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)