As part of the Irish Veterans series of events, the Glenburn club was delighted to hold their 4th annual event, with competitors from all 4 provinces in attendance. Ulster players were well to the fore, with all the men’s titles staying here, indeed only 1 of the 8 men’s finalists was from outside Ulster.
The “blue riband” event as always was the over 40s. After emerging from a particularly tough group, former Glenburn player (very briefly!) Daryl Strong sailed serenely into the final with straight sets wins over Igor Chamilla and Artur Lewanczuk. There he met Ormeau clubmate Phil Wallace, who had a rather harder route in beating Alex Bartusik, Rory Scott 3-1, and coming from 1-0 and 2-1 down to beat Rita Kacsandi 3-2, 11-9 in the 5th. In some respects the final, between 2 players who know each other’s game inside out, was almost like practice. Long rallies, each knowing where the other player was going to place the ball, but Daryl was the more consistent, winning 7, 4, 4, for his 5th consecutive Irish ranking 40s success.
The 50s event had more by way of shocks and perhaps a surprising – at least in his own opinion – winner. Top seed Daryl crashed out in the quarters, losing 3-1 to Igor, who in turn lost 3-2 to Tibor Pofok, both results were a reversal of their 40s meetings. Mark McAlister quietly made his way to the final with 3-1 wins over David Marshall and fellow-Ulsterman Pat McCloughan. Tibor was favourite in the final, but Mark always relishes a challenge, some of his retrieving back from the table was a joy to watch (not for Tibor we suspect!), and Mark was a worthy winner -3, 5, 9, 6.
In the 60s, Des “modest” Flanagan – self-bestowed! – flew the Ulster flag in the top half of the draw, beating Leinster invaders Keld Jaksland 3-0 and Tommy Fitzgerald 3-1. The lower half was packed with Ulster players and Sean McAnaney proved to be the pick of the bunch beating both the vastly improved Arnold Morgan and Fergal O’Hagan 3-1. The final between the two travelling companions and – usually – friends was a comfortable victory for Des, 3, 4, 9. Des doesn’t lose many 60s matches – 5 Irish ranking titles since the start of last season – but this one was more straightforward than most.
Kingsland’s finest, Albert Coulter, threatened to cause an upset in the 70s. He put out Brian Finn in his group and took Barry Dickson very close in the semi before losing 9 in the 5th after holding a 2-1 lead. Both semis were all-Ulster affairs, with Glenburn’s own Norman Nabney coming out on top against Jeremy Lappin 3-1. The final was one-way traffic with Barry blitzing his usual array of winners and winning 3, 8, 5. There was a very unkind suggestion that it was as well there was no drug testing otherwise Norman might not have been allowed to compete!
The only event without an Ulster representative in the later stages was the ladies. Our 4 girls fought hard, but none of Mary, Ruth, Mavis or Emily White managed to qualify from their groups. Rita Kacsandi defeated Susan Hanlon in a high quality final 3-2.
NORMAN NABNEY
Photos from top –
Daryl with his winner’s prizemoney for the 40s.
Daryl and Phil after their final.
Des and Sean battle it out for 60s title.
Happy 70s runner-up Norman with tournament referee Herbie Ross.
