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WIS Rolled Out in Midlands

by National EventsTTI News

A number of schools attended a exhibition in Castletown Community hall near Mountrath on Friday 2nd October which was organised under the Women in Sport Programme by WIS Co-Ordinator Liam O’Ceallaigh.The schools where all from the local area and they enjoyed some great table tennis from Irish International Conor Nolan and last years Under 12 Number 1 Ciaran Kelly. Following the exhibition there was some coaching and some games for 90 minutes which the kids really enjoyed.

The exhibition was also attended by local TD Charlie Flanagan and local Councillor John Joe Fennelly who expressed their support for table tennis in the midlands. Jimmy Hayes who organised the hall and tables and is the local WIS Co-ordinator hopes that following on from this will see two new schools and a new club emerge from this area. It is hoped to run a training camp in the area in the near future.

The Women in Sport Programme supported by the Irish Sports Council is currently being rolled out in specifically targetted areas across the country, from Cobh to Galway to Monaghan as well as ongoing schools development under the WIS programme in the Leinster area.

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Squads Announced for International Events

by International EventsTTI News

The ITTA has today announced squads for a number of international events. Congratulations to all selected:

Finlandia Open, Helsinki

Men’s Teams:       Ireland A:  John Murphy, Conor Nolan

                        Ireland B:   Paul Mc Creery, Sam Hanley

Women’s Teams:    Ireland:     Amanda Mogey, Claire Nelson

Stockton-on-Tees 4 Star

Cadet Boys Ireland:   Ryan Farrell, Neil Irwin
Cadet Girls Ireland:    Ashley Givan, Edel OReilly
 
Under 13 Girls (Cadet Girls Team) Ireland: Katie McGlone, Elayna McGlone

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Boll Defeats Wang Hao in European Victory

by International EventsTTI News

The top class clash of greatest stars of today the Euro-Asia All Stars Event gave enormous joy and pride  for the Old Continent. In the second leg in Istanbul, Europe won 5:6 on aggregate. In the process, Timo BOLL beat the best-ranked player in the World, Chinese star WANG Hao. The thriller, the suspense, the highest level of game, team spirit and beautiful points in front of thousands of spectators in Istanbul’s crowded hall were shared with millions people in front of TV all over the Europe and World. Thanks to  Eurosport and 15 TV stations, the picture has been seen all over the planet.

On the first day, Asian side had a close victory and they went to the rest with the 3:2 lead. In the proceedings, on the second day, in the grueling duels Europe had the same result. Thus, the additional match has been needed. The decision who will play the 11th match was made by the lot. Two captains draw the players and the battle continued in true thrilling atmosphere. The decider was on Vladimir SAMSONOV chests. He faced the challenge and beat LI Ching. Europe won, and saved the pride of the Continent. On the first leg in Beijing last summer it was Asia who succeeded with narrow 6:4 win. “I surprise myself a bit, not so much with the win against WANG Hao but with the result. I could not even hope that I will win in straight games,” said Timo BOLL. German star succeeded against WANG and Vladimir SAMSONOV gave the final touch : “I felt something special here in Istanbul. We build the team spirit and I wanted to win so much against LI Ching in additional match. The victory was sweet, but the feeling that I get when I saw the other players jumped from their seats, it overwhelmed me,” admitted SAMSONOV.  


President of the ETTU Stefano BOSI was thrilled after great success of the European team:
“The Euro-Asia All Stars Series was the fantastic event. We had the top-level game and enough tension to keep the spectators on fire from first to the last match. Top of the class was the mach that Timo BOLL played against WANG Hao. I define this match as a perfect one. It was the perfect mixture of aggressive play, of big heart, focus and power. It was great to watch this match,” said President BOSI.

The Next European step will be played in Belgium on October 12th and 13th, 2010.

European leg of the Euro-Asia All Stars Event in Istanbul 
Europe – Asia 6:5 on aggregate
 
Day One
 
Europe – Asia 2:3 
 
Kalinikos KREANGA – GAO Ning 1:3 (11:8, 8:11, 10:12, 6:11)
Michael MAZE – LI Ching 3:1 (11:9, 11:9, 9:11, 11:9)
Vladimir SAMSONOV – WANG Hao 1:3 (5:11, 11:4, 9:11, 10:12)
Timo BOLL – JOO Se Hyuk 3:2 (11:6, 11:4, 4:11, 10:12, 11:4)
Werner SCHLAGER – CHUANG Chih Yuan 0:3 (9:11, 6:11, 10:12).
 
Day Two 
 
Europe – Asia 4:2 
 
 Werner SCHLAGER – LI Ching 3:1 (9:11, 11:5, 11:5, 11:7)
 Kalinikos KREANGA – CHUANG Chih Yuan 1:3 (11:7, 7:11, 11:13, 5;11)
 Vladimir SAMSONOV – JOO Se Hyuk 3:1 (11:8, 8:11, 11;7, 11:9)
 Timo BOLL – WANG Hao 3:0 (11:6, 11:7, 11:6)
 Michale MAZE – GAO Ning 1:3 (9:11, 11:3, 13:15, 9:11)
Additional match 
 Vladimir SAMSONOV – LI Ching 3:1 (11:8, 4:11, 11:9, 12:10).

Reproduced with Thanks to ETTU

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Vets Off to Great Start at VBL

by International EventsMastersTTI News

The Irish Shamrocks team of D. Pemberton, A. Redmond and K. Mackey were in 1st place after the 1st Round of matches at the Veterans British League. Playing in Division 2B, the Irish Vets won all 5 of their matches with Anthony Redmond in fine form in his firs international trip representing the Veterans. The Irish look to be in a strong position to secure the Division 2B title and promotion.

Irish Shamrocks – Player Averages
Anthony RedmondIrish Shamrocks10100100.00
Dave PembertonIrish Shamrocks108280.00
Kevin MackeyIrish Shamrocks106460.00

The Irish Colleens were also in action, securing a win and 2 draws from their 5 games. Sharon Brien was the top player for the Irish over the weekend with 6 wins from her 10 games.

Irish Colleens – Player Averages
Sharon BrienIrish Colleens106460.00
Helen DolanIrish Colleens104640.00
Susan MurphyIrish Colleens102820.00
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Reynolds Doubles Up in Italy

by International EventsParaTTI News

Paul Dolan National Coach IWA TT Reports from Lingano, Italy…

Irelands Kathleen Reynolds produced some incredible performances to take 2 bronzes at the Italian Open in Lingano, Italy.

Competing against a field of over thirty competitors in the Open Class 1-5, Reynolds (Class 3) fought her way to Bronze medal success. Reynolds, one of Ireland most decorated Paralympics Athletes added to her recent Bronze in the Team event in Poland and has also shown terrific form in recent domestic  ITTA  Table Tennis events.

Reynolds also competed in the team event in Italy along with partner Rena Mc Carron Rooney.

Both players are fighting hard at the last event of the European season to secure ranking points for qualification for next year’s World Championships in Korea.

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Ray O’Connell R.I.P

by TTI News

The Irish Table Tennis community was deeply saddened to hear of the recent death of Ray O’Connell.
Ray, who passed away in February, was a past pupil of Belvedere College (1946) and had a long association with Table Tennis in Ireland.
As a Board member of the ITTA, Ray first served as Treasurer during the 1970’s before being elected Chairman in 1977, a position he held until 1983.
Ray was also a member of the committee which organised the successful World Veterans Championship in the RDS, Dublin in 1992.
Through his association with Table Tennis, Ray built a deep and lasting friendship with our Life President, Mr Joe Veselsky.

To his loving wife, Marie, daughter Kathyrn and extended family, we extend our deepest sympathy.

May he rest in peace.

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ITTA Appoint New HR Director

by TTI News

The ITTA are delighted to announce the appointment of Mr. Tom Mitchell to the Board of Directors. Mr Mitchell will take up the role of Human Relations Director.

The HR Directorship is one of three additional Directorships which were approved at the Associations AGM in June.

Commenting on Tom’s appointment, ITTA Chairman Joe Hickey said :

” The Board regards the expansion of the number of volunteers as a key ingredient of our plans for the expansion of table tennis. In addition, whether such volunteers are new, inexperienced people with a desire to help or existing volunteers who want to broaden their skills, the provision of training is an important part of this programme.The recruitment of an experienced professional like Tom will enable a much greater focus to be given to these areas and his colleagues on the Board look forward to working with him to achieve these objectives.”

Tom has been involved with Table Tennis as both a player and official for over 50 years. As an Umpire, he has studied the game rising to the level of International Umpire and is one of the first batch of formally qualified Racket Controllers, to officiate at ITTF Events.

Tom is a Management Consultant by profession and his speciality is the people side of business.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Mitchell said ” I am pleased to be asked to join the Board of the ITTA and look forward to working with my colleagues to develop Table Tennis by involving more people in running and organising the sport. I have always believed that the success of any sport depends greatly on the committed volunteers who make things happen. The approach we are going to try is to move from relying only on the few who have always done the work to a system where the majority are expected to make a contribution.”

The Participation and Coaching Directorships have yet to be appointed, and the Board would welcome any further applications from those affiliates who feel they meet the specified criteria for these roles.

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Fermanagh Junior Open Results

by National EventsTTI News
Ryan McConkey in Action

The Stiga Fermanagh Junior Open was held at Fivemiletown College on Saturday the 31st of October. With 86 Players 138 entries and 228 matches a full days table tennis lay ahead.

In the under 10 Girls Leah Shekleton and Rebecca Finn had a thrilling Five Setter Final with Leah taken the first two 11-7 11-8 but Rebecca fought back strong and won the next two 11-6 11-9 in the fifth the girls played fantastic table tennis and were neck and neck until Leah won 12-10.

In a big entry of 17 entries in the under 10 boys there was many close games in this competition and in an all Mayo final Martin Williams beat Eddie Ditchburn 11-6 11-4 11-8.

In the Under 12 Girls, the first semi-final was Laura Finn and Orla Timlin, Orla took the first set 11-8 but Laura took the next set 12-10, Laura seemed to move up gear and won the next two sets 11-5 11-5. The second semi-final was Hannah Lynch Dawson versus Katie McGlone, Katie beat an in-form Hannah in a tight match 12-10 11-4 11-9. That left Laura and Katie to battle it out for 1st place. Katie took the first two 11-7 12-10 then Laura pushed back and took the next two sets 11-8 11-7. Katie took a close fifth set 11-9 to claim the prize.

In the Under 12 Boys, the first semi-final was Kevin Kenna versus Ryan McConkey, Ryan played two tremendous sets to win 11-7 11-9 but Kevin fought back and took the next 12-10 but Ryan took the fourth 11-3. On the other side Jonathan Porter played Eric Shekleton, Jonathan took it in three sets winning 11-7 11-7 11-7. Ryan and Jonathan played a tremendous nail biting final with Jonathan wining the first two 12-10 12-10 Ryan took the third set 12-10 but Jonathan pushed back and took the fourth 11-5.

In the Under 14 Girls, the first semi-final was Ashley Givan versus Sally McConkey and Ashley won 11-6 11-2 11-4. The other semi-final was a nail biting one with the second seed Annalise Walker playing the up and coming star Katie McGlone, Katie took the first two 11-2 11-7 but Annalise came back and took the third 11-6 then in a fourth that went to 20-18 Katie came out on top. In the final Ashley continued her dominance and took the final 11-2 11-2 11-9.

The biggest event of the day with 32 entries was the Under 14 boys; this competition was of an extremely high standard with many 5 setters and edge of the seat table tennis being played. In the first semi Jonathan Porter played Ryan McConkey yet another close match for the two with Jonathan taking the first two 11-9 11-7 but Ryan fought back strong and took the next two 11-9 11-9, Jonathan came back strong again and took the fifth 11-2. In the other semi-final Kieran Reilly played Conor Mullaly, Kieran played a brilliant match and won 11-5 11-3 11-9. That left Jonathan and Kieran to battle it out again after they had earlier meet in their group. Jonathan took the first 11-6 but Kieran wasn’t going to be beaten again and took the next three 11-6 12-10 11-7.

In the under 17 girls the first semi saw Ashley Givan and Lavina Maties play but Ashley took it 11-7 11-2 11-8. Roisin O’Reilly played Sarah Timlin in the other Semi and Roisin took it 11-6 11-9 11-9. The final was Ashley versus Roisin and Ashley continued her dominating of the girls titles taking the final 11-5 11-3 11-6.

In the Under 17 boys Stephen Slater played Kieran Reilly in the first semi-final, Stephen took it in three sets 11-6 11-4 11-7. The other side of the draw we saw a tight 5 setter with Danny Murphy and Richard Clarke, Richard took the first 12-10 but Danny took the next two 11-9 11-6, Richard wasn’t going to be beaten easily and took the fourth 11-8 then Danny step up to the fifth set and took it 11-4. The final was Stephen versus Danny and Stephen took the title in three sets winning 11-3 11-3 12-10.

 The Fermanagh Table Tennis Association would like to thank all who came and support this event, Fivemiletown College, the Tournament Committee, the National Umpires and Tournament Referee, Kitty’s Kitchen and our sponsors Tommy Fitzgerald Table Tennis Shop Stiga and SpeedyReg. They hope all players and spectators enjoyed the day. There was tremendous table tennis played in a junior tournament with thrilling matches played in all events.

Click here for full results.