Obituary – David Addy (Table Tennis) died suddenly this week and will be fondly remembered as ‘the best ever Ulster Table Tennis player never to gain an Irish cap’. David played for Ulster in the early 70’s along with several top quality players such as Clifford Thompson, Carroll McBride, Stephen Tracey, Freddie Brown and Derek Weir. loosing out to the famous trio of Langan, Caffrey and Thompson for Irish caps.
The Ards man was expected to break onto the international scene at the 1973 Commonwealth Championships in Guernsey, but declined selection as he was getting married; indeed David and his wife Anne would have celebrated their 40th Anniversary in March. However David eventually had his rightful international recognition as a notable attacking player by competing for N Ireland at the Commonwealths at Cardiff in 1977,
He developed a prolific table tennis career in both the Belfast & District and Bangor Leagues, playing until the mid 1990’s, representing the Belfast League against the Leinster League on many occasions, going on to win the B&D Senior League title three times, once playing for Bangor with Peter Mayne and Carroll McBride, and then twice with Jack Cash and Derek Weir, playing for Ards. His sister Helen also graced many table tennis events at a time when Newtownards was ‘the undoubted home of the sport’.
It is considered that David’s best ever performance was in the early 70’s against the famous Belgian No 1 Van der Walle at the Co Antrim Open when he led him 14-10 in the third before losing at deuce.
Sincere sympathy is expressed to David’s widow Anne, daughters Kathryn and Caroline, son Stephen and their families.