Results & News
2002-2003
News 2003-2005News 2002-2003
News 1999-2002
Junior Interpros
Denis and Shane from Thurles at the Interpros. Denis sporting the new TIBHAR Munster Top sponsored by Celtic Table Tennis. The U17 Girls "Expectedly" (just!) won the U17 Event.
Senior Interpros 2003
The Munster Family Photo! (Where's Lurch?)Taken at the Senior Interpros diner. You can see what the others got up to on the caption page
Karim showing us he can do it with a chair just as well as a table, while the real "Chairman" looks on in awe
Munster Abroad
Part of the Munster 1998-2003 Development Strategy was to encourage links with clubs abroad, in order to provide high performance coaching and competition. Links were also to be encouraged to provide opportunities for participation players to have an opportunity to experience table tennis through a cultural exchange programme.
In the last couple of years we have seen Munster based players, clubs and teams travel to Belgium and France and we have had visitors from the UK, France and Sweden.
A squad of 6 players and 3 coaches are travelling to the Oden Cup in Sweden for 4 days as the guests of the IFK Falköping. The Shellard brothers at U12 will represent Beech Hill and Ballincollig will have two U16 teams playing over the weekend. Three qualified Munster ITTA coaches will accompany the players.
After the Junior Interpros on April 12th a group of up to 18 players from Kinneigh, West Cork are to fly to London as guests of the well known Cippenham TTC. The players will stay with "exchange" families and shopping, training and a local competition will be on the agenda.
Plans are being confirmed to send a couple of groups of Munster players for training in Sweden (Gothenburg and Malmö) during the summer and any Munster players interested in travelling please contact me at owen@ttireland.com. Swedish Club Coach Kurt Carlsson is expected during July and any clubs interested in having a summer session, or providing any golfing facilities/contacts please contact me.
The Munster Youth Squad will have its first taste of action when a squad of 6 players travels to Brittany for a Celtic Challenge match against the Brittany League. The players will travel over for 4 days at the end of August. Not all the places are confirmed yet so if you were under 21 this season and available around the 23rd August let me know places are going fast. The trip is to be sponsored by the Brittany League and Goudelin TTC and will cost players less than 100 Euro. Kinneigh TTC have visited the Goudelin Club and hosted a visit by the club in 2002. The Bretons are proud of their Celtic heritage and have always shown great hospitality and goodwill on every occasion. The competition and celebrations will be tough going!
If you or your club are interested in developing links abroad Table Tennis Ireland has had organised a number of exchanges and if you think we can help. Contact us at clubs@ttireland.com
All Ireland Schools Finals, Parochial Hall, Cork
Munster once again dominated the All Ireland School's Finals with 4 Titles and 2 Silver medal placings within the 6 events.
St. Angela's College won both the U13 Title and the U19 Title with the U15 team finishing with the silver medal. St. Angela's Coaches Louise Long and Owen Kelly were delighted with the performance of all the girls and congratulated them on yet another excellent All Ireland performance.
Louise Long who has looked after the U13s most of the season captained her team of players to regain the title that was won for Munster by Bandon Grammar U13s last year. With the new age eligibility a number of second years were also able to play for the school along with some very strong up and coming 1st years. The six that were eventually chosen came out of a very strong squad of over 30 U13s playing at St. Angela's at present. To increase the number of players and to retain the high standard set by the school has been a tremendous challenge to the coaching staff of the school. The school was very well supported during the day with a number of groups of students coming along to watch the three school teams.
The U15's were trying to retain the title they had won for the last number of years and the final was a very close affair with matches being closely fought for. The girls did extremely well but were unable to win the very tight penultimate doubles and the girls had to concede to the Ballymena Academy from Ulster. This was a double blow as the winner of this competition is able to represent Ireland at the ISF world Championships in Germany in 2004.
The U19s were a little nervous going into the final, looking for their 8th All Ireland Title in a row. Rachel O'Connor was unable to play on the day due to an important interview and a number of players had to dust off their bats and were recalled to represent the team. The draw was perfect and the girls were able to take the match comfortably in the end.
School Coach Owen Kelly:
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who made these All Ireland Schools Finals so special. Mark White for his help with the U19 Girls, Gus and Connie for stepping in to help, Michael, Vicky, Alice-Anne and all the team for making it one of the best run event ever and for Con Higgins who refereed and presented the trophies and has done so much to put us at the top of Irish Schools Table Tennis. With a special thanks to all those on the Munster Branch, CTTA and all those who assisted with the moving of tables and the background stuff that's so important. We should be rightly proud of all our efforts within Munster, our schools record is second to none and I hope it will remain so for some time."
Colaiste Choilm continue their impressive run of All Ireland victories when they took both the U13 and U19 Titles.
In the U19 event the first round proved crucial and Colaiste Choilm beat St. Tiernan's from Leinster 5/4 in a thrilling match. In the Final however the lads didn't drop a match to win 9/0. The team mainly made up of last years U15s will be able to compete at this level for another couple of years.
In the U13 there was there was yet another battle against St. Tiernan's but this time it was the Final after Colaiste Choilm disposed of Ulster's Fivemiletown 6/3 in the first round. Again the result went to the wire and again Colaiste Choilm beat St. Tiernan's 5/4, to take the U13 All Ireland Title.
School Coach Ivan Shorten:
"All the lads played very well especially under pressure and there was good team spirit. 2 All Ireland titles? Yes I'm very pleased with the result and I have to thank all those who have helped me this year and especially the new Ballincollig TTC who have also worked very hard with the players and given them the opportunity to have more table time."
Thurles CBS surprised themselves at their first performance at the All Irelands at U15. Players from Thurles have been very prominent this season especially at cadet level and top Munster Cadets Denis Mullane and Shane Minogue proved their worth with some excellent performances against very tough opposition. Thurles CBS confirmed their improvement with an a 7/2 win against Fivemiletown from Ulster. The final was a very close affair against Moyne College Ballina. With some exciting matches the scales were tipped in the Connacht School's favour taking the title 5/4 in the last match of doubles.
School Coach Anthony Condron:
"We didn't expect to find ourselves in the Final of our first All Ireland Schools and I am delighted with the success of the boys and the hard work they have put in all season. It is their enthusiasm that has brought me here and we are very pleased with our All Ireland Silver medals."
The New Boys in Munster
Thurles CBS have qualified for the All Ireland Finals for the first time. The U15 team including Munster No.1 Cadet Denis Mullane as well as the number 3 Shane Minogue proved too strong for a weakened Ballincollig GS and Maria Immaculat C.C. Dunmanway in a 3 way play-off played on Friday 21st March on Thurles home ground.
Munster at the Interpros
The Munster U21 team were unable to retain their Interprovincial Title, the new regulations have allowed juniors to play at U21 level and Leinster were able to capitalise on the new regulation. It was ironic however that Leinster U21 NPC Richard Butler made an objection to one of Munster's U21 players Tom Conroy who was actually U21 but had played Senior before and this was considered to break previous custom and practice. It seems strange to be encouraging juniors to fill in for U21s who can't actually play at their own age group having once played senior. Confused? Everyone in Munster was!
The Munster Veterans put in a good performance but were only able to managed 4th. Controversy plagued this event as well with Tom Elliott being told he could not play his second match and Terry Dolan from Connacht also scratched on a technicality.
The Munster Senior Team managed a bronze after beating Connacht. The first two places were battled out between Ulster and Leinster with Ulster piping Leinster to the title. The event comes to Munster next year and there are moves a to find a new location for the event with accommodation less than an hour away, more will be revealed when we check out the alternatives. Just as a note there was some excellent after diner music supplied by Gary Noonan on guitar and harmonica suprimo David "sock it to em" O'Rourke.
Veteran: Dan Foley, Tom Elliott, Philip Shaw, Ina Shorten
Senior: Mark white, Owen Kelly, Eoin Hegarty, Linda Mountjoy, Linda O'Sullivan
U21: David O'Rourke, Tom Conroy, Gary Noonan, Louise Long, Sandra Morris.
NPC: Gus Coughlan.
St. Angela's qualify for All Ireland Schools.
St. Angela's girls narrowly beat Ursulines in the Munster All Ireland Schools Play Off on sunday 9th. more news to follow:
Munster Training Camp News
U17 Girls: Beech Hill 31st January. contact Louise Long
U14 Girls: Beech Hill 1st February contact Rory O'Connor
U12 Girls: NBA contact Vicky Ridgeway.
Munster Training Camp
A Munster U14/U17 Girls and Boys training camp was held at Colaiste Choilm, Ballincollg on Sunday 26th January. Players from all over the province attended the largest camp this season with Seniors also given an opportunity to train as well. Munster Coaching Director Owen Kelly and a number of the Munster Coaches attended: Dan Foley U17 Boys, Louise Long U17 Girls, Paul Twomey and David O'Rourke U14 Boys and Rory O'Connor U14 Girls. Anthony Condron and Kurt Lyndorf also assisted.
Players Attending:
U17 Boys: Eoin Hegarty, Mike Spitere, Killian Healy, David Buckley, Colin Shields, John Cuffe, Anthony Walsh
U17 Girls: Anna D'Arcy, Yvonne Hurley, Emma Jane Helen, Kelby Duggan, Andrea Shorten, Rebecca Shorton, Hayley Collins, Ger Whycherly.
U14 Boys: Denis Mullane, Ian Shellard, Shane Minogue, Aaron Kelleher, Ruari Oliver, Daniel O'Mahony, Paddy Delaney, David Fanning
U14 Girls: Katie McSweeney, Kloe Wood, Evellyn Mullane, Sarah Dorney, Emily D'Arcy, Janna Bailey, Ronja Bailey.
Seniors/U21s/Vet: Brian Fitzgerald, Owen Kelly, Mark White, Ivan Shorten, Kurt Lyndorf, Linda Mountjoy, Louise Long, Ina Shorten, Vicky Ridgeway, Dan Foley, Michelle Bennett, Anna D'Arcy.
MUNSTER TABLE TENNIS OPEN 200317th-19th JAN
Sponsored by Permanent TSB & Fitzgerlad & Associates.
Results
NA NING CROWNED "KING OF PING" AT MUNSTER OPEN photos to follow
Na Ning originally from China and now living in Dublin had the tournament of his life. This talented junior, still under 17yrs has had a number of notable successes this season but no body expected him to take four of the Munster Open titles, the largest tournament in Ireland. In the Mens Open he revenged his defeat at the hands of Tommy Caffrey at the Connacht Open earlier in the season and moved into the semi final where he met local favourite Brian Fitzgerald who had already disposed of the No.2 seed John Bowe in the quarter finals, which produced a thrilling semi with both players striking the ball from every part of the court in a battle to dominate the table. Na Ning moved on to meet No.1 seed Damien Lynch in the final which was watched by a number of guests including the Mayor of Cork Cllr Kelleher and 5 of the 6 Munster Special Olympic Table Tennis squad who have been selected to represent Ireland at the World Games in the summer. They were treated to a superb example of fast attacking table tennis that was well supported by the impartial crowd.
Na Ning went on to take the U21 title from Conor Nolan who was also Na Ning's victim in the junior final on Sunday.
Elizabeth Dennett from England made it a good day for the foreign players taking the junior title from Amanda Mogey and completed the double with a victory over current Irish No.1 Tara Fusco (TIBHAR) in the senior ladies. A suprise victory for local Cork girls Anna D'Arcy over the current Irish No.1 Sabrina Conway saw her take a well deserved 4th place finish behind team mate Rachel O'Connor (TIBHAR).
Sabina Kazimagomedova from Russia who is currently based at the Terenure Club caused a stir in her first Irish National tournamet by reaching the final of the U14 girls but was beaten by Amy Tobin (ALSAA) in the final. David Hayes from England went one further in the U14 boys by defeating Michael McDonnell who is part of a new crop of Connacht based players who are starting to appear more regularly at national level.
The U21 event was dominated by Munster players with Linda O'Sullivan beating Louise Long in the final and Anna D'Arcy and Yvonne Hurley finishing in third. All these players are from the new Beech Hill Table Tennis Club in Cork. Linda O'Sullivan and Louise Long combined reached the ladies doubles final but were unable defeat fellow Cork player Linda Mountjoy and Irish No.1 Tara Fusco in the final of the ladies doubles. The mens final saw Na Ning take his fourth Munster Title partnering John Bowe by beating Damien Lynch and Marcus McDonnell in the final.
Milos Soukup from the Czech Republic took the Class 2 title against Mark White from Cork.
The Mixed Doubles final saw Munster No.1's Brian Fitzgerald (Friends First) and Linda Mountjoy (UCC) take on Tara Fusco and rising talent Peter Graham from Ulster. Fitzgerald and Mountjoy partners off and on the table combined well together to please the local support to take the Munster Mixed Doubles title.
U17BOYS
U17GIRLS
1
Na Ning
CHN
1
Elizabeth Dennet
ENG
2
Conor Nolan
L
2
Amanda Mogey
U
3
David Hayes
ENG
3
Rachel O'Connor
M
4
Peter Graham
U
4
Anna D'Arcy
M
5=
Conor Fahy
L
5=
Grainne McKenna
L
5=
John Murphy
L
5=
Fiona Boyle
C
7
Gervais Knox
U
7
Sabrina Conway
L
8
Ross Cullen
L
8
Amy Tobin
L
U14 Boys
U14 Girls
1
David Hayes
ENG
1
Amy Tobin
L
2
Michael McDonnell
C
2
Sabina Kazimagomedova
RUS
3
Keith Knox
U
3
Claire Nelson
U
4
Jonathan Rea
L
4
Jenny O'Donnell
C
5
Andrew Loane
U
5
Fiona Mernagh
L
6
Mark O'Flynn
L
6
Laura Healy
L
7
Shane Dolan
L
7
Ciara O'Donnell
C
8
Gavin Maguire
L
8
Andrea Shorten
M
U12 Boys
U12 Girls
1
Mark O'Flynn
L
1
Claire Nelson
L
2
Daniel Keenan
L
2
Julieanne Forbes
L
3
Gavin Maguire
L
3
Sarah Kenny
L
4
David Budden
U
4
Ciara Nolan
L
5
Ross Griffin
M
5
Susan Nelson
C
6
Neil O'Flynn
L
6
Jenny O'Donnell
C
7
Ian Shellard
M
7
Avril Healy
L
8
Fiarcra Landers
M
8
Rebecca Kenny
L
U21 Men
U21 Ladies
1
Na Ning
CHN
1
Linda O'Sullivan
M
2
Conor Nolan
L
2
Louise Long
M
3=
David McNeill
L
3=
Anna D'Arcy
M
3=
Andrew Blanch
L
3=
Yvonne Hurley
M
5=
Padraig Egan
C
5=
Orla Folan
C
5=
Darroch Keegan
C
5=
Sandra Morris
M
5=
David O'Rourke
M
7
5=
Joshua Cooper
L
8
9=
Aidan Glennon
L
9=
Billy Cooke
L
9=
Martin Tuffy
C
9=
Patrick Green
L
Class II
1
Milos Soukup
CHZ
2
Mark White
M
3=
David O'Rourke
M
3=
Killian Healy
M
5=
Darroch Keegan
C
5=
Eoin Hegarty
M
5=
Linda O'Sullivan
M
5=
Padraig Egan
C
Snr Men
Snr Women
1
Na Ning
CHN
1
Elizabeth Dennett
ENG
2
Damien Lynch
L
2
Tara Fusco
L
3=
John Murphy
L
3
Sabrina Conway
L
3=
Brian Fitzgerald
M
4
Linda O'Sullivan
M
5=
Conor Nolan
L
5=
Linda Mountjoy
M
5=
John Bowe
L
5=
Orla Folan
C
5=
Marcus McDonnell
L
5=
Rhonda Fox
L
5=
Tommy Caffrey
L
5=
Sandra Morris
M
Mens Doubles
Ladies Doubles
1
J.Bowe/N.Ning
1
L.Mountjoy/T.Fusco
2
D.Lynch/M.McDonnell
2
L.Long/L.O'Sullivan
Mixed Doubles
1
B.Fitzgerlad/L.Mountjoy
2
P.Graham/T.Fusco
MUNSTER SCHOOL CUP 2003 RESULTS
Photos
| NS BOYS DIV.1 | U13 BOYS DIV.1 | ||
| 1 | Scoil Eoin A | 1 | Ballincollig C.C. |
| 2 | Scoil Eoin B | 2 | Colaiste Choilm |
| 3 | Scoil Eoin C | 3 | Midleton College |
| 4 | St.Mary's Enniskeane | ||
| NS BOYS DIV.2 | U13 GIRLS DIV.1 | ||
| 1 | Clogheen | 1 | St.Angelas D |
| 2 | Togher | 2 | St. Angelas A |
| 3 | Gael Scoil A | 3 | St. Angelas E |
| 4 | Gael Scoil B | 4 | St. Angelas C |
| 5 | St. Angelas B | ||
| NS GIRLS DIV.1 | |||
| 1 | Clogheen | ||
| 2 | Gael Scoil | ||
| U15 BOYS DIV.1 | U15 GIRLS DIV.1 | ||
| 1 | Ballincollig C.C. | 1 | Schull Community College |
| 2 | CBS Thurles | 2 | Ursulines B |
| 3 | Midleton College | 3 | St. Angelas A |
| 4 | Clonakilty Community College A | 4 | Ursulines A |
| 5 | Maria Immaculata C.C Dunmanway A | 5 | St. Angelas B |
| U15 BOYS DIV.2 | U19 GIRLS | ||
| 1 | Clonakilty Community College B | 1 | St.Angelas C |
| 2 | Maria Immaculata C.C. Dunmanway B | 2 | St. Angelas B |
| 3 | Midleton College B | 3 | St. Angelas A |
| 4 | Schull C.C. | 4 | Sacred Heart |
| 5 | Ursulines | ||
| U19 BOYS | U19 MIXED | ||
| 1 | Colaiste Choilm A | 1 | Bandon Grammar A |
| 2 | Colaiste Choilm B | 2 | Bandon Grammar B |
| 3 | Clonakilty Community College | 3 | Midleton College B |
| 4 | Hamilton High School | 4 | Midleton College A |
| 5 | Midleton College |
THE MUNSTER OPEN 14-01-03
With the draw completed it can be confirmed that the overall entry for all the events has been very strong. With an overall increase of 73 junior entries.
The Senior events have been reformatted with U14’s being restricted from entering the senior age group. This means that as posted on the entry form the Top Seeds will be included in the first round of the event starting on Friday night, with check-in at 19.00hrs.
The Senior Men’s and Ladies Finals are due to be played at 13.00hrs on Saturday and are being Sponsored by Permanent TSB and Fitzgerald & Associates of Cork. The Finals will be preceded with the presentation of Munster Special Achievement Awards by the Mayor of Cork and the ITTA Munster Branch, to the six Munster Special Olympic Athletes who have been selected for Team Ireland at the World Games to be held later this year.
Damien Lynch from Leinster is the No.1 Seed in the Men’s event with Irish No.1 Tara Fusco (TIBHAR) also from Leinster in the Senior Ladies.
The Munster Open has always been known for a generous Prize Fund and the Prize Fund for this season’s event is at 1000 Euros making it the richest tournament in Ireland this year.
Local hopes in the Senior event lie with Brian Fitzgerald (Friends First) and Linda Mountjoy (UCC). Fitzgerald won the event in 2000 and Mountjoy has made three out of three finals in the last three events only to fall at the last hurdle. Brian and Linda who are partners off as well as on the table also reached the final of the Mixed Doubles last year and hope to go one better this year.
THE MUNSTER OPEN 11-1-03
News has just reached the offices of TTIreland that Irish No.1 and top seed Jason Sugrue has had to pull out of the Munster Open due to an injury. Leinster's Damien Lynch will take on the Top Seed position with John Bowe and Na Ning filling the top 3 places. Another Junior Conor Nolan remaining a threat in the fourth spot. Tommy Caffrey also makes the top 8 seeding and may cause a suprise or two.
TTIreland can also confirm that current English Junior Liz Dennett who may in future be eligable to play for Ireland, will take the Top Seeding in the Junior Girls with Leinster's Sabrina Conway and Ulster's Amanda Mogey sharing second seeding at present.
Ulster will have a number of their top players travelling down from the North and last year's top U12 Girl Danielle Douglas will be defending her title against Connacht's and Ireland's joint No.1 Jenny O'Donnell and hoping to go one better by trying to make the double at U14, which she narrowly missed at last years event, she is currently ranked No.2 with last years champion Amy Tobin from Leinster once again topping the list at cadet level.
England's David Hayes will be top seed in the cadet boys with Leinster's Jonathan Ray having to settle for the second spot.
THE BIGGEST AND BEST 9-1-03
The Munster Branch has one of its busiest weekends of the year with two of the biggest tournaments in Ireland taking place at the Gurranabraher Parochial Hall in Cork from Friday 17th January to the Sunday 19th January. Over 500 entries are expected in all age categories including U12, U13, U14, U15, U17, U19, U21, Senior, Veteran (+40) and in team and doubles events.
The action starts with the Munster Schools’ Cup on Friday at 10.00am. 50 teams from 17 different schools will compete in a team event for National School, U13, U15 and U19 age groups with events for boys, girls and mixed teams. Cork schools at present hold 6 out of 6 All Ireland titles at every age group and St. Angela’s College (U15/U19 Girls), Colaiste Choilm Ballincollig (U15 Boys), Scoil Eoin N.S. (U13 Boys), and Bandon Grammar (U13 Girls) will represent these schools. Unfortunately one of the most successful schools in Ireland with 19 schools titles North Monastery will not be competing. Other traditional table tennis schools including Ursulines Convent Cork, Midleton College and Thurles CBS have a number of teams competing at different age groups. The very strong West Cork Schools including current WCTTA Champions Clonakilty Community College, the new Maria Immaculata Community College Dunmanway will be making the trip to the city. Schull Community College who last competed in 1989 will have the distinction along with Gael Scoil Bantry of having the furthest to travel.
The number of entries has surprised many and shows a considerable interest in the sport at schools level. This is likely to increase even more with the support of Cork City Sports Officer Larry O’Reilly and the planned All Ireland Schools Final to be played in Cork this year.
THE MUNSTER OPEN
The Munster Open the largest annual tournament in Ireland starts at 19.00hrs on Friday 17th with the first and second rounds of the Men’s and Ladies Singles. This event has attracted a number of players from overseas with Sweden’s Gustaf Olofsson beating Stefan Hjalmarsson in last year’s thrilling men’s final. Ulster based Chinese player Lui Na took the ladies title with Cork’s own Linda Mountjoy loosing in the final. Linda has lost in the last two finals of the Munster Open and hopes to go one better this year. Brian Fitzgerald has the distinction of being the only Cork born player to win the Munster Open and that was back in 2000. He currently plays in France and his form this season is still unknown. Favourite Jason Sugrue is currently Irish No.1 and has won every Irish event he has entered this year. Sugrue plays for the very successful London Progress Club and won his first cap for Ireland at the Home Nations in 2002.
The Senior finals are expected to be played at 13.00hrs on Saturday 18th being preceded by a presentation the Munster Special Olympic Table Tennis athletes who have been selected to represent Ireland at the World Games later this year. Over the last couple of years a very special relationship between the Munster Table Tennis and Munster Special Olympics has developed with a number of partnership projects that include training for both sets of players as well as facilities and administrative skills. These partnership initiatives have mutually benefited both organisations and the Munster Branch is taking the opportunity to publicly acknowledge the tremendous achievements of all the athletes, clubs and coaches that have been involved.
Munster Open Directions
Address: Knockfree Ave, Gurranabraher, Cork - phone 021 4301071
For people who know where Warecourse Rd, Neptune Stadium and North Mon is ---coming from Watercourse Rd you pass Neptune Stadium on your left and North Mon on your right, go through next traffic lights (you are now on Sunvalley Drive ) and take a right at next roundabout , Parochial Hall is on left next to Churchfield Swimming Pool, Sam Allen Sports Complex is across road.
Coming from Dublin:
The 1st roundabout is at Dunkettle,, the 1st exit on this roundabout is for Rosslare, the 2nd exit is for Jack Lynch Tunnel, take 3rd exit for City and Glanmire,, this brings you to another roundabout where you take 1st exit for City and then take a left onto North Ring Rd before Moran Silversprings Hotel (follow N20 for about 3 miles) until you come to a sign for Limerick at Blackpool, at bottom of a hill (the other sign here is for City Centre)... after you take this right turn, for Limerick, turn left at next set of traffic lights just before Shell Petrol Station, go straight through next lights up the hill until you come to a T Junction at Farranree Church and take a left, go through next roundabout and Parochial Hall is 500 metres on your right
Coming from Limerick:
Pass Commons Inn Hotel on your left and turn right at traffic lights just after Shell Petrol Station (this petrol station will be on your right), go straight through next lights up the hill until you come to a T Junction at Farranree Church and take a left, go through next roundabout and Parochial Hall is 500 metres on your right
Coming from town:,br> Jury's Inn is on Andersons Qy - drive along this Qy towards Merchants Qy and Opera Hse Qy,, turn right at Cork Opera Hse (at 4th traffic light from Jurys Inn),, you are now on Christ Ring Bridge,, turn left at light on other side of bridge, this is Popes Qy,, veer immediately to the right up the hill, keep left at next traffic light, go straight through next traffic light at North Cathedral Church, after about 500 metres take a right on to Wolfe Tone St and take a left at next light,, you are now on Sunvalley Drive and take a right at next roundabout , Parochial Hall is on left next to Churchfield Swimming Pool, Sam Allen Sports Complex is across road.
Michael Healy's Mobile for those who have trouble with directions is: 087 2435518
See You There, I hope!
Munster Schools Cup Update
With another 20 teams entered the Munster School's Cup will 50 teams from 17 schools represented at all levels from National School through to U19's. The new schools to have entered include two U15 Boys teams from the new Maria Immaculata Community College in Dunmanway. Schull Community College who last competed in the School's Cup in 1989 will have an U15 team in both the girls and boys events. The U15 Boys event will have the largest entry and along with the National Boys School competition will have two divisions.
Munster U12 Training
An U12 Boys Training Camp will be held at Munster's Centre of Excellence Kinneigh TTC on the 12th January and will be attended by NPC Ivan Shorten and Director of Munster Coaching Owen Kelly.
Munster Schools Cup News
Over 30 teams have already entered the Munster Schools Cup. Entries have come in from all over Munster with a large number of schools travelling up from West Cork. The Munster Schools Cup has not been played for a number of years and the level of interest has suprised the organisers.
There are a number of events planned with competitions for National Schools, U13s, U15s and U19s for both boys, girls and mixed teams. The competition will take the format from the West Cork Schools Cup which has proved such a success over the last few years.
Last year's West Cork Champions Clonakilty Community College will be up against All Ireland Champions Colaiste Choilm in the U19 competition which will also include Midleton College and Bandon Grammar. Clogheen N.S., Gael Scoil Bantry and West Cork Champions St.Marys of Enniskeane will be battling it out in the National School Competition, with Scoil Eoin entering the U13 event.
St. Angela's will be expected to field a number of teams in the girls events with Linda O'Sullivan, Rachel O'Connor, Anna D'Arcy and Yvonne Hurley all captaining different teams. Sacred Heart Secondary, Clonakilty are also likely to feature with Emma Jane Helen and Freda Buttimer likely to play. Bandon Grammar featuring the Shorten sisters, Ursulines with Kelby Duggan and Hayley Collins and an unknown Midleton College team will ensure tough competition within the girls.
A number of schools have not confirmed entry with the Christmas break upon us but it's hoped that St. Al's, Schull Community College and the new combined school in Dunmanway will be confirming their entry in the New Year. If you would like your school to enter there is still time, just download the entry form and send it off as soon as possible and we might just see you in Cork on the 17th.
Munster U12 Girls Training Camp
A very successful camp was held at the Beech Hill Club in Cork with 12 girls attending. The camp was run by Assistant U12 Captain Vicky Ridgeway and U17 Girls Captain Louise Long. They were helped on the day by U14 Girls Captain Rory O'Connor.
Vicky was delighted with the good attendance with only a couple of girls unable to go on the day. "I am generally very pleased with the camp, the girls put in a lot of effort and a number of them are improving. We will be narrowing the squad down during the lead up to the Junior Interpros and I am hoping to run a least another two camps before then. I also hope to arrange a match for those who don't make the final team. I would like to thank the other squad captains who helped on the day and Owen our "Director of Coaching" for his coaching plan for the camp, we managed to cover most of it. It is very encouraging to get such good support from everyone."
A MUNSTER MAN IN MALMO
The City of Malmo in southern Sweden and the Malmo FF TTC and a visit to Copenhagen the capital of Denmark all in a week's work.
The Munster Franco-files
Philippe Pelmard is from the Cournon Club in France and became the second French visitor to Munster (1st was the Goudelin TTC earlier this year). Philippe is ranked 300 in France and plays in the National Division 3. He stayed as the guest of Owen Kelly, the Kinneigh Club and Ballincolliog TTC and attended a number of coaching sessions and players from all levels of play benefitted from his experience, technical knowledge and his friendly manner. He managed to get a lot of effort out of the players at the same time keeping a good degree of motivation and fun, neat trick if you can do it! This is one of a number of invitations that have been offered by the Munster Branch and its hoped that we will soon have a visit from one of the Malmo FF Club (Sweden) Coaches.
It was difficult to keep up with what Philippe got up to off the table as he enjoyed the hospitality of the various clubs. I know he enjoyed his first hurling match and took part at a traditional music session in West Cork, his only regret being he was unable to bring his trombone! Maybe next time. I would like to take the opportunity to thank Philippe on behalf of all the players, clubs and coaches and hope he can come back again soon.
Regional Munster Training Camp held at Colaiste Cholim for U10, U12, U13, U14 and U15 Boys. Coaches: Ivan Shorten (U12 Boys), Philippe Pelmard (visiting from France), Owen Kelly (Munster Coaching Director), Paul Twomey (U14 Boys).
2/3rd November Dunmanway Open.
There is never a dull moment when the Munster players journey west in search of ranking points. The second Munster Rankings of the season certainly lived up to expectations with the largest entry for a Munster Ranking (other than West Cork Open) there were a number of shocks and thrills.
In the Senior Ladies the obvious choice would have been Linda Mountjoy, who has been Irish number one for two years. But youngster Linda O'Sullivan has other ideas and in the upset of the tournament and possibly of the season Linda O'Sullivan from Beech Hill and St.Angelas walked away from the final as Dunmanway Open Champion and new Munster Senior Ladies No.1. Linda Mountjoy reversed the result in a very good U21 category but it will come as small consolation for the experienced Irish International.
In the Senior Mens there was just one question, how good is newcomer Milos Soukup from the Czech Republic. Milos who won the previous ranking was never pushed to the limit and former Irish No.1 Brian Fitzgerald made the journey from Dublin to defend his Munster crown. The two met in the semi final and there was an atmosphere of anticipation as the match started. Milos held his own in a competitive match but Brian proved to be just too strong as he blazed his forehand past the struggling Milos. Brian went on to win comfortably in three sets and again without really being tested he disposed of current West Cork Open Champion tom Elliot in the final.
With nine other events from U10 to the over 40's it was a busy day for the organisers but with Vicky Ridgeway running the desk and assisted by a number of volunteers both days went very smoothly. The U10 Girls saw a good entry local girls Rain Sherlock put in a good performance to finish 3rd and Aisling O'Callaghan beat Cliodhna Kelly in the final.
The U10 boys are showing a lot of talent and this resulted in a very exsiting fianl between Scott Shellard and Aidan Grabb with Scott once again taking the top spot. Donncha Gleeson finished 3rd.
In the U12 Girls Eliza Wood travelled up from Goleen and surprisingly defeated current No.1 Ruth Corcoran in a very closely fought semi final. Eliza went on to win the title from Evelyn Mullane with Sara Ross finishing in 3rd.
With nearly entries U12 Boys the competition was always going to be tough however Ross Griffin from Co. Clare who dominated the U12 last season shows no sign of letting up with his second victory in a row. He beat Ian Shellard in a closely fought match, Fiachra Landers took a surprising victory over Darren Cassey to take a well deserved 3rd place.
The U14 girls was totally dominated by one player last year and local Kinneigh girl Andrea Shorten sponsored by TDC Financial Services and Celtic Table Tennis, took her 7th Munster victory in a row beating Katie McSweeney in the final. Kloe Wood from Goleen took 3rd place.
U14 Denis Mullane from Thules Tipperary confirmed his top placing when he defeated Ian Shellard in the final, Ian who is still U12 took his 2nd silver medal of the weekend while Shane Minogue also from Tipperary finished 3rd.
There were a number of surprises in the U17 Junior events with Mike Spitere showing once again that West Cork is a good hunting ground for this Ballincollig lad. Mike defeated team-mate and current Munster No.1 Eoin Hegarty in the final with Kinneigh and Clonakilty based player Alan Hurley taking the 3rd place finish. The girls final between Rachel O'Connor and Anna D'Arcy saw Anna take the first set but then she was unable to maintain this a lost the next three. Anna was eventually rewarded with an excellent win in the Ladies when she took 3rd place from Rachel. Yvonne Hurley put in her best performance of the season beating Andrea Shorten for 3rd place in the junior girls.
The Vets saw another upset and a the best performance from any player has to go to Philip Shaw from Cork as he turned the event on its head and in the best final of the weekend took the first two sets from Senior Finalist Tom Elliot. Tom fought back to draw things level at 2 all. With big hits coming in from both players and a couple of amazing counter attacks by Philip against Tom's blasting forehand it all came down to the wire and in a thrilling final rally Philip took his first ever Munster Vets Title.
The next Munster Rankings are on the 30th of November so there is plenty of time to get in that practice!
Beech Hill Munster Ranking Sept 14/15
1 st Munster Rankings of the season took place at the Beech Hill Club in Cork. This is the first time that the club has attempted to run an event and it proved a great success. A new computerised system was piloted at the event and it is hoped that this will continue to be improved upon.
U10s
The U10s entry was expectedly small so early in the season. Aisling O'Callaghan (Kinneigh) continued her winning ways taking her second U10 title while newcomer Cliodhna Kelly (Beech Hill) playing in her first ever Munster tournament took second place. Aisling Healy (Ballincollig) competing in her second season took third with debutante Cliona O'Shaughnessy (Beech Hill) finished 4th.
The top three boys all competed last season and the competition appear even closer this year. Last year's West Cork Open Champion Scott Shellard (Ballincollig) has started the season extremely well topping the rankings at this early stage. He is sure not to have it all his own way with Aidan Grabb (Ballincollig) and Jonathan Reidmuller (Kinneigh) challenging for top honours. Debutante Donncha Gleeson finished 4th.
U12s
No.1 seed Ruth Corcoran (Kinneigh) took full advantage of a couple of absentees to take a well-deserved 1st place in the U12s with new prospective Beech Hill stars Cliodhna Kelly and Maedhbh Kelly taking 2nd & 3rd.
Ross Griffin (Spanish Point, Co. Clare) continues his winning ways from last season and again starts the season well fending off both Darren Cassey (Ballincollig) and Ian Shellard (Ballincollig). Eoin O'Callaghan (Kinneigh) completed the top 4. Even at this early stage the U12 Boys looks like it will be a closely fought affair.
U14s
Andrea Shorten (Kinneigh/Celtic) has been unbeaten in Munster for over a year but it was as close as it could be against Jessica Kelleher (Beech Hill) going to 3 deuces before Andrea took the last set. Katie McSweeney (Beech Hill) and Sarah Kelleher (Beech Hill) make up the top 4 girls. A close competition looks likely with both Marie McSweeney 5th (Kinneigh) & Janna Bailey 6th (Goleen) showing good early form.
Denis Mullane (Thurles CBS) last years No.2 repeated his success at North Monastery last season taking his second ever Munster title. Ian Shellard & Aaron Kelleher took 2nd & 3rd with Shane Minogue (Thurles CBS) finishing 4th his highest ever finish and a big improvement from last season.
U17s
Rachel O'Connor (Beech Hill/ TIBHAR) took her first U17 Munster title in fine style over the weekend, defeating Anna D'Arcy (Beech Hill) with the welcome return of Jenna Mehigan-Collins (Bruce College) in 3rd and surprise semi finalist Rebecca Shorten (Kinneigh). This looks as though it could be a closely fought competition this year with 18 entries already so far.
The girls' result could have been expected but there was a surprise in store in the boys' event. 2nd seed Mike Spitere (Ballincollig) lost in the first round to Eoin Hegarty (Ballincollig). Eoin went on to beat Alan Hurley (Kinneigh) in the semi final and also defeated Killian Healy (Ballincollig) in the final. This left David Buckley (Ballincollig) in 4th and Spitere moving to 5th. There will be fireworks at the next rankings for sure!
Seniors
Louise Long (Beech Hill) took top points at her home club of Beech Hill over club mate Linda O'Sullivan; Rachel O'Connor made it a clean sweep of Beech Hill ladies. Emma Jane Helen (Kinneigh/TIBHAR) who had a poor U17 event (5th) made up some ground beating an in form Sandra Morris to finish 4th.
There is a new face in town and his name is Milos Soukup, originally from the Czech Republic Milos surprised most of the senior entry when he took the first title of the season. Eoin Hegarty completed his excellent first event of the season finishing second. Munster vet Philip Shaw (Beech Hill) showed the youngsters a thing or two taking the third spot with Alan Hurley (Kinneigh) also showing good early season form with 4th.