Posts in category: TTI News

A magical weekend of international table tennis got off to a start at the magnificent University of Limerick Sports Arena on Friday evening. Through the trojan efforts of the always reliable ITTA Volunteer team, the sports hall with 20 international size courts was in pristine condition for the players.

Highlights so far for the Irish team include a big wins for the Irish Under 18 Boys over Scotland by 4-1, setting up this morning’s encounter with England. The Irish Under 18 Girls of Dolan and Kenny also took a 4-1 victory over Scotland. The Irish Under 16 Boys, under the watchful eye of coach Mark O’Flynn have also had a 100% record, with 3 5-0 victories between the A and B teams. The Under 14 Boys also look to have a chance of silverware, with Farrell and Li combining well.

Check back later today for the Singles draw and the full results of today’s action.

Click here to download latest results.

When you sweep into the majestic Sports Arena at the University of Limerick this weekend, you’d be forgiven for imagining that at least some of the competitors were playing the last time that the event was hosted here in 2004. but gradually as you inspect the programme you realise that of the 113 competitors only the Guernsey trio of Oliver Langlois, Alice Loveridge and Paula Le Ber are making a return as players. You also realise that 6 years is a long times in table tennis when you notice that many of the team coaches of today were here then as players. Not only the Irish trio of John Murphy, Mark O’Flynn and Gavin Maguire but also coaches from Scotland and Wales played in the event here in 2004.

This is Ireland’s 4th hosting of this event that first came to these shores in 1994. That year the Chair of our 2010 Organising Committee Anna Kelly coached the Under 16 Girls team to Ireland’s first ever team gold. This year, the lean and mean Irish team will be looking to build on their success at the event in Scotland in 2009, when we claimed the Under 18 and under 16 Boys titles. Paul McCreery will look to extend his fabulous dream season with victory in the under 18 events. He will be partnered by Maciek Szymanski in the absence of the injured Sam Logue. The under 16 boys team of Ashley Robinson and Declan O’Brien will face a strong challenge from the Welsh and English squads.

Our Under 14 teams face a tough challenge with the English team looking particularly strong. Captained by last years under 18 team gold winner Gavin Maguire, the A team of Shi Zhao Li and Ryan Farrell will have to be on the top of their game to challenge for the title.

In the girls event our Six Nations Cadet champions Ashley Givan and Edel O’Reilly will challenge for the under 16 girls title and National under 17s champion Sara Dolan will lead the under 18s girls partnered by Rebecca Kenny. The Under 14 Squad is a young team who will benefit greatly from the experience of the event. An encouraging thought given that young Katie McGlone will at least still be eligible to play the next time that the Schools International rolls into town! 2016 anyone!!

The elite players from Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, Guernsey, Jersey and Isle of Man travel to Limerick University, Ireland on 25th June to compete in the Senior Schools International Championship, with an action packed weekend of table tennis anticipated. This prestigious event will be, in terms of participants, the largest international table tennis tournament to be held in Ireland in 2010, with 170 of the top senior schools players (U14 to U18 yrs) and their coaches, as well as a large home and travelling contingent of supporters. The ITTA is proud to host this event in the University of Limerick’s magnificent sporting facilities, and we are very much looking forward to a fantastic exhibition of our sport’s young talent.

The 2009 Senior Schools saw a large Irish squad travel to the event in Largs, Scotland, where Gavin Maguire and Paul McCreery were the star performers, claiming two gold medals in the Under 18 team event and the Under 16 Boys event.

As the host nation, the Irish squad is even larger this year, with 22 players selected (an increase from 14 last year). Many of these players have spent this week at a training camp under the tutelage of Polish Coach and ITTF Coaching expert Lezsek Kucharski, a former World Champion, providing the best possible preparation for a real assault on the medals at next weekend’s International. Paul McCreery is back, this time partnering Sam Logue in the Under 18 Boys event. Shi Zhao Li of Club Donic is paired with Eastpoint’s Ryan Farrell in an exciting Under 14 Boys A Team. Rebecca Kenny retains her place on the Under 18 Girls, teamed with Sara Dolan.  Ashley Givan and Edel O’Reilly also look to be a strong pair in the Under 16 Girls. The Irish team will look to draw on home advantage and the support of the home crowd to bring home as many medals as possible. All 5 of Ireland’s European Youths squad will be in action and much will be expected of this group.

Competition will be strong with the travelling teams supporting such talent as Scott Crawford, Steven Fowler, and Sophie Neal at U18 level, Jared Knowles, Steve Jenkins and Megan Philips at U16 Level , while at U14 Level, Jared Patel, Lewis Williams, Jessica Dawson and Renee Ho will provide stiff opposition given their performance this season.

The Referee for the tournament is the respected Steve Welsh from England.

This prestigious event is a massive undertaking for the Association, expertly led by the Organising Committee, chaired by ITTA Schools Programme Manager, Anna Kelly. The Association is most grateful to our partners and sponsors, without whom this event would not be possible. Event sponsors include Shannon Development, Limerick City and County Councils and Limerick Chamber, all of whom were instrumental in bringing this event to Limerick, with significant benefits to the local economy.  The event has also received support from numerous local businesses including the Carlton, Clarion, Travelodge, Strand and Absolut Hotels, together with the Limerick Leader, Lee Brothers, Dublin and the ITTA’s primary sponsors – Butterfly and Stiga.

Speaking on the event, Mr. Tony Farrell, Marketing Director of the ITTA, commented

‘The Senior Schools is the most prestigious event in this season’s ITTA Calendar, and we are delighted to be hosting the table tennis elite in the excellent UL Sports facility. The ITTA gratefully acknowledges all our sponsors, and we wish all countries a competitive and enjoyable weekend’

The event is being held in the main sports pavilion of the UL Sports Campus and all competitors and coaches are being accommodated nearby, in the superb Drumroe Village. The ITTA and National Associations are being afforded a Civic Reception by Limerick County Council on the Friday evening at the Council Chamber.

The programme of play commences at 5.00pm on Friday evening (25th) with the Team event and continues on Saturday (26th)at 9.00am, and again on Sunday (27th)at 9.00am with the singles event. The presentation ceremony, which will be attended by the Lord Mayor, Mr Kevin Kiely, is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at 3.30pm. All spectators are welcome, and no cover charge will apply over the 3 day event.