John MURPHY will attempt to make his own history

February 27, 2013
12:00 am
Member Associations

The 2013 BUTTERFLY Irish National Senior Championships takes place at ALSAA, Dublin on the 2-3 March, 2013. This is the most prestigious event in the Irish domestic Senior calendar, with players from all over the island competing for the title of National Senior champion. Commenting on the launch of this event, ITTA Chair Pat HUNTER stated: “This weekend will see many National Championships staged throughout Europe. Former World Champion, 46 year-old Jorgen PERSSON will play his last National Championships in Sweden – while John MURPHY will attempt to make his own history by adding to his five National Singles titles. I am looking forward to some great competitive matches, contested in a spirited and sporting manner – good luck to all!”

With a full programme of events including Veterans, Wheelchair, Doubles (including Mixed Doubles this year), Under 21 and a Restricted Singles event, it is sure to be a great day of competition at ALSAA.

All eyes will be on who will be crowned 2013 Men’s and Women’s National Champion. In the Men’s event, it is again difficult to pick a winner with some top class young players currently playing very well. This is traditionally the time of the year when UCD’s John MURPHY hits top form – his five National Singles titles testify to his ability to deliver top class performances when it matters most. Last year’s National Final was no different with a ruthless display full of energy and commitment seeing off Paul MCCREERY to claim victory. Murphy tops the ranking list going in to this year’s event and with his experience will be the favourite in many fan’s minds.

A strong challenge is expected from Gavin MAGUIRE, who has based himself in Germany this year playing full-time. Maguire has tasted Nationals victory once before and will be eager to claim a 2nd National Senior title. Irish international Paul McCREERY will see this year’s event as the year he will make the breakthrough and claim the National title that seems to be inevitable for a player of his ability. He has claimed some very impressive British Grand Prix wins this season and will be looking to cap those wins with a National title. There is a strong pool of talent outside this top 3; expect Ashley ROBINSON, Mark O’FLYNN, Ryan FARRELL, Peter GRAHAM and Daryl STRONG to all impact significantly on this event. We are also delighted to see ALSAA’s Sam LOGUE back on Irish soil and playing in the Nationals – Logue has been playing in England where he has racked up some impressive wins recently at the Doncaster Grand Prix. A very difficult event to predict but so exciting for the spectators.

In the Women’s event, last year’s champion Amanda MOGEY has entered but remains a doubt with injury concerns. Even with an injury, MOGEY will be a threat to anyone in this tournament and she will no doubt pull out all the stops to defend her title. The Women’s scene has been very competitive this year, with a number of different winners across BUTTERFLY National Ranking events. Ulster’s Ashley GIVAN goes into the event as Ireland’s top ranked player and will fancy her chances of claiming a Senior National title. Youngster Hannah Lynch DAWSON has had a real breakthrough season, claiming a Munster Open victory and also just back from a successful Women’s British League promotion campaign. Her teammates from that event Sabina DDEVEREUX and Emma LUDLOW are also live contenders at the Nationals, while UCD’s Sarah TIMLIN has been consistent all season and has just returned to Ireland from an ITTF Pro Tour event in Austria which will have benefitted her immensely. An intriguing title battle ahead which is a difficult one to call – one thing is for sure, there will be lots of twists and turns on the road to crowning 2013 National Women’s Champion.

All are welcome at ALSAA this weekend, play starts at 9am on Saturday morning with the Singles Finals scheduled for 4pm on Sunday afternoon.

(courtesy Irish TTA)

Photo: John MURPHY (courtesy Irish TTA)