West Cork Schools Cup 2007
51 Teams from 18 schools turned out to compete at this year's West Cork Schools Cup in MICC, Dunmanway. A couple of new schools competed for the first time with the local Model School from Dunmanway more famous as Sam Maguire's school taking part for the first time along with Bantry Secondary School. Bantry managed to pick up 3 titles at U13 Boys, U13 Mixed and U19 Girls. Tarelton managed to take the National School Boys title for the 2nd time in a row along with Bantry Gael School who made it 3 in a row in the National School Girls Competition and Coppeen who also managed to take their third title in as many years.

The biggest surprise was the non appearance of Clonakilty Community College who have dominated the U19 event for the last 7 years. This made way for a new U19 Championship Team and it was Macroom De La Salle who took full advantage adding the U19 and U15 Boys titles to their record. Bandon Grammer collected the U19 Mixed Title along with the U15 Mixed. Hosts MICC took the U15 Girls Title. With no entries from either Sacred Heart Clonakilty or Kenmare this year their was no U13 Girls winners.

Special thanks to Ted Bollard for his continued support and to all those who helped out on the day. Plans to hold two seperate schools events next year are being discussed as the event continues to increase in popularity.

Ping Pong Mania
West Cork Table Tennis Schools Cup 2006

There was the highest turnout on record for the 2006 West Cork Table Tennis Schools Cup played at the Maria Immaculata Community College in Dunmanway, Co. Cork. 52 Teams from 17 different schools took part on 18 tables in 12 different categories making it one of the biggest schools competitions in the country.

The number of entries sees a huge increase in the sport in the region over the last couple of years. Last year’s competition saw an increase to 33 teams with a number of new National Schools participating, This year there is another increase of 19 teams with the majority of them coming from secondary schools.

The Primary School Competition has grown to such an extent that there are 2nd Divisions for both the National School Boys and Mixed Competitions. The Boys Division 1 Final saw a first time victory for Tirelton NS (Darragh Foley, Peter Kelleher & Shane Foley) over defending champions St. Finbarr’s NS in Bantry. St. Finbarr’s teams finished 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the boys competition above both Gaelscoil Skibbereen and Togher NS. Division 2 saw a first time entry from Holy Family NS, Tralee and it was Holy Family A who played their B team in the final after beating local schools Togher, and Gaelscoils Skibbereen and Bantry.

Gaelscoil Bheantraí girl’s team (Emer O’Shea, Colleen Kelleher & Sahnya Shiels) collected their second title in a row after defeating rivals Togher NS in the final, Gaelscoil Dhochtuir Uí Shuilleabhain girls still managed to claim bronze after one of their players had to withdraw.

Coppeen National School collected their second West Cork Mixed title in a row and they can add that to the Munster Schools Title they won earlier in the year. Togher NS recorded a surprise victory over their Gaelscoil Bantry rivals to take silver in the event. Togher NS continue to improve and have been involved in more than one tight finish but they were clear winners of the 2nd Division with their "Purple" team beating their "Violet" team in the final. Gaelscoil Bantry’s B and C teams finished third and fourth.

Under the inter-regional development strategy this year’s competition saw two schools from Kerry participate for the first time. This was their first table tennis competition and Kenmare Community College took home both the U19 Mixed and U15 Mixed Titles, helped by two ex-Munster and West Cork Juniors Kloe and Eliza Wood. In fact the U19 Mixed event gave a number of players the opportunity to return to the game with Schull’s Martin Hurley, Janna and Ronja Bailey returning to the table for the first time in a number of years to collect silver in the U19 Mixed.

Schull Community College last entered in 2002 and has recently returned to training. The school sent 6 teams in 5 events collecting a bronze in the U13 Mixed, silver in the U15 and U19 Mixed and Gold in the U19 Girls (Jenny Kearney, Emily Goodbody & Gaya Cremers.)

Clonakilty has produced a number of top Munster players over the years and this year both Clonakilty Community College and Sacred Heart returned with titles. Sacred Heart made a welcome return to the event with a trio of U13 Girls teams under the direction of ex-international Emma Jane Helen who recently completed her ITTA Level 1 Coaching course. The school collected Gold, Silver and Bronze in the event. Clonakilty Community College has dominated the U19 Boys event almost since the event began in 1999. Looking for that 6th title they came to the event favourites. Seeing off both Schull CC and then Hamilton High School Bandon in the final and they were once again West Cork Champions. (Leon Reid, Shane Buttimer & Danny Fitzpatrick.)

Bandon were well represented with a young Hamilton High School team taking silver in the U19 Boys event. Bandon Grammar collected bronze in the U15 Boys and U19 Mixed and Gold when they took the U15 Girls title (Alison Jennings, Nicola Jennings & Lorraine Anderson).

Macroom De La Salle first entered back in 2002 and was narrowly defeated in last year’s competition. 2006 is the year that they collected their first West Cork Schools Title defeating Clonakilty Community College in the final. (De La Salle A: Andrew Hegarty, Joe Kelleher & David Dineen)

The hosts Maria Immaculata retained the U13 Mixed Title seeing off Schull Community College and with both the A and the B teams in the final the future looks bright for these young players.

The U13 Boys final was fought out between debutantes Mount St. Michael’s from Rosscarbery and St. Fachtnas De La Salle. Their B Team unexpectedly finishing above the A team. Mount St. Michael’s proved too strong for St. Fachtnas in the end taking their first title at the first attempt (Cillian McCaffrey, Stephen Halliday & Mathias Hayes).

The medals and trophies were presented by Munster Branch Chairman Michael Healy. Owen Kelly Schools Co-ordinator for the West Cork Association thanked both the Munster Branch and Ballincollig Table Tennis Club for their support as well as the staff and students of Maria Immaculata for providing them with an ideal facility. Also a special thanks to all the hard working coaches, parents and volunteers who made such a competition possible.

West Cork Table Tennis Schools Cup 2005 Report by TTIreland.com
33 teams took part in the biggest ever West Cork Schools Cup. The success of the WCTTA primary school development program was shown with 21 teams from National Schools alone entering the competition with schools from nearly all the major towns in the region as well as some of the smaller village schools competing. Bantry, Skibbereen, Bandon, Clonakilty, Macroom Enniskeane, Togher, Tirelton, Coppeen all made their way to the host school Maria Immaculata Community College in Dunmanway for a day of intense competition and fun for all ages.

National School Boys Div 1
The very competitive National School Boys competition saw some very close matches with St. Finbarr's Boys National School in Bantry having their A team meet their B team in the final. It was a nail biting affair with the B team almost springing a surprise on the A team but Alan Keane and Grahame O'Leary pulled of the much needed doubles win against Cathal Carroll and Cathal Power to seal the victory in the school's first attempt within the competition. Togher National School one of the most consistent schools over the last 5 years made it a bronze medal finish when they overcame their long-term rivals St. Mary's Enniskeane in the 3rd/4th play-off.

National School Boys Div 2
With so many entries in the boys competition and with a number of schools fielding more than one team it was left to the younger members of St. Finbarr's C team to reach the final of the National Schools 2nd Division where they met and defeated St. Mary's D team. Skibbereen Gael School 's under 10 team took the bronze medal against St. Mary's C team, with Togher B and C finishing 5th and 6th. The future of the competition is looking secure with so many 4th and 5th years taking part this season.

National School Girls
The girls' trophy also travelled back to Bantry but this time it was the girls of Bantry Gael Scoil. 5th years Emer O'Shea, Colleen Kelleher playing in their 3rd year of competition and Sahnya Shiels playing in her second took the prize from St. Mary's Enniskeane with Togher finishing with bronze.

National Schools Mixed
With such a large entry the National Schools Mixed competition also needed two divisions this year. Coppeen NS who won last year started favourites for the Kerry Frazer Memorial Shield fielding Munster No.1 U12 girl Sinead Hennessey and Munster No.2 U10 boy Sean Hennessey in their line up with Lisa Cronin also available. They met Tirelton NS who were in their first competition in the final their team included West Cork No.1 U12 Darragh Foley and his brother Shane as well as Roisin and Peter Kelleher. With all players attending the highly rated Kinneigh table tennis club it was a tense affair but Coppeen finally came out on top for the second year in a row. Bantry Gael Scoil took the bronze with Cian Edgeworth, Shauna McCarthy and Peter Kelleher. Coppeen NS made it a Mixed double when they beat Togher NS in the Division 2 final with Bantry Gael Scoil taking Bronze.

A special mention for Leo Rawlinson from Skibbereen Gael Scoil who played very well and was the youngest competitor of the day as well as Eddy O'Sullivan from the Bantry Gael Scoil who are both still only aged 8yrs.

U13 Mixed
The U13 age group in the secondary schools competition was dominated by the hosts Maria Immaculata Community College who are able to take advantage of the excellent facilities at the school as well as 5 tables for training. The school walked away with both Gold and Silver in the U13 Boys competition as well as Gold and Silver in the U13 Mixed competition. The U13 Mixed final saw a fiercely competitive match with ex-Munster U12s girls Julie McCarthy taking on Michelle Hayes. Michelle eventually took the victory 13/11, 11/5, 10/12 & 11/8. But it was not enough to seal the victory as Finn Glenn and Joe Sherlock won their matches against Shane Connolly and Danial Daly. Joe Sherlock and Julie McCarthy narrowly took the doubles against Michelle Hayes and Danial Daly 13/11, 11/9 & 11/9.

U13 Boys
Maria Immaculata's Cormac Lorden, Brian O'Sullivan and Jeremy Moloney beat Andrew Burgoyne, Eoin O'Neill and Paul Galvin in the U13 boys final but with Eoin O'Neill and Paul Galvin both U12 they will get another chance next season.

U15 Boys
The U15 Boys saw a return of Macroom De La Salle who last competed back in 2002. Entering two teams this year their B team managed to knock out Maria Immaculata in the semi final and their A team were unlucky to be beaten by favourites Clonakilty Community College in the other semi-final. However it was Clonakilty Community College who eventually won the title defeating the Macroom school in the final. Macroom De La Salle A team recovered against Maria Immaculata in the 3rd/4th play off to secure the bronze medal.


U19 Boys
The premier event for the Secondary School has always been the U19's which, has been dominated by Clonakilty Community College for the last 4 years with only St. Brogan's of Bandon spoiling their copybook in 2000. With two of their stars from previous years Alan Hurley and Jason Crowley now left for pastures new it was left to Leon Reid, Zoron Teodorvic and the only player left from last years championship winning team Jerome Companjen to retain the mantle of top West Cork School. Maria Immaculata matched the Clonakilty A team when they both defeated the Clonakilty B team in the opening rounds. Bandon Grammar almost caused a huge upset when their mixed team went 2-0 up against Maria Immaculata, with both girls Andrea Shorten and Vicky Stout winning their matches 3-0. Kieran McCarthy managed to keep MICC in the match beating Ross Biddel. MICC then drew level taking the first doubles match which then moved the teams into the last and final super doubles. The MICC managed to pull of the remarkable comeback and secured their place against Clonakilty Community College in the final. Like Bandon Grammar in the Semi-final Clonakilty Community College went into an early lead taking the first two matches and once again Kieran McCarthy managed to keep MICC in the match however Clonakilty's doubles pair proved too strong for MICC and Clonakilty secured a remarkable 5th win in a row. Clonakilty Community College B team went on to defeat Bandon Grammar for the Bronze medal position.

The new West Cork Champions Clonakilty Community College have announced their 6 player challenge to represent Munster at the All Ireland Schools Competition later this year and will try and emulate Bandon Grammar's success when they took West Cork's first All Ireland Schools title in 2002.

WCTTA Chairman Owen Kelly thanked the MICC Principle Pat McElvy who gave out the presentations and especially the PE Staff at the school and Roger Earle for the tremendous support they have given to this event as well as the hard working coaches. With a special mention for Vicky Ridgeway and Ivan Shorten and the teachers, parents and umpires who have helped make the West Cork Table Tennis Schools Cup one of the premier sporting events in West Cork.

If you or your school would like to join one of our coaching schemes or would like to find out more about table tennis in West Cork please contact the WCTTA at 028-35371 (Owen) or check out our website at www.ttireland.com

WEST CORK SCHOOLS CUP FRIDAY 13th FEBRUARY 2004

Boys Primary		Junior Boys
Gael Scoil, Bantry	1	Clonakilty Community College A
Togher A, Dunmanway	2	Maria Immaculata CC A, Dunmanway
Togher B	3	Clonakilty Community College B
Togher C	4	Maria Immaculata CC B, Dunmanway
Girls Primary		Junior Girls
Coppeen NS	1	Sacred Heart, Clonakilty A
Gael Scoil, Bantry	2	Sacred Heart, Clonakilty B
Togher NS
		U15Boys
Mixed Primary	1	Hamilton High School, Bandon
Coppeen NS
Gael Scoil A,Bantry		U13 Mixed
Gael Scoil B, Bantry	1	Maria Immaculata CC, Dunmanway
Togher NS	2	Bandon Grammar School

WEST CORK SECONDARY SCHOOLS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2004
Clonakilty Community College was given a special presentation when they took the West Cork Secondary Schools Junior Title for the 4th time in a row at this years Table Tennis schools event. The team consisting of Alan Hurley, Jason Crowley and Jeroen Companjen were pushed closely by the host school Maria Immaculata Community College in Dunmanway (Kieran McCarthy, Jake and Joe Warne). But with Alan and Jason taking the doubles in the fifth and final set they once again lifted the schools cup and with both players leaving next year it will be up to the Clonakilty B team who finished 3rd to rise to the challenge.

Sacred Heart Convent Clonakilty added the West Cork title to their Munster title won earlier this year. It is hoped that the school will be able to make a challenge for the All Ireland Schools Finals later this season.

The U15 Boys was won by Hamilton High. The U13 Mixed event saw another very close final between Maria Immaculata with Bandon Grammar as the opposition. With a the match see sawing back and forth it was eventually Maria Immaculata won out the day on this occasion.

WEST CORK PRIMARY SCHOOLS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2004
Coppeen NS managed a second place in the mixed in 2003 and showed enormous improvement to take both the Mixed and Girls Primary School Titles at this years championships.

Last years double winners Gael Scoil Bheanntraí reached all three finals but only managed to retain the Boys Title this time around narrowly beating rivals Togher NS in the final. For a small rural National School Togher reflected the high level of interest in the sport at National School level fielding a total of 5 teams in the championships.

With a total of 11 teams competing at Primary level this was the highest level of entry in the five years the competition has been running.

WEST CORK SCHOOLS CUP
FRIDAY 14th FEBRUARY 2003
Immaculata Convent Hall Dunmanway.

	National School Mixed			U19 Open
1st	St.Mary's Enniskeane		1st	Clonakilty C.C.
2nd	Coppeen N.S.		2nd	Sacred Heart "A"
	National School Boys		3rd	Bandon Grammar Boys
1st	Gael Scoil,Bantry		4th	Sacred Heart "B"
2nd	Togher N.S. A			U15 Open
3rd	Togher N.S. B		1st	Maria Immaculata C.C. "A"
	National School Girls		2nd	Hamilton High, Bandon
1st	Gael Scoil, Bantry "Red"		3rd	Clonakilty C.C.
2nd	Gael Scoil, Bantry "Blue"		4th	Maria Immaculata C.C. "B"
			5th	Bandon Grammar Girls
			6th	Bandon Grammar Boys

The West Cork Schools Cup was divided into sections this year with Mixed, Boys and Girls National School Divisions and an U19 Open and U15 Open for Secondary Schools. 17 Teams overall entered the 5 Divisions, with a new entry from Hamilton High and Coppeen National School.


Clonakilty C.C. made it 3 in a row this year, they were pushed closer than they had been before when Sacred Heart a girls school also from Clonakilty put in an excellent performance in the final. The new Maria Immaculata C.C. in Dunmanway took the new U15 title from debutantes Hamilton High from Bandon.


The very strong West Cork National School competition saw last years winners St. Mary's Enniskeane win a very close mixed final with newcomers Coppeen N.S. An all Gael Scoil, Bantry girls final also went close with the "reds" winning out over the "blues." Bantry Gael Scoil also caused a surprise when they beat Togher A in the boys final to make the double.