Congratulations to ITTA member Sinead Keon who competed at the Dwarf Sports Association UK National Games against players from England, Scotland, Wales and N.Ireland securing a silver medal in the Final.
Sinead is already in preparation for competition at the World Dwarf Games in Michigan this August – further information of which can be found on www.2013worlddwarfgames.org
Best wishes to Sinead – we look forward to following her progress in August.
Over the past two days, a small Irish contingent of 3 Men and 1 Woman has been battling away at the ITTF World Championships in Paris. The Irish players involved at this top class event are John Murphy, Paul McCreery, Gavin Maguire and Sarah Timlin.
First in to action in the Mixed Doubles Preliminaries were Murphy and Timlin, who were drawn against the Sri Lanka pairing of JAYASINGHA Nirmala and G. VITHANAGE Nuwani. This was a tough start for the Irish and they were eliminated in straight sets (-7, -7, -6).
In the Men’s Singles, Gavin Maguire started his competition in top form, displaying his quality with a fine win over KHUDAIBERDIEV Zhasur of Kyrgyzstan by 4-1. This set up a group decider with MIKUTIS of Lithuania. The Lithuanian is Ranked 355 in the World and showed his class with a fine performance, beating Maguire 4:1 to end his involvement in the Individual competition.
John Murphy was next into action and had the additional pressure of both of his matches being streamed all over the world via the ITTF website. He stormed into an early lead against Jamaica’s Webb, only to be pulled back in what was a nail-biting encounter that could have gone either way. Murphy however is no stranger to seven-set deciders and showed all of his experience to dominate the last set and claim a fine 4:3 win. This set up another group decider for the Irish contingent and all of Murphy’s Irish fans were glued to the live stream as he faced Canada’s THERIAULT who is ranked 379 in the World. It was not to be on this occasion for the battling Murphy and he lost out 4:1 and was eliminated from the event.
Paul McCreery, Ireland’s National Champion was the last remaining Irish player in to action on Day 1 and he was faced with a difficult draw with two ranked opponents in his way. He also faced Canadian opposition in PINTEA and they had a massive battle to claim the win, McCreery pushing hard all the way only to lose out in the 7th set. He later faced BEN ARI of Israel which was again a step too far for McCreery, losing out 4:1. After a phenomenal domestic season on both the Irish and UK Grand Prix circuit, McCreery will perhaps be disappointed with not claiming a victory here, but will have taken significant experience from this event.
In the Women’s event, making her bow at the Worlds was Sarah Timlin who enjoyed an excellent season at domestic level. Timlin first faced BOUCLARAS of Algeria – she battled hard but lost out again in a final set 4:3 match. Next us was yet another Canadian LUO – Canada seeming determined to end all Irish hopes in this tournament having also eliminated Murphy and McCreery. Timlin fought hard but LUO is a top 400 player and again was just too strong, claiming a 4:0 win.
Ireland’s last remaining hope in the event was the Doubles team of Maguire and McCreery. They were into action on the morning of Day 2 of the event, claiming a straight sets victory over the unranked Lebanese pairing to progress to the 2nd Round of the Preliminary competition. In the Round of 64, they faced a strong Bahrain pairing who just had too much for the Irish duo – a 3:0 loss bringing Ireland’s involvement in the competition to an end.
The World Table Tennis Family descends to Paris for the 2013 World Table Tennis Championships which take place between the 13th and 20th of May.
At the Press Conference to mark the start of the Championships President of the French Table Tennis Federation Christian Paliérne when welcoming people to Pairs said “This tournament is a great competition and we have great volunteers, we look forward to this event being a success”. Defending Men’s Singles World Champion Zhang Jike from China said “The Important thing is to win the match, not the ranking”
The entry stands at quite an astonishing 463 Men and 360 Women and the draw took place on Saturday the 11th of May. The Titles up for grabs are the Mens and Ladies Singles, Mixed Doubles and Mens and Ladies Doubles.
Team Ireland is Paul McCreery, Gavin Maguire, John Murphy and Sarah Timlin. All the players are playing in the Singles events and McCreery and Maguire team up for Mens Doubles and Murphy and Timlin team up for Mixed Doubles Event.
All Team Ireland are involved in Qualification rounds over the next two days.
Gavin Maguire is ranked at 832 and was draw into Group 73 and faces Tomas MIKUTUS from Lithuania (WR 355) and Zhasur KHUDAIBERDIEV from Kyrgyzstan (No WR).
John Murphy is ranked at 803 and was drawn into Group 78, he will play Pierre-Luc THERIAULT from Canada (WR 379) and Nigel WEBB from Jamaica (No WR).
Paul McCreery is ranked at 551. He plays in Group 87 and faces Omri BEN ARI from Israel (WR 411) and James PINTEA from Canada (WR 725).
Sarah Timlin also has no World Ranking and was drawn into Group 42 her opponents are Anqi LUO from Canada (WR 392) and Fatiha BOUCLARAS from Algeria (WR 906).
In the Mens Doubles Maguire and McCreery will play a pairing from Lebanon; Mohamad EL HABECH and Malek EL TAWIL, neither player has a current World Ranking.
In the Mixed Doubles, Murphy and Timlin will play Nirmala JAYASINGHA and Nuwani G. VITHANAGE from Sri Lanka again neither player has a World Ranking.
Gavin, Ashley & Mark at the Butterfly Baltic Cup in Estonia!
German based Gavin Maguire and Ashley Robinson with Mark O’Flynn travelled recently to take part in the Butterfly Baltic Cup in Estonia. All three recorded good results.
Gavin partnered Matias Contreras from Chile in the team event in which they progressed to the quarter final after a 3/1 victory over Belarus 4, only to lose to No. 1 seeds, Estonia 3/1. Matias beat the opposing team’s No. 2 and Gavin lost at deuce in all 4 sets to the well know Alexander Smirnov, 3/1. In the doubles, after leading 10/8 in the final set, they lost what was a vital match for them to win. Gavin and Matias finished in 5th place in the team event.
Ashley and Mark lost narrowly 3/1 to Lithuania 3 in their last 32 match. Ashley won the single match while Mark played very well to lose deuce in the 5th set to the runner up in the singles event. In a playoff match they beat the Swedish/ Belarussian team which included Owe Karlsson who is a regular on the English Grand Prix scene. Ashley had good wins against both players and they had a comprehensive win in the doubles.
In the singles event, Gavin lost deuce in the 5th to Estonian defender, A. Lushin who had been a quarter finalist in last year’s European Youths Championships. He went through from the group in second place. As for Ashley and Mark, they both won their way through their first groups to then lose to stronger opponents.
Well done to all three for travelling to the competition in Estonia and for recording good performances while there.
Click here for the Boys Singles Open Event Full Results
Click here for the Girls Singles Open Event Full Results
Click here for the Boys Singles Consolation Event Full Results
Click here for the Girls Singles Consolation Event Full Results
Click here for the First Round Groups for the Individual Event
| TEAMS | IRL | JEY | ENG | SCO | WAL | GGY | IMN | Won | Draw | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRELAND | ### | 9-1 | 1-9 | 9-1 | 9-1 | 6-4 | 10-0 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| JERSEY | 1-9 | ### | 0-10 | 5-5 | 3-7 | 2-8 | 6-4 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| ENGLAND | 9-1 | 10-0 | ### | 10-0 | 9-1 | 8-2 | 10-0 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| SCOTLAND | 1-9 | 5-5 | 0-10 | ### | 4-6 | 2-8 | 7-3 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| WALES | 1-9 | 7-3 | 1-9 | 6-4 | ### | 2-8 | 10-0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| GUERNSEY | 4-6 | 8-2 | 2-8 | 8-2 | 8-2 | ### | 10-0 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| ISLE of MAN | 0-10 | 4-6 | 0-10 | 3-7 | 0-10 | 0-10 | ### | 0 | 0 | 6 |
1) England, 2) Ireland, 3) Guernsey, 4) Wales
Click here for Results from Session 1. Click here for Results from Session 2.Click here for Results from Session 3.Click here for Results from Session 4.Click here for Results from Session 5.Click here for Results from Session 6.Click here for Results from Session 7.
| TEAMS | IRL | ENG | SCO | WAL | GGY | Won | Draw | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRELAND | ### | 9-1 | 8-2 | 10-0 | 10-0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| ENGLAND | 1-9 | ### | 10-0 | 6-4 | 10-0 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| SCOTLAND | 2-8 | 0-10 | ### | 5-5 | 10-0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| WALES | 0-10 | 4-6 | 5-5 | ### | 10-0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| GUERNSEY | 0-10 | 0-10 | 0-10 | 0-10 | ### | 0 | 0 | 4 |
1) Ireland, 2) England, 3) Scotland, 4) Wales (Countback between Scotland and Wales was 22-19 in sets in the match between them)
Click here for Results from Session 1
Click here for Results from Session 2
Click here for Results from Session 3
Click here for Results from Session 4
Click here for Results from Session 5
Follow the Action On Twitter @IRE_TableTennis or Facebook
Dont forget to use the #PSI13 and it will appear on the Twitterwall here in the Arena, support your nation
2003 – England
2004 – Wales
2005 – England
2006 – England
2007 – England
2008 – England
2009 – Scotland
2010 – England
2011 – England
2012 – Ireland
2013 – England
2005 – England
2006 – England
2007 – England
2008 – England
2009 – England
2010 – England
2011 – Ireland
2012 – Ireland
2013 – Ireland
Two of Ireland’s top young talents took part in the Malacky Open in Bratislava recently, and under the supervision of coach John Murphy performed outstandingly at a very high level of European competition.
In the 2002 Boys category, Owen Cathcart progressed all the way to the Quarter Finals before losing out to John Ouebode of Italy. Cathcart almost clinched a last four place and was 2-1 in games and 10-7 up in the 4th, before eventually going down 11-8 in the 5th. The Italian went on to claim a sliver. Coach Murphy was delighted with Cathcart’s performance which included wins over three Slovakian players and an impressive win over Israel’s Philipenko in the last 16. Cathcart will have benefitted tremendously from this experience, which came on the back of a week training with Europe’s finest young talents at the Eurokids training camp.
Katie McGlone also made it through her group and to the Quarter Finals of a very strong 2000 Girls Category, eliminating Austrian Lietner in the group and as well as accounting for local opposition. She eventually lost in the last 8 to Marta Nagypal of Hungary who went on the claim gold in this event. Katie’s goal before the tournament was very clear; leave with a medal. That is what she did in the 2000 girls doubles partnering Marta Nagypal. In the quarter finals they beat a strong Italian pairing before losing out to eventual winners from Slovakia 3-1. This was a good result for Katie as it is never easy to leave European events with medals.
Both of these young players have shown not only with the results but with manner of how they achieved these results that they are competing and beating the best players in Europe. Congratulations to both players and coach.
Two of Ireland’s most promising young players are in European action this week at the Slovak Open which is held just outside Bratislava in Slovakia. Katie McGlone and Owen Cathcart with coach John Murphy are entered into this event which brings together some of Europe’s top young talent and is linked to the ETTU’s Eurokids training camp which Cathcart was also in attendance at. In the Mini Mini Cadet Team event, cathcart teams up with Lithuanian talent KARAPETJANAS DANAS in the event which kicks off today. McGlone teams up with the Hungarian Kitty Korda as they battle against europe’s finest young talents.
Stay tuned to ITTAWeb and social media feeds for latest results and look out for an event report from coach Murphy next week.
A strong Irish team travelled to Preston last weekend with the focus on performing to the best of their ability and bringing home as much silverware as possible. The team worked hard all weekend and had many Irish fans supporting them from afar thanks to the fantastic ETTA streaming service. Congratulations to all members of the squad on a successful weekend, see main results event summary below;
Junior Boys
Team
Ryan Farrell of Eastpoint and Kevin Hutchinson of UCD TTC represented Ireland in the Junior Boys. Wins over Isle of Man, Scotland, Guernsey set the Junior boys up for a good weekend(team pictured celebrating a big point thanks to ETTA Facebook)
A really tough loss to Wales, with 3 dramatic matches going to 5 sets with Farrell and Hutchinson just pipped to the line each time. England also claimed a victory over the Irish who finished tied in 2nd place, but moved to a cruel 4th on countback to lose out on a medal.
Singles
Both players will be disappointed to have not made the main draw, bur Farrell beat Griffiths of Wales to claim the consolation title.
Junior Girls
Team
Ashley Givan and Hannah Lynch Dawson combined in the Junior girls – this looked a strong combination going in to the event. Wins over Scotland and Guernsey were enough to claim a bronze medal for the girls, who may be somewhat disappointed to go one place further up the podium following a tough 3:2 defeat to England. Wales claimed the title to break up an English stranglehold on the other 3 titles.
Singles
Hannah Lynch Dawson was in fine form in Sunday’s event, claiming 2nd place in a tough group to eventually face top seed Charlotte Carey of Wales in the semi-final. Carey was just too strong for Lynch-Dawson who will be delighted with her bronze model having had a fantastic domestic season. Carey went on to claim the Junior title.
Cadet Boys
Team
Wins over Isle of Man, Wales and Guernsey represented an excellent weekend for the young duo of Gillen and Wilson. Losses to Scotland and England eliminated them for contention for Gold, but they will be quietly pleased with registering a bronze medal for Ireland
Singles
Zak Wilson was in electric form in the group stage and claimed a fine win over England’s Alec Ward. Wislon was unlucky to be placed 2nd in the group following a countback
Alex Gillen missed out on qualification to the main draw but claimed the consolation title with a victory over Heyden from Wales.
Cadet Girls
Team
Wins over Wales, Scotland and Guernsey was enough for this promising Irish team of Rebecca Finn and Katie McGlone to claim a silver for Ireland and the best result of the weekend for the irish squad, with England eventually claiming the title.
Singles
McGlone powered through her group claiming top spot. She eventually lost out to Lucy Elliot of Scotland at the semi-final stage but will also be delighted with her bronze medal winning performance. Overall a good weekend for the Irish, with 3 Team bronze and 2 Singles bronze medals. Thanks to NPCs Sarah Timlin and Arthur Brett for all of their work with the team.
Irish Teams had a very successful weekend in Tipton at the Junior British League. 74 teams spread across 12 Divisions ascended on Tipton in the English Midlands. Despite the strong depth of the Junior British League Irish teams claimed 4 Titles, 1 Runner-Up spot, 1 third place and 2 fourths.
The Irish Boys of Tom Davis, Conor Mullally, Kevin Hutchinson and Ryan Farrell all played a part in securing the Division 2B title over the two weekends. Not only did they win they remained unbeaten with 9 Wins and 1 Draw.
The Irish Girls of Ashley Givan, Hannah Lynch-Dawson, Katie McGlone and Edel O’Reilly finished 4th in the Premier League. Over the two weekends there record was 2W, 4D, 4L. The girls did very well in a very competitive division.
The Ulster Girls A of Emma Ludlow, Annalise Walker and Scotlands Lucy Elliot finished on top of Division 2, they also claimed the title while remaining undefeated (9W, 1D). Congratulations to Lucy Elliot who remained unbeaten over the 2 weekends.
Munster Girls (Chloe O’Halloran, Lynn O’Shea, Brielle Brady and Valentina Puotkalis) finished 4th in Division 2. Chloe O’Halloran won 17 out of 20 of her matches.
Ulster Boys 1 of Kieran Reilly, Trevor Knox and Jonathan Porter claimed third place in Divison 3A, their record was 3W 5D 2L.
UCD Dublin made up of Li Shi Zhao, Tobias Wolff, Geoffrey O’Connor, Jack Donnelly, Stefan Kelly and Charlie Fitzgerald claimed the Division 3B title. Li Shi Zhao remained undefeated over the two weekends, so too did his team as they won 7 and drew 3.
Ulster Girls B of Rebecca Finn, Laura Finn and Erin Thompson played 10 and won 10 and dropped only 5 matches in doing so. Laura and Rebecca both won 19 out of 20 matches.
Ulster Boys 2 of Eric Shekleton, Kris Foster, Ryan McConkey and Zak Wilson finished in 2nd place they were on course to win the division but two narrow 5 set defeats meant they dropped to 2nd going into the final match against Pompey and a draw was enough for Pompey to stop the Ulster Boys and steel the title on the last day.
Thanks to Ann Ludlow who kept us up to date on Twitter.
Well done to all involved you can check out detailed results on the Junior British League Website here.
Irish international Paul McCreery delivered a top class performance across the water in the Cardiff Grand Prix last weekend. In the Men’s Open Singles, McCreery stormed to the Final beating Bristol Academy’s Korean player Jekwon Choi, before another good win over Welsh Junior Conor Edwards in the Quarter Final. In the Semi-Final, McCreery had a very tough opponent in English No.9 ranked Matthew Ware, claiming a fine 3-1 victory to advance to the Final. In the Final, Paul faced Yongbo Zhang of Ormseby TTC. The finalists had avoided each other in the earlier meeting of McCreery’s Sycamore and Ormseby in the Senior British League, but McCreery had obviously observed his opponent closely and stormed to a 3-0 victory to claim the Cardiff Grand Prix title.
In the Under 21 event, McCreery again eliminated Welsh Junior international Edwards at the semi-final stage, before beating Welsh Senior international Dan O’Connell 3-0 in the Final to finish off a perfect weekend.
Congratulations to Paul on a superb performance.
