden and Israel to clinch the Division 2 title success and secure top-flight squash at next year’s tournament.
The 30-year-old Logan was chuffed with the success and his contribution can’t be underestimated, especially his exploits in last Saturday’s final.
With Sam Buckley having put Ireland 1-0 up on an adjacent court in Amsterdam, Logan brilliantly pulled through in his match which was being simultaneously played.
That put Ireland into a commanding 2-0 lead and the fixture was soon conceded by the Israelites when they realised that they couldn’t win enough games to take the title, as Conor Moran had gone 2-0 up in his match and Michael Creaven was at 1-2 in his.
The victory resulted in a great outpouring of joy, with Logan delighted with a super week’s work. “It was great, great vibe as always across the team,” he said.
“Myself and a few of the lads have been on the team since 2019, so we have been up. Started in Division 2, up to Division 1. Unfortunately relegated last year, but great to be back in Division 1 and a convincing win this year. Happy with how it went.
“It’s looking really good for the Irish team over the next three-to-five-year stretch,” he continued. “The likes of Sam, Conor and Mick are all 24, 25 and you have the lads in the US; that will only improve it every year.
“We’re looking really good. We should be really comfortable in Division 1 and pushing on from there, so prospects are very high for the team.”
Logan very much hopes Amsterdam wasn’t his last rodeo. “I’ll take a couple of weeks off, then get to work in the summer and train away and try and represent my country next year, which is always the goal,” he enthused.
“There are good vibes across the board, especially for the younger lads who are pushing on and coming into their own now.
“Even just across the whole (European Championships) tournament, there is just excitement for LA28 and the European Games next year, having more events to play in, more opportunities to represent your country which is what it is all about at the end of the day.”
