Irish hopes of a title in the boys’ section of the USHA Junior Nationals in Tucson, Arizona were dashed on Friday when Clare’s Diarmaid Nash became the third Irish casualty forced out of the singles competition.
In the 17 and Under semi-final, Nash came up against number one seed Tyree Basitdas and the New Yorker proved too strong for the Bannerman.
Bastidas started the game strongly, but Nash kept with the favourite and was unfortunate not to take the opening game as he ended up losing by two aces, 21-19.
In the second game, the Tuamgraney handballer played some impressive handball to force the game to a tiebreaker.
Bastidas kept his composure to seal his final place, and break Irish hearts as Nash looked to his semi-final doubles game for consolation.
Along with fellow Tuamgraney man, Niall Malone, the pair fought off the challenge of Mayo’s Stephen Cooney and his American partner, Jacob Leeson on a scoreline of 21-15, 21-13.
In the 19 and Under Boys Doubles semi-final, Kilkenny’s Richie Hogan was in action against Missouri’s Armando Ortiz and Ricardo Ruiz.
Along with Suhn Lee (Illinois), the pair battled to the death but eventually lost out to a very well-groomed outfit.
Fellow Kilkenny handballer, Clough’s Eoghan Hennessy put in a trojan performance in the 15 and Under Doubles semi-finals against number one seeds, Wicklow’s Keith Kavanagh and his long-term partner Brant Bidegain (California).
Hennessy battled his way back to a tiebreaker, and hit a superb killshot to take the game 11-10.
Meanwhile, the Irish girls will contest two finals today when Aisling Reilly (Belfast) meets Leona Doolin (Roscommon) in the 17s/19s Round Robin final.
Reilly defeated one of the top players on the US circuit Courtney Peixoto in an exhibition game yesterday afternoon and the current 17 and Under world champion looks likely to take the this 17s/19s crown.
The two Irish players will then pair up for the 19 and Under Doubles final where they face Canadian’s Kira Toxopeus and Pepukai Jones.
Cork’s Catriona Casey, the babyface assassin, continued to take no prisoners on her path to the final yesterday, as she destroyed Illonois’ Kaethe Kaufman 21-0, 21-0.
Casey now faces an exciting showdown with Ballaghaderreen’s Amy Corrigan in the final of the 13s/15s group.
Corrigan has also breezed through her earlier games and this looks set to be one of the best finals on offer.
Of the remaining Irish, Mayo’s Stephen Cooney lost out to 17 and Under finalist, Luis Cordova, while Niall Malone collected the 17 and Under B title.
