Posts in category: National Events

Ulster claimed the Victor Barna Shield at the Junior Interpros held in Killarney last weekend. The Aura Leisure Centre proved to be an excellent facility for table tennis and an appropriate setting for some of Ireland’s top Junior players to display their skills and represent their provinces.

Many observers felt Leinster were favourites to take the Barna Shield but this was not to be the case as a number of tight matches and surprising results led to the trophy travelling back to Ulster yet again, while Munster claimed 2^nd place overall.

Event Reviews

Juniors

Munster claimed the Junior Girls title, producing an excellent performance to defeat Ulster 7-2 in the deciding match. Laura Finn produced two battling performances recording wins for Ulster over Aisling Healy and Emily Burns, but Edel O’Reilly won all 3 of her games and Healy and Burns took 2 a piece to claim the victory for the hosts.

In the Junior Boys, Ulster claimed a facile victory over Connacht to kick-off their tournament, with Stephen Slater, Neil Irwin and Kieran Reilly all going undefeated. Next up was Munster and Ashley Robinson came into the team. Robinson was impressive in defeating international colleague Declan O’Brien in straight sets and also winning his other two games. Stephen Slater also produced an excellent display to defeat O’Brien and round off a really good 7-2 victory for Ulster. With Leinster beating Munster 5-4 and Connacht 9-0, a deciding encounter between Leinster and Ulster would decide the title. Sam Logue claimed two points for Leinster with victories over Irwin and Slater, but Robinson was imperious – claiming all 3 of his matches. Slater then clinched the match and the title for Ulster 5-3 with a win over Club Donic’s talented Shi Zhao Li.

Cadets

The Cadet Boys was all about Team Leinster, with international team-mates Conor Mullally, Ryan Farrell and Kevin Hutchinson all representing the favourites and ALSAA’s Ciaran Kelly also playing an important role. They blitzed their opponents to claim the title, Ryan Farrell maintaining a 100% record throughout. This is the 3^rd win a row for Leinster in the Cadet Boys event.

Ulster claimed the Cadet Girls title, with Hannah-Lynch Dawson leading the way with some impressive displays. They beat Munster into 2^nd place following a 6-3 victory over the hosts. Some excellent matches were a feature of this category – Emma Ludlow’s 5 set(11-9 in the 5^th) victory over Leinster’s Meadhbh Slattery in particular stands out.

Under 12s

The Under 12s was a difficult category to call in advance and this proved to be the case. Some enthralling encounters ensued – Munster took a 5-4 victory over Leinster in the first match, Karl Walsh holding his nerve to record two wins in 5 setters. Zak Wilson was on top form as Ulster defeated Connacht 6-3. Club Donic’s Evin McGovern then provided a sign of fireworks to come with a 100% performance in a 6-3 victory for Leinster over Connacht, while Ulster cruised to a 6-3 victory over Munster. Munster closed out their tournament with a 5-2 victory over Connacht while Leinster defeated Ulster 5-4 with Evin McGovern producing two fantastic performances to record wins over joint National Number Ones Zak Wilson and Ryan McConkey. This of course led to a three-way tie and the dreaded count back – Ulster eventually emerging as Under 12 Champions.

Leinster were probably just favourites in the Under 12 Girls, but there were some surprise results with the hosts claiming the title. Valentina Puotkalyte was in unstoppable form, posting victories over Elayna and Katie McGlone as well as Primary School International Nga Nguyen in a thrilling 5-4 victory over Leinster. Brielle Brady and Chloe O’Halloran were also in fine form as Ulster was defeated 8-1 and Munster clinched the title with a 9-0 result over Connacht.

In the end, it was another fantastic Junior Interpros, with lots of great matches and talking points. Munster Under 12 Valentina Puotkalyte was selected for the inaugural Colum Slevin Player of the Tournament Award following her clinical displays in leading the Munster team to the Under 12 title. Congratulations again to the Ulster team and thanks to our sponsors STIGA, tournament referee Con O’Ceadaigh and the Munster Branch for all their fine work in hosting this event.

The venue for the Primary Schools Championships this year was the very pleasant Banbridge Leisure Centre where excellent facilities had been set up by Arnold Morgan.  Everyone was welcome to the first occasion on which Ulster had organised this event.  We lacked an entry from Munster in the Girls’ competition, but otherwise all the provinces were represented.  Results were clear cut, so there was no need to use the one game doubles play-off in the event of a draw, nor countback to determine results.

The Boys’ event was dominated by St Teresa’s National School from Kilkelly, though they were pushed hard by both Gaelscoil Ui Fhiaich from Maynooth and Lissagriffin National School from Skibbereen.

In the Girls’ event Guardian Angels National School from Blackrock were clear winners, losing only one individual match.

Many thanks to Ulster Schools sponsor Allianz, Referee Mr.Tony Phillips and Tom Mitchell, Arnold Morgan, Ted Mahaffy and Jamie McConkey for providing Umpire supervision, and to all the players, teachers, coaches and parents for making it a most enjoyable day.

Full results available here

Flawless Peter Graham wins the North Antrim Table Tennis Open.

Report by Norman McBride

An excellent turn out of forty competitors travelled to the luxurious environs of Ballymena Academy to participate in the 2011 North Antrim Open.  A new champion was assured as last year’s winner Leo Stynen from Germany was studying for his Final examinations. But new Ulster number one Peter Graham headed the seeding along with Ulster number two Philip Wallace, with Ulster’s top lady Amanda Mogey, Ulster’s top veteran Pawel Sulkowski and Wexford’s Brian Devereux all in attendance hoping to claim the vacant title.

To qualify for the Open event the players had to top a group of five players. Anyone in second place qualified for the Grade two event, those third in their groups qualified for the Grade three event and fourth and fifth placed places battled out for the Grade Four event.

In the group stages the top seed Peter Graham qualified from group one unscathed with convincing victories over Ballymena’s Connor White, Coleraine’s James Dillon, Larne’s Byron Graham and Wexford’s Sabina Devereux.

“Fast” Phil Wallace was top of group two defeating Ballyclare’s Hannah Ireland, Dublin’s Anthony Dobbs, Banbridge’s Stephen Turkington and Ulster veteran Roy Coard.

The first upset came in Group three with Wexford’s Brian Devereux finishing second to Pawel Sulkowski who went on to defeat Portrush’s Anselm Brankin, Ballymena’s Jonny Wilson and Robin Agnew.

Group four had the talented Amanda Mogey finish top with victories over Ulster number ten lady Emma Nicholl, Ballymena’s Adam Greer, Ballyclare veteran Ian Davies and Belfast’s Andrew Loane.

Group five was a real tough group with Dawid Sulkowski playing excellent table tennis to take top spot defeating County Antrim finalist Philip Jamison, Ballymena defender Andrew Herbison, Banbridge’s Barry Dickson and Arnold Morgan.

In Group six Academy Strongtower’s Gary Crawford qualified by defeating Belfast’s Rita Okotebe, Ballymena’s Jimmy O’Hara, Belfast’s Ted Mehaffey and Ballyclare’s Richard Davies.

Group seven had top seed Gervis Knox comfortably progress with wins over Ballyclare’s talented Andrew Davies, Ballymena’s Adam McIlmoyle, Belfast’s Mark Gordon and Ballymoney’s Neil Robinson.

The eighth and final group almost brought an upset as Academy Strongtower’s Mark McAllister let two match points slip against eventual group winner Georgi Hubenov. Hubenov went on to defeat Newtownabbey’s Thomas Davies, Ballymena starlet Peter McCrum and Ballymoney veteran Gary McClelland.

The eight qualifiers then formed two further groups with the top two in each group progressing to the semi- finals. The first group saw top seed Peter Graham and fourth seed Amanda Mogey progress to the semi final stages with Dawid Sulkowski and Georgi Hubenov finishing in third and fourth spots respectively. Indeed, the unseeded Sulkowski was a tad unlucky not to progress as he took a set off Graham and lost 12-10 in the fifth set against Mogey. The second group provided a few shocks as Gervis Knox topped the group with the unseeded Pawel Sulkowski finishing second both above number two seed Philip Wallace who secured third spot above his arch-rival Gary Crawford.

The semi-final saw Peter Graham progress in straight sets to the final with a fine win over Pawel Sulkowski. The other semi-final had Amanda Mogey battling against an inspired Gervis Know. The match was a very close affair with two like minded attacking players going toe to toe across the table. However it was Amanda Mogey who prevailed with her devastating smashes penetrating Knox’s defences in the deciding game.

Unfortunately Amanda couldn’t repeat the form of her semi-final victory and Peter Graham clinched the North Antrim title in straight sets. All in all a magnificent display by Graham who only dropped one set in the nine matches he played. But Mogey should take much credit for reaching the final of this prestigious ranking tournament and taking numerous top scalps in the process.

The Grade two event went to Wexford’s Brian Devereux who defeated Philip Jamison in the semi-final. In the final he defeated Academy Strongtower’s Mark McAllister who had edged passed Andrew Davies in his semi-final.

The Grade three event was won by “Battling” Barry Dickson from Banbridge who defeated Robin Agnew in the semi final and veteran Ted Mehaffey in the final. Ted had reached the final after winning a monumental five set thriller against his old adversary Byron Graham.

The Grade four semi finals were contested between Mark Gordon, Anselm Brankin, Arnold Morgan and Academy Strongtower’s Peter McCrum. Mark Gordon won a thrilling five setter against Anselm Brankin while Arnold proved too experienced for the ever improving McCrum. The final was another five set cracker with Gordon managing to outlast Morgan in a game of hit and counter hit.

Brian Orr, the tournament referee, thanked all the competitors for their sporting behaviour, Ballymena Academy and host club Academy Strongtower for the use of the halls, Jimmy O’Hara for doing the presentations and Norman McBride for the hard work of arranging and running the tournament.

Western Division     Fivemiletown College

U11 B             1^st   Kesh PS ‘A’                2^nd  Kesh PS ‘B’

U11 G             1^st   Kesh PS                      2^nd  Tempo PS

U11 Mixed     1^st   St Clare’s NS

U10 B             1^st   St Clare’s NS              2^nd  Kesh PS                      3^rd  Tempo PS ‘A’

                        4^th  Tempo PS ‘B’

U10 G             1^st  Kesh PS                       2^nd  Tempo PS

U10 Mixed     1^st  St Clare’s NS

U9 B               1^st  St Clare’s NS               2^nd  Kesh PS

U9 G               ——-

U9 Mixed       1^st  Tempo PS ‘A’              2^nd  Tempo PS ‘B’             3^rd  Tempo PS ‘C’

U8 B               1^st  St Clare’s NS               2^nd  Tempo PS

U8 Mx             1^st  Tempo PS

Belfast Division    Glenburn Methodist

U11 B             1^st   Sacred Heart PS ‘A’  2^nd  Downey House             3^rd  Holy Cross PS

                        4^th  Harding Mem PS        5^th  Sacred Heart PS ‘B’      6^th  Carryduff PS

U11 G             1^st  Carryduff PS               2^nd  Downey House

U11 Mixed     1^st  Kilcoan PS                   2^nd  Cavehill PS ‘A’              3^rd  Cavehill PS ‘B’

                        4^th  Cavehill PS ‘B’           5^th  Moneyrea PS

U10 B             1^st  Holy Cross PS             2^nd  Cairnshill PS                 3^rd  Downey House

U10 G             1^st  Carryduff PS

U10 Mixed     1^st  Kilcoan PS

U9 B               1^st  Holy Cross PS             2^nd  Carryduff PS                 3^rd  Sacred Heart PS

                        4^th  Holy Rosary PS

U9 G              

U9 Mixed       1^st   Cairnshill PS              2^nd  Holy Rosary PS            3^rd  Moneyrea PS

Banbridge Division      Banbridge LC

U11 B             1^st  Abercorn PS                2^nd  Dromore PS

U11 G             1^st  Abercorn PS                2^nd  Dromore PS

U11 Mixed     1^st Abercorn PS

U10 B             1^st  Abercorn PS                2^nd  Ballydown PS

U10 G             1^st  Abercorn PS                2^nd  Ballydown PS

U10 Mixed     1^st  Ballydown PS

U9 B               1^st  Edenderry PS ‘A’        2^nd  Edenderry PS ‘B’

U9 G               1^st  Edenderry PS

U9 Mixed      

U8 B               1^st  Edenderry PS

U8 G               1^st  Edenderry PS

U8 Mixed      

Play-Offs       Eligible Schools

Play-Offs       Results

U11 Boys

1^st  Kilcoan PS                         2^nd  Sacred Heart PS                 3^rd  Abercorn PS

U11 Girls

1^st  Carryduff PS                     2^nd  Abercorn PS

U11 Mixed

1^st  Kilcoan PS                         2^nd  St Clare’s NS                       3^rd  Abercorn PS

U10 Boys

1^st  St Clare’s NS                     2^nd  Holy Cross PS                     3^rd  Abercorn PS

U10 Girls

1^st  Abercorn PS                      2^nd  Carryduff PS

U10 Mixed

1^st  Ballydown PS                   2^nd  St Clare’s NS

Irish International Amanda Mogey just pipper her international team-mate Ashley Givan to finish the season as Ulster’s No.1 Ranked female player. In the Men’s final ranking list, Peter Graham of Queens beat fellow Queens player Phillip Wallace to the top spot.

Womens Final Rankings

Mens Final Rankings

Eastpoint TTC’s Ryan Farrell captured a remarkable double in taking the Junior and Cadet Boys Titles at the Butterfly National Junior Championships in ALSAA over the weekend. In the Junior’s, Farrell beat Ulster’s Stephen Slater on a 3-1 scoreline, while in the Cadet final, the young Dubliner overcame a strong onslaught from Club Donic’s Conor Mullally to take the title in straight sets.

In the Junior Girls, Ulster’s Ashley Givan continued her superb form this season in taking the title on a 3-1 scoreline over Mayo’s Sarah Timlin. The title confirms the 15 year old as the number one player this season after her win in the Butterfly National Seniors last month. In the Cadet Girls, Katie McGlone rounded a fantastic weekend for Dublin’s Eastpoint Club in taking the title in straight sets over Glenburn’s Emma Ludlow.

In the Under 12 competitions, Zak Wilson was triumphant in the Boys with a win over Alexander Gillen of Kilkelly in Connacht. In the Under 12 Girls, Rebecca Finn followed up on her great performance at the Primary Schools International to claim the title with a win over Connacht’s Orla Timlin. The Under 10 competition allows players get the feel of plaing a ational event – the emphasis ins on fun and coaching is not allowed. Some great matches were played in this competition, with Kate Whelan of Ballyroan and James Kelly of West Cork claiming the titles.

Junior Boys : 1. R. Farrell ; 2. S. Slater ; 3. M. Finlay.
Cadet Boys : 1. R. Farrell ; 2. C. Mullally ; 3. B. Kelleher.
U12 Boys ; 1. Z. Wilson ; 2. A. Gillen ; 3. B. Dunleavy.
U10 Boys : 1. J. Kelly ; 2. P. Cooney ; 3. E. Ditchburn.

Junior Boys Plate : 1. T. Tobin ; 2. D. Webb.
Cadet Boys Plate : 1. D. Scott ; 2. C. Merriman.
U12 Boys Plate : 1. D. Duffy ; 2. J. Daly.
U10 Boys Plate : 1. R. Kelly ; 2. K. Wang.


Junior Girls : 1. A. Givan ; 2. S. Timlin ; 3. E. O’Reilly.
Cadet Girls : 1. K. McGlone ; 2. E. Ludlow ; 3. H. Lynch Dawson.
U12 Girls : 1. R. Finn ; 2. O. Timlin ; 3. E. McGlone.
U10 Girls : 1. K. Whelan ; 2. J. Hayes ; 3. D. Brady.

Junior Girls Plate : 1. M. Slattery ; 2. N Treacy.
Cadet Girls Plate : 1. E. McGlone ; 2. S. Cooney.
U12 Girls Plate : 1. K. O’Mahony ; 2. C. O’Shea.


**Photos by Adrian Parkinson, who will be working with the ITTA over the next season as official photographer. Welcome on board Adrian!

Last weekend saw the best of Irish provincial talent at Under 21, Senior and Veteran level play for the title of Interprovincial Champions at UCD Sports Centre in Dublin. This year’s event was hosted by the Leinster Branch and they were seeking to claim victory on home ground.

In the Under 21’s, Leinster’s bright young stars delivered the title with some excellent displays. Against Munster, despite a spirited showing from Niamh Buttimer and Deirdre Murphy who claimed 4 points, Leinster claimed a 6-4 victory – O’Rourke and Syzsmanski of St.Johns and Flood of UCD all in inspiring form. A welcome return to action in the Under 21’s for Ulster’s Claire Nelson wasn’t enough to stop Leinster as they claimed a 6-3 victory and confirmed the title. Julie-Anne Forbes recorded a good win in the tie of the match – a titanic 5 setter against Rebecca Irwin.

In the Veterans, Leinster again claimed the title – not without fighting off a spirited charge from Ulster in a tie that went to the final match between Kevin Mackey and Norman Nabney. Ulster’s Pawel Sulkowski recorded excellent victories over Pemberton and the legendary Tommy Caffrey – Sulkowski was to be later named Tommy Caffrey Player of the tournament – so it was apt that he faced off against the great man to earn this award. Aside from the excellent play, this match will also be remembered for the outstanding sportsmanship on display – William Cherry giving up a point at a crucial stage of his match with Tommy Caffrey exemplifies the spirit that the Interpros should be played in. Mackey held his nerve to close out a thrilling 5-setter against Nabney to secure the title for Leinster. Ulster claimed 2^nd place, with Munster in 3^rd.

In the Seniors, again Ulster and Leinster dominated Munster and Connacht.  Highlights for Munster were Declan O’Brien’s wins over Gavin Maguire and Daryl Strong. Edel O’Reilly also battled hard to claim a thrilling 5-setter over Sabina Devereaux. However the defining match was in Session 3 where Leinster and Ulster clashed. Ashley Robinson (Clogher), along with Amanda Mogey (Carnmoney) and Ashley Givan (Dungannon) were the Ulster Senior stars, remaining undefeated throughout the 3 series event, but Robinson was the undoubted star as he reversed the National Championship final to take out John Murphy 3-2, setting Ulster on the winning way. Gavin Maguire(UCD) claimed a point with a win over Daryl Strong and National Champion Murphy showed his class to defeat Peter Graham to leave Ulster 4:2 ahead. Amanda Mogey claimed the vital 5^th point for Ulster with a win over Devereaux before Robinson completed his tournament with a win over Maguire.

Speaking in the aftermath of a succesful event, Leinster Chair Richar Butler stated;

‘The Leinster Branch was pleased to host this event, our thanks go to Tony Martin, Event Referee, and his team; to UCD for the use of their facilities; and to Bewleys Hotel for their hospitality at the Championship dinner.  We congratulate all the players who got the opportunity to represent their province, with special congratulations to the Ulster team on achieving 3 in a row in the Senior event, and also to the Leinster teams for their 11 in a row in the Veterans, and their 9 in a row in the U21 Championships”.

Full results available here