The 2014 Butterfly Irish National Table Tennis Championships will take place in the fine setting of the University of Limerick this weekend (March 1st-2nd). Over 200 entries from all over Ireland will battle it out in order to claim one of the twelve Iris,
The 2014 Butterfly Irish National Table Tennis Championships will take place in the fine setting of the University of Limerick this weekend (March 1st-2nd). Over 200 entries from all over Ireland will battle it out in order to claim one of the twelve Irish National Championship titles that are up for grabs.
The Eddie Limberg Perpetual trophies for the Men’s and Women’s Singles competitions will be the most coveted prizes of the weekend.
Last year saw Paul MCCREERY take his first ever Men’s Singles title; Paul, based in Nottingham at university, will be the number 2 seed and has every chance to make it back to back titles. John MURPHY has won 5 out of 7 titles since 2007 and this year he takes the top seeding. Gavin MAGUIRE has one title from 2009; MAGUIRE had a fantastic win over the Welsh Wizard Ryan JENKINS at the Munster Open this year. Gavin is in his second year playing professionally in the German league and this experience has him playing the best table tennis of his career. Ashley ROBINSON is now also playing professionally with Gavin in Germany and will be keen to show he has what it takes to win his maiden National Senior title. Ryan FARRELL will be the youngster to watch, Farrell is in fantastic form and was recently selected for his first World Senior Championships and maybe 2014 is his year. Peter GRAHAM, Connacht Open Champion, is also a major threat and this trip to the west of Ireland could let him get his first National Senior title. There are plenty of other players who fancy their chances in Limerick including Sam LOGUE, Daryl STRONG, Tibor POFOK, Declan O’BRIEN and Tom DAVIS.
Irish Women’s table tennis could see some big battles this weekend with the two on-form youngsters, Katie MCGLONE and Hannah LYNCH-DAWSON, both who have tasted success around the senior circuit this year keen to add a National Senior Title to their ever growing trophy cabinets. However Ashley GIVAN last year won her third championship at just 18 years of age, she has several caps for Ireland and will be keen to use her experience to add a fourth. The Women’s Singles sees a welcomed return for 3 times National Champion and former No. 1 Amanda MOGEY who has been struggling for injury over the past year. Amanda last won in 2012 and will be looking to win back the coveted title. There is no shortage of challengers ready to knock them off their perches, including Marta ZAREBA, Emma LUDLOW and Sarah TIMLIN.
The other events will see several battles as the holders look to retain their titles. The tournament referee is Con O’CEADAIGH.
List of Events and current holders:
Men’s Singles (Eddie Limberg Perpetual Trophy) – Paul McCreery Women’s Singles (Eddie Limberg Perpetual Trophy) – Ashley Givan Veterans Singles – Daryl Strong Under 21 Mens Singles – Paul McCreery Under 21 Ladies Singles – Sarah Timlin Men’s Wheelchair Singles – Ronan Rooney Ladies Wheelchair Singles – Kathleen Reynolds Class II Singles – Geoffrey O’Connor Men’s Doubles – Paul McCreery and John Murphy Ladies Doubles – Ashley Givan and Amanda Mogey Wheelchair Doubles – Philip Quinlan and Ronan Rooney Mixed Doubles – Amanda Mogey and Paul McCeery
