Squash:Madeline Perry gave a good account of herself but ultimately came up short as the Banbridge player lost the final of the British Open in straight sets to the number two seed Rachael Grinham from Australia.
It took Grinham just less than 40 minutes to dispose of Perry, who had already punched above her weight to reach the final in Manchester.
The Australian won the first two sets 11-6, 11-5 before the Irish fifth seed proved more resistant in the third, only to lose 12-10.
Perry’s fine week in Manchester included the scalp of world number one Nicol David in the quarter-finals, and yesterday she overcame the world number five Alison Waters from England in the semi-finals.
Perry, 32, has won the Irish National title ten times and is currently number eight in the world rankings.
The Co Down native has fought back to regain her place in the top 10 of the world rankings – she is currently eighth - after suffering a brain injury following a mugging in Milan two years ago.
After this performance in the blue riband event Perry should close in on a top five berth in the world standings next month.