Galway hosted the 2008 IACT Irish Junior Squash Open at the weekend - the biggest event on the Irish squash calendar.
Boasting 130 entries from England, Scotland, Wales, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Spain, Holland, Czech Republic, USA, and Canada, there was also plenty of Galway interest.
Galway’s best result was in the u-11 girls’ section where Abigail Silke from Knocknacarra claimed the Irish Open title in style, only dropping one game on her way to victory. She is the first Galway player in more than five years to win an open title - definitely a prospect for the future.
In the boys’ u-15 section Conor O’Shea, playing in his last u-15 event before moving up, played some brilliant squash throughout, beating several higher-ranked opponents on his way to claim fifth overall. In the boys’ u-11 event Donal O’Shea and Thomas Power, both playing in their first tournament, claimed third and fourth place respectively.
Fiona Power, the Irish No 1, was in fine form, claiming third spot after defeating Griffin Gillanders of Dublin 3-0 in the play-off.
Saoirse McGrath finished third overall in the girls’ u-15, defeating Orna Murray of Waterford in the play-off. The girls u-17plate final saw a repeat of the Munster open final between Jennifer Hegarty and Claire Hanley, with Hegarty winning 3-1.
