WEST CORK SCHOOLS NEWS

West Cork Table Tennis Schools Cup 2009

The West Cork Schools Cup is one of the largest schools table tennis competitions in the country and is a testament to the growing popularity of the sport. With the West Cork Table Tennis Association celebrating 20 years this year’s schools cup had added significance. With 16 different competitions and 47 teams entered from all over the region this competition caters for all ages and levels of ability and even had entries from as far as Tralee.

Maria Immaculata Community College has hosted the event over the last few years proving to be centrally located and with one of the finest sports facility in the country. The National School Boys section has grown to be the most popular with primary schools around the region with 14 teams entered there were 4 Divisions of ability. The 1st Division was dominated by St. Finbarr’s Boys School from Bantry with three teams entered. However it was a team from Gael Scoil, Skibbereen who met the defending champions in the final. There were some exciting matches with St. Finbarr’s regaining their title with Gael Scoil in the runners up position.

Division 2 saw the long trip from Tralee prove fruitful for the Kerry contingent when they took the Division title defeating St. Finbarr’s D and with Gael Scoil, Skibbereen B taking Bronze.

Division 3 had Holy Family, Tralee going for a second title but this time they were narrowly beaten on count-back by Gael Scoil, Bantry A and with St. Finbarr’s U10 Boys third.

Division 4 had a second title for Gael Scoil Bantry C Team who defeated their B Team in the final with Togher Yellow and Togher Purple finishing 3rd and 4th.

The National School Girls had fewer teams but the competition was just as fierce. Gael Scoil, Skibbereen eventually beat Gael Scoil, Bantry with Togher teams finishing 3rd and 4th.

Table Tennis also provides an opportunity for mixed teams to play against each other and this often enables smaller schools to participate. There were two divisions at this year’s competition with the smallest school in the competition Lissagriffin entering 2 teams and trying to regain last year’s title. The final came down to a match between Lissagriffin A and Togher Orange. The first point went to Togher after Patrick O’Riordan beat Mairead Supple. Lissagriffin’s James Kelly levelled the score against Finn Pyatt. Eoghan Sheehan took Lissagriffin to an important 2-1 lead and with Lissagriffin winning the doubles 12/10 in the final set Lissagriffin managed to retain their title. Togher Green went on to win the Division 2 title with Gael Scoil, Skibbereen taking Silver and Lissagriffin B with Bronze.

The Secondary School competition kicked off with 2 Divisions in the U13 Boys. The conclusion came down to a battle between Schull Community College and Ardscoil Phobal Bheanntrai. West Cork and Schull No.1 took to the table, in a strange twist of fate Ben O’Donnell recently moved from the Bantry School and was up against his ex-team mate Damien Collins. No one expected Damien to be 2 sets to 0 up at the half way point but so it proved as Ben fought back to level the scores at 2-2. It was a disappointed Ardscoil Phobal Bheanntrai as Ben O’Donnell went on to complete his come-back. However it was Bantry who were celebrating at the end of the match as they eventually won 3-1. This was the first of a remarkable triple for the Bantry School as they went on to take the U15 and U19 Boy’s titles. The most remarkable victory being against Macroom De La Salle. Macroom narrowly missed out on count back in 2008 and they were out for revenge and certainly the favourites coming into the competition. But after Brian Crowley beat Shane Foley and Jack McCarthy beat Cian Holden Bantry found themselves 2-0 up. Ronan Lordan went down to Macroom’s Barry Kelleher to make it 2-1 with the doubles to play. With victories already behind them in the singles Brian and Jack paired up and took the match on a score of 3-1.

Division 2 saw Schull Community College take a title finishing ahead of the 2 MICC teams.

The U13 Girls event saw a first time entry from St. Goban’s Bantry, the girls went on to win all their matches and claim the U13 title. MICC were 2nd and 3rd.

Hosts MICC took the U15 Girls Title along with the U19 Mixed defeating Bandon Grammar in the final while Bandon Grammar went on to take the U15 Mixed title.

As the season draws to a close the last West Cork Table Tennis Ranking is to be held on the 29th March at the Goleen Community Sports Centre. Goleen players Ben O’Donnell and Aisling Healy will be expected to battle it out for top honours with Bantry’s Brian Crowley needing a win at this stage. Cathal McCarthy from Bantry won the last event and is capable of doing it again. There are sure to be some upsets and surprises but one thing is for certain by the end of the day someone will be crowned the West Cork Number 1. Action starts at 11.00am. (More details Owen 028-35371)

	GOLD	SILVER	BRONZE	4TH
NSB
Div 1	St.Finbarr's BNS A	Gael Scoil, Skibbereen A	St.Finbarr's BNS B	St.Finbarr's BNS C
Div 2	Holy Family School, Tralee A	St.Finbarr's BNS C	Gael Scoil, Skibbereen B
Div 3	Gael Scoil, Bantry A	Holy Family School Tralee B	St.Finbarr's BNS U10
Div 4	Gael Scoil, Bantry C	Gael Scoil, Bantry B	Togher Yellow	Togher Purple
NSG	Gael Scoil, Skibbereen	Gael Scoil, Bantry	Togher Red	Togher Blue
NSM
Div 1	Lissagriffin NS A	Togher Orange	Gael Scoil, Skibbereen A*	Gael Scoil, Bantry*
Div 2	Togher Green	Gael Scoil, Skibbereen B	Lissagriffin NS B
U13B
Div 1	Ardscoil Phobal Bheanntrai	Schull C.C A	MICC A
Div 2	Schull C.C B	MICC B	MICC C
U13G	St. Gobans, Bantry	MICC B	MICC A
U15B	Ardscoil Phobal Bheanntrai A	Macroom De La Salle	Schull C.C
U15G	MICC
U15M	Bandon Grammar A
U19B	Ardscoil Phobal Bheanntrai B	Ardscoil Phobal Bheanntrai A	MICC A
U19M	MICC A	Bandon Grammar A	MICC B	Bandon Grammar B

INDIVIDUAL PRIMARY SCHOOL CHAMPIONSIPS 2008
The West Cork Primary Schools Individual Table Tennis Championship 2008 was held in the Goleen Community Sports Hall on February 25th. The event saw representatives from 8 different primary schools from throughout the West Cork Region. The West Cork Table Tennis Association (WCTTA) was delighted with over 60 competitors making this one of the largest primary school events in the country.

The largest of the 4 events was over 10 boys with 24 entries. St. Finbarr's Boys National School have a strong tradition in table tennis with regular school coaching sessions and the school regularly competes at the West Cork Schools Cup. All 6 of their squad made it to the ¼ final stages along with Eoin Murray (Togher NS) and Patrick McCaffrey (Gael Scoil, Skibbereen). Eoin Murray knocked out Tim Cronin to reach the semi final stages where he was eventually defeated by Anthony Hanley. In the second semi final Cathal McCarthy beat Darren Cronin to take his place in the final which he eventually won to take the West Cork Over 10 Primary School title.

Eoin Barclay (Gael Scoil Skibbereen) beat Ciaran Nunan (Togher) in the Over 10 Plate Final.

The Under 10 Boys also saw a large entry with 21 players and again St. Finbarr's Boys School showed their strength. However only one made it through to the ¼ final stages with players from Model School Dunmanway, Gael Scoil Bantry, Gael Scoil Skibbereen, Togher NS and 2 local Lissagriffin players all being represented. 7 year old James Kelly (Lissagriffin NS) beat Togher's Finn Pyatt to claim his place against top seed Kieran Hanley (St. Finbarr's) in the semi final where he was eventually beaten while U9 Tolly Franklin (Gael Scoil, Bantry) beat Eoghan Sheehan (Lissagriffin NS) to meet surprise semi finalist Nicholas Bryan (Model School). Nicholas had upset the early seeding by beating top seed Kieran Hanley and once again showed his talent to reach the final. With a repeat of the early group stages between Nicholas and Kieran it was Kieran who used his experience to redress his earlier loss and to take the title at the end of a very close competition.

St. Finbarr's and Model School also battled it out in the plate final with Keith Collins (St. Finbarr's) defeating Ray Jennings (Model School).

Two schools also dominated the Over 10 girls' event with Togher NS and Gael Scoil Skibbereen players reaching the semi finals when all three of the Gael Scoil Bantry girls were knocked out of the ¼ final stages. It was Gael Scoil Skibbereen who saw off the strong challenge of Togher when Charli Williams beat Ciara Glenn and Luighsighe Carey beat Lisa Cotter in the semi finals setting up an all Gael Scoil final. Luighsighe Carey made a welcome return to the West Cork scene after finishing No.1 Under 10 in Munster last year and showed this experience over tournament debutante Charli Williams in the final to lift the first West Cork Over 12 Girls title. Togher went on to claim the Over 10 Plate title when Eileen Crowley saw of the challenge of local girl Michelle O'Leary (Lissagriffin) in the final.

5 schools were represented in the under 10 Girls competition with all 5 being represented at the ¼ stages and 4 at the semi final stage. The West Cork No.1 position is currently shared between two girls. Both reached the final with Sinead McKennedy (Castlehaven NS) beating Deidre O'Sullivan from Bantry Gael Scoil and Mairéad Supple (Lissagriffin beating Sorcha Browning. In a closely fought and tense final it was Sinead McKennedy who took the first West Cork Primary Schools Under 10 Girls Title back home to Castlehaven NS.

The new local Goleen Club were delighted with the overall results from the event and were also able to celebrate their first title when Aisling O'Driscoll overcame the challenge from Orláith Keating (Gael Scoil Skibbereen) in the final of the Under 10 Girls Plate competition.

WCTTA Chairman thanked everyone for the tremendous support shown by schools, parents and the local Goleen & District Community Council who provided the superb facility as well as organising the café and refreshments for all the spectators. The next major West Cork event will be the West Cork Schools Cup to be held after Easter in Dunmanway.

Winners 2008: Full Results Here

West Cork Table Tennis Schools Cup 2008

Once again the schools came out in support of one of the biggest table tennis schools events in the country. The West Cork Schools Cup has been running for nearly 10 years and was held in the main hall of Maria Immaculata Community College, Dunmanway on 18 tables.

Over 40 teams and 120 children took part in 17 events from both Primary and Secondary Schools and with team events for boys, girls and mixed teams.

One of the first results of the day came down to the narrowest of margins in the National School Girls competition. Gaelscoil Bheanntraí looking to make it 4 in a row met a local Togher team in the final. Togher have competed in the last 8 Championships with a number of silver medal positions, however this year after a nail biting final that went down to a tie breaker Togher took their first major title in the girls event.

The National School Boys competition has seen some very close matches and an intense rivalry between St. Finbarr’s Bantry and Tirelton NS. This year due to a clash in the calendar Tirelton were absent representing Munster at a Primary Schools Invitational event in Galway. This left the field open for St. Finbarr’s to reclaim the title they first won in 2005, with St. Finbarr’s A playing the B team in the final it was a narrow victory for the A team. St. Finbarr’s C and D teams also met in the Final of the second division with Togher in 3^rd place and Model School in 4^th.

The Boys 3^rd Division once again saw a close competition between the future stars of West Cork with Gaelscoil, Bheanntrai "B" beating the “C” team and Togher B finishing 3^rd.

The National School Mixed Competition has been dominated by Coppeen over the last 5 years. However after an absence of 6 years it was a young Lissagriffin side that upset the form book with the side only dropping one point on its way to an undefeated record beating Gaelscoil, Bheanntrai in the final.

Ardscoil Phobal Bheanntrai took the first of 5 titles when their U13 Boys team beat Schull Community College and Rossa College into 3^rd and 4^th place. This was the first time Rossa College have entered the West Cork School Cup. Their last table tennis outing was back in the early 90’s, when they reach the ¼ finals of the Cork School cup at City Hall. The future looks good for the new kids on the block as Rossa collected the Gold Medal in the U13 Boys Division 2 after defeating St. Brogan’s Bandon.

The premier event of the day proved to be the U15 Boys with defending champions Macroom De Las Salle, a much improved Schull Community College and Ardscoil Phobal Bheanntrai battling it out after MICC were eliminated in the first round. Macroom De Las Salle looked to be on course for their second title when they pulled off a very closely fought match against Ardscoil Phobal Bheanntrai winning 3-2 with the tiebreaker. Schull upset that result when they took Macroom to a tiebreaker to win their match 3-2. In the last match Bantry were surprised to find themselves in a position to take the title if they could beat Schull before reaching a tiebreaker. Schull needed to win to take the title Bantry were 2-1 before the doubles and put up their strongest pairing which on the day was enough to defeat Schull who then had to settle for third place as Macoom’s point difference was higher. The standard throughout these matches was as high as has been witnessed in these championships and the competition was played in a well supported atmosphere with credit going to all those who took part.

Macroom De La Salle were able to put their disappointment behind them as they comfortably took the U19 title.

The U13 Mixed event was won by Ardscoil Phobal Bheanntrai. Hosts Maria Immculata Community College took their first of 4 Titles in the U15 Girls, a second in the U15 Mixed, another in U15 Boys 2^nd Division and their 4^th title in the U19 mixed event defeating Ardscoil Phobal Bheanntrai in the final.

With Easter so early this year there were a number of schools that expressed their disappointment at not being able to attend this event but vowed to be back prepared for fighting it out in the 2009 competition, which will be played next year as part of the West Cork Associations 20^th Anniversary celebrations. For more information and to be included in the WCTTA mailing list contact Owen 028-35371.

Winners 2008
St. Finbarr's NS "A"	NSB Div 1
St. Finbarr's NS "C"	NSB Div 2
Gaelscoil, Bheanntrai "B"	NSB Div 3
Togher A	NSG
Lissagriffin NS	NSM
Ardscoil Phobal Bheanntrai	U13Boys Div 1
Rossa College B	U13Boys Div 2
	U13G
Ardscoil Phobal Bheanntrai	U13Mixed
Maria Immaculata Community College	U15Girls
Ardscoil Phobal Bheanntrai	U15Boys
Maria Immaculata Community College "B"	U15Boys Div 2
Maria Immaculata Community College	U15Mixed
Macroom De La Salle	U19Boys
Ardscoil Phobal Bheanntrai	U19Girls
Maria Immaculata Community College	U19Mixed

Winners 2007
Tarelton NS	NSB Div 1
St. Finbarr's NS	NSB Div 2
Model School	NSB Div 3
Gaelscoil Bheanntraí	NSG
Coppeen NS	NSM
Bantry Secondary School	U13B
No Entries	U13G
Bantry Secondary School	U13M
Macroom De La Salle	U15B
M.I.C.C.	U15G
Bandon Grammar School	U15M
Macroom De La Salle	U19B
Bantry Secondary School	U19G
Bandon Grammar School	U19M

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.

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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.

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The West Cork Schools Cup is one of the leading schools event in Munster. Schools may enter a number of teams in the event. The teams can be of mixed gender and age. Divisions are decided upon after all entries have been received, depending on number of entries. The two events are held on the same day, a National/Primary School Competition and a Secondary School Competition. Competitors must wear soft soled sport’s shoes and sportswear. Tracksuits will be acceptable.

The West Cork Table Tennis Association was established in 1989 and has coached within 17 schools in the region. A number of new schools have started competing in the last couple of years and a schools league is planned for the future.

The WCTTA has provided 16 tables around West Cork and is presently looking for other schools who are interested in developing the sport of table tennis, which is ideally suited to both National and Secondary Schools.

Coaching Schemes by qualified ITTA coaches, with badges and internationally recognised certificates are available and a specially designed manual for teachers interested in coaching in their school. West Cork players have represented West Cork, Co.Cork, Munster and Ireland and regularly have the opportunity to travel throughout the country to tournaments as well as local rankings and events.

West Cork Table Tennis Schools Cup

School	2000 Position	2001 Position	2002 Position
Clonakilty Community College	2	1	1
Colaiste Charbrie A, Dunmanway	X	5	2
Bandon Grammar A	3	3	3
Bandon Grammar B	4	7	4
Sacred Heart A, Clonakilty	X	4	5
St.Brogan's Bandon	1	2	6=
Colaiste Charbrie B, Dunmanway	X	6	6=
Sacred Heart B, Clonakilty	X	9=	6=
Schull Community College, Boys	X	X	9
Schull Community College, Girls	X	X	10
Macroom, De La Salle B,	X	X	11
St.Fachtnas, De La Salle B, Skibbereen	X	8	X
Colaiste Charbrie C, Dunmanway	X	9=	X
St.Fachtnas, De La Salle A, Skibbereen	X	11	X
Schull Community College, 1st Years.	X	12	X
Secondary School Championships

School	2000 Position	2001 Position	2002 Position
St.Mary's National School A	X	2	1
Lissigriffin National School	3	4	2
Togher National School A	2	7	3
Gael Scoil A, Bantry	X	8	4
Gael Scoil B, Bantry	X	8	5
St.Mary's National School B	X	3	6
Goleen National School A	4	5	7
Togher National School B	X	9	8
Ballymoney National School	1	1	X
Goleen National School B	5	6	X
National School Championships

WEST CORK SCHOOLS CUP
DUNMANWAY 22nd-24th FEBRUARY 2002
The West Cork School’s Cup has become one of the largest school events in Munster with twenty school teams competing from around the region. This year saw extra entries from Macroom De La Salle and Schull Community College. The standard of play in the National School’s competition has increased dramatically this season within all schools and resulted in a very closely fought event. St.Mary’s Enniskeane won their first title after reaching second last year, the team of Barry Horgan, Eoghan O’Callaghan and Padraig McSweeney defeated Lissagriffin from a small townland on the Mizen Head. (Deirdre Cotter, Daniel O’Driscoll & Paul Clarke.). Togher A from Dunmanway had a tense match between Gael Scoil A to take the third place moving up to 3rd from 7th last season. Gael Scoil who were sponsored by McCarthy Sports Bantry entered two teams this year have showed good improvement and were pleased to move up 5 places. Gael Scoil B took home Gold beating St.Mary’s B in the Plate Final, with Goleen taking Bronze.

The Secondary Schools Cup saw a second win with the team of Alan Hurley, Jason Crowley and Eamon Dullea over surprise finalists Colaiste Chairbre A; Joe Warne, Jake Warne & Kieran McCarthy who beat St.Brogan’s Bandon in the opening group phase. The third place play-off between Bandon Grammar A and Bandon Grammar B saw the A team take home third place. Many of the players returned for the weekend to play in the West Cork Open with an entry of over 200 players within 14 events and 8 competitions.