2024 marks the introduction of the Racquetball Ireland Player of the Month. This is intended as a means of highlighting our athletes and their accomplishments throughout the calendar year.
Nominations for Player of the Month will be made by the ExCo.
Criteria for player of the month
- [ ] Competed in at least one tournament during the month (if no competition in month - player can be chosen from a league campaign that RAI is aware of and has been posted about on social media).
- [ ] Achieved a milestone win / general milestone during the month while competing in a competition.
- [ ] Over the age of 18, playing in an adult competition.
- [ ] Has shown good sportsperson like conduct during competing all through the month and is a general standout competitor in the month in question.
- Suggestions must be submitted to the executive committee by the 10th day of the month following the relevant month.
- Players nominated will be voted on by the executive committee in a fair and unbiased manner.
- ExCo members can not nominate a player from their own club for player of the month.
- Two players will be nominated for POTM in April following the All-Ireland Competition.
- One player from the players who are awarded player of the month will be chosen at the Irish Open (last calendar event of the season) and awarded player of the year.
- Nominations for additional players of the year will open to the public 1 month before the Irish open in May. Players nominated will be shortlisted by the ExCo and added to the players of the month for the draw for overall player of the year.
Nominations for Player of the Month will be made by the ExCo.
Criteria for player of the month
- [ ] Competed in at least one tournament during the month (if no competition in month - player can be chosen from a league campaign that RAI is aware of and has been posted about on social media).
- [ ] Achieved a milestone win / general milestone during the month while competing in a competition.
- [ ] Over the age of 18, playing in an adult competition.
- [ ] Has shown good sportsperson like conduct during competing all through the month and is a general standout competitor in the month in question.
- Suggestions must be submitted to the executive committee by the 10th day of the month following the relevant month.
- Players nominated will be voted on by the executive committee in a fair and unbiased manner.
- ExCo members can not nominate a player from their own club for player of the month.
- Two players will be nominated for POTM in April following the All-Ireland Competition.
- One player from the players who are awarded player of the month will be chosen at the Irish Open (last calendar event of the season) and awarded player of the year.
- Nominations for additional players of the year will open to the public 1 month before the Irish open in May. Players nominated will be shortlisted by the ExCo and added to the players of the month for the draw for overall player of the year.
Elliot Young
March 2024
(Arklow)
Elliot, a prominent member of Arklow Racquetball Club in Arklow, Co. Wicklow, has carved out a reputation in the RAI C/D circuit.
A fierce competitor in both singles and doubles, Elliot recently clinched victory in the CD Singles at the Kilkenny Open and has been a regular contender in the CD Doubles Finals.
His talents have not gone unnoticed, as Elliot was chosen to represent his club at the German Open in Hamburg, Germany with the Elite Squad in April. There, he showcased remarkable progress in his training, securing the Men's B Title at the Open.
Congratulations to Elliot for being named Player of the Month for March. With his promising performance, we eagerly anticipate what this rising star will bring to the court next.
A fierce competitor in both singles and doubles, Elliot recently clinched victory in the CD Singles at the Kilkenny Open and has been a regular contender in the CD Doubles Finals.
His talents have not gone unnoticed, as Elliot was chosen to represent his club at the German Open in Hamburg, Germany with the Elite Squad in April. There, he showcased remarkable progress in his training, securing the Men's B Title at the Open.
Congratulations to Elliot for being named Player of the Month for March. With his promising performance, we eagerly anticipate what this rising star will bring to the court next.
Niamh Murphy
February 2024
(Templeudigan)
Introducing Niamh Murphy, a force to be reckoned with in the Racquetball world.
Hailing from the Templeudigan club in Wexford, Niamh is no stranger to the RAI circuit, dominating both the 40x20 and 60x30 arenas .
Fearless in competition, Niamh enters multiple divisions and competitions, currently juggling an impressive five separate leagues.
In Templeudigan 60x30, she’s conquered the Women’s League and is now taking on the Men’s Doubles. Meanwhile, at Ballyanne 60x30, she’s stormed through the Semi-Finals, securing her spot in the Men’s Singles Final .
Over at Gusserane 60x30, Niamh continues her winning streak in the Men’s singles, eyeing a spot in the Semi-Finals. And in Horeswood 40x20, she’s dominating the league, poised for success in the Men’s Singles.
But Niamh’s prowess extends beyond local leagues…She’s a force to be reckoned with in the Women’s CD on the National Circuit, clinching victory in both the CD Singles and CDN Doubles alongside partner Caylee Hogan at the Women’s Open in February.
Not content with just winning titles, Niamh is also a dedicated ambassador for racquetball in Leinster. She generously devotes her time to coaching players across multiple clubs, from Templeudigan to Ballyanne, Horeswood, Davistown, and Gusserane .
Join us in congratulating Niamh Murphy on her well-deserved title as the first Female Player of the Month!
Hailing from the Templeudigan club in Wexford, Niamh is no stranger to the RAI circuit, dominating both the 40x20 and 60x30 arenas .
Fearless in competition, Niamh enters multiple divisions and competitions, currently juggling an impressive five separate leagues.
In Templeudigan 60x30, she’s conquered the Women’s League and is now taking on the Men’s Doubles. Meanwhile, at Ballyanne 60x30, she’s stormed through the Semi-Finals, securing her spot in the Men’s Singles Final .
Over at Gusserane 60x30, Niamh continues her winning streak in the Men’s singles, eyeing a spot in the Semi-Finals. And in Horeswood 40x20, she’s dominating the league, poised for success in the Men’s Singles.
But Niamh’s prowess extends beyond local leagues…She’s a force to be reckoned with in the Women’s CD on the National Circuit, clinching victory in both the CD Singles and CDN Doubles alongside partner Caylee Hogan at the Women’s Open in February.
Not content with just winning titles, Niamh is also a dedicated ambassador for racquetball in Leinster. She generously devotes her time to coaching players across multiple clubs, from Templeudigan to Ballyanne, Horeswood, Davistown, and Gusserane .
Join us in congratulating Niamh Murphy on her well-deserved title as the first Female Player of the Month!
Don Lawlor
January 2024
(Clogh-Moneenroe)
Don hails from the Clogh Moneenroe club in Kilkenny and is very well known on the RAI circuit.
Don has also made tracks outside of Ireland as he brought home the 50+ European Singles Title in September last year.
A fierce competitor alongside his loyal doubles partner Billy Walsh, Don has seen many a C/D doubles final over the past few years.
At the start of January, Don & Billy narrowly lost out to the Arklow pairing of Gannon & Young in the C/D doubles final .
However, Don & Billy were back with a bang at the All-Ireland Overage Championships in Arklow in late January where they claimed the All-Ireland title for the Men’s 50+ doubles.
The highlight of the month for Don though was his win over the formidable Noel O’Callaghan in the All-Ireland 50+ Singles A fierce achievement against 26 time All-Ireland Open Singles champion, O’Callaghan.
A massive congratulations to Don Lawlor from all of us here in the RAI on becoming the first ever Racquetball Ireland Player of the Month
Don has also made tracks outside of Ireland as he brought home the 50+ European Singles Title in September last year.
A fierce competitor alongside his loyal doubles partner Billy Walsh, Don has seen many a C/D doubles final over the past few years.
At the start of January, Don & Billy narrowly lost out to the Arklow pairing of Gannon & Young in the C/D doubles final .
However, Don & Billy were back with a bang at the All-Ireland Overage Championships in Arklow in late January where they claimed the All-Ireland title for the Men’s 50+ doubles.
The highlight of the month for Don though was his win over the formidable Noel O’Callaghan in the All-Ireland 50+ Singles A fierce achievement against 26 time All-Ireland Open Singles champion, O’Callaghan.
A massive congratulations to Don Lawlor from all of us here in the RAI on becoming the first ever Racquetball Ireland Player of the Month