USHA NATIONALS REPORT – Aidan Crowley

The Irish contingent at this year's USHA Four-Wall (40X20) National
Championships, which took place at the Life Time Fitness Centre,
Fridley, Minnesota, USA, have claimed a very creditable haul of eight
titles, including a "clean-sweep" of the Men's "A", "B" and "C"
Singles titles. This accomplishment was all the more remarkable
because it was achieved in the absence of defending Men's Open Singles
champion, Cavan star, Paul Brady (Kingscourt), who was bidding for a
record seventh consecutive title, but was forced to withdraw, through
injury.

Leading the Irish challenge, in an all-Irish Men's "A" Singles final,
was rising young Kildare star, Niall O' Connor (Naomh Mhuire,
Leixlip), who defeated young Kilkenny ace, Ciaran Neary (Talbot's
Inch), in a thrilling encounter, over three games, on a slender
scoreline of 19-21, 21-20, 11-10. In the Men's "B" final, Antrim ace,
Sean Clarke (Ardoyne), easily defeated top American, Brandon Glaze
(Minnesota), over two games, on a decisive scoreline of 21-10, 21-5.
In an all-Irish Men's "C" Singles final, Mayo kingpin, Seamus Casserly
(Swinford), easily overcame the challenge of Wexford ace, James Smith
(St. Mary's, Wexford Town), over two games, on a decisive scoreline of
21-14, 21-8.

In the Men's "B" Doubles final, ace Irish duo, Antrim's Sean Clarke
(Ardoyne) and Cork's Chris Hurley (Conna), defeated the top American
pairing of Glaze and fellow-Minnesota player, Steven Tamminga, in a
hard-fought encounter, over two games, on a narrow scoreline of 21-18
in the first game and on a decisive scoreline of 21-12, in the second
game.

Dublin star, Egin Jensen (Na Fianna, Glasnevin), claimed the Men's
Senior (35+) title, when he came through a series of round-robin
matches, to clinch first place. He firstly defeated ace American, Mike
Gustafson (Minnesota), over two games, on an emphatic scoreline of
21-7, 21-5, before going on to defeat another top American, Nelson
Quintero (Florida), over two games, on a decisive scoreline of 21-14,
21-11. Despite being beaten, in his third match, by ace American,
James Korman (Minnesota), again over two games, on a decisive
scoreline of 21-8, in the first game and on a narrow scoreline of
21-19, in the second game, Jensen had done enough to seal victory.

Meanwhile, in the Women's categories, there was another Irish
"clean-sweep", as Antrim star, Fiona Shannon (St. Paul's, Belfast),
claimed the Women's Open Singles title, easily defeating Kerry ace,
Maria Daly (Ballymacelligott), in an all-Irish final, over two games,
on an emphatic scoreline of 21-8, 21-4. She then partnered her sister
and ace clubmate, Sibeal Gallagher, to bag the Women's Open Doubles
crown, easily defeating Daly and Roscommon starlet, Deirdre Donohoe
(St. Coman's, Roscommon Town), in another all-Irish final, over two
games, on a decisive scoreline of 21-7, 21-13.

Finally, in the Women's "B" Singles final, Cork starlet, Aisling O'
Keeffe (Ballydesmond), had an easy win, over American ace, Kara Smith
(Minnesota), over two games, on an emphatic scoreline of 21-4, 21-4.