Sponsor offer

Lack of sponsorship, television coverage and the failure to attract star names have proved a major headache for professional squash tournaments in recent times. But, the organisers of the Millennium Irish Open, to be held at Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club, Donnybrook next month, are having no such problems.

Nivea for Men have stepped in with an offer to sponsor what will be the first world-ranking squash event to take place in Ireland, with Tipperary Crystal agreeing to provide the trophy.

When it was confirmed that the television-friendly `Thunderdome' squash court, made up of four glass walls, would be brought over from England and erected in the club's indoor tennis arena, TV3 showed an interest in the event. Yesterday Michael Lynn, the channel's director of sport, confirmed they will be showing a half-hour highlights programme from the tournament, the day after it ends (Monday, March 13th). Also confirmed yesterday was the entry of Canada's world number two Jonathan Power, widely regarded as the sport's finest player, and Australia's Anthony Hill (world number seven). By close of entries yesterday all bar two of the world's top 20 (Dan Jenson and Martin Heath) had committed themselves to turning up at the Fitzwilliam club, including world champion and world number one, Peter Nicol.

Tickets for the tournament can be booked at Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club (01-6603988).