The Awards Ceremony took place on the afternoon of Saturday, 6 June 2026, following the AGM at the Multi-sport Pitches Pavilion Building, Sport Ireland Campus, Dublin 15. Despite a very wet and rainy day, there was a large turnout, reflecting the strong support and spirit across the Irish table tennis community. The awards celebrated achievement and contribution across playing, coaching, volunteering, officiating, club development, schools, para table tennis, international performance and inclusion. The National Award recipients were presented by the President, Alan Strong.
Award winners by category
This year’s Joe Veselsky Award, in recognition of outstanding endeavour and service to Irish table tennis, has been awarded to Eoin Kelly.
Over more than a decade, Eoin has given exceptional voluntary service at club, provincial, and national level. Within Beech Hill Table Tennis Club, he has served as Secretary, Treasurer, and Chairperson, and continues to support and protect members through his roles as Safeguarding Officer and Designated Liaison Person.
At provincial level, Eoin led Munster Table Tennis as Chairperson for seven years, often also carrying out the duties of Secretary, providing steady and thoughtful leadership throughout that time.
Nationally, Eoin has made a significant contribution to the development of para table tennis. Having joined the Table Tennis Ireland Para Committee in 2020, he now serves as Chair and has played a key role in strengthening governance and expanding opportunities within the sport. He is also a valued member of the TTI Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Those who have worked alongside Eoin know him for his professionalism, integrity, and willingness to give his time for the benefit of others. His dedication and leadership embody the values of the Joe Veselsky Award.
A very worthy winner!
Senior Male Player of the Year: Paul McCreery. Honoured after a dominant season in which he won every Irish competition he entered.
Senior Female Player of the Year: Mia O’Rahilly Egan. Recognised following another exceptional season, including a sixth consecutive Irish National title and strong international performances.
Junior Boys Player of the Year: Christopher Allsop. Awarded after a breakthrough season that included reaching the quarter-finals at World Table Tennis in Luxembourg.
Junior Girls Player of the Year: Samanta Pusinskaite and Nuria Goldston. Both players reflecting two outstanding junior seasons.
Male Para Award of the Year: Aaron Mellows. Recognised for a landmark year that included becoming the first ever Class 11 para player to compete in ITTF ranking competitions, and securing the National Para Championship title.
Female Para Award of the Year: Aoife Kelly and Alicia Winter. Honoured jointly for their commitment, medal-winning performances and contribution to para table tennis development.
Young Coach of the Year: Ben Watson. Recognised for his important role in Ulster development squads and weekly junior coaching.
Male Coach of the Year: David Cunningham. Honoured for his outstanding work developing players and supporting junior success at Balbriggan Table Tennis Club.
Female Coach of the Year: Teresa Egan. Recognised for her long involvement in coaching and her dedicated weekly work with the Speeder’s para club in Galway.
Volunteer of the Year: Daniel Kovac and Norman McBride. Both were recognised for exceptional voluntary service to club, provincial and schools table tennis.
Official of the Year: Jay McAlister. Honoured for many years of service and continued officiating at events across Ireland and internationally.
Club of the Year: Balbriggan Table Tennis Club. Recognised for excellence, inclusivity, player development and sustained success.
School of the Year: Kildare Town Community School Recognised for its strong school table tennis activity and grassroots development.
International Team Performance of the Year: Women’s Senior Team – Gold at Home Nations International 2025. Recognised for an outstanding team achievement on the international stage.
International Individual Performance of the Year: Kevin O’Callaghan – European Youth Para Championships, Istanbul 2025. Honoured after winning double gold in the men’s doubles and mixed doubles.
Ambassador of EDI Principles Award: Carol Furlong. Recognised for creating inclusive opportunities through the Bat and Chat programme.
Special Achievement Award: Pat Hunter and Jeff Irvine. Honoured for their leadership in expanding table tennis opportunities for people living with Parkinson’s.
The end of Season Underage Irish No.1’s were also announced and presented as follows:
Irish No. 1 – Under 19 Boys – Aedan McGivern
Irish No.1 – Under 17 Boys –Christopher Allsop
Irish No.1 – Under 15 Boys – Adam Hedderly
Irish No.1 – Under 13 Boys –Daniel Daly
Irish No.1 – Under 11 Boys– Jamie Yan Theunissen
Irish No.1 – Under 19 Girls –Anjali Singh
Irish No.1 – Under 17 Girls – Nuria Goldston
Irish No.1 – Under 15 Girls –Nuria Goldston
Irish No.1 – Under 13 Girls –Samantha Puniskaite
Irish No.1 – Under 11 Girls – Victoria Sawecka
Overall, the 2026 awards highlighted the depth of talent and commitment within Table Tennis Ireland, while also recognising the coaches, volunteers, officials, clubs and schools whose work continues to grow the sport nationwide.
