Irish national squash champion Liam Kenny saw his qualifying bid for the Bear Stearns Tournament of Champions fail at the first hurdle in New York yesterday.

A snowstorm in the north-eastern United States sparked a surge in demand for heating oil and pushed the price of crude to an eight-week high today.

Rodney Durbach joined fellow Irishman and title holder Derek Ryan in the main draw for the Irish Open Squash Championships at Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club in Dublin.