Great turnout and great action at squash finals

Eoin Horan, Gleneagle Aquila Club (right) presents the Gleneagle Cup to overall winner Donnagh Crowley at the Gleneagle Squash Club.
Pictures: Eamonn Keogh

Rounding off a superb year for the Gleneagle Squash Club in Killarney, members gathered for the finals of the annual club championships with a great turnout and great squash played across all divisions.

The ladies’ division returned this year with Nicky Simonds-Gooding and Paula McElligott meeting for a great battle. Nicky took the first game in a very close affair and Paula had the upper edge in the second but Nicky’s determination saw out another two wins.

The men’s division four saw Connie Counihan and Pat Twohig battle out a cracking game. Connie has come through the ranks as a junior and is now playing well in the seniors. Pat, meanwhile, has been with the club a few years and deserved this final spot.

At the presentation of prizes were, front from left, Joanne and Hannah McCarthy, Jack Moran, Eamonn Bowler and Mike O’Donoghue. Seated, from left, Luca Mulchinock, Michael Horgan, Evelyn Crowley (Kerry Airport, sponsor), Donnagh Crowley (overall winner), Eoin Horan (Gleneagle Aquila Club), Connie Counihan, Noah Counihan and Mike Crowley. Standing, from left, Tess Crowley, Mary McSweeney, Connie Doyle, Ray O’Callaghan, Neil Kavanagh, Ronan Doyle, Keith Cronin, Margaret O’Connor, Jack Buckley, Adriana and Tim O’Leary, Arthur Murphy, Paul O’Brien, Bernice Enright, Pat Tuohy, Stanley Wade, James Cahill, Noreen Buckley and Brendan Counihan.

A great game ensued but Connie’s energy got him the win on the night on a 3-1 scoreline.

The men’s division three saw the Aquila Club’s Eoin Horan pitted against Michael Horgan in another cracking game.

Eoin, who had a bit more experience, was the favourite but Michael’s fitness and power game saw him run out victorious on a 3-0 scoreline.

The men’s division two was another massive battle pitching Brendan Counihan against James Cahill.

Brendan, who is club junior coach along with Keith Cronin faced Tipp man James Cahill who has all the tactical squash skills of an ex-hurler.

At the Gleneagle Squash Club, Killarney were, front from left, Brendan Counihan, Connie Counihan, Donnagh Crowley (overall winner) and Michael Horgan. Back, from left, James Cahill, Pat Tuohy, Evelyn Crowley, Kerry Airport (sponsor), Paul O’Brien and Eoin Horan (Gleneagle Aquila Club)

Brendan took the early lead but didn’t have it all his own way in the first. James battled hard in the second and pulled one back and Brendan then got his second win and took the next two but he didn’t have it easy in both.

Brendan has always wanted to win division two and has he has now achieved his goal.

The men’s division one showdown was a marathon of a game. Paul O’Brien and Donnagh Crowley were the finalists this year and for all watching, it was a game of squash that nobody wanted to end.

Paul took a 2-1 lead playing some brilliant squash. It looked like it would be early showers for both but Donnagh battled back and brought it to 2-2.

The final game didn’t disappoint with rallies to test anybody’s fitness and Donnagh persevered to run out the victor on the night, winning 3-2 to claim the club championship trophy for 2023.

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