Squash makes a welcome return to Kilkenny!

It was a long time in coming, but last week Kilkenny Squash Club opened its doors for its first post-Covid blitz.
An occasion to celebrate, it was the club’s first opportunity to get together and play in a competition at its new courts in St Kieran’s College.

Following a search for new playing facilities, in recent weeks the new venue was found.

So successful was the relaunch of the club that from this week the blitz night has been extended to two nights - a womens’ blitz on Tuesday and a mens’ blitz on Wednesday.

In just its first week back in action the club committee has been overwhelmed with the interest in squash in Kilkenny - with more than 25 new members already signed up and the same number emailing in to signal their intention to join.

This is the kind of success the members of what was the James Stephens Kilkenny Squash Club could only dream about in recent years. With the onset of the Covid pandemic all sports facilities were closed, but, unlike other clubs, when restrictions were lifted the squash club did not benefit.

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The squash club was founded and played on courts inside James Stephens Barracks in Kilkenny for 55 years, until lockdown. However, when the club looked to go back when lockdown was lifted they were told by the Department of Defence it was not aware the club had access to a military facility for all that time.

The club was formed in the late 1960s for both army personnel and civilians.
The temporary Covid lockdown turned into a permanent lockout for the members of Kilkenny Squash Club who pleaded with the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces to come to some arrangement with the club, to ensure its future survival.
At the time Brian Buggy, a club member, said they had had a thriving club and “to have no squash club in the city now is a shame.”

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The appeal came to nought, but the dedicated squash club committee set themselves to the task of not letting their club disappear.

After months of searching for an alternative playing venue they discovered two, unused courts on the St Kieran’s College campus. Following months of uncertainty, and, at times, fears the club would have to be wound up after 55 years, the local school has come to the rescue and provided the playing courts needed.

An agreement was reached and, following an EGM of the club, it was agreed to move into the new ‘clubhouse.’
The club committee was delighted with the turnout at the EGM, following three years with no squash in the city.

A few days later it was all hands on deck as members pulled together to get the courts tidied up and ready for action.
Members are excited to get the club going again, after the long Covid break, and aim to get back to pre-Covid levels when they had nine box leagues running every month, accommodating all levels of skill, from beginners to experienced.
Thanks to Liam Hennessy, John Leamy, Tom Gleeson, Philip Byrne, Adam Power and Dick Hanrahan for coordinating all blitz activities, last week, which was an overwhelming success.

Kilkenny Squash Club is back - join in a blitz!

Check out the photographs from the club's first blitz on new courts

If you are interested in joining Kilkenny Squash Club email kilkennysquashclub@gmail.com. You can also find the club on Facebook and online at KilkennySquash.weebly.com The ladies blitz takes place on Tuesdays, from 8pm to 10pm, with the mens blitz on Wednesday, from 8pm to 10pm. It is an open competition night and newcomers are welcome. The club will also be running monthly leagues.