PETER Deeny finally achieved his ambition of winning the W.F. Magee Cup, which is awarded each season to the Individual League champion.
The cup was first presented by Peter’s late father Bernard Deeny, the first Secretary of the Lecale League in 1958. The W.F. Magee Cup was won by his brother Kieran in 1972 and has finally made it back to a Deeny home.
The consolation singles title was won by a talented young player, Manus McEvoy.
The end of season individual closed championship, which was held at Owenbeg Table Tennis Club on Monday 30 March, attracted a large entry of participants from member clubs.
They were competing for the two championship titles to raise money for the league’s nominated charity, Marie Curie Hospice, Belfast.
The competition was organised in a four-group and knockout format, with two teams from each group proceeding to a consolation and main final rounds.
The preliminary group matches produced excellent table tennis, good sportsmanship and the usual banter, especially when competitors were drawn against each other from the same clubs. But they all shared the same objective of reaching the final rounds.
Championship final: Peter Deeny v John Magee
As spectators assembled around table one, they knew this would be an excellent match from two attack-minded players. Peter may have started as favourite, but John had shown throughout the season he can raise his game when required and was determined to put on a show.
Equally, Peter has also had a brilliant season. With well-placed forehand winners, Peter took the first game 11-3.
But John decided he had nothing to lose, and with a mixture of accurate ball placement and forehand loop drives, he took the second game. The next few points would be crucial for both players as they probed for the opening to attack the ball, but at championship point, a Deeny forehand winner secured victory and with it the title.
The Lecale League committee would like to take this opportunity to thank all participants for attending the event and their generous donations towards the Lecale League’s nominated charity.
We would also like to thank the donations received from Drumaness and Ballymote table tennis clubs and Owenbeg Table Tennis Club for hosting the event and providing the refreshments.
Finally, a big thank you to Jimmy Sterling for another brilliant job as championship referee.
