The Racquetball Association of Ireland it is proud to announce that Gary Lynch(Belfast) is to be inducted into the Association Hall of Fame. Gary becomes the ninth member of the Association to join those illustrious members of the Association’s Hall of Fame. Gary is recognised as athlete and a contributor. Gary will be presented with the Hall of Fame award at the 40th Irish Open this coming weekend. The citation for Gary will read: Gary Lynch has contributed so much over the years to Irish Racquetball. To condense it into a few paragraphs seems not to justice his commitment to Irish racquetball for many years. As an athlete, Gary competed at the highest level in Ireland and represented Ireland at international championships. He was a regular competing in tournaments across Ireland and was promoted to Open grade, the highest level in Irish racquetball, thus becoming a member of a select band of racquetball athletes to reach the premier grade. Internationally he represented Ireland at the 2012 World Championships in the Dominican Republic and played in total of six European Championships. He competed on the European Racquetball Tour winning the French Open in Paris in 2015. And one of the highlights of his racquetball career was winning the 35+ Mixed Doubles with none other than his wife Carol at the Seniors World Doubles Championships in Kingscourt in 2010. Equally as an administrator Gary played a leading role in the Racquetball Association of Ireland. He was President of the association from 2003-2006. His involvement in administration also saw him successfully fulfil the roles of General Secretary and Treasurer of the Association. Gary played a leading role in Ulster racquetball and also with his club Queens University in Belfast. Gary’s participation as an athlete and as an administrator in Irish racquetball stretched to over 25 years and for this the Association is proud to induct him in to the Association’s Hall of Fame. Castlebar duo, Majella Haverty & Kathleen Conway took third place athe Asiain Open held in Seoul South Korea on 22nd & 23 rd April. They were defeated in the semi final by the eventual winners Martina Katz (Argentina) & Maria Paz Munoz (Ecuador). Both ladies also reached the round of 16 in the Women’s Singles. Also competiting were Aisling Hickey(Rossmore) who reached the Women's Singles quarter finals and antonia Neary(Arklow) Fermoy's Sean Keane made a successful return to racquetball with a win in the Men's Open Singles Final against club-mate and Irish number 1 Johnny O'Keeney. Sean ran out the winner in the final match by 3 games to 1. This was Sean's second Open Singles win, his previous one being the Ballinrobe Open in 2016. There was a doubles win also for Sean when he and Johnny teamed up to defeat Ken Cottrell/Eoin Tynan (Galmoy/Fethard) 3-1 in the final. The Mens B Singles was won by Joe Devenney(Ballinrobe) as he defeated Chris Carey(Fermoy) 3-2 While in the Mens CD Singles, Dara McNamara(Mitchelstown) defeated James Smith(Arklow) 3-2 The Women's Open Singles did not go ahead as all the leading ladies were competiting in the Asian Open in Seoul, Korea. However the Womens CD Singles was won by Niamh Murphy(Templeudigan) who defeated Ann Marie Keogh(Tullaroan) 3-0. and in the Women’s C/D/N Doubles, Cara Delaney/Caylee Hogan(Galmoy/Mitchelstown) defeated Niamh Murphy/Marie Murphy(Templeudigan) 3-2
The last two Open Tournaments of the 2022/23 season are nearly upon us.
The Kilkenny Open will be held on the 22nd & 23rd of April. Entry form online HERE. The 40th Irish Open will be a major event and the final tournament for the season. The tournament takes place in Arklow on the 13th & 14th May. We are fortunate to have international athletes from Team Dovetail competing this year. We are proud to announce that the following athletes will compete: Andres Acuna (CRC) 2022 World Games Champion. Andre Parilla(MEX) IRT (International Racquetball Tour) #4 Pro Player Marie Renee Rodriguez (GUA) LPRT (Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour) Pro Player, Edurado 'Lalo' Portillo (MEX) IRT (International Racquetball Tour) #3 Pro Player Cole Sendrey (USA) US Junior International player Arklow Accommodation List Arklow Bay Hotel Phone: +35340235146 Quote Arklow Racquetball Club Sat - €185 Single/€200 Double or Fri & Sat €350s/380dbl or Fri, Sat & Sun €400s/€480dbl - Prices include Breakfast. Arklow Bridge Hotel Phone: +35340231666 Quote Arklow Racquetball Club) Rooms priced at €70s/€110dbl per night Prices include Breakfast Woodenbridge Hotel & Golf Phone: +35340235146 Quote Arklow Racquetball Club) Book online and use code ‘BOOKFIVE’ to receive a 5% discount Moneylands Farm Phone: +35340232259 Contact Arklow Racquetball Club for bookings 2 & 3 bedroom self catering apartments available from as little as €70pp for 2 nights (Fri/Sat) This price is based on Arklow Racquetball filling 4dbl and 11single beds!!! No Breakfast Included Congratulations to Johnny O'Keeney(Fermoy) Men's Open Singles winner who had a 3-0 victory over Joe Devenney(Ballinrobe) and congratulations to Majella Haverty(Castlebar) Ladies Open Singles winner who had a 3-1 win over Antonia Neary(Arklow) at the 30th Castlebar Open(Mar 25th & 26th). Other noteworthy winners include Cara Delaney (Galmoy) who took home the CDN Women’s Singles title and Keelan O’Gorman (Araglen) winner of the Men’s B Singles. Thank you to all those who travelled and competed over the weekend.
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