The Ulster Open was staged in the Valley Leisure Centre on 8^th December. Some top class table tennis was on display across all events, details and full results below

Men’s Open

The first surprise of the day came at the Last 16 stage, when Dariusz Zatlyny knocked out Ulster’s Peter Graham in four sets to progress to the Quarter Finals. Zatlyny came in to the event ranked 15 in Ireland and will have been delighted with his win over No.6 ranked Graham.  His run in the event came to an end with defeat to Ashley Robinson who negotiated a difficult path to the Semi-Final, with wins over Robbie Gavin and Mark O’Flynn as well as Zatlyny.

John Murphy was in fine form and he fought off a valiant Keith Knox in a fantastic  5 setter (9, 6, -6, -5, 8) before facing Robinson in the Semi-Final. He looked in fine form and progressed smoothly to the Final with victory over Robinson in straight sets. On the other side of the draw, Scottish International Niall Cameron looked a real contender for the title, particularly when recording a victory over Tibor Pofok at the Quarter Final stage. Cameron then came up against German based Irish international Gavin Maguire. Maguire had lost to Cameron in international competition previously, so would have been delighted with his performance here, claiming a significant victory in a high quality 5-setter, holding his nerve well to win 12-10 in the final set.

The Final was set, Maguire v Murphy. Maguire looked on course to claim the title, claiming the first two sets in some style. However National Champion Murphy fought back, displaying all of the resilience and quality that has deliver 5 Senior National titles. He levelled at 2 sets apiece before claiming the final set and the Ulster Senior Open title.

Women’s Open

In the Women’s Open, again there were some surprises in the early rounds. Following the late withdrawal of No. 1 seed Ashley Givan, youngster Rebecca Finn came through that section of the draw displaying top form in claiming a major win in the Quarter Finals over veteran Teresa Devaney. Devaney is on top form this season, so Finn who is ranked at No. 28 in the Senior Women’s Rankings will be delighted with this result and performance. She faced Jing Yi Graham in the Semi-Final and again will be delighted to have taken a set from a higher seed, but Graham was too strong and looked dominant as she progressed to the Final.

On the other side of the draw, Irish table tennis fans will be delighted to see international Amanda Mogey back on court following her recent injury troubles. Mogey looked to be in ominously good form despite her layoff, claiming straightforward wins over Emma Ludlow and Hannah Lynch-Dawson to set up a final with Graham.

This was a Final to savour, with the players swapping sets to set up a final set decider. The final set was a great test of nerve and again went all the way to the wire, with Mogey eventually claiming the Title with an 11-9 final set result.

Class II

Sparks flew in the Class II event with some fascinating match-ups and some top class performances. Hannah Lynch Dawson in particular moved quickly through the draw, with some impressive victories including an excellent 5 set win over Mark McAllister. She face Wexford’s Brian Devereux in the Semi-Final and almost pulled off an excellent win – claiming the first two sets before Devereux kicked up a gear to fight back and claim all 3 remaining sets.  In the Final Devereux faced Marcus McDonnell, who is enjoying a Renaissance in his playing career this season – McDonnell eliminated Zak Wilson in the last four. We had yet another 5 set Final in the Class II, with Devereux eventually claiming the win – making the long journey home to Wexford a little sweeter.

Veterans

In the Veterans event, it was that man Zatylny again in top form, knocking out both Tibor Pofok and Kevin Mackey to progress to the Final. Here he faced Pat McCloughan – and you guessed it, we had another 5 set battle on our hands, with Zatylny eventually claiming the title to cap off a pretty impressive day’s work.

Open Doubles

In this event it was Ulster pair Ashley Robinson & Keith Knox against Murphy and Cameron in the Final. In 3 closely contested sets (9, 10, 9), Robinson & Knox were crowned Ulster Open Doubles Champions.

Congratulations to all event winners and to all players who took part – as always thanks to the excellent volunteers of the Ulster Branch who delivered the event and in particular Jamie and Stuart McConkey and Tony Phillips.

Full results here.

A very successful Ulster Open was held at the weekend at Valley Leisure Centre. Men’s winner was John Murphy and Women’s winner Ulster’s own Amanda Mogey pictured above with runner up Jing Yi Graham. Full results to follow.

All attendance records were broken at the STIGA National Junior League recently with 40 teams entered from all over Ireland forcing organisers to open a second venue to accommodate all players. In the end, 22 tables were used across both Colaiste Phadraig in Lucan and Roadstone in Kingswood, with 5 Divisions of 8 teams each in action. 

Looking first to Divisions 4 & 5 which were played out in Lucan. There was a great atmosphere at this venue as many of the participants made their debut in a National event, although many would have placed in the STIGA Junior Challenger Series. Fantastic to see also was many of the ITTA funded participation projects in attendance, demonstrating a commitment within these projects to encourage their players towards tournament play. In Division 5, the Final match up was played out between John Bowe’sHigh School and Liam O’Ceallaigh’s Raven TTC. The high quality of table tennis on display here is testament to the work put in by both coaches, and we had several closely fought matches. In the end, Raven TTC claimed the title on a 4-1 score line. Expect to see more of these youngsters over the coming years. Division 4 was also a hard fought affair, and was a battle of the provinces in the Final as Leeside TTC C came up against Mayo C. This one went all the way to the wire, with the match resulting in a 3:3 draw and went to count back. After some deliberation by the excellent Tournament Referee Stuart McConkey, Leeside C (pictured) were crowned champions of Division 4. Coach Ben Haughton was delighted with his young charges and looks to be building a fine club in Leeside TTC. The main feature of these Divisions was the fun nature of the event, with excellent co-operation with our volunteer team and a great attitude from all players. Thanks to John Bowe, Tibor Pofok, Anna Kelly, Tommy Fitzgerald and Stuart McConkey who helped deliver a fine event for these developi

To Roadstone then for our top Divisions – a new venue for Irish table tennis and one we may use again – impressive playing conditions for our top Juniors and nice catering facilities on site for all to avail of. Division 3 was dominated by UCD – with UCD’s D & E teams battling for top spot. There is serious strength in depth in this UCD team, with the D team eventually claiming Gold in a 4:0 win. Division 2 was a battle between Kinneigh B and Leeside A. Leeside were in impressive form throughout, with Alan Walsh, Chloe O’Halloran and James Kelly all in top form as the Cork team claimed a 4:2 victory and the Division 2 Final. 

All eyes then turned to the Division One match-ups, with many of the country’s top Junior Boys & Girls in action. This was a really strong division which featured 3 teams from Club Donic – an impressive representation for the Lucan based club. Donic A topped their group and faced off against UCD A in an all Dublin title decider. UCD had some fine talent on display including Li Shizhao, former Donic player returning to haunt his old team. Kevin Hutchinson, Tobias Wolff and Jack Donnelly also line out for UCD’s top team as they looked to justify their Number One seeding. Donic also had a strong line-up on show, with Conor Mullally, Tom Davis and Ciaran Kelly all in good form. UCD were focussed on the job in hand and dominated the match to record a 4-0 victory and retain their Premier Division title – congratulations to all involved at the club. 

In summary, 2 of the 5 Divisional titles went to UCD, with a further 2 going South to Leeside TTC with one title to Raven TTC. However perhaps the biggest story here was the excellent entry of 40 teams, up from 14 teams last season and the volunteers of the ITTA rising to meet the challenge – Jamie McConkey, Tony Martin, Tony Phillips, Louise Long, Shay Logue, Arthur Brett, Joe Finnegan and Sam Logue were all instrumental to the delivery of a fantastic event in Roadstone – many thanks to the team, your work is greatly appreciated.

Congratulations again to all players who participated – we look forward to seeing you all again next season. Finally, thanks to sponsor Tommy Fitzgerald from STIGA Ireland who had shops in both venues and was worked hard all day!

The ITTA Ranking Committee has today published the Butterfly National Senior Rankings following the Connacht Open.

In the Men’s section, its as you were at the top as Paul McCreery remains Ireland’s No.1 ranked player. Big movers up the list include Tibor Pofok, who is up 7 places to No.6 on the list. Further down the list Marcus McDonnell makes huge strides following a strong performance in Breaffy House – he is now at No.21 from No.36 on his return to the sport.

In the Women’s list, as expected Na Liu retains her top spot, although Ashley Givan is not far behind on points and moves into 2nd position. Further down the list, Marta Zareba makes the biggest leap up to 14th from 26th.

See Rankings for full lists.

At a superb Stiga Connacht Senior Open last weekend, Paul McCreery and Hannah-Lynch Dawson beat all competitors to take Connacht Senior Open titles home with them. The Open was held at Breaffy Sports Arena, Castlebar, Co Mayo and proved to be one of the more memorable Open’s hosted by Connacht.

In the Women’s event, Hannah-Lynch Dawson defeated Ashley Givan in a 5 set thriller. Dawson won the first set 12-10 but Givan responded by winning the next 2 sets 13-11 & 11–8. Dawson fought back to take the 4^th set 11-9 to bring the Women’s Open decider to a 5^th set. Dawson’s composure got the better of her Ulster rival on the day taking the 5^th set 11–8 with some outstanding play. It was a fantastic performance from Dawson who showed from the Irish Senior Women’s classification signs of posing a serious threat this season. The 3^rd / 4^th place playoff went to the 5^th set with Jean Wyse the eventual winner over Marta Zareba from Pionners TTC, Dublin.

In the Men’s event, Paul McCreery defeated John Murphy in three straight sets. However, the first two sets proved to be a tight affair with McCreery winning 13-11 and 12-10. Spectators were anticipating a comeback from Murphy in the 3^rd set but that wasn’t to be case with McCreery reinforcing his dominance at the event by taking the 3^rd set 11-4. It is without doubt that McCreery has all the attributes of a National Champion and this could come sooner rather than later! Ashley Robinson proved too strong for Tibor Pofok on the day winning 3^rd / 4^th place playoff in three straight sets: 11-8, 11-9 and 11-5.

Before the Staged Men’s and Women’s Final, a special presentation was made to Kevin Devaney by our President Joseph Hickey and Irish Table Tennis legend Tommy Caffrey. Pictured above is the ‘Tommy Caffrey Trophy’ being presented to Kevin by both Joseph and Tommy for his performance at this year’s Senior Interprovincial Championship. Kevin was selected by the President(from a list nominated by NPCs) as ‘Player of the Championship’ for his performance on and off the table. Well done Kevin you have done Connacht proud!

The weekend kicked-off with the Men’s and Women’s doubles. With the Men’s top two seeds forming a partnership, it was inevitable that they would go all the way to the final. Both Kevin Mackey and Artur Lewanczuk have to be commended for their performance knocking out tough opposition on their way to the final only to be defeated by Murphy and McCreery. The Women’s doubles proved to be a tighter affair with Hannah-Lynch Dawson and Sarah Timlin taking the Women’s Doubles Title in a round robin format. They finished ahead of Ashley Givan and Annalise Walker which proved to be a close encounter! 

Saturday afternoon saw the Mixed Doubles Players taking control of the arena which proved to be a popular and exciting event. Marta Zareba and Dariusz Zatylny battled their way to the final to set up an encounter with hot favourites Ashley Givan and Ashley Robinson. The two Ashley’s were on fire and breezed through the opposition to be crowned Connacht Open Mixed Doubles Champions 2012. 

Class II started the proceedings on Sunday with Brian Devereux, Marcus McDonnell, Terry Dolan and Kevin Devaney progressing to the semi-finals. The two semi-finals produced 5 set thrillers with both Marcus and Kevin overcoming Brian and Terry respectively. Marcus McDonnell was in fantastic form defeating Kevin Devaney in the 5^th set 11-9. This is a major achievement for Marcus considering his absence from the Irish Table Tennis circuit for some time. 

In the Men’s U21 Conor Beades defeated Ryan McConkey in the Final. McConkey put in a good performance but experience got the better of the Junior. In the Women’s U21 event Sarah Timlin secured her third  Connacht U21 Open Title by beating her younger sister Orla. Orla Timlin has made a welcome return to Table Tennis and a player destined to follow her older sisters footsteps.

The Masters Final brought an exciting end to the Connacht Senior Open with some superb table tennis. The Final turned out to be the ‘match of the weekend’ with Connacht rivals Terry Dolan and Kevin Devaney battling it out for the Connacht Open Masters Title. It was sweet revenge for Dolan having been beaten by Devaney in the Class II semi-final. Devaney took Dolan to the fifth set but Dolan held his nerve and recorded yet another Open Title.

The Connacht Branch would like to thank both Joseph Hickey and Ken Strong for their valuable advice leading up to the event. Without the support of the ITTA, this event would not have been possible!

Full results available here.

Peter Graham (Glenburn) grabbed his first Ulster Senior Closed Men’s title with a tactical and sometimes explosive 4-set victory over Tyrone protégé Ashley Robinson.

Law graduate Graham (24 years), displayed composure gained from experience as an Irish junior and senior international, but was conscious that he has to be in top gear to overhaul the Clogher player who has already graced world events as Irish No. 4, and will soon take up a semi-professional position in the British League with the Gareth Herbert School in Peterborough.

Missing from the Ulster’s line up in the Valley Leisure Centre were current Irish No. 1 and UK Grand Prix winner in Liverpool was Paul McCreery, soon to return to studies in Nottingham and Keith Knox who was on French club duty. Nevertheless the Knox family were well represented by elder brother Gervis, finishing 4th ahead of Polish immigrant Pawel Sulkowski (Ballymoney).

Emma Ludlow, also Glenburn, showed why she has caught the eye of the Ulster Junior Selectors by winning the Class 2 event ahead of Mark Gordon (Ballyclare).

Once again the round-robin format, designed by Ulster President Tony Phillips, has the players’ approval.

Ulster Senior Closed Championship Final Places:

1. Peter Graham; 2. Ashley Robinson; 3.Gervis Knox ; 4. Pawel Sulkowski; 5. Pat McClaughan; 6. Jack Porter; 7. Stephwen Slater; 8. Kris Foster; 9. Zak Wilson; 10. Philip Jamison; 11. Hannah Lynch-Dawson; 12. Gary Crawford.

Class 2: 1. Emma Ludlow; 2. Mark Gordon; 3. Andrew Loane; 4. Patsie Gallagher.

For full results please click here

Summary of the Results from Day 1 of the Irish Junior Classification 2012

Cadet Boys

Champion – Zak Wilson (Glenburn TTC)

2nd – Brian Dunleavy (Kilkelly TTC)

3rd – Evin McGovern (Club Donic)

4th – Donie Mullally (Club Donic)

5th – Alex Gillen (UCD)

6th – Gearoid O’Donoghue (Leeside TTC)

7th – Karl Walsh (Leeside TTC)

8th – Daragh Egan (Kilkelly TTC)

Cadet Girls

Champion – Katie McGlone

2nd – Rebecca Finn (Glenburn TTC)

3rd – Chloe O’Halloran (Leeside TTC)

4th – Kate Whelan (Ballyroan TTC)

5th – Valentina Poutkazyze (Kilarney TTC)

6th – Kerry O’Mahony

7th – Jessie Hayes (Mountrath TTC)

8th – Brielle Brady (Kilkenny TTC)

Under 10 Boys 

Champion – David Taylor (Collooney TTC)

2nd – Art McLoughlin (Club Donic)

3rd – Tommy Ngugen (York Road TTC)

4th – William Hou (Club Donic)

Under 10 Girls

Champion – Jackie Xue (Club Donic)

2nd – Mia Egan (Club Donic)

3rd – Sophie Kenny (Carlow TTC)

4th – Natashya Barry (Athlone TTC)

Plate Events:

Cadet Boys Plate

1st – Bernard O’Sullivan (UCD)

2nd – James Doyle (York Road TTC)

Cadet Girls Plate 

1st – Justyne Fabian (Carlow TTC)

2nd – Yasmine Barry (Athlone TTC)

Under 10 Boys

1st – Ravi Seth (Club Donic)

2nd – Cillian Mullaly (Club Donic)

Under 10 Girls

1st – Grace Hodgins (Collooney TTC)

2nd – Orlagh O’Toole (Yotk Road TTC)

Summary of the Results from Day 1 of the Irish Junior Classification 2012 

Junior Boys

Champion – Ryan Farrell

2nd – Kevin Hutchinson (UCD)

3rd – Tobias Wolfe (UCD)

4th – Kris Foster (Fivemiletown Academy)

5th – Trevor Knox

6th – Tom Davis (Club Donic)

7th – Zak Wilson (Glenburn TTC)

8th – Kieran Reilly (Castlerahen TTC)

Junior Girls

Champion – Chloe O’Halloran (Leeside TTC)

2nd – Katie McGlone

3rd – Hannah Lynch-Dawson (Fivemiletown Academy)

4th – Meadhbh Slattery

5th – Emma Ludlow (Glenburn TTC)

6th – Laura Finn (Glenburn TTC)

7th- Annalise Walker (Fivemiletown Academy)

8th – Claire Heller (York Road TTC)

Under 12 Boys 

Champion – Owen Cathcart (Glenburn TTC)

2nd – James Kelly (West Cork TTC)

3rd – Dylan Grace (Mountrath TTC)

4th – Eddie Ditchburn (Kilkelly TTC)

5th – James McGrath (Glenburn TTC)

6th – Isac Ghenadie (Club Donic)

7th – Ethan Duffy (Fivemiletown Academy)

8th – Niall Brown (Ballincollig TTC)

Under 12 Girls

Champion – Kate Whelan (Ballyroan TTC)

2nd – Rebecca Finn (Glenburn TTC)

3rd – Marie Williams (Kilkelly TTC)

4th – Devon Brady (Killarney TTC)

5th – Ciara O’Toole (York Road TTC)

6th – Jessie Hayes (Mountrath TTC)

7th – Nadia Krawczun (Mountrath TTC)

8th – Sophie Kenny (Carlow TTC)

Plate Results

Junior Boys Plate

Winner – Eoin Foran (Killarney TTC)Runner-Up – Donie Mullaly (Club Donic)

Junior Girls Plate

Winner – Amy Rock (ALSAA)Runner-Up – Kerry O’Mahony

Under 12 Boys Plate

Winner – Daniel ViegasRunner-Up – Joe Proudfoot (York Road TTC)

Under 12 Girls Plate

Winner – Catherine Doyle (Carlow TTC)Runner-Up – Hanna Proudfoot (York Road TTC)

Keep up to Date with Day 2 of the Irish Junior Classification on Twitter