Minority Sports – Table Tennis, Hockey, Badminton, Rowing Volleyball

TABLE TENNIS: A first ever victory for the Irish women’s team proved the highlight of Six Nations International in England.

The team of Amanda Mogey and Ashley Givan proved unstoppable, first dismissing Wales in a tense match that went all the way. Next up was the might of England, consisting of the country’s No 3 and 4 players Hannah Hicks and Emma Bates. Going into the match, the Irish knew that if they could take both their singles matches against Bates and win the doubles, they wwere on for victory. Mogey duly hammered Bates for a straight sets win and then teamed up with Givan to beat the Welsh girls in a thrilling doubles. It was now all down to Givan in the second singles against Bates and she did not disappoint. The Irish then beat Scotland to ensure that the title came to Ieland for the first ever time.  

while a win for Paul McCreery proved crucial in the men’s 3-2 victory.

In the men’s tournament, the Irish  team of Paul McCreery and Ashley Robisnons did well to beat Wales, but then faced the unstoppable England pairing of Darius Knight and Chris Doran, losing 3-0. They then beat Scotland to take the silver medals on a great weekend for Irish table tennis. In the individual competition, Paul McCreery progressed to the semi-finals where he came up against Darius Knight, losing 1-3, while Amanda Mogey made the quarter-finals and stand-in Irish captain Gavan Maguire won the consolation final.

DUBLIN TO HOST OLYMPICS HOCKEY QUALIFIER 

HOCKEY: Dublin will host a men’s Olympic hockey eliminator next March, boosting Irish hopes of qualifying a team for London 2012. With home advantage, the Irish must beat teams from Ireland, Korea, Malaysia, Russia, Chile and Ukraine next March at UCD if they are to make it.

For their eliminator the Irish women’s team travel to Belgium, also in March where the top seed is Spain. They will also taking one the much improved side from the host national Belgium as well Russia, France and Mexico.

AS part of their preparation, the Irish squad travels to Argentina next month for an 11-day tour. With big names Emma Clarke, Emma Smyth and Nikki Symmons unavailable, coach Gene Muller has brought in UCD stars Anna O’Flanagan – the top scorer in Leinster so far this term – and Niamh Atcheler. Nicci Daly, Nikki Evans and Slough’s Hannah Bowe are all back in the squad.

The Irish women will play South Africa, India and Argentina.
* The Irish Hockey Association is keen to hear from young people about their experience in hockey. The survey is not only aimed at current players but also hopes to get the views of players who have left the sport before the age of 18. See the Irish Hockey website for details.

MAGEE SETS SIGHTS ON LONDON 2012

BADMINTON: A place at next year’s Olympic Games is at stake for Irish No 1 Chloe Magee when she plays in next month’s Yonex Irish International Badminton Championships in Lisburn. Magee, currently ranked 49th in the world, needs to make the quarter-finals if she is to book her place at London 2012.  Also hoping to qualify are Scott Evans, who made the final in 2008 and is currently world ranked 72nd and Sam Magee, who is playing mixed doubles with sister Chloe; the pair are currently world ranked 35th and seeded No 1 for Lisburn. 

With ranking points for London 2012 on offer and a $15,0000 prize pot, around 200 elite players from 20 nations are expected to compete in Lisburn. The championships, from December 8-11, return north of the border as part of Ulster Badminton’s centenary celebrations.
* Sam and Chloe Magee, the No 1 seeds, lived up to their billing when they won  Norwegian Open mixed doubles title  in Oslo, Norway over the weekend.
The result is a great boost for their hopes of Olympic qualification, securing their position as first reserves for London 2012. Earlier in the day Chloe lost in the final of the women’s singles after two hard fought sets and is now virtually certain to qualify for a second Olympic Games.
Still in with a chance is Scott Evans, who competes in the Scottish Open next week before heading for Lisburn.

INDOOR ROWING TITLE FOR NEALE

ROWING: UCD’s David Neale won the men’s open title at the Irish Indoor Rowing Championships in Trinity College’s sports centre. Neale’s time of 6 minutes 1.5 seconds was outside the Irish record of 5:59.3, set by Cork oarsman Eamonn Joyce a few years ago. After a break from the sport, Joyce was back in action last weekend and finished second, although his time of 6:12.6 was well outside his previous best.

Making it a UCD double was Amy Bulman who won the women’s title with a time of 7:20.1.

Neptune’s David Brett won the U-23 class with a time of 6:18.4, while Philip Healy a 42 year old veteran clocked a time of 6 minutes 22.1 seconds to win the men’s lightweight title.

In the over 70 class, 81 year old Richard Morgan from Shandon BC set a new Irish record of 8:35.1. Around 400 rowers, aged 12 to 20, took part in the competition.  

AER LINGUS TO TAKE OVER ON TOP? 

VOLLEYBALL: Victories over Santry and Naas Cobras should put defending champions Aer Lingus top of the volleyball women’s premierships next weekend. At the moment, Aer Lingus lies third on the table behind DVC and  Naas Cobras, but have a crucial  match in hand and are unbeaten in their three matches so far this season. DVC lost crucial points in a 2-3 defeat by UCD, while Naas lost in straight sets to Santry. 

A lot less clear is the men’s premiership, with Aer Lingus hit by a number of retirements but still managing to beat arch rivals Ballymum Patriots in their opening match of the season. Aer Lingus face defending league champions Munster Thunder next weekends, although the Limerick-based side has yet to find its feet this season.