Squash win for Seán
SEAN WHITE from Barntown Squash Club and Wexford C.B.S. upset the odds to finish runner-up in the Munster Junior Open Under-17 squash championships.
Seán, aged 15, who is in his first year competing in this age category, has surprised many by reaching number three in the Irish rankings. This is a very impressive achievement.
Seán reached the semi-finals of the competition where he played the number two Irish ranked player, Ansh Pahuja from Belfast.
Seán started very well and played some of the best squash of his career to go into a two-game lead. Ansh, however, was not going to go down without a fight and dug deep to equal the match (2-2).
Seán managed to re-group in the final set to serve for the match with six match balls. It was just as well he had built up a good lead as he needed every one of those match balls, snatching victory 11-9 in the final set to record a shock victory.
Seán played Irish number one and a top European player, Alex Smith, in the final.
Again Seán pushed Alex very hard but finally lost 3-1 in a tight and hard-fought final.
This victory has consolidated Seán’s position in his pursuit of a place on the Irish team for the European championships which would be a marvellous achievement in his first year at this age category.
Next up for Seán is the Swiss Open in December, followed by many other domestic and European competitions.
Seán is grateful for all the support and encouragement he receives. He is currently a member of Barntown Squash Club who continue to thrive and have ambitious plans for further developments going into the future.