Nowadays
Table tennis or the better known term „ping-pong” is a kind, entertaining healthy sport. It requires sharp eyes, quick reflexes, sense of pace and stamina that are all great characteristics of sportsmen. It strenghtens arm-and leg muscles and it does good to the abdominal too because of the constant chasing of the tiny ball. Where there is ping-pong equipment there is no boredom. Anybody can try and enjoy it be aged 1 or 101. Table tennis is probably the widest spread sport in the world. It is hardly imaginable to grow up without playing the game at some stage. It is absolutely no wonder that one can find the well know dark green coloured tables almost everywhere: halls of offices, clubs, community halls or resort places. Even though it is well known how much good ping-pong does to people, unfortunately there are still places where people seem to be reluctant to utilize on it.
Table tennis has been changed lately, there are new rules that have been introduced in the last 10 years and they put the beauty of this great game to a different perspective.
The official name of the game (from 2008) is: table tennis supersonix.
Fast, short rallies – it is the harmony of reflex, body and mind. It is a very „infectious” game that also helps you overcome hard days.
Once you start playing it you will become fit and pleasently tired at the same time – however, beware of the addictiveness of the game.
We would like to pass the beauty of the game on to the children and of course to all who fancy trying their abilities at the CYM sport club in the future. My personal and my partner’s great experience is the guarantee to this. This branch of the club is not entirely new but its future depends on us.
„Thanks” to the modern, „computer”-age, we have been lacking the young generation from our club lately.
Fortunately, there are encouraging signs that this game will prevail. Primary and secondary schools noticed quite soon that this game helps to achieve the yearned „sound mind in a sound body”.
The Cym Sport Club has great sports facilities and within them the Table Tennis department has the best sport hall at its disposal with perfect lighting and excellent floor.
These great conditions are due to the great presidential leadership of the club that makes sure that the players only have to concentrate on the game and nothing else. We have put in new tables recently that are crucial for constant development and the high standard of the game.
The Junior Department has been found lately where experienced members of the senior team help out so that this game would be passed on to the next generation.
Tibor Pofok
History of CYM Table Tennis Section (1966-1980)
The Table Tennis Section is the youngest section in the Club. Although Table Tennis was played in Harrington Street and in the old pavillion at Terenure, the section had died away some years before the move to our present premises. It was then that two members, Joe O'Rourke and Pat Vaughan, decided it was time that C.Y.M.S Terenure, should have a Table Tennis Section. With the help of Brendan Nolan and Noel Lennon, they got thirty names, each paying their fees in advance. This money was given to the Executive Committee, who gave the green light for the start of what was to be one of the most successful Sections in the Club. A new table was purchased and also a second-hand one, and that first year fifty members joined the section most of these were complete beginners. The Club entered three teams in the Leinster League (Two Gents and one Ladies) that year 1966/67. All aquitted themselves admirably. Over the next two years, thanks to a very enthusiastic membership, the section became well known in the Table Tennis world. The beginners of 1966/67 Season had now blossomed into fairly competent players, and a hard core of about 20 members made frequent trips to tournaments up and down the country. Six teams were now wearing the C.Y. colours in the Leinster League, 3 Mens and 3 Ladies Teams, and in 1969 the Gents 1st Team of Brendan Nolan, Noel Lennon and V. O'Neill reached their first league final. They played Pioneers, and after a very exciting final, the score stood at 6-6. A deciding doubles had to be played, and unfortunately they lost this.
By 1970 the section had eight teams in the Leinster League, 4 Gents and 4 Ladies. C.Y.M.S. Terenure were now in the top six Table Tennis Clubs in Leinster, and for the first time, the Gents 1st Team were accepted to play in the First Division Leinster League. The standard of Table Tennis had improved considerably, thanks mainly to the regular coaching sessions conducted by Brendan Nolan and Vinnie O'Neill, which took place throughout the summer months. The memership had now reached 80 and an additional table was bought. With the section now firmly on its feet and gaining in stature, it was inevitable that the new players which the club needed to maintain its progress should arrive. A new member to the section and the first team in 1970, was Brian Larrigan. Brian, having come from Pioneers was a big asset to the club, and his coming had a big bearing in establishing the section as a formidable force in the league competitions.
In an effort to further establish the Club in the Table Tennis world, the Committee of 1971 with Brendan Nolan as captain, inaugurated the first South County Dublin Table Tennis Championships which was sponsored by Baxendale & Co. Ltd. This was the first of what was to be one of the best tournaments of its kind in Ireland. Most of the leading players in the country took part. This Tournament has now become one of the biggest events in the Table Tennis Calendar, and we are very grateful to Brian Langan of B. & T. Furniture, who took over the sponsorship and really made the South County the success it is today.
In the 1973/74 Season, the Section was to have its biggest successs, when the Gents First Team won the first Division Leinster League, and lost in the Cup final. Teh Gents 2nd Team won the cup in the 2nd Division and finished runners-up in the League. The standard was now very high in the Section with Brian Larrigan and D. Melinn on the Irish Ranking List. However, we were still waiting for our first success in the ladies divisions. This was put right in 1975/76 when the Ladies 3rd Team of G. Morrissey, T. McDonald and R. Morrin carried offf the League in Division IV of the Leinster League, followed by the great success of our Ladies 1st Team of M McGivern, G. Morrissey and M. Sheeran in 1977/78, when tehy carried off both League and Cup in Division 2.
With both Men and Ladies Teams in the First Division and Eleven teams in all competing in the Leinster League, C.Y.M.S. Table Tennis Section have really made its mark.