In the final match of the group Ireland faced the seeds in the group The Netherlands on Thursday, 18th February.

Thomas Cup Report - Thursday, 18th Feb; Ireland v Netherlands

First up as in previous matches was Ireland’s No 1 Scott Evans against Rune Massing.  Scott sprinted off to an 11-3 start and took the 1^st set 21-8.  The 2^nd set was closely fought all the way with Massing just edging Scott out 21-19.  The 3^rd was always going to be a battle but at 16-16, Scott went on the attack and won the set and the match 21-16 in a time of 44 minutes.  Excellent start for the Irish team.

Next on court for Ireland was Tony Stephenson against the more experienced Lester Oey.  The  Dutch player took the 1^st set 21-11. Tony continued to work hard but went down 21-10 in the 2^nd set.

Niall Tierney came on court against Saber Afif in 3^rd singles.  Niall lost the 1^st set 21-15 but not without  a fight.  The 2^nd set  and the match went to the Dutch man 21-11.

First doubles of Sam Magee/Tony Stephenson faced Koen Ridder/LesterOey.  The Irish duo lost the 1^st set 21-16 in a closely fought set.  Although the Irish pair gave their all they lost the 2^nd set  and the match 21-15

The Netherlands had won the match at this point but there was still the 2^nd doubles to be completed.

Scott Evans/Niall Tierney then took on Jacco Arends/Dave Khadabux but lost a very close 1^st set 23-21.  This was not to be the end though as the lads battled on and took the 2^nd set 21-18.  Down to the 3^rd set and again a long fought set but the victors were the Dutch 21-18.

Our congratulations to all the players Scott, Tony, Niall, Sam and Daniel for some very credible performances and to Jim Laugesen and Tom Causer who worked so hard at this event.

Thomas Cup Report; Wednesday 17th February - Ireland v Greece

Today the team were scheduled to play Greece at 6pm local time. Up 1^st for Ireland was Scott Evans against Georgios Charalambidis in first Men’s Singles. Scott got straight down to business and won his match 21-12 21-8.

Tony Stephenson then played Panagiotis Skarlatos and also went to work winning 21-11 21-9

Niall Tierney followed this with a tie against George Galvas and won the 1^st set  21-8. The 2^nd set went in favour of the Greek player and the stage was set for a battle in the 3^rd  Niall fought hard but narrowly lost the game 21-19. 

First Men’s Doubles of Sam Magee/Tony Stephenson faced George Galvas/Panagiotis Skarlatos.  Sam and Tony gave a steady performance and won 21-15 21-16.

Second Men’s Doubles with a change in pairing was Scott Evans/Niall Tierney facing Georgios Charalambidis/Antonis Chatzifotis.  Scott and Niall were in no mood to hang around on this one and won the match 21-11 21-8.

Final score overall 4-1 to Ireland.  Great work by the team, Jim Laugesen and Tom Causer.

Tomorrow Ireland face The Netherlands at 1pm (Irish time) and we wish them well. 

Thomas Cup Report; Tuesday 16th February - Ireland v Estonia

First up for Ireland today was Scott Evans against Estonia’s Raul Must. Scott got off to a flying start and won the 1st set 21-9. The 2^nd set was nip and tuck all the way to 19-19 when Scott pulled away to win the set and the match 21-19. Great start for Ireland.

Third singles saw Niall Tierney face Kristjan Taherand. Niall battled hard and gave a good performance but was just edged out 21-17 21-17.

Second Men’s Doubles were up next Scott Evans/Daniel Magee against Raul Must/Anta Mangel.  Evans/Magee lost the 1^st set 21-15 but fought back and took the 2^nd set 21-14. The 3^rd set and match went to the Estonian pair 21-14.

With the match now at 2-2, the 1^st Men’s Doubles would be the decider.  For Ireland Sam Magee/Tony Stephenson and for Estonia Kristjan Taherand/Kristjan Kaljurand.   Sam/Tony won the 1^st set 21-15 and kept control to win the 2^nd and the match 21-11.

Ireland won the overall match 3-2.  Congratulations to all the team and to Jim Laugesen and Tom Causer.

Next up for Ireland is a match against Greece which is scheduled for 5pm (Irish time) Wednesday 17^th. We wish them well.