Red-hot Rooney looks the man to beat

DEFENDING champion John Rooney brings form and a new level of self-belief with him to the Munster Senior Open Squash Championships, which begin tonight.

At last weekend’s Dunlop British Open, the 27-year-old Galway man emerged from the qualification rounds to earn his maiden appearance in the main 32-man draw of this prestigious competition among the world’s elite.

Rooney, with a world ranking of 99, then overcame two players ranked significantly above him, before eventually bowing out against world number seven, James Willstrop of England.