Masters Home Internationals Update

It’s Home International time again.

Last weekend the venue was Fitzwilliam LTC, Dublin and the teams were Men’s O40 and O60, and Women’s 035/40.

Munster Masters would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the Irish Masters Secretary, Ciarán Roche, and the Tournament Director, Rosie Barry, who put together an excellent tournament.
We would also like to thank Fitzwilliam LTC for making their full facilities at the club availble to the players for the weekend and everything was top class.

Full results are available at the English Squash Masters website, www.englandsquashmasters.co.uk

Men’s O40
The Irish Men’s Over 40 team, including Munster’s John Hurley, retained their title with some marvellous squash.
Two years ago in Cardiff the bulk of the team made history by becoming the first Irish team ever to beat an English team in squash and win the Home Internationals at over 35 level.Then last year, in Cardiff again, they moved up to the Over 40 grade and won again. So last weekend in Dublin they were attempting to retain their title and they did not disappoint!
To make the win even more satisfying this time around, the wild card facility to bring in an Irish player based outside of Ireland that hadn’t played in the Irish Masters Tour was not necessary, as each player earned their place from their Irish Masters Tour results.
The panel in order from 1 to 6 was as follows: Graham Stewart (Ulster), David Ayerst (Ulster), Dara O’Flynn (Leinster), Neil Murphy (Leinster), John Hurley (Munster), Nick Staunton (based in England).
They beat Scotland on Friday night 4-1 and beat Wales on Saturday morning 5-0 to set up a mouth-watering tie versus England on Saturday afternoon.
John Hurley, having already won his other two matches, was first on at number five. He lost a close first game but bounced back to win the second and third. He led for much of the fourth game but lost eventually to make it 2 all. Then he came from behind in the fifth to make it 9 all when an unfortunate stroke decision gave England match ball, which they duly converted.
Next on, Dara O’Flynn had a great win at number three to make it 1-all.
Then, at number one, Ulster’s Graham Stewart had a marvellous 3-1 win over Jamie Goodrich, for a 2-1 lead with two matches remaining.
Then at number four, Neil Murphy had a titanic battle all the way to 9-7 in the fifth. He lost his serve and the next point to make it 9-all and then, with a stroke of genius – (or some would say – a bit of luck) he hit an outright winning return of serve – straight kill one inch over the tin – giving him match ball, which he duly won, setting off wild scenes of celebration, which were well-deserved.
Team Captain, David Ayerst, played out the dead rubber at number 2, narrowly losing out 15-13 in the fifth.

Also a special mention for Clive Morgan from the Ennis club as he played at number 3 on the Welsh over 40 team (using the grandfather rule to qualify for same).

Men’s O60
The over 60s team with three of the six players from Munster, also had a good weekend, ending up second overall.
They beat Scotland and Wales 4-1 but lost 5 nil to a strong English side.
Michael Conlan had the best win of the weekend against Scotland, saving two match balls in the third and going on to win 3-2. Then against England two of his games with Stuart Hardy went to 10-8.
Donal Coughlan had a magnificent comeback from 2 down to lead in the fifth game but eventually lost 2-3.
Martin McDonnell had wins over both the Scottish and Welsh at number one and took a game off England’s Mark Cowley.

Other Munster Representatives in the Masters Home Internationals

The weekend before last, in Cardiff, Geoff Wales of Munster did best of the Irish contingent, winning a five setter at number 5 against Scotland in the Over 45s.

So we are now half way there, and we wish our Over 55s, John Dineen (captain) and Michael Mulhall and Noel Murphy (over 70) and Dympna Reardon, all the best in Nottingham next weekend.
The following weekend Kevin O’Rourke (team captain) and Tommy Horgan will play for the Irish Over 50 team in Aberdeen.

I would like to thank all the Masters players for their efforts and co-operation during 2015/16

I hope to see as many as possible at the Munster Squash AGM on Saturday 7th May in Silversprings 6pm!

Thanking you,
Munster Masters Secretary