News
Junior Interprovincials 2010
27 April 2010
Competitors from the four corners of Ireland will gather at the Lakeland Forum, Enniskillen to compete in the Junior Interprovincial Championships on 1st May. The Championships have been organised by the Fermanagh Table Tennis Association in conjunction with Table Tennis Ulster and Fermanagh District Council who have very kindly agreed to sponsor this years Championships.
Six titles are up for grabs – last year Ulster took three of the six plus the overall Victor Barna Memorial Shield, with Leinster winning two and Munster recording a sole victory in the Cadet Girls event.
Boys Events
In the Junior Boys, Ulster with Paul McCreery and Ashley Robinson leading the team will expect to dominate. Leinster Under 17’s will look to challenge and have some good players in their squad, not least Maciek Syzmanski of St.John’s who was part of the winning Leinster team in 2009.
In the Cadets, again it looks to be a Leinster/Ulster battle for the title. Ulster are reigning champions, and with Irish Number 2 Neil Irwin (Tyrone) in fantastic form after his recent exploits playing for TV Hude in the German Youth League and his silver medal at the Irish Junior National Championships, they will fancy their chances. Leinster look very strong in this category however, with Ryan Farrell the new Cadet National Champion in good form at present and Kevin Hutchinson who also won gold in the Under 12’s at the Nationals joined by ALSAA’s Ciaran Kelly and Club Donic’s Conor Mullally.
At Under 12 Level, Ulster are spearheaded by Clogher player Jonathan Porter. Porter is ably assisted by his Irish Primary School team members Ryan McConkey (Monaghan) and Mark Gordon (Fivemiletown) with all three players recently competing for Ireland at the Six Nations Primary Schools Championships. Eric Sheckleton (Monaghan) completes the team. This experience should stand them in good stead against the might of Leinster and Munster.
Girls Events
At Junior Level, Leinster will look to take Ulster’s title of 2009 from the hosts, and have a fine team led by Junior and Under 21 National Champion Sara Dolan, who is joined by Rebecca Kenny, Sarah Byrne and Lavinia Maties – they are strong favourites here.
In the Cadets, Munster may just fancy their chances of repeating last year’s victory. Ben Haughton is NPC of a team that includes Edel O’Reilly and Sarah Cooney – sure to be a match for any team. Ulster are also strong contenders here and in Ashley Givan have the top Cadet player in the country at present, backed by Annalise Walker and Emma Ludlow.
At Under 12 Level, it is a case of Sister Act as Leinster have selected Elayna and Katie McGlone, while Ulster include the Finn sisters – Rebecca and Laura. With Eadaoin Dolan and Amy-Lou Hayes rounding off the Leinster team and Hannah-Lynch Dawson and Emma McSorley joining the Finn sisters – it is difficult to pick a winner here. Munster’s Valentina Pudtkalis is also developing into a fine player and may lead a Munster charge.
Once again, Connaught will look to be competitive at all age groups With some very promising players at Under 12 level a testament to the development work that is currently ongoing in the West, perhaps they can spring a major shock here.
With so many talented players in action, and so many exciting battles at every age group between the four provinces, this tournament promises to be an exciting climax to the domestic season. Parents/Spectators are very welcome to come cheer their teams on at the Lakeland Forum, Enniskillen with the first match scheduled for 9.30am.
