VETS

Veterans Six Nations

by International EventsMastersTTI News

GOLDEN GLAMOUR!

The Ladies team of Teresa Devaney, Jenny Harrison and Helena Dennett produced an outstanding performance under trying circumstances to win Gold in the Over 50s at the Veterans Six Nations Tournament in Guernsey recently. While Teresa was fog-bound in Exeter, Jenny and Helena accounted for Guernsey and Isle of Man. Arriving shortly before the match, Teresa combined with Helena to beat Wales. Against England, the holders and favourites, Teresa struck a rich vein of form. Playing with confident authority, she produced some outstanding winners to win both of her singles against Jan Johns and Helen Shields. However, the crunch encounter was in the doubles. Despite a painful back, Jenny Harrison made a vital contribution supporting Teresa to clinch the breakthrough doubles win and the title, which the ladies had worked so hard for. “Jenny was brilliant at keeping me focussed throughout the doubles” commented Teresa.

The Over 60s team of Tommy Caffrey, Martin Pickles, Barry Dickson and Audrey Robinson won a very commendable Silver Medal. The Scottish challenge was definitely weakened by Geoff Salter’s absence, and our best wishes go to him during his illness.

Though the other teams did not enjoy medal success, all agreed that the experience gained was beneficial. We would like to thank STIGA for their support.

A convivial time was enjoyed by all, despite some hiccups caused by travel delays. The Guernsey Table Tennis Veterans are to be commended for the manner in which they coped with such unforeseen circumstances in running the tournament.

VETS

Veterans Six Nations

by International EventsMastersTTI News

The Irish Veterans international season gets underway this weekend with the Six Nations in Guernsey. 17 of Irelands top veterans will travel to Guernsey on Friday to take part in the three day event. The ITTA would like to take this opportunity to wish the team the very best of luck.   Check back next week for a full report.

Veterans Team Selection for Six Nations:

40s: K. Devaney, R. Davis, D. Gibbons; Sharon Brien, Gillian Richardson.

50s: K. Sabir, B. Finn; Teresa Devaney, Jenny Harrison, Helena Dennett.              

60s: M. Pickles, T. Caffrey, B. Dickson;  Audrey Robinson.

70s: T. Mahaffy, K. Ridsdale, M. Keogh .

VETS

Irish Veterans Qualification Tournament Report

by MastersNational EventsTTI News

IVTTS  Qualification Tournament Report.

Some lively proceedings emanated from the Qualification Tournament held in Lucan. Kariem Sabir won the Over 40s event, accounting for Kevin Mackey and Kevin Devaney enroute. Worthy performances were registered here by Paul Norgrove, Tommy Fitzgerald and Brian Finn. Martin Pickles gave an outstanding display to beat Kariem in the final of the Over 50s. This followed a marvellous semi-final between Kariem and Kieran Burke.

Recently retired Tommy Caffrey continued with business as usual, winning the Over 60s. Ted Mahaffy beat Ronnie Drain in the 70s decider. Sharon Brien won the Ladies round robin. Catherine Harnedy is to be commended, travelling all the way from Cork just for this event! Kryzstof Karczewski accounted for Alan Taylor and John Finn in the Men’s Consolation.

Once again, our thanks go to STIGA for their generous support. An enjoyable day’s play saw Jim Storey, Mark McAlister, John Harrison and Neil Shanahan, among others, committing to the Veterans programme for the rest of the year. Now, it’s onwards to the Six Nations in Guernsey!

VETS

Irish Veterans Table Tennis Society National Championships

by MastersNational EventsTTI News

Kevin Mackey and Teresa Devaney retained their Singles Titles at the National Championships of the Irish Veterans Table Tennis Society in Lucan on Saturday. Teresa beat Jenny Harrison over four sets in the Ladies final, while Kevin triumphed over legendary Tommy Caffrey in the final of the Harry O’Prey Trophy. Earlier, Tommy had recovered from two sets down to beat Dave Pemberton in an enthralling semi-final. Kariem Sabir won the Over 50s title, beating Brian Finn in the fifth set decider. Tommy Caffrey won the Over 60s event, while Ted Mahaffy maintained his unblemished record in the Over 70s for the season. Several players from England were in attendance, helping to provide a large entry for the Ladies Singles. Good performances were registered by Sharon Brien and Audrey Robinson. In the Men’s events, Michael Cunningham and Ken Ridsdale acquitted themselves well. In a throwback to earlier times, a match in the early rounds saw Robby Davis overcome clubmate Paul Norgrove 21-19 in a titanic fifth set!! In conclusion, the Society is most grateful for the support of the National Umpires Association and Stiga throughout the season. Click here for full results.

At the AGM held at the weekend the following members were elected onto the Veterans Committee:  Brian Finn (Chair/Secretary), Kariem Sabir (Treasurer), Ted Mahaffy and Philip Shaw.

VETS

Vets Claim Medals in Turkey

by International EventsMastersTTI News

Report by Vivienne Barry

3 members of Irish Vets played in the Turkey Veterans Invitation Tournament last week and all returned with medals. There was a strong entry, with players from England, Germany, Bulgaria, Russia, Greece and Turkey. Teresa Devaney was outstanding, winning gold in the over 50’s singles and, playing with Helen Shields (England) won the open Ladies Doubles. Audrey Robinson won gold in the over 60’s singles, and Vivienne Barry took bronze in this event. Veteran tournaments are very social and a great way of making new friends.

VETS

World Veterans Championships 2010

by International EventsMastersTTI News

5 Irish players travelled to Hohhot in Inner Mongolia for the World Veterans Championships. It was a wonderful trip. Colum Slevin and Teresa Devaney were our most successful players, reaching 3rd round in singles and doubles.

Photo on front page shows Teresa Devaney and Vivienne Barry meeting Table Tennis legend Liang, and above Vivienne meeting Dot deLow, who is still playing at 99 years of age.

Congratulations to all players who made the long journey to Inner Mongolia to represent their country.

VETS

Pioneers Take Vets Title

by MastersNational Events

PIONEERS ARE CROWNED CHAMPIONS

By Peter Clarke

The Pioneers were the worthy winners of the inaugural veterans team competition staged at Lucan village recently.  The brilliant tournament was the brainchild of Pioneers captain Dave Pemberton who not only organised event but also went through the day unbeaten with a tremendous display of power table tennis ably backed up by another topspin ace of great prowess, Kevin Mackey.  

The dangerous Athlone team of Kieran Burke and Karem Sabir filled the runners up spot after going down 3-1 to the Pioneers while TPB (Three Province Battlers) featuring Terry Dolan (Connacht), Phil Shaw (Munster) and Peter Clarke (Ulster) started well but eventually finished third.

The match of the day saw Balbriggan gave the Pioneers a real scare before going down 3-1 with master tactician Tommy Caffrey dispatching Mackey in a quality encounter but ace defender Brian Finn who has been honing his skills in Germany nearly stole the show and could have easily won his two matches pushing both Mackey and Pemberton all the way before falling at the final hurdle on both occasions.

Kieran Burke summed the tournament up perfectly, “This was the most enjoyable days table tennis all season, the format ensured everyone got lots of play and every single match was competitive”.

Dave is hoping to expand the tournament next season to include a number of divisions and in my opinion the Pioneers star is on to a winner.