Ireland’s Noel O’Callaghan wins the  Mens Open Singles title at the 37th Irish & 16th Ballinrobe Open defeating Irish #1 Mark Murphy (Kilkenny) in a three game Final thriller. It is believed to be O’Callaghans 14th Irish Open title. He also claimed the Mens 40+ title over the weekend defeating Ken Cottrell (Kilkenny).

Erika Manilla (USA) took her first Irish Open title on her first visit to Ireland taking the Womens Open Singles title defeating European Champion Majella Haverty (Castlebar) in two straight games. She also went on to take the Open doubles title with partner Padraic Ryder (Newport).

Over seventy players competed at the 2019 Irish Open this year with matches played in 3 different venues. Thanks to tournament director Michael Kelly and the team in Ballinrobe for hosting this years Irish Open.
A special thank you to the event sponsors; Mayo Sports Partnership, Ballinrobe Sportshub, Lakeside Gym & Fitness, AIB.
Full Results & Draws: R2Sports

The 2019 & 31st IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships comes to an end in San Jose, Costa Rica. Team Ireland were led by National Junior Coach Mick Cunningham (Araglen) and represented by Thea Coleman (Mitchelstown), Sarah Ainsworth (Castlebar), Daniel Hanrahan (Galmoy) and Keelan O'Gorman (Araglen).

Ainsworth & Coleman competed in the Girls 14&U Singles & Doubles. Both players put in some great performances throughout the week and tournament. They represented their country in the highest regard.

A tremendous week for our Boys U14,  Hanrahan &  O'Gorman. They reached the Boys U14&U Doubles final in which they faced a strong Mexican Team  Jorge Gutierrez & Luis Renteria losing 15-6,15-6. A super achievement earning a World Silver Medal in the division.
As the second lowest ranked team in the division they had to overcome Team Canada (#9), Team USA (#1) & Team Colombia (#4) in the semi finals. It was the first time Ireland has reached a world final since Ruth Beecher at the 1998 World Junior Championships took home Gold in Mixed doubles with partner Brett Walters (USA).
It is the first medal in a Boys event in the Junior World Cup divisions (U14,U16,U18) for Team Ireland, having previously won medals in the Girls divisions (Aisling Hickey, singles bronze & doubles bronze, Katie Kenny, doubles bronze) and boys ESpirit Cup (Mike Haverty & Seamus Power, doubles bronze).

Congratulations to all the Team that travelled to Costa Rica and to Coach Mick Cunningham for his fantastic work with the Team in Costa Rica and long before that.