Kenny bid fails

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.

The Irish number one, whose recent form has seen him rise to the world’s top 50, was beaten in 41 minutes by England’s Peter Barker, 11-3, 11-6, 11-10 at the New York Athletic Club.

England’s Peter Nicol begins his defence of the title tomorrow as third seed with world champion Thierry Lincou seeded first in the main draw.