UCD TTC has been crowned as the new top team of Irish table tennis, with a comprehensive defeat of all-comers at the National Team Tournament 2011/12 held in IWA, Clontarf on Saturday 19th November. The college team taught all of their opponents a lesson in claiming the ‘Paddy Berrigan’ Trophy with some outstanding play – with National Squad players John Murphy and Gavin Maguire joined by Will Gallagher – this was a team that looked to be favourites from the outset and performed to expected levels in claiming the title. In claiming the title, they were undefeated, indeed only conceding one match in any of the ties to Leixlip TTC. A young ALSAA TTC claimed 2nd place of the six teams entered into the Premier Division, with some strong performances from Sam Logue and Juniors Conor Mullally and Ciaran Kelly.
In the First Division, again the entry was six teams , with make-up teams allowed. This Division surprised many observers as it was the ‘Dangerous Divas’ of Hannah Lynch-Dawson, Elayna McGlone and Katie McGlone all in top form to claim an impressive Divisional title over some of their more senior opponents. The ‘Divas’ have all represented Ireland extensively over the past two years and this experience allied with their obvious talent allowed them to belie their youth to claim the title. They defeated Club Donic (previous Division One champs) to claim the title, with UCD claiming 3rd place.
Congratulations to UCD and to ‘Dangerous Divas’ and well done to all who took part. The ITTA would also like to thank Tony Martin, Tournament referee and the ITTUA Umpires who assisted with the smooth running of the event. Next year’s event will be bigger and better than ever and the challenge has been firmly set – who can knock UCD from their perch as Ireland’s top table tennis team?
(in pic – UCD’s Gavin Maguire)