
It has been a busy and successful couple of weeks for Irish players on the international circuit, writes Paul Fitzpatrick.
Pride of place goes to Limerick’s Martina McMahon, who claimed the Open Singles title at the WPH R48 event in Montana last weekend. The Broadford clubwoman, who celebrated her 30th birthday on the day after the final, defeated Galway’s Niamh Heffernan in the decider on a 15-6, 15-3 scoreline.
The scores were tied at 6-all in game one before lefty McMahon pulled away.
“I was happy to dig it out today,” McMahon told the WPH.
“It’s my second win on the pro tour and I hope to come back for more. I had to have belief to bend to a certain degree after my injury to be able to hit those serves. I watch the men like Lucho and Ray serve and those serves are savage and I want to do that on the women’s tour. This trophy is treasured along with Tucson trophy (from 2017). I love playing the American tour and I look forward to coming back for more stops.”
Meanwhile, in the Men’s Open, Martin Mulkerrins was beaten in the final by Luis Cordova of Mexico. The Texas-based Moycullen man had been on a sensational run in the States but just came up short in the final (15-12, 10-15, 15-9).
Elsewhere, at the Dutch Open in Friesland, Armagh’s Fíachra Ó Dúill picked up his first Open title on the Euro 1-Wall Tour when he teamed up with Dutchman Jurrit Osinga to win the A Doubles.
In the semi-final, the Whitecross man and his partner had a tremendous 15-10, 15-12 win over Basque duo Lur Ziarrusta Intxaurtza and Mikel Beldarrain before beating Sebastien Potiez and Théo Chalimont 14-15, 15-10, 11-7 in the final.