At the Cardiff Open in Wales this weekend, Irish players produced some top class performances to claim some major silverware. Paul McCreery took both the Men’s Open Singles and the Men’s Band 1 event to continue his good run of form going in to this weekend’s Butterfly Senior National Championships. In the Women’s event, as expected Na Liu took the Women’s title and Amanda Mogey produced a spectacular performance to defeat Welsh No.1 Naomi Owen, who is ranked significantly higher in the ITTF World Rankings. Irish players across the board showed improved performances – Ashley Givan won Band 2 and Band 3 of the Women’s event and made the semi-final of the Under 21s. Rebecca Kenny was also in fine form, making the semis of the Band 2 and Band 3 events, defeating Hannah Avery along the way. Team-mate Sara Dolan also made the semi-final of the Under 21s – Dolan had an excellent tournament, recording a significant victory over Angharad Phillips. Connacht’s Sarah Timlin also prduced a strong showing and is quicky developing in her 1st year at international level.
Selected Results
Mens Band 1:
Paul Mc Creery beat Polish player Thomas Rzeszotko in Final and Welsh No. 4 Patrick Thomas in semis.
Mens Open:
Paul McCreery beat Welsh No. 2 Stephen Jenkins in final in 5 sets
Men’s Under 21:
Paul McCreery beat Patrick Thomas Wales 3/0
Men’s Band 6:
Former Irish Champion and Irish International, Alan Monks bt. Stephen Slater. Monks, formerly from the Eastpoint Club in Dublin and now a coach in the Greenhouse Project also won Band 5.
Women’s Open:
Semi final: Amanda Mogey bt no.1 seed and Welsh no.1, Naomi Owen 3/0
Final: Liu Na bt. Amanda Mogey 3/0
Women’s Band 1:
Amanda Mogey bt. Santa Clements 3/0 in final
Restricted Singles:
Amanda Mogey bt.D. Arrowsmith 3/0 in final