Kenny & Mylotte Win Irish Titles

Liam Kenny and Laura Mylotte claimed the Invest Like the Best Irish Nationals titles at the Fitzwilliam Club in Dublin. Kenny the top men's seed proved his pedigree with a 9-0 9-5 9-3 win in 40 minutes, over Irish stalwart Derek Ryan. It was Ryan's fifteenth final but a ninth win was kept out of his grasp by Kenny's controlled and accurate play.

Kenny said afterwards: "It's always hard playing Derek. He always fights for everything and you can never relax against him. It feels great to retain the title and I am looking forward to defending it next year."

In the ladies event Laura Mylotte, the No2 seed upset the seedings by beating the favourite Aisling Blake to claim her first national title with a hard fought 9-5 3-9 10-9 9-2 win in one hour and twenty minutes.

Mylotte took the first, only to see Blake hit back to take the second and level the match. Mylotte then gained an 8-4 lead in the third but Blake fought back to eight-all before Mylotte eventually closed the game out 10-9.

From 4-2 in the fourth Mylotte broke away to take the game, the match, and the title.

"I'm delighted to have won," said an estactic Mylotte. "I have worked so hard over the last couple of years after returning from injury and this makes it all worthwhile."