The end of season finals at Gleneagle Squash Club took place on Thursday 18th December in Gleneagle Leisure, kindly sponsored by Kerry Airport.
The night started off with two great Ladies’ finals showing the growth of the club, with Mary O’Callaghan and Éabha Lynch standing toe to toe for first final. Éabha, a junior who has progressed so well to be competing at senior level, took an early two-nil lead. Mary was not backing down lightly and after a few words with her coaches changed her tactics and brought it level to two games a piece. Éabha held her nerve and saw out a close run fifth game and took the prize.
Next up was a great battle between two ladies who have had a few great matches in the past - Paula McElligott and Joanne McCarthy. Paula was dominant for the first game, but with Joanne's experience, she changed up her game and levelled it at one a piece. Paula then put on the afterburners and took the next two but didn't have it easy.
Men’s Div 4 found Alan Moriarty taking on Rob O’Sullivan - two players back from a sabbatical and already finding themselves in a final. Alan took off with a two nil lead with great power and great T-work. Rob was struggling but came back in game three and had a great chance to make it two one but Alan stole the third to win the match.
Then it was time for the juniors to show the seniors how much they have progressed. Div 3 saw Junior Noah Counihan take on John O’Sullivan. Noah, who has been making waves with promotion up each level all season, was definitely going to challenge John. All games were a tight affair but Noah’s ever gathering momentum saw a 3-0 victory.
Div 2 saw another Junior on a rampage in pursuit of our A players. Ignacy Truchan faced Junior Coach and Mentor Keith Cronin in a cracking game from the off. Ignacy had a presence on the course like a professional and took off to a flying two-nil lead. Keith Cronin who never says never covered every inch of the court and brought it back to level. It was anybody's game now but once again on the night, it was another Junior who won out - final score 3-2 to Ignacy.
Down to Finale and another battle between the top two players in the club - Paul O’Brien, current Holder of the cup, took on Donnagh Crowley. Donnagh wanted the cup back and showed his intent early on, going into a 2-1 lead. The gallery murmured that it looked like the cup would be going back to Shrone but Paul ever the pro, took the next two to retain the cup in a brilliant end to the night.
