We had just dropped off the last Table at Ormeau at around 10.30pm on Sunday night and were sitting in our white van when Gervis gave me one of those ‘why do we bother?’ looks! We pondered for a split second and then both burst out laughing! We bother because we love sport, have a passion for Table Tennis and enjoy seeing the joy of competition, warts and all!
Sport brings out the best and unfortunately the worst in some people but nothing take can beat seeing the emotions of a competitor straight after a big win! Sport can create emotions we didn’t even know we had, everyone reacts differently, however Champions tend to react the same way and hopefully we witnessed some Champions last weekend.
The Tournament was in general a great success and while we witnessed the usual dramas and temper tantrums the majority of the players played their matches with enthusiasm, will to win, and most importantly were respectful to their opponents and umpires.
RESULTS
MENS SINGLES
SEMI FINALISTS: MAX SKELTON & JOEY NELSON
RUNNER UP: ALEXANDER GILLEN
WINNER: RYAN FARRELL
CONSOLATION WINNER: JOE SHEARD
SUMMARY
The packed David Lloyd crowd witnessed an absolutely brilliant final in which Ryan saved match points with some breath-taking play and also a slice of luck here and there. The final set in particular had everything with the superb top -v- top rallies providing some stunning entertainment for the gallery. Special mention must go to Ormeau’s Max Skelton (14) who reached his first Irish Ranking Senior Semi Final after beating clubmate Zak Earley in a pulsating ¼ final.
LADIES SINGLES
SEMI FINALISTS: LUCY CRAIG & SABINA DEVEREUX
RUNNER UP: REBECCA FINN
WINNER: SOPHIE EARLEY
CONSOLATION WINNER: EMMA MCSORLEY
SUMMARY
Business as usual for Ormeau’s Sophie Earley (13) who went through the whole Tournament without dropping a set. Sophie never really had to get out of 2nd gear and looked a class above all her rivals which is a testament to her commitment to the game and the hours on the practice table that comes with it.
MASTERS SINGLES
SEMI FINALISTS: BRIAN DEVEREUX & PAT MCLOUGHLIN
RUNNER UP: PHIL WALLACE
WINNER: DARYL STRONG
CONSOLATION WINNER: ARVIN CABALLERO
SUMMARY
Top Irish Vet and proud Ormeau player Daryl was in confident form as he lost only 1 set throughout the event. Ormeau’s Fast Phil showed great fight to edge past Irish 50s player McLoughlin in a drama filled Semi but Daryl had too much for him in the final this time. Big shout to Ormeau’s Arvin for winning the Consolation.
CLASS 2
SEMI FINALISTS: DAWID SULKOWSKI & RAINO SOIKKELI
RUNNER UP: JOEL SMITH
WINNER: JONATHAN MOONEY
SUMMARY
Superb performance from Ormeau’s ‘Chopper’ Johnny (14) who is one of the best defenders in Ireland. Some of his retrieving is just incredible and the looks on some of his opponents faces is in sheer disbelief at times. Ormeau’s Joel Smith (14) can be very proud of his performance and he enjoyed some of his best wins to date over the weekend.
Gervis, in particular, does an unbelievable amount of work behind the scenes and I want to thank those who made a special effort to thank the front desk after the event, also thanks to those who helped to set up and clear up after the event. We would like to thank our official umpires Adrian Brown and Jay McAlister for umpiring our most important matches of the day in a professional and fair manner!
Thanks to our two main sponsors McDonald’s Dundonald and Teessport for helping us make this a wonderful event!
Massive thanks also to Danny who lent us his van all weekend and his daughter Noleen who drove us back to David Lloyds at 11pm! Can’t thank you guys enough!
Report By Allen Robson