Posts in category: TTI News

UCD’s John Murphy and Clogher TTC’s Ashley Givan were crowned National Champions in their respective singles at the Butterfly National Senior Championships which took place in ALSAA Sports Complex, Dublin, over the weekend.

In the men’s singles, Murphy, the top seed and Irish number 1, overcame the ever improving Ashley Robinson (Fivemiletown TTC) by 4 sets to 1 in a highly entertaining final. Robinson, still eligible at Junior level, showed his quality throughout the tournament. However, when it came to the final, the more experienced Murphy, who now has 4 National singles titles, took control, preventing his younger opponent from gaining a foothold. The key moment in the match came in the 2nd set, where Murphy withstood wave after wave of pressure to clinch the set 15-13. Despite Robinson taking the third, Murphy took the fourth and powered his way to secure yet another National title. Murphy, such a dominant force in Irish Table Tennis, was ecstatic with his victory, acknowledging the appreciative crowd after the final point, he ran to his corner to hug his delighted father.

Afterwards, Murphy commented that ‘Growing up, I always dreamt of winning an Irish title, and now with 4, its an amazing feeling. It was a hard match, and I had to draw on all my experience to get through’. Speaking of his opponent, Murphy added that ‘Ashley is an amazing talent, and I have no doubt he will be back to take the title within the next few years’

Murphy’s path to the final was fraught with potential dangers. In the quarters, he had to endure an onslaught from Ballincollig TTC’s Declan O’Brien, before taking it 4-2, while in the semis, the UCD man repeated the scoreline in defeating his Irish International team mate, Paul McCreery (Glenburn) who has returned to the Irish scene following a 6 week injury.

In the Women’s singles, Ashley Givan defied the odds to clinch a thoroughly deserved victory over seasoned International and Irish Number 1 Amanda Mogey on a 4-1 scoreline. Both players were acutely aware of each others game, but Givan took the risks and played the big points in fearless fashion to retain the crown she won last year as the youngest ever champion. In the semi-finals, she swept aside the spirited efforts of Jean Hughes in straight sets, while Mogey ended the hopes of Sabina Devereaux (Wexford) on a 4-2 scoreline.

In the under 21 Men’s singles, Paul McCreery overcame his International team-mate Gavin Maguire (UCD) by 3 sets to 1 in a cagey encounter. The Ulsterman was in imperious form, not dropping a set on his way to the final. Maguire, on the other hand was forced to dig deep against fellow Dubliner, Ryan Flood (UCD), in a pulsating semi-final clash, fighting back from a seemingly unassailable 5-0 deficit in the deciding 5th game to clinch it 11-9.
In the under 21 Womens singles, Mayo’s Sarah Timlin clinched the title defeating Dubliner Clodagh McCullagh (York Road TTC) in the final.

Breaffy Hotel in Castlebar played host to the Stiga Connacht Junior Open over the weekend, with over 160 players travelling from all over Ireland to compete. This was the first time since the early 1970s that Connacht have hosted a Junior Ranked tournament, and players and spectators alike were treated to a feast of top class table tennis.

The Junior Boys saw Irish International and number 2 seed, Sam Logue from ALSAA TTC, take the title in straight sets over Ballincollig’s Declan O’Brien. O’Brien was in superb form throughout the tournament with his trademark backhand winners stunning the opposition. However, Logue controlled the final from the first point, and the win now puts him in the number 1 spot ahead of the final event of the season – the Nationals in April. Third place in the Juniors was shared by Eastpoint clubmates, Ryan Farrell and Conor Beades.

The quarter finals of the Cadet Boys witnessed the match of the tournament, pitting Ballincollig’s James O’Reilly against the current Irish number 1, Eastpoint’s Ryan Farrell. O’Reilly took the first set, and Farrell had to dig deep to take the second on a score of 22-20. O’Reilly took the next and had Farrell on the rack in the fourth,  before Farrell steadied and hit back claiming the set, and then took the fifth in classic fashion. O’Reilly had let him off the hook, but certainly has laid down a marker of his future intentions, and underscores this Cadets potential. Farrell went on to claim his 3^rd title of the season by defeating Club Donic’s Conor Mullally 3-1 in the final, while York Road’s Kevin Hutchinson took the third place.

In the U12 Boys, Glenburn’s Zak Wilson took the title defeating, Fivemiletown’s Ryan McConkey on a scoreline of 3-1, while local favourite, Connaught’s Dara Egan took the third spot.

The Junior Girls title was taken by tournament favourite, Fivemiletown’s Ashley Givan, on a score of 3-1 over Ballincollig’s  Edel O’Reilly. Givan was clinical in her victory over her International Team mate, and confirms her clear-cut position as the Irish number 1 as we head towards the end of season. Third place was taken by the home favourite, Mayo’s Sarah Timlin. In the Cadet Girls, Eastpoint’s Katie McGlone followed up her Munster title win with a 5-set, action packed triller over the number 2 seed, Glenburn’s Emma Ludlow.  The Eastpoint player was in sparkling form, capping off a superb weekend by finishing in 4^th position in the Junior event.

In the U12 Girls, Mayo’s Marie Williams took the title over Killarney TTC’s Valentina Puotlkalis, while Orla Timlin from Mayo finished third.

The Under 10 event again offered an opportunity for some of our youngest talents get an opportunity to play in a major event as they take their first step on the competition ladder.

Many thanks to all from the Connacht Bramnch who delivered a good tournament experience for the players. Thanks also to Ben Haughton who volunteered his time to assist with the draw over the weekend.

Junior Boys ; 1.S Logue ; 2. D O’Brien ; 3. R Farrell & C Beades (shared).
Cadet Boys ; 1. R Farrell ; 2. C Mullally ; 3. K. Hutchinson
U12 Boys ; 1.Z Wilson ; 2. R McConkey ; 3. D Egan.
U10 Boys ; 1. J Kelly ; 2. E Ditchburn ; 3. E Duffy

Junior Boys Plate ; 1. S Kelleher ; 2. M Doyle
Cadet Boys Plate ; 1. S Farrell ; 2. S Og Tigue
U12 Boys Plate ; 1. J Viegas ; 2. K Hodgins.
U10 Boys Plate ; 1. T Downey ; 2. D Nyland.


Junior Girls ; 1.A Givan ; 2. E O’Reilly ; 3. S Timlin.
Cadet Girls ; 1. K McGlone ; 2. E Ludlow ; 3. E Thompson
U12 Girls ; 1. M Williams ; 2. V Poutlaski ; 3. O Timlin.
U10 Girls ; 1. K Whelan ; 2. M Williams ; 3. N Krawzun.

Junior Girls Plate ; 1. A Walker ; 2. S McConkey
Cadet Girls Plate ; 1. B Brady ; 2. T Molloy
U12 Girls Plate ; 1. A Taylor ; 2. O O’Malley.
U10 Girls Plate ; 1. L McConkey ; 2. M Cummins

FIXTURE SHEETS

Below please find Fixture Sheets for Cup and League Match Sheets.  Please print out the relevant match sheet and bring it with you to your match.  Fill out the fixture sheets by hand at the match.  You can then type up the details in a blank fixture sheet and e-mail me the electronic version.  Alternatively, you may scan and e-mail the results to [email protected]
Cup Match Sheet (See attached)League Match Sheet (See attached)

UNDER 13 BOYSCup Competition (Here)
Under 13 Primary Schools LeagueFixtures (Here)Results (Here)
Under 13 Secondary  Schools LeagueFixtures (Here)Results (Here)

UNDER 15 BOYSCup Competition (Here)Fixtures (Secondary Boys Under 15 – Fixtures)Results (Secondary Boys Under 15 – Results)

UNDER 18 BOYSCup Competition (Here)Fixtures (Secondary Boys Under 18 – Fixtures)Results (Secondary Boys Under 18 – Results )

PRIMARY SCHOOL GIRLSCup Competition (Here)Fixtures (Here)Results (Here)SECONDARY SCHOOL GIRLSCup Competition (Here)Fixtures (Here)Results ( Here)

On Saturday the 19^th of February Fivemiletown High School was the scene of drama and excitement as players and spectators gathered for the Fermanagh Senior Open.

Doubles was the first event on the cards and the first semi-final consisted of the “experienced” team of William Cherry and Norman Nabney versus the youthful pair of Jonathan Porter and Trevor Knox who had come out on top of a thrilling five setter against Leinsters Georgi Hubenov and Joshua Cooper in the quarters. The experienced pair would have the better of the youth on this occasion as they won in straight sets 11-7, 18-16 and 11-2. The other semi saw Ballymoney’s father and son pairing of Pawel and Dawid Sulkowski play Dariusz Zatylny and Tibor Pofok. Dariusz and Tibor won the first 11-8 and the Sulkowski’s pulled one back 13-11 but it was Dariusz and Pofok who retained composure and won the next two 11-7 and 13-11. This would leave a thrilling finale and it didn’t disappoint. Cherry and Nabney took the opening set 11-7 but an epic second set leveled it off as Pofok and Zatylny claimed it 18-16. They took this win with confidence and took the third 11-3, however, Cherry and Nabney settled themselves and won the fourth 11-8. Pofok and Zatylny pulled ahead in the fifth and couldn’t be caught as they claimed the title 11-5. This title was the start of a pretty good day for Tibor Pofok.

Next on the timetable was Class II. The groups saw a couple of upsets as Belfasts Ted Mahaffy beat second seed Mark McAllister. Non-seeded Dave Butler also claimed first in his group after a win against Gary Crawford. In the last 16 William Cherry had his chance to replay Dariusz Zatylny and after an electrifying match Willie came out on top 13-11 in the fifth. This win left him up against Gary Crawford whose early defeat to Dave Butler left him with a longer route to the final if he could succeed. Crawford would have the better of Cherry as he claimed a semi-final spot 11-8 in the fourth set. Gary then had to face Connacht’s Kariem Sabir who came through a tough quarter final against Atilla Mandler in five sets.  The semi was tense with sets and points staying neck and neck the whole match, Sabir won the first but Crawford claimed the second, Sabir found form again to take the third but again Crawford pushed back taking the fourth, however Sabir’s determination to win allowed him see off Crawford 11-7 in the fifth. The other side of the draw saw both semi-finalists have to battle to get there, Tibor Pofok beat Pawel Sulkowski after losing the opening two sets 11-7, 11-3. His semi’s opponent was Keiron Burke who very nearly lost out to Larne’s Philip Jamison in a thrilling five setter in the last 16. Tibor had too much on Keiron as he claimed his finalist spot in straight sets. The crowd expected a thriller as Tibor and Kariem would face off in the final but Tibor showed a new found class to take the final in straight sets in what could be his last Class II event as he climbs the rankings.

Next were the main events of the day which were the Men’s singles and Ladies singles. In the Ladies the round robin saw Amanda Mogey and Ashley Givan both win against Wexfords Sabina Devereux and Fivemiletown’s Annalise Walker; this left the decider between Amanda and Ashley. Fivemiletown Academy’s Ashley Givan had the better of Amanda on the day, scoring a rare win over the Irish No.1 as she beat her in straight sets 11-8, 15-13, 11-7.

The Men’s event also provided some shock upsets and some very close calls, one nearly came from UCD’s Matt Finlay as he took fifth seed Wexford’s Brian Devereux to five sets but Devereux had enough to come back from 2-0 down to claim a quarter final draw with second seed Daryl Strong, another tight one and Brian very nearly had it but Daryl beat him in the fifth set, setting up a semi-final with third seed Mark O’Flynn. Mark too had a bruising run as he was taking to five by Ballymoney’s Dawid Sulkowski in the last 16. Daryl proved too strong for Mark as he claimed a spot in the final in straight sets. The other side of the draw saw number one seed and many peoples favourite for the title Peter Graham crash out in straight sets to the on form Tibor Pofok. Daryl continued his good run to claim the title(which he last won in 2002) with a fourth set victory over Tibor who put up a good fight in a closely contested match.

In the Under 21’s FMT’s 15 year old Ladies Champion had to play Eastpoints Mark O’Fylnn in the semi-final and this was one for the crowd. Ashley took the opener 11-7 but Mark looked on route to the final as he won the next two 11-8, 11-7, however Ashley was having none of it and took the match to a decider 11-7 in the fourth and some fiery topspin winners allowed her claim the match 11-5. Dawid Sulkowski came though the other side of the draw after defeating UCD’s ever improving Matt Finlay in straight sets. Givan determined to add to her cash pool took the title in three straight sets all ending 11-9.

The Veterans saw a couple of upsets in the groups but the major talking point being Ulsters Jay McAllister got a rub of the green in the fifth set as he bet number one seed Kariem Sabir. Jay continued this form as he beat evergreen Norman Nabney in an exhilarating five setter in the quarter-finals. That set up a semi with William Cherry but unfortunately for a popular Jay he was beaten in straight sets. The other semi provided plenty of drama as Kariem Sabir was set to face Pawel Sulkowski. Kariem stormed to an early lead as he took the first two sets 11-8, 16-14 it looked all but over but Pawel fought back taking the third 13-11, from this he went on to take the next two 11-7, 11-9. Pawel took this confidence on into the final as he took the title in straight sets.

The day concluded with the prize money being given out by ITTA secretary Ken Strong and FTTA Chairman Alec Gordon. The day ran very smoothly and Fermanagh Table Tennis Association would like to thank the players who attended for their support in this crucial annual fund raiser. They also would like to thank the Official ITTA Umpires especially Tournament Referee Tom Mitchell, also to Fivemiletown Annex for the help with the venue and Fivemiletown Academy for the running of a tuck shop and in turn to Carlton Cakes and Biscuits, Cootehill for supplying some tray bakes for them to sell. Finally to tournament sponsors Stiga, their agent Tommy Fitzgerald whose continuous support to FTTA is extremely appreciated.

Full results here