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Munster Special Olympic Table Tennis Residential Games 2007
The Munster Special Olympic Games were held over the weekend of June 16th-17th. Table Tennis combined with Basketball and Gymnastics for the first time as part of a mini-residential games. The athletes were treated to an opening ceremony at the Neptune Stadium in Cork and were then bussed out to their different venues. The table tennis was once again held at what I believe to be the most aesthetically pleasing venue in the country, the Cope Foundation's John Birmingham Centre in Glasheen. The two hall are divided by a stunning in door garden including a bridge over a flowing stream and pools with fish swimming away. The perfect place to relax before the competition and to share lunch.

The first morning saw all the divisioning for the various events with both skills and singles matches being played. The volunteers were out in full force and a special thanks to all the mainstream clubs that helped out including Beech Hill, Ballincollig, Macroom and other West Cork clubs. The sponsors Johnson and Johnson staffed the registration and the a number of other important jobs and by the end of the weekend many were umpiring some of the matches.

After a good lunch the matches started in earnest. The event usually played before Christmas saw a big drop in numbers with so many of the centres stretched across the three sports. This meant the event was played in a calm and relaxed manner with all the matches running smoothly thanks to the tournament team at the main desk. Marie, Ami, Alice Ann and Noelle did a brilliant job and efficiently dealt with all the matches and results. All the results themselves will be published when available.

I took my family along this year to show them where "dad" works. The kids were spoilt rotten by the volunteers and my lad James was delighted to be able to knock up with Irish Special Olympians Sharon O'Brien and Margaret Carey. I would highly recommend visiting the event with everyone so friendly and some exciting matches to watch it was a great afternoon's entertainment.

With all the skills and the singles events finished by the first day the players returned to their accommodation where the much more important preparation for the social disco started! After an excellent super at UCC players either joined in the dancing or watch the very tense draw between Tipperary and Limerick.

With the doubles finishing off the day's event on the Sunday there were also a number of other challenges that took place between a couple of the Johnson and Johnson volunteers and a match between Michael Cummins of the Cope Foundation and Simon Courveny our visiting politician. Simon both players played from a chair, Michael won a fun match 15/13.

Even with numbers down it was a great success with the event running smoothly and the evening's entertainment enjoyable, this was only achieved because of all the hard work from the volunteers, great table tennis from the players and the support of all the coaches, families and friends and the organising team of Terence McSweeney, and Phyllis Naughton, while as Head Coach I just stand around and try and find useful jobs to do!

The next Munster Table Tennis Games are due for the 1st December and we hope we will see you all there again!

Munster players, China bound
Preparations for the 2007 Special Olympic World Games have begun. The games will be held in Shanghai in the Peoples Republic of China. Shanghai is the largest economic centre in China with a population of 20 million people. Shanghai has 19 Districts and each district will host one of the 25 sports in 33 different sporting venues, four of the sports being demonstration events (Dragon & Lion Dancing, Dragon Boat, Cricket and Motor Activities Training Programme).

Ireland will travel with 143 athletes and 55 coaches, medical staff and administration. The total expected cost will be in the region of 555,000 euro which will be raised through the "Support an Athlete" program and with the assistance of the Irish Sports Council.

Two Cork and Munster athletes will be included in the 8 player table tennis squad, Pat Dorgan of the COPE Foundation, Montenotte and Sharon O'Brien from St. Joseph's, Charleville. Owen Kelly from Goleen in West Cork has been selected as the Head Coach. Owen Kelly is a very experienced coach who has been the Munster SO Head Coach for the last few years. Emma Smyth from Waterford will also be travelling as the female chaperone/coach along with male chaperone/coach Jim Kelly. Jim was Head Coach for the Eastern Regional at the last National Games.

Owen Kelly outlined the program which will consist of a number of training camps between now and when the team flies out to China.

"As a team we are focused on developing the ability of each of the squad so that everyone will be able to perform to the best of their ability. I have been asked for predictions and whether we will see gold medals and I am reluctant to answer."

"It is the ethos of Special Olympics that every athlete has a fair and equal opportunity to win medals and this is what attracts me to an organisation like Special Olympics, I only wish we could develop such a situation in the mainstream, especially with the younger players.

"I see my job as enabling each member of the squad to being the best we can be and representing Ireland with pride."

FUN AND GAMES IN CORK 2/12/06
A Munster Special Olympic Fun Day was held at the COPE Foundation in Montenotte, Cork. The morning brought together main stream players and coaches along with representatives from services that were considering starting a table tennis program in their centres. The organisers were delighted to see so many showing an interest in the sport. It is hoped that at least two new centres from Waterford and Cork will develop new programs after Christmas.

Once again there was tremendous support shown by the Munster main stream players with representatives from nearly all the major clubs in the region. It is hoped that the Munster Special Olympic program will continue to expand and with the continued support from the main stream the future looks very bright indeed.

The session included an opportunity for those attending to familiarise themselves with the table tennis skills event and how to time, score and organise such an event. With many new players being encouraged to participate it is expected that this may well be a high growth area and the importance of experienced and accurate feeders was highlighted at the National Games.

The other main part of the session was an opportunity to learn how to introduce service, including the main rules and some "fun" games' in order to develop this skill. There were a number of games and competitions that everyone joined in with great enthusiasm.

The Munster Special Olympic Games were originally scheduled for this date but with table tennis due to take part in a planned "mini" residential games in June the event was postponed and the "Fun Day" organised instead. The event, combining training, volunteer recruitment and an introduction to the sport and the day proved a great success.

Organisers Owen Kelly, Terence McSweeney and Sports Co-ordinator Phyllis Naughton were delighted with the turn out and will be considering running another similar event in the future. A special thanks the Munster Branch, with both the Chairman Martin Hurley and Secretary Noelle Buckley attending and supporting the event.

MUNSTER SPECIAL OLYMPIC SQUAD 2006

The Special Olympics 2006 Ireland Games
Smiles, tears, joy and celebration, a roller coaster ride of emotion for athletes, coaches family members, organisers and volunteers, goes only some way to describe the Special Olympics 2006 Ireland Games held in Belfast over 5 days, from the 21st to the 25th of June.

I had the privilege to travel once again as the Head Coach for Munster Table Tennis, I had a squad of 21 players competing at skills, singles and doubles and a team of 6 coaches. Athletes and coaches have been preparing for this event since the 2005 Munster Special Olympic Games where the gold medal winners were selected for the squad from each of the divisions and events.

This was a mammoth task and the level of support I get from everyone involved un Munster is extraordinary. Special Olympics is special and I have learnt more about table tennis and what a difference it can make in peoples lives in the last 7 years working in Special Olympics than I have in the 25 years I have been involved in the main stream side of the sport.

Cork StationBeing part of a 450 member Munster squad travelling to Belfast is an experience I will never forget. We had our own "special" train that was sent off from Cork, with a platform full of supporters, including the major and the press. Travelling up we collected more and more athletes and coaches as the squad grew in Mallow, Limerick Junction, and Thurles. The excitement, the singing and the all round atmosphere was mighty. We didn't have to change in Dublin due to the help and support of the railway and a tide of red, blue and white swept into Belfast station. We were met at the station by yellow and blue shirted volunteers who greeted us with a smile that lasted all five days. The feelings were genuine and the feelings were shared.

That night we were treated to the opening ceremony and as more Munster athletes arrived by car, plane and coach the size of the undertaking really hit home. Certainly from a Munster point of view the amount of work that our organisers managed to cover is a major feat in itself, multiply that by the 5 regions and it really is an extraordinary administrative accomplishment that took place.

We were the last region into the Odysse and the roar of the crowd and the colour made me feel that we were like the ancient Greek athletes entering the arena in the pages of my old history books. It was a great show and would deserve a review of its own, hopefully some of you saw it on the TV.

The second day the divisioning started, this is the process by which the athletes are grouped depending on their ability, age and gender. It is a complicated process but tries to ensure the fairest opportunity for each athlete to compete against athletes of similar standard. There were a number of familiar faces from mainstream table tennis, I don't know everyone but it was great to see the likes of Arthur Brett, Lu Na, Tony Philips and Ted Mahaffy involved in the organising and Kevin Delvany was up along with a squad of Connaught players.

Like all events there were a few teething problems and this would not be the place to review them but by the time the competition started on the Friday everything was set for some exciting matches and we were certainly not let down.

As you can imagine there is a huge range of ability on display and due to the divisioning a great deal of matches are close fought and tense. A number of matches displayed an extremely high technical skill. One match I watch between two Munster Women, Margaret Carey and Rebecca Bourke will rank as one of the best table tennis matches I have ever seen. It had it all! With Rebecca going 2 sets up and Margaret fighting back to level the score. The fifth set was nail biting with Margaret eventually winning 18/16. If ever there was a case for a draw in table tennis this was it!

Special Olympics is truly not all about the winner, the medal ceremonies in my mind are a celebration of accomplishment. Whether yours is a 5th place ribbon or a gold medal the crowd reflects the enormous achievement of all these athletes to overcome huge hurdles and many of who, train and work as hard as any mainstream athlete at their chosen event.

The Skill events on the Saturday were some of the best run I have witnessed, given centre stage it was possible to watch each event as athletes competed in hand bounce, bat bounce, individual strokes and service skills. The appreciative crowd cheered each athlete as they completed each skill.

Closing CeremonySunday saw the finals of the mixed doubles event and once again there was some great competition and drama. The presentations and the closing ceremony could not fail to move you. This was a meeting of so many people from so many walks of life pulling together for the benefit of all. It is the athletes who are at the centre of this process, they must be our focus and it is the responsibility of each of us to provide the best possible experience for them. But out of this comes so much in return. I asked a number of volunteers if they had enjoyed themselves all said they had and one simply put it as the best experience of his life.

So the games came to a close and we all made it back to our special train. As we drew closer to the border of Munster thoughts of home, lack of sleep and mixed emotions we began saying our fair wells to the athletes and then they were greeted on the platform by family and friends.

The train appeared almost empty as we pulled into Kent station in Cork. Once again there was a good crowd of well wishes on the platform. Most of the Munster Management team stayed on to make sure everything went to plan up to the final moment. Thanks Patricia, Sean, Yanna, Ger, Mary, Myra, Ann and so many more, once again my life has been touched and my faith in the best of human nature has been shored up against what the world has to throw against it.

I will be putting the results and some photos up when I get back, but I'm off once again first to Dublin to try and move the Level 2 Syllabus on and then to Wales for some much needed "family" time. See you when I get back.

Munster Squad Training
Munster Squad

The Munster Special Olympic Table Tennis Squad under the guidance of Terence McSweeney, Phyllis Naughton and Owen Kelly came together at the COPE Foundation, Montenotte. The squad is preparing for the National Games to be held in Belfast in June. The squad, made up of the medal winners from the 14 affiliates of Munster Special Olympic Table Tennis

The session focused on tactical and strategic development as well as skills assessment for the players taking part. The Munster SOTT Committee would like to thank Beech Hill TTC who once again provided support for the event. The close relationship between Special Olympics, Cork TTA, WCTTA and the Munster Branch has helped assist the development and provided much enjoyment to all who have been involved.

Munster Coach Owen Kelly was delighted with the progress that the players have made over the last few years and there has been a definite raising of standards across the board. This has to be put down to the work that the centres have done and the time and effort shown by the volunteers and players alike. The next training is scheduled for the 22nd March.

Munster Special Olympics Training 26/1/06
Munster Squad Training will take place on Wednesday Feb 1st, 10.00hrs - 12.00hrs, Beech Hill TTC, Montenotte. Session led by Munster Coach Owen Kelly.

This is an opportunity for players and coaches to get to know each other better, so it is very important that we have full attendance by all athletes and coaches at the session.

In previous workshops and training sessions we have focused on basic technical skills and for players competiting in singles and doubles: this next session will introduce basic tactics and game strategy.

Skills players will have an opportunity to practice their skill events and to have their scores measured.

Please consider what you regard as your athlete's performance strengths and weaknesses and have questions prepared for Owen.

Apologies for short notice and look forward to seeing you on the 1st.

Lunch will be available in Beech Hill canteen for approx. %Euro. Terence needs to know numbers by Friday 28th.

Please remember to bring your bat, small towel, and water.

Please bring relevant medical and parental consent forms with you on the day.

Table Tennis Committee: Phyllis Naughton, Owen Kelly and Terence McSweeney.
Contact Terence re queries about training session 021-4507131

The Munster Special Olympic Table Tennis Championships 2005. Download Full Results
Here...

The Munster Special Olympic Table Tennis Championships 2005 by Kim Sin Yap

The Munster Special Olympics table tennis tournament was staged at John Birmingham Centre, Cope Foundation, Glasheen, Cork.

Nine teams throughout Munster participated in this exciting tournament which saw Cope Foundation of Cork City grabbed nine gold medals to emerge as champions. Tipperary Special Olympic club followed closely behind in second spot with six gold medals. The rest of the teams which collected gold medals were Co-Action Bantry, Brothers of Charity Ennis, St. Joseph's Charleville, Laochra Arann, Waterford Special Olympic Club, Carriglea and Limerick Special Olympic Club.

The star performers were the Cope Foundation's quartet of Alice Rowell, Stephen Kelleher, Pat Dorgan and Teddy O'Connor with two gold medals each in singles and doubles events. Ronan Keane of Brothers of Charity Ennis, Emily Meagher of Co-Action Bantry, Carriglea's Hanna Guina and Laochra Arann's Rebecca Bourke were added to the list as they picked up two gold medals too. Two teams made a clean sweep of all the medals with Cope Foundation in the Women's Singles - group six event whilst St.Joseph's, Charleville in the mixed doubles - group three.

This tournament served as a good warm-up for players who have been selected to represent Munster at the national level tournament to be held in June next year. This is a crucial tournament for the players as selection for the Irish team to the 2007 World Games in China will be based here.

Tournament organisers comprising Phyllis Naughton, Owen Kelly, Rory O'Connor and Terence McSweeney have put in great effort to run this tournament with immense success. The organisers expressed gratitude to all the volunteers who have helped out in umpiring. This further enhanced the success of the tournament. "We would like to thank the volunteers from Cork Table Tennis Association and young players from Beech Hill and Ballincollig who did an excellent job," said Terence McSweeney. Councillor Jerry Buttimer who represented the Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Deirdre Clune officially opened the tournament. Prior to that, Sean Abbott who is the Cope Foundation Head of Client Services made a welcome speech.

The Munster Special Olympic Table Tennis Championships 2004
. . .
. . .
SKILLS 1    
Gold Thomas Byrd BOC Tipp. South
Silver Marcus Hartnett St. Joseph’s Charleville
Bronze Conor McCarthy Co – Action, Bantry
4th place Brendan Hanley Co – Action, Bantry
SKILLS 2    
Gold Joan Hartney BOC Ennis
Silver Timo Zahl Co – Action, Bantry
Bronze Gerard Daly BOC Ennis
SKILLS 3    
Gold Chriss Mannering Co – Action, Bantry
Silver Seán Healy Co – Action, Bantry
SKILLS 4    
Gold John Joseph Walsh BOC Tipp. South
Silver Julie Collins Co – Action, Bantry
Bronze Martin O’Mahoney Co – Action, Bantry
SKILLS 5A    
Gold Martin Egan BOC Tipp. South
Silver Johnny Hedigan Cope Foundation
SKILLS 5B    
Gold Breda Roche Carriglea, Dungarvan
Silver Paddy Foley BOC Tipp. South
SKILLS 6    
Gold Margaret Costello Cope Foundation
     
LADIES GROUP 1    
Gold Margaret Carey BOC Tipp. South
Silver Carmel Heinz St. Joseph’s Charleville
Bronze Doreen McGreevey Cope Foundation
LADIES GROUP 2    
Gold Claire Barrett Cope Foundation
Silver Michelle Benham Co- Action
Bronze Ann Byrnes St. Joseph’s Charleville
LADIES GROUP 3    
Gold Patricia Groarke Cope Foundation
Silver Hanna Guina Carriglea
Bronze Catherine McCarthy BOC Tipp. South
LADIES GROUP 4    
Gold Jane Foley Cope Foundation
Silver Sharon O’Brien St. Joseph’s Charleville
LADIES GROUP 5    
Gold Catherine O’Flynn St. Joseph’s Charleville
Silver Jennifer Murphy St. Joseph’s Charleville
Bronze Ester Power Carriglea
4th place Sheila O’Sullivan BOC Tipp. South
LADIES GROUP 6    
Gold Deborah Scanlan St. Joseph’s Charleville
Silver Alice Rowell Cope Foundation
Bronze Mary McNally Carriglea
4th place Bernadette Dunne BOC Tipp. South
     
MENS GROUP 1    
Gold Ronan Keane BOC Ennis
Silver Michael Cummins Cope Foundation
Bronze Adrian O’Neill BOC Ennis
4th place Joseph Brennan St. Joseph’s Charleville
MENS GROUP 2    
Gold Stephen Kelleher Cope Foundation
Silver Declan Hayes BOC Ennis
Bronze PJ Purcell BOC Waterford
4th place Denis Twomey St. Joseph’s Charleville
MENS GROUP 3    
Gold William Naughton Tipp SO Clubs
Silver Michael O’Grady Co- Action
Bronze Ger Connolly BOC Waterford
4th place Ross Kelly BOC Ennis
MENS GROUP 4    
Gold Declan Clohessy BOC Ennis
Silver John Ryan BOC Ennis
Bronze Sean Nestor BOC Ennis
4th place Alan Burke Co- Action
MENS GROUP 5    
Gold Jerry McCarthy Co- Action
Silver John Whelan Cope Foundation
Bronze John O’Connor St. Joseph’s Charleville
MENS GROUP 6    
Gold Teddy McCarthy Cope Foundation
Silver Pat Dorgan Cope Foundation
Bronze Gerry Coakley Cope Foundation
     
LADIES DOUBLES GROUP 1    
Gold Margaret Carey /Carmel Heinz Tipp SO Club/St. Joseph’s, Charleville
Silver Ann Burns /Deborah Scanlan St. Joseph’s, Charleville
Bronze Patricia Groarke/Doreen McGreevey Cope Foundation
LADIES DOUBLES GROUP 2    
Gold Ester Power /Hanna Guina Carriglea
Silver Catherine O’Flynn /Sharon O’Brien St. Joseph’s, Charleville
Bronze Jennifer Murphy/Claire Barrett Cope Foundation
4th Place Jane Foley/Alice Rowell Cope Foundation
     
MENS DOUBLES GROUP 1    
Gold Michael Cummins/Teddy O’Connor Cope Foundation
Silver Adrian O’Neill /Ronan Keane BOC Ennis
Bronze John O’Connor/Denis Twomey St. Joseph’s, Charleville
MENS DOUBLES GROUP 2    
Gold Pat Dorgan/Stephen Kelleher Cope Foundation
Silver Joseph Brennan /William Naughton St. Joseph’s, Charleville/Tipp SO Clubs
Bronze John Whelan/Gerry Coakley Cope Foundation
4th Place John Ryan/Declan Hayes BOC Ennis
     
MIXED DOUBLES GROUP 1    
Gold Michael O’Grady/ Michelle Benham Co- Action
Silver Teddy O’Connor/ Claire Barrett Cope Foundation
Bronze Stephen Kelleher/Doreen McGreevey Cope Foundation
4th Place Denis Twomey/Carmel Heinz St. Joseph’s, Charleville
MIXED DOUBLES GROUP 2    
Gold Michael Cummins/Patricia Groarke Cope Foundation
Silver Joseph Brennan/ Deborah Scanlan St. Joseph’s, Charleville
Bronze John Whelan/ Jennifer Murphy Cope Foundation
MIXED DOUBLES GROUP 3    
Gold William Naughton/Ann Burns St. Joseph’s, Charleville/Tipp SO Clubs
Silver Gerry Coakley/Alice Rowell Cope Foundation
Bronze John O’Connor/Catherine O’Flynn St. Joseph’s, Charleville


The Munster Special Olympic Table Tennis Championships are being held at John Birmingham Centre, Cope Foundation, Glasheen, Cork on Saturday May 15th.

Special Olympics Munster says thank you for all the help
Munster Special Olympic Athletes with CoachesThe Munster players who represented Ireland at the World Games thanked all those, especially those within the Munster mainstream for their help and support during the lead up for the games. Ted O'Connor, Cope Foundation, Cork, Hanna Guina Carriglea, Waterford, Rebecca Bourke, Laochra Árran, Tipp, Emily Meagher CoAction, Bantry and Michael O'Grady, CoAction Bantry (Margaret Carey Nagle, Cashel, Tipp was unable to attend) presented Team Ireland Head Coach Arthur Brett with a memento of all their experiences together over the summer of 2003. In a short speech World Games Mixed Doubles gold medal winner Emily Meagher address the players, coaches and spectators at this year's Munster Open, Ireland's largest table tennis tournament.

In response Arthur Brett paid tribute to the athletes, coaches and families for their efforts in preparing the players for the experience of a lifetime. Commenting on the close relationship in Munster between the mainstream and Special Olympics he thanked the three administrators who collectively organise Special Olympic table tennis in Munster, Phyllis Naughton, Terence McSweeney and Owen Kelly.

The Mayor of Cork took the opportunity to congratulate the athletes on their achievements and encouraged all to sign up and become more involved with Special Olympic centres in their community. He also commented on the excellent facilities at Gurranabraher's Parochial Hall and described table tennis as cost effective and that support should be given within local communities where sport plays an ever more important role.

Munster Special Olympic were very grateful to the CTTA who facilitated the presentation by calling a general let in all matches in order for the athletes to be able to make their presentation and to Celtic Table Tennis for the gift they gave to each athlete.

Michael O'Grady: West Cork Sports Star
Michael O'Grady was awarded with the West Cork Sports person for the month of June. The award, a beautiful statue of the Children of Lir, sponsored by the Southern Star and Celtic Ross Hotel was made to Michael in Rosscarbery on Wednesday night in front of his family and friends.

Michael who won Gold, Silver and Bronze at the World Games is the first table tennis player to receive the award and only the second World Champion in the 3-year history of the awards. Michael paid tribute to his playing partners in the doubles and especially to his club-mate Emily Meagher with whom he won the Gold medal in the mixed doubles against a very good French pairing.

In a short speech Michael welcomed the opportunity to thank all those that had helped and supported him over the 3 year build up to the games. This included the Team Ireland Coach Arthur Brett, Munster Coach Owen Kelly and David Hayward and all those at CoAction, Bantry who have assisted him during this time.

Special Olympics at the Munster Open
Ted O’Connor, Cope Foundation, Cork, Hanna Guina, Carriglea, Waterford, Margaret Carey Nagle, Cashel, Tipperary, Rebecca Bourke, Laochra Árran, Tipperary, Emily Meagher & Michael O'Grady, CoAction, Bantry, West Cork are the 6 Munster athletes that will represent Ireland at the World Games during the Summer they were all honoured with a presentation of "Munster Special Achievement Awards" by the Mayor of Cork and the Munster Branch of the ITTA. The Award Ceremony took place in Cork during the Munster Open, the largest table tennis tournament in Ireland.

RESULTS FROM MUNSTER SPECIAL OLYMPIC GAMES, GLASHEEN, CORK, 7th December 2002.

LADIES SINGLES – GROUP 1
1ST PATRICIA GROARKE COPE FOUNDATION

2ND EMILY MEAGHAR CO - ACTION

3RD HANNA GUINA CARRIGLEA

4TH CATHERINE McCARTH NAGLE CENTRE

GROUP 2
1ST REBECCA BOURKE LAOCHRA ARANN

2ND MARGARET CAREY NAGLE CENTRE

3RD CATHERINE HEALY B.O.C. ENNIS

GROUP 3
1ST DOREEN McGREEVEY COPE FOUNDATION

2ND ESTER POWER CARRIGLEA

3RD KAREN LYNCH B.O.C. ENNIS

GROUP 4
1ST JENNIFER MURPHY COPE FOUNDATION

2ND MICHELLE BENHAM CO - ACTION

MENS GROUP 1
1ST STEPHEM KELLEHER COPE FOUNDATION

2ND KIERAN BYRNES LAOCHRA ARANN

3RD JOHN RYAN B.O.C. ENNIS

4TH DECLAN HAYES B.O.C. ENNIS

GROUP 2
1ST JERRY McCARTHY CO- ACTION

2ND JOHN WHELAN COPE FOUNDATION

3RD P.J. PURCELL WATERFORD

GROUP 3
1ST MICHAEL O’GRADY CO – ACTION

2ND MICHAEL CUMMINS COPE FOUNDATION

3RD J.J. ALLEN COPE FOUNDATION

4TH GER CONNOLLY WATERFORD

GROUP 4
1ST PAT DORGAN COPE FOUNDATION

2ND TEDDY O’CONNOR COPE FOUNDATION

3RD ROSS KELLY B.O.C. ENNIS

SKILLS GROUP 1
1st BREDA ROCHE CARRIGLEA

2ND ALICE ROWELL COPE FOUNDATION

GROUP 2
1ST CHRISTOPHER MANNERY CO - ACTION

2ND ALAN BURKE CO - ACTION

3RD MARTIN O’MAHONEY CO - ACTION

GROUP 3
1ST CAROLINE DOOLAN CO - ACTION

2ND DEIRDRE CULLOTY CO - ACTION

3RD JANE FOLEY COPE FOUNDATION

LADIES DOUBLES GROUP 1
1ST MARGARET CAREY + REBECCA BOURKE NAGLE CENTRE+ LAOCHRA ARANN

2ND PATRICIA GROARKE + DOREEN McGREEVEY COPE FOUNDATION

3RD ESTER POWER + HANNA GUINA CARRIGLEA

4TH CATHERINE HEALY + KAREN LYNCH B.O.C. ENNIS

MENS DOUBLES GROUP 1
1ST STEPHEN KELLEHER + PAT DORGAN COPE FOUNDATION

2ND MICHAEL O’GRADY + JERRY McCARTHY CO – ACTION

3RD JOHN RYAN + DECLAN HAYES B.O.C. ENNIS

GROUP 2
1ST MICHAEL CUMMINS + TEDDY O’CONNOR COPE FOUNDATION

2ND JOHN WHELAN + JOHN JOE ALLEN COPE FOUNDATION

3RD GER CONNOLLY + P.J. PURCELL WATERFORD

MIXED DOUBLES GROUP 1
1st TEDDY O’CONNOR + MARGARET CAREY COPE FOUNDATION + NAGLE CENTRE

2ND PAT DORGAN + REBECCA BOURKE COPE FOUNDATION + LAOCHRA ARANN

3RD DOREEN McGREEVEY + STEPHEN KELLEHER COPE FOUNDATION

4TH JOHN RYAN + CATHERINE HEALY B.O.C. ENNIS

GROUP 2
1ST MICHAEL CUMMINS + PATRICIA GROARKE COPE FOUNDATION

2ND EMILY MEAGHAR + MíCHAEL O’GRADY CO – ACTION

3RD JOHN JOE ALLEN + JENNIFER MURPHY COPE FOUNDATION

4TH DECLAN HAYES + KAREN LYNCH B.O.C. ENNIS

SPECIAL OLYMPICS
NATIONAL GAMES
DUBLIN 2002

Munster 2002 Squad


Medals:
Munster:Gold 325, Silver 405, Bronze 82, 4th Place 43, 5th Place 19, 6th Place 8.
Leinster: Gold 170, Silver 197, Bronze 146, 4th Place 78, 5th Place 32, 6th Place 9, 7th Place 6.
Northern Ireland: Gold 97, Silver 80, Bronze 56, 4th Place 51, 5th Place 9, 6th Place 4.
Connacht: Gold 91, Silver 75, Bronze 54, 4th Place 40, 5th Place 25, 6th Place 3, 7th Place 1.

Munster Special Olympics sent a squad of 15 athletes to the games. These athletes qualified through the Munster Regional Games in 2000 and have been part of the Munster training project for two years under the direction of Head Coach Owen Kelly. The squad collected a total of 6 Gold, 6 Silver & 7 Bronze medals in the skills, singles, doubles and mixed doubles events. The squads performed extremely well and in the words of the Special Olympic oath were certainly brave in the attempt.

Eight centres from all over Munster were represented within the squad with 7 men and 7 women represented within the singles competition and 1 man within the skills event. Christy Ryan (Grove House) was the only skills athlete and he achieved a personal best score of 83 finishing 6th in his group. Men's group F saw an all Munster final between Teddy O'Connor (COPE) and John Ryan (BOC Ennis) with Teddy O'Connor eventually taking gold in a close three set match (11/9, 11/8, 12/10). In Group J Stephen Kelleher took Silver after narrowly loosing out on gold being beaten in 5 sets by Bronze medal winner Brian Cork (Leinster) (11/8, 7/11, 12/10, 11/5). And after beating Gold medal winner Mark Buckley (Leinster) in another 5 set marathon (1/11, 11/4, 7/11, 11/4, 11/9). Pat Dorgan (COPE) also put in a fine performance to finish 4th in a very evenly matched group. Michael O'Grady (CoAction) was another Silver medal winner in Group K, with Declan Cloghessy (St.Clares) taking the 4th place ribbon. Michael Cummins (COPE) had an extremely tough group G after playing exceptionally well in the Divisioning event on Friday and managed a 5th place ribbon in the group.

The Munster women had an excellent singles event with 3 Gold medal performances from Margaret Carey (Nagle Centre), Rebecca Bourke (Laochra Arann) and Emily Meagher (CoAction). Margaret and Rebecca also teamed up to win the very tough Women's Doubles event, with Emily teaming up with Patricia Groarke (Cope) to take the Bronze medal and add to Patricia's Bronze medal in the singles event.

Owen Kelly (Head Coach) congratulated all the Munster players for their fine performances and thanked his assistant coaches Phyllis Naughton and Mary Fitzgerald (Cope) for their excellent support throughout the games. On behalf of the whole squad a special thank you also went to all the Chaperones who looked after the athletes so well, without the help and support of these people it would not be possible for the athletes to perform in the manner that they did. Mary Fitzgerald (Carriglea), Margaritte Keating Tyrell (Nagle Centre), Alison McCoy (CoAction) and Ann Bourke (Laochra Arann)

It is expected that all Gold medal winners will be eligible for qualification for the World Games next year and a draw for other available places will take place during the summer.

Special Olympics are still looking for Volunteers for various positions within the games next year and especially for those willing to Umpire. Anyone with playing or umpiring experience should contact Special Olympics Ireland or the Irish Table Tennis Assoc.

Munster Final Placings
Mens Singles:
Group F: Teddy O'Connor 1st, John Ryan 2nd.
Group G: Michael Cummins 5th.
Group J: Stephen Kelleher 2nd, Pat Dorgan 4th.
Group K: Michael O'Grady 2nd, Declan Cloghessy 4th.


Women's Singles:
Group E: Rebecca Bourke 1st.
Group F: Margaret Carey 1st.
Group G: Patricia Groarke 3rd.
Group J: Emily Meagher 1st, Hannah Guina 2nd, Ester Power 4th, Catherine McCarthy 5th.

Skills:
Christy Ryan 6th

Men's Doubles:
Stephen Kelleher/Teddy O'Connor 4th
Michael Cummins/Pat Dorgan 5th
John Ryan/Michael O'Grady 6th

Women's Doubles
Margaret Carey/Rebecca Bourke 1st
Emily Meagher/Patricia Groarke 3rd
Hannah Guina/Ester Power 5th

Mixed Doubles
Group A:
Teddy O'Connor/Margaret Carey 2nd
Patricia Groarke/Michael Cummins 3rd
Ester Power/John Ryan 4th

Group B:
Rebecca Bourke/Pat Dorgan 3rd
Hannah Guina/Stephen Kelleher 4th
Emily Meagher/Michael O'Grady 5th

COPE & COACTION COMBINED SPECIAL OLYMPIC TABLE TENNIS EVENT
MUNSTER REGIONAL TRAINING CENTRE - KINNEIGH TTC
WEDNESDAY 31st OCTOBER

This special event was organised for the first time between the two Special Olympic centres. The COPE Foundation from Cork City and CoAction, Bantry, by the Munster Branch of the Irish Table Tennis Assoc. The event was organised as an opportunity for the Munster special Olympic players to practice competitively as part of their preparation for the National Games and towards their future selection for the World Special Olympics to be held in Ireland in 2003.

Table Tennis is one of the largest participant sports at the Special Olympics and Munster have a number of players attending the National Games in Dublin.The final was between Patricia Groarke and Pat Dorgon and some excellent skills were shown to the spectators. Patricia was delighted to come out on top over her team mate Pat (21/17, 21/11). In the 3rd & 4th p[lay off Michael O'Grady almost caused an upset when he took the second set from team mate Emily Meaher from CoAction, however Emily showed great composure to recover and take the last and take third place (21/17, 20/22, 21/14).

ITTA PRO Owen Kelly attended the tournament and was delighted to see such a high standard of competition played in such a sporting way. He commented on the excellent facilities at the Kinneigh Club and congratulated the club on showing such foresight in helping organise this event. A "West Cork" tea was one of the main the highlights as the local support for the club was indicated by this impressive spread. Table Tennis Ireland (www.ttireland.com) badges were awarded to all the players and volunteers by Mr.Kelly and it is hoped that the connection between Special Olympics and Main Stream Table Tennis will continue to grow from strength to strength.

Results:
1. Patricia Groarke (COPE)
2.Pat Dorgon (COPE)
3.Emily Meagher (CoAction)
4.Michael O'Grady (CoAction)
5.Michael Cummins (COPE)
6.Kathleen Hayes (COPE)
7.Teddy O'Connor (COPE)
8.William O'Donoghue (COPE)
9.Doreen McGreevey (COPE)
10.John Joe Allen (COPE)
11.Sheila O'Shea (COPE)
12.Kate Adams (CoAction)

Munster Games, Limerick
The Special Olympic Table Tennis Munster Games 12/05/01

This event is the first stage for qualification for the Special Olympic Games in 2003. Athletes who qualify from this Provisional event will go on to the National Games in 2002.

The event was held at Bawnmore Brothers Of Charity in Limerick. Medals were presented by Senator Mary Jackman.CoAction, Bantry

Irish Special Olympic Table Tennis is preparing itself for the biggest table tennis event ever held in Ireland with countries competing from all over the world. Ties between the main stream Irish Table Tennis Association and Special Olympics are being strengthened in order to prepare for this enormous undertaking. PRO of the ITTA and Munster Development Officer Owen Kelly attended the event in Limerick and it is hoped that a number of courses on the technical aspects of the sport will be established.

Players from Special Olympic Centres all round Munster gathered together for this first historic event. The Athletes compete at three levels. The first category is specific skills that players are awarded points at and these players generally are unable to play full matches. Level 1 athletes compete in group-play but would be unable to play doubles. Level 2, athletes play within a singles competition and play within doubles as well.

The new service rule requiring the athlete to "toss" the ball from their hand has caused some difficulty but many players have adjusted well. The emphasis at all times is on participation and enjoyment and this was certainly apparent at this event with some thrilling match play that was well supported by all that attended.

Group 1. Male Level 1 Singles.

  1. Declan Clohessy
  2. Sean Nestor
  3. Gerard Heffernane
  4. Henry McGrath

Group 2. Male Level 1 Singles.

    Group 3

  1. John Ryan
  2. William Loughnane
  3. Ronan Keane
  4. Adrian O'Neill

Group 3 Male Level 1 Singles.

  1. Michael O'Grady
  2. Martin O'Gorman
  3. Noel Shine
  4. PJ Purcell

Group 4 Ladies Level 1 Singles.

    Group 4

  1. Hannah Guina
  2. Emily Meagher
  3. Mary McNally
  4. Ann Marie tobin
  5. Kate Adams

Group 5 Ladies Level 1 Singles.

  1. Maria Brennan
  2. Ester Power
  3. Sheila O’Sullivan
  4. Breda Roche

Ladies Doubles

Group 8 Skills

  1. Christy Ryan
  2. Patrick Coman

Group 11 Level 2 Doubles.

  1. Rebecca Bourke/ Patricia Grourke
  2. Margret Carey/Catherine McCarthy


Special Olympics West Cork Open

St.Clares, Ennis St. Clares, Ennis, Co.Clare.

St.Joseph's, Bantry St.Joseph's Workshop, Bantry, Co.Cork.

International Organisations

INTERNATIONAL PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE PARA-ITTC
BRITISH WHEELCHAIR TABLE TENNIS INTERNATIONAL TABLE TENNIS COMMITTEE FOR THE DISABLED
Table Tennis for People with Disabilities in Finland Table Tennis for People with Disabilities in France
Hong Kong Sports Association for the Physically Disabled Table Tennis for People with Disabilities in Italy
FESPIC Federation TTable Tennis for the Disabled in Germany