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Laura’s just champion!

Simon Smedley
21/12/2005

Squash

HEATON Mersey-based Laura Mylotte, a marketing manager at the Stockport Sports Trust, won the Invest Like The Best Irish National title last weekend at the Fitzwilliam Club in Dublin.

Laura, the number two seed, caused an upset by beating the number one seed Aisling Blake to claim her first national title with a hard-fought 9/5, 3/9, 10/9, 9/2 victory in one hour and 20 minutes.

Laura took the first set, only to see Blake hit back to take the second and level the match.

Laura then gained an 8-4 lead in the third set, but Blake fought back to 8-8 before Laura eventually closed the game out 10/9. From 4-2 in the fourth set, Laura broke away to take it 9/2, the match and the title.

An estactic Laura said: "I'm delighted to have won.

"I have worked so hard over the last couple of years after returning from injury, and this makes it all worthwhile."

Thirty-year-old Laura, who grew up in the West of Ireland but has lived in Heaton Mersey for five years, added: "I wasn't expected to win the title, so that makes it even more special.

"I'm still on cloud nine, I'm so proud."

Irish number one Madeline Perry was ruled out of last weekend's event through injury, but Laura will now move up to number two in the rankings after beating previous number two Blake.

Liam Kenny, the number one seed, proved his pedigree with a 9/0, 9/5, 9/3 win over Irish stalwart Derek Ryan in the men's event.

It was Ryan's 15th final, but a ninth win was kept out of his grasp by Kenny's controlled and accurate play.

Kenny said: "It feels great to retain the title."