Mayo players who attended the Stiga Ulster Junior Open returned home jubilant after a weekend of table tennis in the Valley Leisure Centre Newtownabbey Belfast.
In his first National Junior Ranking event Keelon Rowley from Knock was not overawed at the size of the hall or the amount of players attending this event.
It was always going to be hard for Keelon who has only been playing table tennis for six months now. And was playing more experienced players and International players.
Keelon played some good table tennis in the opening round of group matches. Although it was tough for Keelon he kept his head but in the end had to settle for the under 12 plate event.
in the plate Keelon played well and eased passed the group stage to reach the knockout stages.
Keelon was now settled and played some great shots in his matches, and progressed to the semi finals of the plate.
Playing in his first semi-final was a nerve jangling experienced for Keelon, But he kept a cool head and secured a victory over his opponent. to reach his first ever final.
In the final both players played some outstanding table tennis, not giving an inch and it was exciting to watch, Keelon played exceptionally well but in the end had to settle for runner-up.
Keelon would have gained valuable experience for this and hopefully will go on to better things in table tennis.

James Joyce recieving his Medal from Mr Joseph Hickey President of the Irish Table Tennis Association

James Joyce from Knock returned home jubilant after the 2011 Stiga Ulster Junior Open Belfast, James playing in only his second ever National ranking event proved that his performance at the Leinster Junior Open was no fluke, and returned home victorious.
James was grouped in the first round against Tom Walsh from Kinneigh club Munster,Taidgh Hazzard Castlerahan club Ulster. and Tadgh Downey Carlow club Leinster.
James was second favourite in the group and with the top two progressing to the next round. James played well against Taidgh Hazard and Tadgh Downey and secured wins over both to set up the group decider with Tom Walsh. It was a tough match for james against the much more experienced player from Munster and narrowly lost but still managed to go through to the next round.
The second round of group matches would decide if the playersc went into Section one or section two of the main event. James was nowup against the best players in the country with quite a few international players still in the draw,It was tough for James with only six months of table tennis under his belt, but he handled it well, in the end James had to settle for Section two and battle it out for Ninth to sixteenth place.
In what was a tough group for James,now he had to play to the best of his ability to try and secure a high enough finish as possible, He never gave up and breezed into the semi final of the section,
James played some outstanding table tennis and quickly saw off his opponent to set up a final against Ian Dick from Fivemile Town Academy Fermanagh.
James was composed going into the final and raced to a one nil lead. After some encouraging words from his coach James dictated the pace of the match never letting Ian play his natural game and James took the second game to lead two nil. With the scent of victory in the air James played outstanding table tennis in the third game and powered his way to victory. and a three nil win.Securing the gold medal position, and brought home his second Medal from the fist two eventsof the season. James has Proved to his coach that he has a bright future in the sport after performing greatly in his first two National Ranking events after only six months of table tennis under his belt.

Eddie Ditchburn Warming up before the days play