Double celebration for champ Niamh

Double celebration for champ Niamh

26 March 2025

THERE are double celebrations for Loughinisland’s Niamh Mason after she claimed the U-19 and U-21 All-Ireland Table Tennis Championship titles.

Competing at the South Lake Leisure Centre in Craigavon over the course of last weekend, the Ormeau Table Tennis star overcame clubmates Grace Looney and Anjalie Singh in the respective finals.

Her double triumph came courtesy of a 3-0 victory over Grace and 3-1success against Anjalie, as she went home with a plaque and trophy in hand.

Niamh has come a long way from humble table tennis beginnings, having first experienced the sport on a family holiday, but the sings of a burgeoning talent were there from day one.

“I played table tennis for the first time against my dad, in France, when I was 10 or 11. I really liked it and because my dad thought I had a knack for the sport, I joined my first club in Lisburn when we got home,” she said.

“My coach at the time, Jennifer Thompson, recognised my talent and advised I should move to the larger Ormeau club to develop.”

The 17 year-old has gone from strength to strength under the guidance of coaches Kevin and Jervis Knox, and her recent victories represent the first of many potential milestones.

“I think I have come quite far. They’re my first national titles and when I first started, I never thought of it as a competitive sport like I do now,” she explained.

“I think it has given me the confidence to go on and achieve more.”

Niamh’s success has not come without hard work and sacrifice. Not only does she train three to four times a week with her club, she also undertakes bi-weekly Ulster squad practice and Ireland squad sessions every other month.

The national team training requires travelling to Dublin for a full, six-hour day session and when added to the effort Niamh puts in to her club and province, her dedication truly shines through.

Speaking on how her work ethic has paid off, Niamh added: “My titles mean a lot because of the time both me and my parents put into it. It’s great to see my effort leading to rewards. 

Niamh will not have long to wait to stake a claim for further glory, as she travels to Linz, Austria, to compete for Team Ireland in the 2025 Raiffeisen Youth Championships.