The first STIGA Challenger Series of the season took place in Lucan last weekend, hosted by Club Donic. As usual, this event which seeks to support ITTA participation projects by offering new and developing players a chance to play a tournament in a fun environment was a great success, with 140 children taking part. Well done to all who entered and to our sponsor STIGA for providing the prizes.
Divisional Results
DIV1-MARTIN WILLIAMS-AMYLOU HAYES–LUKE DEMPSEY AND BRIAN DUNLEAVY
DIV2-KEITH HODGINS-DYLAN CARSON-HARRY MC GOLDRICK,KEVIN WANG
Following a comprehensive review and application process, the ITTA is pleased to announce the 24 Participation Projects allocated funding for the remainder of 2011. A record number of excellent applications were received from clubs/schools/colleges throughout the country. Priority was given to new clubs and schools wishing to develop table tennis in their area.
ITTA Participation Projects are focussed firmly on converting new players into members of the Association and this is supported by the STIGA Junior Challenger Series which gives young new players a fun introduction to tournament table tennis.
Thanks to the Irish Sports Council for providing the funding to support these projects. Thanks also to STIGA for the provision of our top-class participation coaches with beginner bats and balls to bring to each project.
For information on how to apply for Participation funding in 2012, contact Rhona Daly – [email protected] or (01) 625 1135.
ITTA Participation Projects – Quarter 4 2011
Limerick Schools TT
Delta TTC Limerick
Raven TTC , Finglas
Mother of Divine Grace, Finglas
Sacred Heart BNS, Finglas
St. Ronan’s NS, Clondalkin
Deansrath Community College, Clondalkin
Monaghan Collegiate School
Kyle TTC, Co. Laois
Mountrath, Co. Laois
Ballyroan, Co. Laois
Killermogh TTC, Durrow
St. Alyosius, Cork
Clogheen/KerryPike NS
St Andrews Youth Project
Ballybough Youth Project
St Colmcilles
Leixlip TTC
Rathdowney TTC
Colaiste Eanna, Co. Dublin
St. Pauls TT Training Programme, Drogheda
(details of Connacht projects selected for funding TBA)
Picking up where they had left off in Turkey, Teresa Devaney and Audrey Robinson just could not be contained at the British Veterans Midland Masters tournament in Wolverhampton. Teresa was on fire, winning the Over 50s Ladies Singles. She beat Penny Perry in the final, having accounted for Jan Johns in the semi-final.
Audrey won the Over 70s event, beating Pauline Steel and Janet Hunt in the process. Furthermore, she had a tremendous victory over Maggie Welsman, the number 1 seed, in the Over 60s. Alas, she lost in the semi-final. What awaits in the next tournament, which is the Eastern Masters in Norwich?
Many thanks to Vivienne Barry for the above report.
The Veterans were in action last weekend at Colaiste Padraig, Lucan for the Veterans Leinster Tournament. Full report to follow. Click here for results.
The last weekend in August saw the start of the Irish domestic table tennis season with another large entry at the National Senior Classification event. With 115 entries, all of Ireland’s top ranked players were in attendance seeking to establish early position on the Butterfly Senior Ranking list.
Men
McCreery Men’s winner
In Group A, favourite Paul McCreery claimed a 100% record to qualify for the play-offs. Gavin Maguire also looked to be in great form, recording a 3-0 victory over National Champion Murphy and pushing McCreery close in a match he could have won. He qualified in 2nd place with 6 wins from 7 – fans were delighted to see the 2009 National Champion back competing at the very highest level. In Group B, Ashley Robinson claimed the group comfortably, with UCD’s Ryan Owen claiming 2nd to qualify.
Into the decisive play-offs, Maguire eliminated Robinson to set up a Final against McCreery who had knocked out Ryan Owen. McCreery took the title on a 3:1 scoreline, with Maguire pushing him all the way(5, -9, 10,9). Robinson claimed 3rd for a solid start to his first season outside of the Junior ranks. Other notable performances included Anthony Redmond who claimed 12th place following a gruelling two days for the Qualifier.
Women
The Finals was all about one player – Amanda Mogey – who was absoloutely dominant. Having suffered some injuries last term, Mogey appears to be back to her very best and controlled the event in style. She had a 100% record, including a straight sets win over Junior Ashley Givan – these two players look set to dominate the Womens’ National Rankings this season. In fact, in her 7 wins, Mogey only dropped one game to qualifier Ros Carpenter. Givan claimed 2nd place while 3rd went to Veteran Tersea Devanney following a countback. There were some thrilling games, not least Sarah Timlin’s narrow 2:3 loss to Givan – Timlin will be disappointed with her 8th place finish although there was very little to choose between the players outside of the dominant duo from Ulster.
Vivienne Barry with Swedish Player won consolation doubles
3 Irish Ladies travelled to the 17th International Veterans Tournament, and all claimed medals.
In the Singles Teresa Devaney won Bronze in the over 50’s and Audrey Robinson also won a Bronze, in the over 70’s. Both were beaten by the eventual winners in close matches.
In the Doubles, Audrey won Gold, partnering an Australian player in the over 60’s.
Teresa, paired with a Russian player, claimed Silver while Vivienne Barry won the consolation doubles with a Swedish player.
The Ladies team of Teresa Devaney, Jenny Harrison and Helena Dennett produced an outstanding performance under trying circumstances to win Gold in the Over 50s at the Veterans Six Nations Tournament in Guernsey recently. While Teresa was fog-bound in Exeter, Jenny and Helena accounted for Guernsey and Isle of Man. Arriving shortly before the match, Teresa combined with Helena to beat Wales. Against England, the holders and favourites, Teresa struck a rich vein of form. Playing with confident authority, she produced some outstanding winners to win both of her singles against Jan Johns and Helen Shields. However, the crunch encounter was in the doubles. Despite a painful back, Jenny Harrison made a vital contribution supporting Teresa to clinch the breakthrough doubles win and the title, which the ladies had worked so hard for. “Jenny was brilliant at keeping me focussed throughout the doubles” commented Teresa.
The Over 60s team of Tommy Caffrey, Martin Pickles, Barry Dickson and Audrey Robinson won a very commendable Silver Medal. The Scottish challenge was definitely weakened by Geoff Salter’s absence, and our best wishes go to him during his illness.
Though the other teams did not enjoy medal success, all agreed that the experience gained was beneficial. We would like to thank STIGA for their support.
A convivial time was enjoyed by all, despite some hiccups caused by travel delays. The Guernsey Table Tennis Veterans are to be commended for the manner in which they coped with such unforeseen circumstances in running the tournament.
Jonathan Cowan from Ireland has been selected as the next voice of table tennis by the ITTF.
The ITTF’s recent search for the next voice of table tennis led to an overwhelming entry from all corners of the globe. The recently held competition gave the public an opportunity to showcase their commentary skills over a pre-recorded match and submit a sound bite in the hope that they would be selected to become the next voice of table tennis.
This competition was designed specifically to meet the growing demands for commentary across itTV, the online video portal for the ITTF that streams an ever-increasing number of matches, including the World Championships and Pro Tours.
The high-caliber of entries led to two voices being selected, one of whom in Jonathan Cowan, with both now having the opportunity to commentate at the Liebherr 2011 World Team Cup, alongside the ITTF’s professional commentator, Don Parker.
Steve Dainton, ITTF Marketing Director, said:
“After an exhaustive and intensive process from the overwhelming number of entries we are pleased to finally announce the winners of the ITTF Voice of table tennis competition.
“Thank you to all those that participated we were very impressed with the level of entries that we received. It truly was a difficult job to find the best so we decided to give two exceptional candidates an opportunity.
“My congratulations go to Sebastian and Jonathan we wish them the best of luck in their debut and who knows, they may even join our team of professional Table Tennis commentators.”
Jonathan Cowan, said:
“I was delighted when I received the news that I would have the opportunity to commentate in Germany. Not only does it enhance my comeback to the table tennis arena since my retirement from competing after the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne 2006, it is great to be part of the worldwide efforts to continue to develop and promote table tennis.”
When asked why he applied Cowan continued:
“I was sent the information by a number of people who have seen me MC and commentate over recent months and years, and I saw it as a very exciting and unique opportunity. No looking back from there!”
The two will now travel to the Magdeburg in Germany, where they will take to the mic and commentate ‘live’ on the action from the LIEBHERR World Team Cup, 3-6 November 2011.
Jonny is a graduate of the University of Strathclyde and is currently working as Assistant Chief Executive of GreaterSport Manchester. His table tennis career included spells in both the German and French Leagues and reached its pinnacle with a World Ranking of 365. He was capped many times for Ireland including a World Championship appearance is Osaka, Japan and was Irish ranked Number One and National Champion at all age groups. He also made appearances at two Commonwealth Games.
All involved in Irish table tennis would like to congratulate Jonny on his selection by the ITTF and wish him all the best with his commentating duties.
Last weekend witnessed an exciting start to the Junior domestic season with the STIGA Irish Junior Classification held in DCU, Dublin. Entries were up 17% on 2010 and clubs from all over the country were represented. With players aged from 8-17, the focus of the fans as always was on the elite players – however with the group into group qualification system and the provision of Plate events, there were lots of matches for all players, including many who were playing their first National event. Full results from every match played are available here –
Many thanks to our excellent volunteers who have driven the roll-out of Tournament Software which was piloted in this event.
Event Summary – Girls
As is almost traditional, Ashley Givan took 1st place in the Under 17 Girls event and she did so in style without dropping a set in the entire event. She defeated international team-mate Edel O’Reilly in the Final (4,4,8). O’Reilly had a scare in the Semi-Final against Katie McGlone, who took the first two sets to set up a potential shock. O’Reilly is known for her gritty determination and claimed a vital 3rd set 14-12, before closing out the match in sets 4 and 5 to claim her spot in the Final. Elayna McGlone produced some fireworks to progress to finish 6th in the event, with a spectacular win over Emma Ludlow.
There was a little more pressure on Elayna McGlone in the Under 14 event, where she was 2nd seed. She did not disappoint and progressed to the Final, with good wins over Sarah Cooney and Chloe O’Halloran. In the Final, she faced Hannah Lynch Dawson, the top seed. Lynch-Dawson was in fine form having defeated Valentine Puotkalis and Rebecca Finn, and she justified her seeding in a tumultuous battle with McGlone, recovering from a 2-1 deficit to eventually claim the match in the last set (11-9).
In the Under 12 Girls, a shock was on the cards as Kate Whelan belied her No.10 seeding to claim the title, producing the best table tennis of her career to date. She claimed victory in the semi-final in straight sets, before repeating the trick in the Final against Rebecca Finn. With this result, Whelan has confirmed her arrival on the National scene and will be a player to watch this season.
The Under 10 event is a fun event to introduce players to competitive table tennis – well done to all who took part and in particular to Ciara O’Toole who claimed the Winner’s trophy.
Event Summary – Boys
Declan O’Brien u17 Winner
In the Under 17 Boys, top seed Declan O’Brien knew he would have a tough battle on his hands to claim his first trophy of the season. This arrived in the shape of Shi Zhao Li who pushed him all the way in the Semi-Final, with O’Brien happy to claim a narrow final set victory. He faced Ryan Farrell in the Final and was clinical in his victory, dropping just the 1st set.
In the Under 14 Boys, again the event went to top seed Kevin Hutchinson, who produced some great table tennis to dominate the event. His opponent in the Final was surprise package Alan Walsh, who will be delighted with his win over Jonathan Porter in the Semi-Final, despite the concession of the Final in straight sets – a great start to the season for Walsh.
The Boys Under 12 section was very difficult to predict in advance and so it proved on the day with Alexander Gillen claiming the title despite being seeded outside the top 10. He was impressive in defeating both Brian Dunleavy and Martin Williams to progress to a Final against Evin McGovern. Again, he rose to the occasion with a 3-1 victory to claim the title.
The Under 10 event is a fun event to introduce players to competitive table tennis – well done to all who took part and in particular to Paul Cooney who claimed the Winner’s trophy.
Many thanks to all who volunteered over the weekend – to our top table personnel, to our hall set-up crew and to the volunteers who worked very hard on the draw and introducing new technology to our events. Finally, thanks to all of the players who took part – we look forward to seeing you all again at the Ulster Junior Open.
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