Table Tennis

Table tennis in Midleton College at present seems to operate on a biennial cycle - competitive in all areas one year, but struggling to come to terms with promotion the following year. This year was one of our less successful years, but that did little to dampen the enthusiasm of a large number of players who trained consistently each week. It was a pleasure to work with them.

The senior team played in Division 2 of the league and while beating our B team comfortably, were well beaten by a strong Colaiste Choilm B side. The cup brought little respite as we were drawn away to the holders Thurles CBS in the first round resulting in an early exit. On the plus side this was a very young side and they provided the most satisfying moment in the Munster U-15 Cup - a competition for teams of three. Our A team reached the final against the major force in Munster, Colaiste Choilm. With John Owers winning and Kit O'Keeffe losing the final hinged on the last match. Aarron Roberts played the game of his life taking a two-game lead against an Irish ranked player. Unfortunately experience told and he was defeated 11-9 in the fifth game of a match which was the highlight of the day. The U-19 team of Craig Moore, Kris Barth and Clive Ross reached the semi-final losing to Colaiste Choilm. The players who represented the school at senior level were John Owers, Craig Moore, Owen Daly, Kit O'Keeffe, Aarron Roberts and Kris Barth.

The B team had an unenviable task as they played in the same division as our A team. Their league campaign brought little success but their effort in the cup was memorable. Totally unfancied against first division St. Angelas they put in a remarkable effort. Simon Brookes was edged out in the first singles 11-9 in the fifth game but Jack Charlesworth and Clive Ross won their singles to level the match. The first doubles was lost before Simon and Jonathan Hackett levelled again. This led to a decisive super doubles but defeat was the lot of Simon and Jack. This squad consisted of Jack Charlesworth, Criostoir Humphreys, Simon Brookes, Gerard Murphy, Clive Ross and Jonathan Hackett.

The C team started well drawing away to Scoil Eoin B with David O'Callaghan scoring maximum points, but Scoil Eoin A were in a class of their own here. In the cup we had a good win over St. Brogan's Bandon with Conor Day gaining full points but Scoil Eoin awaited in the semi-final where only Darragh Crosbie could produce a win. The C team consisted of Darragh Crosbie, Conor Day, Darren Farrell, Patrick Zagar, David O'Callaghan, Luke McKeown and Ronan Corcoran. Ronan was one of a number of promising first year players to play for the school such as Andrew Daly, Duncan Cronin, Daniel James, Nick Burns and Josh O'Sullivan-Hourihane.

Like the boys teams the girls had little success to show for a year of brave effort in a division which was of too high a standard. The girl's panel was Jilly Fleming, Hilary Smith, Sinead Lucey, Toni zu SalmSalm, Aisling Kelly Franziska Wittleder and Andrea Coleman.

The internal school championships certainly did not lack competitiveness and with many of the leading players also eligible at junior level some real rivalries emerged.

The season started with Aarron Roberts winning the senior league when he beat John Owers in the final. This result was to be reversed in the junior championship final as John came out on top. John completed the double when he also won the senior championship defeating Kit O'Keeffe in the final. This double also gave John the Player of the Year award with Aarron finishing runner-up.

The past pupils competition for the Stephen Perrott Cup again had a big turnout. This year was one for the College staff as the winner was Clive Seale who defeated Liz Clifford in the final.