Local squash player John Rooney returned to Galway at the weekend to claim the men’s A title in the Garavan’s West of Ireland Open.
The event, which is held annually in Galway Lawn Tennis Club over Easter weekend, draws a large entry and continues to be one of the most popular events on the Irish squash circuit.
Rooney (29 ) from Salthill, claimed the title after a thrilling final in which he defeated the former world number 7 Derek Ryan 3/1.
Connacht’s success continued in the ladies’ section with Sligo’s Aisling Blake, the current world number 27 now based in Amsterdam, returning to also claim the crown.
Meanwhile in the tournament main event, world ranked number 52 Simon Rösner from Germany overcame world ranked number 78 American Gilly Lane to claim the Paddy ‘Whack’ Walsh Memorial Cup. This is the third year the competition has been a PSA event and the tournament continues to grow in size and popularity.
Two Galway Lawn Tennis Club players will now travel to Sweden at the end of the month for the European Senior Team Championships. Brothers John and Niall Rooney have been selected to represent Ireland at the prestigious event.
