Sutton’s Breanne Flynn, Celtic’s Kevin Knox, Windsor’s Brian Murray and the Tullamore club were among the winners at the Squash Ireland Awards 2025, with the President’s Award going to Sutton duo Eoin and Suzanne Ryan.
The annual awards night, which again coincided with the Irish Masters Nationals dinner, took place at a packed Fitzwilliam on Saturday night, with a total of 14 awards given out.
Limerick’s Ruby Carroll, a serial title winner on the domestic scene, had already received her Junior Player of the Year Award in Cork following the successful defence of her GU13 Irish Junior Nationals title at the Highfield club on February 15th.
Sutton’s Flynn checked in from Scotland after she was named Senior Player of the Year. Seeded No.2 at this weekend’s Edinburgh Open, Flynn was commended for her intensity, courage and fairness in competing hard but always in the right spirit.
She has enjoyed an excellent comeback following last March’s serious injury at the Odense Open in Denmark, fighting her way up the rankings to No.108 and playing a vibrant part in the recent thrilling Irish Senior Nationals final that was only lost to Hannah Craig 11-9 in the fifth.
“Wow, thank you so much for this award,” said Flynn in a video message. “I feel really honoured and grateful to receive the Senior Player of the Year award, especially among such a talented group of teammates this year.
“It’s so great to see so many Irish players rising up the senior ranking as well as the growing competition nationally and the talent that is coming up through the junior circuit, so thank you very much.
“I actually fractured my foot this time last year at a PSA tournament, and I was in a very low place. I really didn’t think I would be able to get back to my full potential as I was going through it.
“If it wasn’t for everybody in my corner, my coaches, my physios, my friends, family, hitting partners, you name it, I certainly wouldn’t be receiving this award, so thank you to everybody over the last year who has helped me with my comeback season because they have helped me get to this point.”
Described as someone who has not only delivered exceptional performances, but who also embodies commitment to the Masters tour itself, Celtic club stalwart Kevin Knox was named Masters Player of the Year following a season in which he won MO45 titles in Waterford, Connacht, Munster and Leinster.
Windsor’s Brian Murray was awarded Coach of the Year in recognition of his role in transforming participation numbers at the Belfast club, which now fields four Ulster League teams.
He has also introduced hundreds of new players to the sport through partnerships with schools and leisure centres, launching summer schemes, female-only sessions and structured junior pathways.
Sutton’s Niamh Darcy collected the Rosie Barry President’s Award on behalf of Eoin and Suzanne Ryan, who sent a video message.
Sligo’s Keith Moran received the Patrick Murray Award as an appreciation for the role he plays in Masters squash, while Foyle’s DJ McKeever was given the Spirit of the Masters Award for his commitment and toughness.
Referee of the Year was Dmitry Gilevskiy of Westwood for his unwavering commitment to applying the rules with fairness and authority, while Ivan O’Mahony was named Volunteer of the Year for almost single-handedly rebuilding and transforming the Ballyshannon club into a thriving hub at the heart of its community.
The Provincial Club of the Year Awards were won by Galway, Tullamore, Highfield and Ballymena, with Tullamore named National Club of the Year for its level of ambition and commitment to improving standards, resulting in a 15 per cent growth in membership, a thriving junior section and the rapid expansion of women’s participation.
SQUASH IRELAND AWARDS 2025 WINNERS
Patrick Murray Award: Keith Moran, Sligo LTC
Masters Player of the Year: Kevin Knox, Celtic SC
Spirit of the Masters Award: DJ McKeever, Foyle SC
Junior Player of the Year: Ruby Carroll, Limerick LTC
Senior Player of the Year: Breanne Flynn, Sutton LTC
Referee of the Year: Dmitry Gilevskiy, Westwood
Coach of the Year: Brian Murray, Windsor LTC
President’s Award: Eoin and Suzanne Ryan, Sutton LTC
Volunteer of the Year: Ivan O’Mahony, Ballyshannon SC
Connacht Club of the Year: Galway LTC
Leinster Club of the Year: Tullamore SC
Munster Club of the Year: Highfield SC
Ulster Club of the Year: Ballymena SC
National Club of the Year: Tullamore SC
