Grand Prix opener gets squash season underway
Again this year, three separate venues will cater for five men’s and two women’s competitions, with Highfield SC and Sundays Well hosting the men’s B, C, D and E grades along with the ladies B competitions, while Silversprings SC is the venue for both the men’s and ladies’ A sections.
Irish national title holder Liam Kenny returns to defend the title he won last season and will start a warm favourite. Currently ranked at 47 in the world, the 28-year-old’s main challenge should come from his fellow Irish team members Galway brothers, Niall (24) and John (26) Rooney.
Niall has been steadily progressing up the international rankings since moving to Nottingham to pursue a full-time squash career last year and is currently ranked 91 in the world. Much attention, however, will focus on the form of his elder brother, John. Also based in Nottingham, he was the rising star of Irish squash, reaching 63 in the world by the end of 2004, until a viral illness sidelined him from competition until now.
John won this tournament in 2003 and while he may not repeat that this year, much interest will centre around his performances, not least from the Irish selectors who will be keen to have him back to full fitness for the upcoming international competitions.
The tie of the weekend could prove to be the seeded meeting of the brothers in tomorrow evening’s semi-final. Local Munster representation in the premier men’s competition is provided by John Hurley of Silversprings, and Brian Knox of Celtic in Waterford. Hurley made the Irish senior team two seasons ago and will be keen to reclaim a higher ranking following last season, which was disappointing by his own standards.
Knox was in Germany last weekend with his club representing Ireland at the European club championships and should also be confident of improving his own national standing.
The Ladies A section is shaping up as a final showdown between Galway’s Laura Mylotte and Eleanor Lapthorne from the Highfield club in Cork. Both were members of the Irish team which finished a commendable third place in the European team championships last season.
Mylotte is playing full-time in England and is the pre-tournament favourite, but ex-national champion Lapthorne should prove a testing challenge.
Play commences at all three venues this evening at 6 pm with later rounds continuing through Saturday. All finals are being held at Silversprings on Sunday.
