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Leinster Grand Prix: Event Review

23 October 2009

An exciting weekend of table tennis took place at the Leinster Grand Prix on the weekend of 17/18 October at ALSAA, Dublin Airport. A full program of events included 4 mens banded events, 2 womens banded events, separate mens and womens Open singles and U21 events, a restricted singles and a veterans event. 

Spectators were treated to superb displays of table tennis throughout the weekend including the Mens Open final featuring Paul McCreery and John Murphy.  McCreery had defeated Conor Nolan in his semi-final, with Murphy getting the better of Sam Hanley in the other semi.  The stage was set for a fantastic battle and the crowd were not disappointed.

McCreery took an early two set lead in a confident display and looked like taking the title until Murphy fought his way back to level the match at 2-2, with the players trading high quality topspin shots on forehand and backhand throughout the match.  McCreery went ahead again 6-1 in the final set but Murphy had other ideas and fought back with aggressive counters at crucial stages, finally winning out 11-9 in the final set of one of the best matches of the last few years.

The womens open final proved to be an equally engaging contest between Amanda Mogey and Rita Kascandi.  Amanda had fought back from a rare first round defeat in the groups to reach the final, with her game sharpening throughout the day.  The final was a hard fought encounter with both players displaying great speed and skill.  Rita's ability to launch fast attacks off any loose ball proved to be the decisive factor which she won 3-1 in the end, but with both players having much to be pleased about.

The mens banded events were full of top quality table tennis with Rory Scott defeating Keith Knox in the final of Band 1.  Shi Zhao Li won the Band 2 event with Artur Lewanczuk taking the Band 3, and Niall McDonnell of UCD taking Band 4.  Mayo's Sarah Timlin won both of the womens banded events, defeating Kathleen Reynolds in the final of Band 1 and Lavinia Maties in the Band 2 final.

The restricted singles event was won by Artur Lewanczuk and the final of the veterans event proved to be interesting encounter with Anthony Redmond taking the title in a five set contest with Dave Pemberton.

In the u21 events, Claire Nelson defeated Ashley Givan in the womens final, with Paul McCreery taking the mens title with a win against Sam Logue in the final.

The Leinster Grand Prix proved to be a very successful weekend again this year, both in terms of the quality of table tennis played and the overall organisation of the event, and credit is due to all of those involved in making it happen.

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