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Irish Squad Prepare for Europeans

John Murphy, Gavin Maguire and Sam Hanley all travel to Germany tomorrow to represent Ireland’s Senior Men at the European Senior Championships. This is an extremely well prepared Irish team who have spent over two weeks in the lead-up to the event at an intensive Swedish training camp under the guidance of coach Peter Nilsson. Training in Halmstad BTK with players like Fredrik Håkansson (former European and World champion), Wang Jiangfeng and Peter Nilsson (world champion for juniors) and the other players in Halmstad BTK’s best training group was a fantastic experience for the squad. The Swedish trip also saw the players entered into two tough tournaments, the Vaxjo Grand Prix and the Halmstad Masters Grand Prix. Speaking to ITTAWeb, Coach Nilsson was happy overall with the camp:

 “The Växjö Grand Prix tournament is a very strong tournament and we could have played a little better! We must improve serve, return, first attack and first block. During the Halmstad Masters tournament the players played much better! They had improved serve and returns and was a little safer on the first attack. The best result was Sam Hanley when he came to the last 8 in junior boys. It will be an interesting Europeans where we have an interesting draw in the team event! If all 3 players play there best at the same time we could be number 1 or 2 in the group and have a chance to go up 1 division.”

The Irish are drawn against Lithuania, San Marino, Kosovo, Armenia and Malta.

The Team event begins on Sunday 13th September – check back here for regular updates.

Squad:

John Murphy

Sam Hanley

Gavin Maguire

Peter Nilsson(Coach)

Ken Strong(ITTA Delegate)

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Veteran’s Round Robin Results

Table tennis legend Tommy Caffrey opened the Veterans domestic season with two wins, taking both the 40+ and the 60+ round robin event with wins over Kariem Sabir and Martin Pickles respectively. With 38 players entering the various events, this was a succesful season opener for the Irish Veterans TT Society. They have asked ITTAWeb to place on the record their thanks to sponsor Tommy Fitzgerald and Umpires Kiron Choudhury and Joe Finnegan. See full results below…

Result for Irish veteran’s round robin event as follows

70s + Ted Mahaffey BT Tom Burke 3-0

60s + Tommy Caffrey BT Martin Pickles 3-0

50s + Kariem Sabir BT Kieran Burke 3-0

40s + Tommy Caffrey BT Kariem Sabir 3-1

Ladies

First Place Teresa Devaney

Second Place Susan Murphy

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McCreery Takes Gold at UK Schools Games

It was another successful UK Schools Games for the Ulster squad that travelled to Wales for this multi-sport event. In particular, Paul McCreery had a fantastic tournament, defeating David McBeath in the Individual Final to become UK Schools Champion. In the Team event, the Boys finished an excellent second, with McCreery again in top form, ably assisted by an in-form Ashley Robinson, Stephen Slater, Stephen Halpin and Neil Irwin. Robinson had also progressed to the last 16, but just lost out on a place in the quarter-finals to Sean Cullen, who he had previously defeated in the Team event. For the girls squad of Ashley Givan, Annalise Walker, Roisin O’Reilly and Emma Ludlow, the event was a tough one, but this young squad will have learned from the experience and are sure to challenge as they gain in experience.

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Polish Open Silver for Reynolds and McCarron Rooney

London 2012 Paralympic Table Tennis hopefuls Kathleen Reynolds and Rena Mc Carron Rooney returned from the Polish Open with a Silver Medal in the Ladies Open Team Event, it took hard fought win over the host’s and match favourite’s Poland to clinch the conveted Silver medal posistion, the match going to a cliffhanger final match 5th set win by McCarron Rooney. Congratulation’s to the Irish Ladies Team and Assistant National Coach, Jack O Meara for this great result.

It was vital that the Irish Ladies team got such a result and can maintain this improving form for the German Open and the Italian Open in the coming weeks.The world ranking points for the Polish Open and the final two internationals are critical if this team are to qualify for the 2010 World Championships in Korea.

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Hanley and Kacsandi Win Season Opener

Following a fantastic tournament in IWA Clontarf with entry figures for the season opener that have not been seen since the early 90’s, Rita Kacsandi and Sam Hanley emerged as Senior Classification champions for 2009.

In a highly competitive Men’s event, 16 players were drawn into two groups of 8, with the top seeds joined by qualifiers Corey O’Rourke,  Maciek Szymanski,  Tibor Pofok and Irish cadet player Declan O’Brien. Group A saw John Murphy clash again with Gavin Maguire, with Murphy taking the victory. Indeed former National Champion Murphy was in imperious form, dropping only 4 sets over his 7 matches to progress with a 100% record. Conor Nolan came through in 2nd place following a countback in the Group involving Daryl Strong(who defeated him in the group) and Sam Logue. In Group B, Sam Hanley and Paul McCreery were drawn together and came through a very strong group which also contained leading players Brian Fitzgerald and Peter Graham. They both produced consistent table tennis to progress to the Semi-Finals, with McCreery defeating Hanley along the way.

Into the play-offs then and Hanley produced a top-class performance to eliminate John Murphy over 5 sets before facing Junior International team-mate Paul McCreery in the Final, McCreery having eliminated Conor Nolan in another 5 set match. This was a top class and closely contested Final with Hanley eventually emerging victorious to take the Senior Classification Title for 2009. Other impressive performances  were recorded over the weekend which will have an impact on the next ranking list including Sam Logue, finishing 8th after 5 wins in the Group stage and Declan O’Brien who finished 13th, having gone into the event ranked outside the top 30.

 In the Women’s event, it was a familiar story, with Rita Kacsandi again utterly dominant to finish as Champion, leaving Ulster players Amanda Mogey, Claire Nelson and Ashley Givan all competing for the Runner-up spot.Ultimately, Mogey took 2nd place with losses to Kacsandi and Givan but vitally took a 3-0 win over Claire Nelson. In 5th place, Sara Dolan will be happy with victories over Fiona Dennett and Ashley Givan. Jean Wyse performed best of the qualifiers with a creditable 6th place as she continues her comeback to table tennis.

Main results from the Senior Classification are below with full results to follow:

MEN                                                                                               

1. Sam Hanley                                                                     

2. Paul McCreery                                                               

3. John Murphy                                                                 

4. Conor Nolan                                                                  

5. Brian Fitzgerald                                                           

6. Peter Graham                                                             

7. Daryl Strong                                                            

8. Sam Logue                                                                        

9. Daniel Keenan

10. Gavin Maguire

11. Ashley Robinson

12. Tibor Pofok

13. Declan O’Brien

14. Mark O’Flynn

15.Corey O’Rourke

16. Maciek Szymanski                          

Women

1.    Rita Kacsandi

2.    Amanda Mogey

3.    Claire Nelson

4.    Ashley Givan

 5.    Sara Dolan

 6.    Jean Wyse

 7.    Fiona Dennett

 8.    Deirdre Murphy

Mens Semi-finals  – 

Sam Hanley beat John Murphy  6/11  11/9  8/11  11/4  11/9 

Paul McCreery beat Conor Nolan  8/11  11/6  5/11  11/5  11/6

Mens Final –           

Sam Hanley beat Paul McCreery   11/8  8/11  5/11  11/3  15/13                         

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IWA Summer Camp a Great Success

As part of ongoing development initiatives delivered in partnership with IWA Sport, the ITTA provided over the past month coaching support to IWA Sport Multi-Sport Summer Camps. Coaches Gavin Maguire and John Bowe were on site in IWA Clontarf to introduce a new sport to almost 100 children between the age of 5 and 12. Coach John Bowe provided some further insight into the Camps:

 “I was asked to coach at a Summer camp in the IWA and I was delighted at the opportunity. Having spent many years playing table tennis as a player its great to be able to pass on some tips and expertise to youngsters. I took part in my first Summer camp in 1984 and that’s where I began my interest in the sport. The children in the IWA were aged between 5-12 and I was very impressed with their attitude and how they all wanted to learn more. I believe strongly in excellent coaching at this level because if we can find some talented individuals and teach them the correct techniques and basics etc then Ireland can become a strong force in the future of International Table Tennis. The ITTA are making great progress and we all should get behind them and support them in any way we can.”

 Monday 18th August sees the start of the ITTA Table Tennis Summer  Camp again in IWA Clontarf, under the supervision of some top coaches and ITTA Technical Director John O’Donoghue. There are still a small number of places available. For further information, contact John on (085) 278 2211.

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Senior Rankings Announced for New Season

Fiona Dennett

As we hurtle rapidly towards the new domestic table tennis season, the ITTA has released the starting ranking positions for both Senior Men and Senior Women. Entries are still being taken for the Senior Classification and Qualifying event next weekend, in which almost all of the Top 20 players in both categories will compete to establish ranking points and position for the season ahead. With many players from outside the top 20 taking part, and both the Qualifying event and the Senior Classification played on a round-robin format, there are sure to be some intriguing battles ahead as all the top players go head to head. Some of the leading contenders took some time to speak with ITTA Web in the lead-up to the first event of the new season:

 Rita Kacsandi dominated the Women’s ranking list last year and again goes in at Number 1 this season. She is “ very happy to be the best player on the Irish Ranking List”, but due to work commitments her off-season preparation has suffered. This will be music to the ears of Irish internationals such as Amanda Mogey and Claire Nelson, both of whom have qualified directly to the Classification event on Sunday 16th August. Youngsters Ashley GivanRebecca Kenny and Sara Dolan will all also look to further enhance their growing reputations at Senior level and make progress up the ranking list. From the qualifying event, Fiona Dennett will perhaps be one of the favourites to advance to the Finals on Sunday – this Irish international currently lies in 10th place in the rankings. She has worked hard in the off-season – “for the season ahead I have increased my fitness regime and programme by regularly running and going to the gym. I have also increased my table time and have attended a national training camp to help prepare me for the forthcoming season”. Dennett is eagerly awaiting the Senior Classification and particularly “playing against Rita(Kacsandi) –  this is always a exciting match.”

In the Men’s category, over 40 players have already entered the qualification event as we approach the closing date for entries. In terms of dramatic ranking surges, current No.1 Gavin Maguire set the example by making massive progress last year, culminating in his National Senior triumph. He spoke with us about his preparation for Season 09/10 – “I have spent alot of time exploiting the elite facilities of DCU for training and I’m travelling to France for two weeks training in the build up to the Classification and I’ll also travel to Sweden in September for some more training. Obviously my hope for the Classification would be to win it but I know what a tough field of players will be playing and it’s anybody’s tournament for the taking. I feel there is a lot of talent out there and really good players that could make an impact this season but to pinpoint one it would have to be Keith Knox who will be looking to bring back his amazing form of 2007 after a two year injury setback. I’m certain as soon as he enters a tournament again, he’ll be there or thereabouts come the end of it.”

 Knox has not entered the Classification Qualifier but is sure to be in action as the season progresses. His fellow Ulster player Daryl Strong will however be in contention in the Senior Classification and he believes that “The Classification is always one  of the toughest events of the season as it is very  physically demanding and the players can expect to be tested  in every match. For the forthcoming season I hope to give of  my best in every event and improve my ranking and continue  to  challenge for honours domestically. I am looking forward particularly  to defending my Ulster Championship title and maintaining  my place in the Northern Ireland team.”

Click here for 09/10 Ranking lists and check back here on Tuesday for details of the Classification Qualifier Draw.

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N.Ireland Team Selected for UK School Games

UK School Games 2009 – Cardiff – 3-7 September

The Northern Ireland Team is now in preparation for the fourth UK School games.  For those unfamiliar with this event, it is a multi-sport junior “Olympics” involving athletes in 10 sports.  Athletes live in a sports “village” on a university campus and then compete in their own events at various venues in the vicinity.  Each sport organises its event using different criteria for the selection of teams; some go purely for teams from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but Table Tennis divides England into 5 regions, together with the other three countries, making 8 teams in all.  As well as team and individual events for boys and girls there are individual events for players with disabilities.

Training is well under way under the direction of Jing Yi Gao.  The teams from the English regions tend to be very strong, so our past results have been in the last three places in each category.  Nevertheless, we have two experienced players in Paul McCreery and Ashley Robinson who have been to all of the previous games, and we would hope that they stand a very good chance in the individual event this year.

For the first time we have one entry in the disability event.  Stephen Halpin from Bangor Grammar School has been selected for the Standing Disability category and it will be a great experience for him.

Another new step for us is that three Irish Umpires Tom Mitchell, Joe Finnegan and Cecelia Armelin have been invited to join the umpiring team.

Details of the event can be found at www.ukschoolgames.co.uk.

Team

Boys                                                              Girls

Paul McCreery                                 Roisin O’Reilly

Ashley Robinson                              Ashley Givan

Stephen Slater                                 Annalise Walker

Neil Irwin                                         Emma Ludlow

Stephen Halpin

NPC – Brian Orr                              NPC – Amanda Mogey

Team Manager – Tony Phillips

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ITTA Appoint 2nd Member of Staff

The Irish Table Tennis Association are delighted to announce the appointment of a new member of staff. Liam O’Ceallaigh will join the team as Women in Sport Co-ordinator, following an extensive recruitment process.

 In welcoming Mr. O’Ceallaigh to the Association’s staff, ITTA Secretary Ken Strong said:

 ” I am delighted to welcome Liam as the new ITTA Women in Sport Coordinator. He will, as an additional staff member, help the Association to attract further women and girls into our sport and  in particular help to drive forward the objectives in our Strategic Development Programme. The ITTA is indebted to the Irish Sports Council for funding this new post.”

 O’Ceallaigh who has extensive experience within table tennis as a coach and a volunteer administrator takes up his post on Tuesday 4th August. Commenting on his appointment, he stated:

 “I would like to thank the ITTA for giving me the chance drive the Women in Sport Programme at national level. I am looking forward to the challenge ahead in the coming months, to getting people to come on board and working with them. I believe that the future of table tennis lies with programmes and initiatives like “Women in Sport” and I will certainly do my best to make them as successful as possible.”

 All of the Irish table tennis community wish Liam every success in his new role.

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HONOURING THE UNSUNG HEROES OF IRISH SPORT

Minister Cullen joined by top sport stars at launch of 2009 National Awards to Volunteers in Irish Sport

Martin Cullen TD, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, was joined by some of the biggest stars in Irish sport – Rob Kearney, Bernard Dunne, Katie Taylor, Derval O’Rourke and Jason Sherlock to launch the 2009 National Awards to Volunteers in Irish Sport.

The 2009 National Awards to Volunteers in Irish Sport is an initiative of the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism in conjunction with the Federation of Irish Sports which represents some 68 sports in Ireland. The scheme is being supported by Setanta Sports and the Irish Sports Council.

The Awards will honour eleven individuals who are representative of the 400,000 people who volunteer their time and effort to sport in Ireland each year through their involvement with sports clubs and organisations throughout the country. The first programme of National Awards to Volunteers in Sport was successfully held in 2007. The award winners will be selected by a committee chaired by Olympic gold medal winner, Dr Ronnie Delany and the Awards will be presented by the Minister in January 2010.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Cullen said: “Sport at every level in Ireland could not exist without the efforts of the many volunteers who give their time freely to encourage people to become involved in sport and nurture them through the important formative years of their sporting careers. In an age where time and community spirit are both valuable commodities, the commitment, generosity and contribution of these volunteers to our communities and society deserve recognition.”

Minister Cullen added: “The 2009 National Awards to Volunteers in Irish Sport aims to recognise those men and women who undoubtedly helped every successful Irish athlete take the first steps to what in many cases have become glittering careers. This is epitomised by the five sports stars that have joined me to launch the scheme.”

Also speaking at the launch of the scheme, Sarah O’Connor, Executive Director of the Federation of Irish Sports said: “Ireland has a proud history of volunteerism in sport at all levels and this should be recognised. I believe it is not overstating the case to say that none of today’s Irish sporting heroes and heroines who bring such honour to the country would ever have had the opportunity to fully develop if it were not for the volunteers in Irish sport. While we have many professional coaches and administrators at the highest level we should also remember the many volunteers who still give freely of their time at all levels of Irish sport to ensure we all have the opportunity to participate in sport.”

Nominations for the Awards can be made by individuals or clubs on-line at www.volunteersinsport.ie which includes full guidelines and details on the 2009 Awards.

For further information, please contact:-

Sarah O’Connor, Chief Executive of the Federation of Irish Sports – 086 804 8446