Nigel Peyton from the host club beat Ross Lillis to clinch his semi-final place by taking full advantage of number one seed Liam Kenny's withdrawal at the Fitzwilliam LTC on Saturday. Stevie Richardson, last year's winner, beat Patrick Foster 3-1 and now plays Peyton and must be favourite to get to the final for the second year in a row.
In the other half of the draw, John Rooney continued his good form from the World Championships in beating his brother Niall 3-0 and will now play seven times winner Derek Ryan, the former world number 7.
In the Women's section, Madeline Perry cruised through her quarter-final match against Tanya Owens and will now play Laura Mylotte, who upset the odds in beating Aishling McArdle 3-0. Aishling Blake beat Eleanor Lapthorne 3-0 and now plays Niki Ann McDowell, who scored a 3-1 win over Anna McKeever for the upset of the weekend.
In the Men's Over 35s category, ten times winner of the main event Willie Hosey plays Michael Cowhie, while Ken Flynn meets Eoin Ryan in the other half of the draw.
Filed by Shane Murray
