Irish Pool

Irish Pool – Entries are being taken for the 2010 Northwest Open 8-Ball Championships played in the beautiful Arena 7 venue in Letterkenny this Saturday 12th June with two time-slots operation played on supreme championship pool tables with past champions being Alan Mc Bennett (Cavan, 2008 champion) and John Mc Mahon (Cavan, 2009 champion).PRE ENTER.

PLAYING HANDICAP:
Irelands Pool Players 8-Ball Pool Tour has seen a new playing HANDICAP SYSTEM introduced for all tournaments in 2010 with each and every player receiving a playing handicap for all events they compete in.

The idea of handicapping all tournaments played on the newly named Irelands Pool Players 8-Ball Pool Tour is to introduce a even and level playing field for all players that enters and not to give any particular player or players an advantage.

The new playing handicapping system will also see all the top players having to work a lot harder to win any of these tour events and we will review all players performances judged on a number of tournaments (not just one) to see if any players need to get there handicap amended.

There will be no minus players on the tour with following categories in place Scratch, +1, +2, +3 and +4 which sees all matches the best of 13 (first to 7).(all ladies will start at +4 unless otherwise stated).

If both competing players have a plus handicap, then they start with the difference in place.(eg: if a +3 plays a +1, match starts at 2-0).

As stated above all tour events will be the best of 13 (first to 7) final included and the tours official dress-code must be in place.

IRELAND’S 8-BALL CHALLENGE TOUR:
The next day Sunday 13th June also at the Arena 7 venue will see 32 players compete in Event three of Irelands 4,000 8-Ball Challenge Tour Series which consists of five events taking place in venues throughout different counties with 800 in prize-money up for grabs at each event with the winner walking away with a cheque for 350, runner-up 200, semi-finals 75 and the -finals receiving 25 each with all challenge tour events starting at 10am at each venue advertised.

NOTE:
SOME PLAYERS STILL OWE OUTSTANDING ENTRY FEES FOR THE 2010 CHALLENGE TOUR, IF ANY PLAYER CAN’T MAKE THE CHALLENGE TOUR THIS SUNDAY 13TH JUNE PLEASE MAKE SURE THE ORGANISERS HAS RECEIVED YOUR MONEY.

INFORMATION / ENTRIES:
For all entries or further information please contact (0044) 7917887147 or email rbirish8ball@yahoo.co.uk or visit the tours official website www.rballsports.com

Article courtesy of www.rballsports.com

Irish Pool – PHOTO:
New Street Inn pool team from Ederney Co. Fermanagh who won last years Super 5’s 8-Ball Summer Cup is pictured from LtoR:——Brian Curtis (cap), Liam Mc Cusker, Eamon Lynch, Kevin Lavelle and Niall Mc Menamin.

Entries are being accepted from teams for the 2nd annual 2010 Pizza Place Super 5s 8-Ball Summer Cup which sees this years event kindly sponsored by the Pizza Place in Fintona.

Q-Sport Academy Fintona will be the venue for this second annual Super 5s 8-Ball Summer Cup taking place on Tuesday nights with the tournament only limited to 10 teams on a first come, first served basis with each team paying 100 entry fee to enter which sees the tournament paying out 1,450 Prize-Money in total with all teams only allowed two seeded players per team.

All seeded players is men players only that played in any inter county mens A pool teams, international teams, Irish or international pro tours or overseas pool tours over the last five years, and as stated above this only occurs to men players for the seeded players category.

The top three teams progresses to the semi-finals (1v4 and 2v3) with the fourth place coming from a play-off involving all bottom teams who fulfil all there fixtures, with the outright winners receiving 900 and the perpetual trophy and the runner-ups collecting 300.

PRIZE-MONEY:
Outright Winners: 900

Runner-Ups: 300

Individual player of the tournament: 175

Individual Lady or Junior player of the tournament: 75

Each team will receive five bonus points each night for the tournament dress code which is set in place by the organisers consisting of black trousers, polo or dress shirt and dress shoes, and anyone fails to wear the dress-code means they dont receive any bonus points which could put a team out from qualifying for the grand-finals which happen a team last year.

We are asking all teams that are entering to get there team wearing all the same shirts (if possible) for this event which will be cueing off in a couple of weeks time with every team playing each other in the group format taking place on a number of Tuesday nights at the Q-Sport Academy venue Fintona when all teams (50 players) will be in the tournament venue arena at the one time, making it a great atmosphere for all players to play in.

Before going to press the organisers has received six teams with only four places remaining and everyone is reminded that no team will get entering this event unless entry fees are paid in full.

For all entries or further information contact 07917887147 or visit the following website www.rballsports.com and click on the Tyrone link on the left-hand-side where all results and team photo’s will be advertised when the tournament cues-off..

NAME OF EVENT: Pizza Place Super 5s 8-Ball Summer Cup

DATE: Played on Tuesday nights.

TIME: 8-15pm sharp —- draw made by 7-45pm

VENUE: Q-Sport Academy Fintona, Co. Tyrone

NUMBER OF TABLES: Played on 5 supreme pool tables each night

PRIZE-MONEY: (1,450): Outright Winners 900 —– Runner-Up 300 —– Player of the tournament 175 —- Lady or Junior player of the tournament 75

ENTRY FEE: 100 per-team ——limited to 10 teams

TEL: 07917887147

EMAIL: rbirish8ball@yahoo.co.uk

WEBSITE: www.rballsports.com

PAST CHAMPIONS:
2009: New Street Inn (Ederney Co. Fermanagh)

Article courtesy of www.rballsports.com

Irish Pool – Niall McMenamin (Co. Fermanagh) became the 3rd champion of the Co. Tyrone Open 8-Ball Championship hosted by Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Pool Tour last Saturday with the Kesh cueist defeating Daryl Beattie in a classic final which went right down to the wire with Niall getting over the winning line on a 7-6 victory to pick up the winners cheque and go on the tournaments roll of honour list alongside great champions Brendan Mc Donagh (Tyrone, 2008 champion) and World Professional pool player Ronan McCarthy (Down, 2009 champion).

Niall turned on the style from the last-16 onwards with victories over Barry Cunningham (Fintona) and followed that up with a brilliant 7-6 win over the 2008 champion Brendan Mc Donagh in the -finals and rounded of the tournament with victories over Ronnie Boyle (Fintona) in the semi-final 5-1 and a superb 7-6 win against Daryl Beattie (Sixmilecross) in the final to be crowned 2010 Co. Tyrone Open 8-Ball Champion.

PAST CHAMPIONS:
2008: Brendan Mc Donagh (Tyrone)
2009: Ronan Mc Carthy (Down)
2010: Niall Mc Menamin (Fermanagh)

NORTHWEST OPEN 8-BALL CHAMPIONSHIPS:
Niall will be trying to keep his good run of form going this weekend along with other players from throughout the different Counties when they travel to Letterkenny this Saturday 12th June for the annual 2010 NORTHWEST OPEN 8-BALL POOL CHAMPIONSHIPS (details advertised shortly) and then the next day Sunday 13th June for Event 3 of Irelands 4,000 8-Ball Challenge Tour Series.

Irelands 4,000 8-Ball Challenge Tour Series consists of five events taking place in venues throughout different counties with 800 in prize-money up for grabs at each event with the winner walking away with a cheque for 350, runner-up 200, semi-finals 75 and the -finals receiving 25 each with all challenge tour events starting at 10am at each venue advertised.NOTE: all players are asked to confirm if they are playing or not in Event 3 of this Challenge Tour by calling or by texting 07917887147.

John Mc Mahon (Cavan) is the current 2009 Northwest Open 8-Ball Champion winning the event 12 months ago while Alan Mc Bennett (Cavan) claimed the title in 2008 in the three year history of the tournament.

PHOTO:
Niall Mc Menamin (Fermanagh) 2010 Co. Tyrone Open 8-Ball Champion.

NOTE:—–please click on the Fermanagh pool link on the left-hand-side to view more cue-sport news and photos.

Article courtesy of www.rballsports.com

Irish Pool – Congratulations to Junior Pool Player Brian Sheridan (Dromore) who won the 2010 N. Ireland Open Junior ranking tournament on Sunday past played in Q-Sport Academy Fintona played alongside the Tyrone Open 8-Ball Championships.

Brian who was a member of current Tyrone Junior A Pool Team which won the 2010 All Ireland Inter County Team Championships last month played good attacking pool throughout the day to be crowned champion.

Brian who was in tremendous form defeated the following players to lift the title Carl Martin (Fintona, 3-1), Adam Mc Mackin (Beragh, 3-2), Mathew Campbell (Beragh, 3-0) and a brilliant 4-3 victory over current Ireland Junior International Pool Player Barry Cunningham (Fintona) in the final on a 4-3 score-line.

NOTE: please click on the Tyrone link on the left-hand-side.

PHOTO:
2010 N.Ireland Open Junior Champion Brian Sheridan (Dromore).

Article courtesy of www.rballsports.com

Irish Pool – The Q-Sport Academy recently staged the Tyrone Open Small Table Snooker Championships which was a major success attracting top snooker players from throughout Tyrone.

The tournament was only limited to 16 players based on first come, first served with tournament organisers having to turn away a lot of players due to the tournament being a limited event with the tournament producing some fantastic breaks recorded each night.

The Grand-Finals which consisted of the semi-finals and the final taking place on one night was played to very high standard when former Omagh & District Individual Snooker Champion Dwayne Timlin turned on the style throughout the tournament and also on Grand-Finals night to be crowned the 2010 Tyrone Open Small Table Snooker Champion.

In the semi-finals Dwayne defeated the current Omagh and District Individual Snooker Champion Damien Corrigan in a hard fought match and then overcame the challenge of Paul Heaney in the final to claim the title in superb fashion.
Paul Heaney recorded the highest break of the tournament which came in the final against Dwayne recording a marvellous 88 clearance break.

TOURNAMENT HIGHEST BREAK:
Paul Heaney 88

SEMI-FINALS:
Dwayne Timlin (Omagh) bt Damien Corrigan (Fintona)
Paul Heaney (Sixmilecross) bt Darren Mc Ardle (Omagh)

FINAL:
Dwayne Timlin bt Paul Heaney

PHOTO:
The four semi-finals in the 2010 Tyrone Open Small Table Snooker Championships pictured LtoR:.Paul Heaney (Sixmilecross, runner-up), Darren Mc Ardle (Omagh), Dwayne Timlin (Omagh, winner), Damien Corrigan (Fintona).

Article courtesy of www.rballsports.com

Irish Pool – Snooker enthusiasts in the Northwest are in for a feast of world class snooker when Irelands first ever invitational professional snooker challenge comes to Donegal. The one day event features 4 world class snooker players/celebrities and indeed includes 3 quarter-finalists at this years world snooker championships. With 7,000 in prizemoney on offer the atmosphere should be tense and exciting.

The event is taking place in the magnificent CLANREE HOTEL in Letterkenny on Saturday 3rd July with the event kicking off at 12 Noon with a semi-final between 2005 World Snooker Champion Shaun Murphy and 2 times world snooker semi-finalist Joe Swail. Murphy is noted for his widely acclaimed cue action and his consistent long potting. In the 2008/2009 season he won the UK Championship and reached the World Championship final. Joe Swail has reached ten major ranking semi-finals, including the 2000 and 2001 World Championships but only one final. Swail is renowned for playing well at the Crucible Theatre, having reached the last 16 on four further occasions.

The second semi-final at 3pm will feature the Jester from Leicester Mark Selby and Antrims very own Mark Allen. Selby runner up in the World Snooker Championship 2007 he was the 2006 WEPF World Eight-ball Champion. Selby has won the Masters on two occasions and the Welsh Open, to date his only ranking-tournament success. Selbys opponent Allen won the World Amateur Championship in 2004. The following year he turned professional and took only three seasons to reach the elite World’s Top-16. For the 2009/2010 season, he is ranked no. 11, up five places from the previous year. A left-hander, Allen’s highest break to date is a 146 which he has achieved twice, once in the 2007 UK Championship qualifiers and at the 2010 World Snooker Championship. His break-building style is a little unorthodox in the modern game, in that he rarely goes into the pack of reds early in a break, preferring to pick off loose reds and establish a lead.

There are two types of tickets available for this feast of snooker. VIP tickets are available at 60 Euro. This entitles premium seats for the two semi-finals and final of the event. Also these tickets will entitle holders to attend a pre-final reception where there will be food and also an opportunity to meet all the players and referee Michaela Tabb for autographs and photographs. These tickets are limited in number. Standard admission tickets are also available and priced at 35 euro which will again admit holders to all 3 matches. Both types of tickets are available from the Clanree Hotel Letterkenny. The semi-final matches will be best of 9 frames and the final best of 11 frames. All matches will be refereed by well known celebrity and professional snooker referee Michaela Tabb.

VIP TICKETS:——60 euros
Premium seats for two Semi-Finals
Pre final reception (food served)
Opportunity to meet the players & referee Michaela Tabb
Autographs & Photographs
NOTE: —-THESE TICKETS ARE LIMITED

STANDARD ADMISSION TICKETS: ——- 35 euros
Price of 35 euros covers admission to three matches —— (two Semi-Finals & Final)

ALL TICKETS / INFORMATION:
Tickets are available from CLANREE HOTEL, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Tickets plus information is also available by contacting 07917887147 or 086-8211302

LETTERKENNY:
A great and lively night out in Letterkenny after the snooker is guaranteed with the CLANREE HOTEL doing special rates for over night stay for this new and fantastic Professional Snooker Tournament.

Article courtesy of www.rballsports.com

Irish Pool – Tyrone Junior A team put in a fantastic performance to be crowned 2010 All Ireland Inter County Junior Team Champions going down on the roll of honours list alongside the great Tyrone junior team which won back to back All Ireland titles in 2002 & 2003 with these young lads displaying there natural talent to be crowned worthy champions with each and every player playing there part in this wonderful achievement.

The junior category at these All Ireland Inter County Team Finals was played in a round robin format with Tyrone Junior A Team topping there group and progressing to the knockout stages as group winners.

These young players played outstanding pool throughout the tournament defeating Co. Mayo (8-3), Co. Clare (8-3), WestMeath (8-0), Co. Leitrim (8-5) to progress to the semi-final stages where they came up against there friends and team mates in a all Tyrone derby match.

The semi-final stages got underway which seen two hard fought matches taking place with Tyrone A overcoming the challenge of Tyrone junior B team to claim a 8-5 victory and a place in the All Ireland finals with Mayo A claiming the other final place with a 8-7 result over there B team.

The final also seen some superb pool played from both teams representing the counties of Tyrone and Mayo but it was the Tyrone junior A team who got over the line on this occasion to be crowned 2010 All Ireland Inter County Team Champions with a brilliant 8-6 victory over a very good Mayo side.

Congratulations to following young lads (listed below) from throughout the Tyrone county on there wonderful achievement being crowned All Ireland Junior Team Champions which is a credit to each and every team member who all played there part in this fabulous victory with team members is as follows.

ALL IRELAND INTER COUNTY JUNIOR TEAM CHAMPIONS:
Co. Tyrone A (winners) —– Co. Mayo A (runner-up)

PHOTO:
Irish Pool Association chairman John Magee (Mayo) presents Tyrone Junior A team captain Adam Mc Mackin with the 2010 All Ireland Inter County Junior Team Cup.also in the photo is team members pictured LtoR: Brian Sheridan (Dromore), Cieran Fay (Coalisland), Adam Mc Mackin (Beragh, captain), John Magee (IPA chairman), Barry Cunningham (Fintona), Luke Quinn (Ardboe) and Nathan Todd (Seskanore).

NOTE: — also click on the Tyrone link on the left-hand-side.

Article courtesy of www.rballsports.com

Irish Pool – Young Adam Mc Mackin who hails from Beragh in the Tyrone county proved over the weekend of the 2010 All Ireland Inter County Team Championships that he remains the best junior player in Ireland on current form after claiming the 2010 All Ireland Individual Junior Championship title defeating some fantastic players on route to victory which included Irelands current number 2 ranked player Philip Coronin from Co. Louth.

Every 2010 All Ireland individual championship tournament organised in different categories and hosted by Irish Pool Association was staged in Dublin a few months ago with all players then making there way to Ennis Co. Clare last weekend to compete in the individual grand-finals in front of over 300 pool players who gathered for the inter county weekend.

Adam did his county proud over the weekend by taking the 2010 All Ireland Individual Junior title with a fabulous 7-3 victory over Dave Kenny from Wexford in the final which seen this young Tyrone player play outstanding pool which any top player would be proud of.

Adam also captain Tyrone Junior A to All Ireland victory as well as representing Tyrone Mens A Team and also the Under-23 Team which narrowly lost in the final showing what a brilliant young talent he is.

ALL IRELAND INDIVIDUAL JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS:
Adam Mc Mackin (Tyrone, winner) —– Dave Kenny (Wexford, runner-up)

PHOTO:
Irish Pool Association chairman John Magee (Mayo) presents Adam Mc Mackin (Tyrone) with the 2010 All Ireland Junior Individual Championship Perpetual Cup

Article courtesy of www.rballsports.com

Irish Pool – The Irish Pool Association introduced a new and exciting under-15 tournament at the 2010 All Ireland Inter County Team Championships involving up and coming young future starts of tomorrow with the event being a major success and enjoyed by all counties and players.

Tyrone Pool Association wrote themselves into the history books by becoming the first winners of this new and fantastic event with the Tyrone lads only dropping one game throughout the tournament.

Tyrone claimed the title playing superb pool throughout the weekend recording some impressive victories on route to victory which included a fantastic 5-0 win over Co. Louth in the semi-finals and then defeating a good young Co. Leitrim team in the final on a 5-1 score-line to be crowned 2010 All Ireland Inter County Under-15 Team Champions.

ALL IRELAND INTER COUNTY UNDER-15 TEAM CHAMPIONS:
Co. Tyrone (winners) —– Co. Leitrim (runner-up)

PHOTO:
Tyrone Under-15 Pool Team is pictured with Joe McGee of McGee Butchers who kindly sponsored Tyrone Pool Association for the 2010 All Ireland Inter County Team Championships.LtoR: Carl Martin (Fintona), Cieran Fay (Coalisland, captain), Joe McGee and Dale Booth (Omagh).

Article courtesy of www.rballsports.com

Irish Pool – The Irish Pool Association also introduced a new 8-ball event in the under-23 category at the 2010 All Ireland Inter County Team Finals which was also well supported from counties throughout Ireland which seen Tyrone Pool Association putting in a gallant effort to reach the final only to get defeated in the very last game with the match sitting at 4-4 against a very strong Cavan team which included past and present internationals including the 2007 European 8-Ball Champion Stephen Dempsey.

Tyrone reached the final with some brilliant victories over Westmeath, Leitrim, Wexford before losing a last game decider in the final against a strong Cavan team on a 5-4 score-line.

These young men should be very proud of themselves producing a wonderful performance against top class players and teams from throughout Ireland and hopefully will return one day to claim this category title.

ALL IRELAND INTER COUNTY UNDER-23 TEAM CHAMPIONS:
Co. Cavan (winners) —– Co. Tyrone (runner-up)

PHOTO:
Tyrone Under-23 Pool Team is pictured with Joe McGee of McGee Butchers who kindly sponsored Tyrone Pool Association for the 2010 All Ireland Inter County Team Championships.LtoR: Adam Mc Mackin, Ronan Fay, Joe McGee (sponsor), Chris Beattie.

Article courtesy of www.rballsports.com

Irish Pool – Tyrone Junior B Pool Team (pictured alongside junior A team) put in a superb performance to reach the semi-finals stages of the 2010 All Ireland Inter County Junior Team Championships.

These young lads topped there group in the round robin format with victories over Wexford, Cavan, Louth and Mayo B.

The semi-final stages got underway which seen both Tyrone Junior teams coming up against each other played to a very high standard with the Tyrone Junior A team claiming a 8-5 victory in a hard fought match to progress to the final of these prestigious junior team championships.

ALL IRELAND INTER COUNTY JUNIOR TEAM CHAMPIONS:
Co. Tyrone A (winners) —– Co. Mayo A (runner-up)

PHOTO:
Tyrone Junior A & B Pool Teams is pictured with Joe McGee of McGee Butchers who kindly sponsored Tyrone Pool Association for the 2010 All Ireland Inter County Team Championships.

Back row LtoR: Nathan Todd, Cieran Fay, Gerald McKee, Luke Quinn, Barry Cunningham, Gary Mc Menamin, Mathew Campbell, Steven Quinn.Front row LtoR: Adam Mc Mackin, Carl Martin, Joe McGee (sponsor), Dale Booth, Brian Sheridan.

Article courtesy of www.rballsports.com

Irish Pool – The Tyrone Ladies once again give a good account of themselves over the weekend at the 2010 All Ireland Inter County Team Championship Finals and should be very proud of themselves by putting in some brilliant performances and was very unlucky in a few occasions losing there group matches to inform and top teams by small margins.

Tyrone ladies put in a great effort against Co. Cavan only to be defeated on a 8-7 score-line with Cavan then going on to be crowned 2010 All Ireland Ladies Inter County Team Champions.

Tyrone ladies came up against the following teams in there group listed below over this fantastic weekend.

TYRONE LADIES GROUP:
Co. Cavan
Co. Wexford
Co. Donegal
Co. Tyrone

ALL IRELAND INTER COUNTY MENS TEAM CHAMPIONS:
Co. Cavan (winners) —— Co. Wexford (runner-up)

PHOTO:
Tyrone Ladies Team is pictured with Joe McGee of McGee Butchers who kindly sponsored Tyrone Pool Association for the 2010 All Ireland Inter County Team Championships.

Front row LtoR: Patricia Quinn, Mary O’ Neill, Joe McGee (sponsor), Fidelma Branigan, missing from photo Josie Mallon.

NOTE: — also click on the Tyrone link on the left-hand-side.

Article courtesy of www.rballsports.com

Irish Pool – The cross-community set-up of Tyrone Pool Association seen the management, supporters and family members return home on Monday of last week from the 2010 All Ireland Inter County Team Championships which was held in the beautiful West County Hotel Ennis Co. Clare.

Once again Tyrone Pool Association was the biggest county represented in numbers at this annual and prestigious event fielding the following category of teams, two mens teams (10-aside panel), one ladies team (3-aside), two junior teams (6-aside panel, under-19), one under-23 team (3-aside) and one under-15 team (3-aside).

Tyrone Mens B Team (pictured above) didnt perform over the weekend but represented there county with pride giving a good account of themselves in all there group matches which was played in a round robin format.

GROUP 4:
Co. Louth B
Co. Wexford B
Co. Offaly
Co. Leitrim
Co. Tyrone B

ALL IRELAND INTER COUNTY MENS TEAM CHAMPIONS:
Co. Cork (winners) —— Co. Wexford (runner-up)

PHOTO:
Tyrone Mens B Team is pictured with Joe McGee of McGee Butchers who kindly sponsored Tyrone Pool Association for the 2010 All Ireland Inter County Team Championships.

Back row LtoR: Barry Cunningham, Mark Stockton, Seamus Mc Ardle (jun), Cieran Summerville, Paul Corrigan, Adam Gibney.Front row LtoR: Daryl Beattie, Luke Quinn, Joe McGee (sponsor), Brian Sherdian, Steven Quinn.

Article courtesy of www.rballsports.com

Irish Pool – The cross-community set-up of Tyrone Pool Association seen the management, supporters and family members returned home on Monday of last week from the 2010 All Ireland Inter County Team Championships which was held in the beautiful West County Hotel Ennis Co. Clare.

Once again Tyrone Pool Association was the biggest county represented in numbers at this annual and prestigious event fielding the following category of teams, two mens teams (10-aside panel), one ladies team (3-aside), two junior teams (6-aside panel, under-19), one under-23 team (3-aside) and one under-15 team (3-aside).

Tyrone Mens A Team (pictured above) didnt perform over the weekend but represented there county with pride giving a good account of themselves in all there group matches which was played in a round robin format.

Co. Cork progressed from Tyrone Mens A group to be crowned champions defeating Co. Wexford in the final.

GROUP 3:
Co. Cork
Co. Mayo
Co. Roscommon
Co. Louth B
Co. Tyrone A

ALL IRELAND INTER COUNTY MENS TEAM CHAMPIONS:
Co. Cork (winners) —— Co. Wexford (runner-up)

PHOTO:
Tyrone Mens A Team is pictured with Joe McGee of McGee Butchers who kindly sponsored Tyrone Pool Association for the 2010 All Ireland Inter County Team Championships.

Back row LtoR: Ronan Fay, Dwayne Timlin, Emmett Maguire, Brendan Mc Donagh, Ronnie Boyle.Front row LtoR: Chris Beattie, Darren Mc Ardle, Joe Mc Gee (sponsor), Adam Mc Mackin, Damien Corrigan.

Article courtesy of www.rballsports.com

Irish Pool – Snooker enthusiasts in the Northwest are in for a feast of world class snooker when Irelands first ever invitational professional snooker challenge comes to Donegal. The one day event features 4 world class snooker players/celebrities and indeed includes 3 quarter-finalists at this years world snooker championships. With 7,000 in prizemoney on offer the atmosphere should be tense and exciting.

The event is taking place in the magnificent CLANREE HOTEL in Letterkenny on Saturday 3rd July with the event kicking off at 12 Noon with a semi-final between 2005 World Snooker Champion Shaun Murphy and 2 times world snooker semi-finalist Joe Swail. Murphy is noted for his widely acclaimed cue action and his consistent long potting. In the 2008/2009 season he won the UK Championship and reached the World Championship final. Joe Swail has reached ten major ranking semi-finals, including the 2000 and 2001 World Championships but only one final. Swail is renowned for playing well at the Crucible Theatre, having reached the last 16 on four further occasions.

The second semi-final at 3pm will feature the Jester from Leicester Mark Selby and Antrims very own Mark Allen. Selby runner up in the World Snooker Championship 2007 he was the 2006 WEPF World Eight-ball Champion. Selby has won the Masters on two occasions and the Welsh Open, to date his only ranking-tournament success. Selbys opponent Allen won the World Amateur Championship in 2004. The following year he turned professional and took only three seasons to reach the elite World’s Top-16. For the 2009/2010 season, he is ranked no. 11, up five places from the previous year. A left-hander, Allen’s highest break to date is a 146 which he has achieved twice, once in the 2007 UK Championship qualifiers and at the 2010 World Snooker Championship. His break-building style is a little unorthodox in the modern game, in that he rarely goes into the pack of reds early in a break, preferring to pick off loose reds and establish a lead.

There are two types of tickets available for this feast of snooker. VIP tickets are available at 60 Euro. This entitles premium seats for the two semi-finals and final of the event. Also these tickets will entitle holders to attend a pre-final reception where there will be food and also an opportunity to meet all the players and referee Michaela Tabb for autographs and photographs. These tickets are limited in number. Standard admission tickets are also available and priced at 35 euro which will again admit holders to all 3 matches. Both types of tickets are available from the Clanree Hotel Letterkenny. The semi-final matches will be best of 9 frames and the final best of 11 frames. All matches will be refereed by well known celebrity and professional snooker referee Michaela Tabb.

VIP TICKETS:——60 euros
Premium seats for two Semi-Finals
Pre final reception (food served)
Opportunity to meet the players & referee Michaela Tabb
Autographs & Photographs
NOTE: —-THESE TICKETS ARE LIMITED

STANDARD ADMISSION TICKETS: ——- 35 euros
Price of 35 euros covers admission to three matches —— (two Semi-Finals & Final)

ALL TICKETS / INFORMATION:
Tickets are available from CLANREE HOTEL, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Tickets plus information is also available by contacting 07917887147 or 086-8211302

LETTERKENNY:
A great and lively night out in Letterkenny after the snooker is guaranteed with the CLANREE HOTEL doing special rates for over night stay for this new and fantastic Professional Snooker Tournament.

Article courtesy of www.rballsports.com

Irish Pool – Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Pool Tour recently held its second event of Irelands 8-Ball Challenge Tour 4,000 Series at the beautiful Cross Square Hotel Crossmaglen when 32 players from throughout different counties took part which seen Ben Mc Moran claim his second back to back Challenge Tour titles taking home the 350 winners cheque producing fantastic pool throughout the day defeating Dwayne Timlin 8-0 in the final.

NOTE:
All Challenge Tour players are reminded that payments must be sorted in full for next event which takes place on Sunday 13th June 2010.

NEXT 8-BALL TOURNAMENT:
The next event on Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Pool Tour will take place at the newly open Q-Sport Academy Fintona Co. Tyrone on Saturday 22nd May when the 2010 Ulster Open 8-Ball Championship takes centre stage with two time-slots in operation.for all entries and further information contact 07917887147

ULSTER OPEN: ——Past Champions:
2007: Alan Mc Bennett (Cavan)
2008: Lee Hull (Derry)
2009: Ronan McCarthy (Down)
2010:

Results from the last-16 of Irelands 4,000 8-Ball Challenge Tour Series (event 2) is as follows:——

LAST-16:
Ben Mc Moran 7-1 Colette Henriksen
Connor Mc Aleer 7-4 Benny Quinn
Seamus Doyle 7-4 Paul Corrigan
Mark Stockton 7-3 Jordan Gorman
Daryl Beattie 7-3 Brian Curtis
Niall Mc Menamin 7-2 Michelle Rooney
Richard Comiskey 7-4 Chris Beattie
Dwayne Timlin 7-2 Mark Nugent

-FINALS:
Ben Mc Moran 7-3 Connor Mc Aleer
Seamus Doyle 7-4 Mark Stockton
Niall Mc Menamin 7-6 Daryl Beattie
Dwayne Timlin 7-6 Richard Comiskey

SEMI-FINALS:
Ben Mc Moran 7-5 Seamus Doyle
Dwayne Timlin 7-4 Niall Mc Menamin

FINAL:
Ben Mc Moran 8-0 Dwayne Timlin

PHOTO:
Ben Mc Moran (Tyrone) winner of Event 2 of Ireland’s 8-Ball Challenge Tour

Article courtesy of www.rballsports.com

Irish Pool – Sean Hoey (Armagh) became the third winner of the Co. Monaghan Open 8-Ball Pool Championship defeating some top players on route to victory including his fellow team-mate Stephen Rooney in the final.

This annual event took place at the beautiful Cross Square Hotel Crossmaglen which is close to the Co. Monaghan border which turned out to be a very popular venue with all players.

NEXT 8-BALL TOURNAMENT:
The next event on Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Pool Tour will take place at the newly open Q-Sport Academy Fintona Co. Tyrone on Saturday 22nd May when the 2010 Ulster Open 8-Ball Championship takes centre stage with two time-slots in operation.for all entries and further information contact 07917887147

ULSTER OPEN: ——Past Champions:
2007: Alan Mc Bennett (Cavan)
2008: Lee Hull (Derry)
2009: Ronan McCarthy (Down)
2010:

Results from the last-16 of the 2010 Co. Monaghan Open 8-Ball Pool Championships is as follows.

LAST-16:
Ben Mc Moran 7-3 Paul Murphy
Stephen Kieran 5-1 Dale Booth
Daryl Beattie 7-1 James Rooney
Stephen Rooney 7-5 Dwayne Timlin
Richard Comiskey 7-5 Ryan Morgan
Sean Hoey 7-5 Tony Mulhern
Lee Booth 5-2 Darren Byrne
Mark Nugent 7-5 Paudi Mc Clelland

-FINAL:
Ben Mc Moran 7-5 Stephen Kieran
Stephen Rooney 5-4 Daryl Beattie
Sean Hoey 7-3 Richard Comiskey
Mark Nugent 7-5 Lee Booth

SEMI-FINALS:
Stephen Rooney 7-3 Ben Mc Moran
Sean Hoey 7-5 Mark Nugent

FINAL:
Sean Hoey 7-5 Stephen Rooney

NOTE:
With the new handicap set in place for all tournaments on Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Pool Tour all matches will be the best of 13 (first to 7) unless two players are level with the same handicap which then becomes the best of 9 (first to 9).

PAST CHAMPIONS:
2008: Stephen Dempsey (Cavan)

2009: Stephen Dempsey (Cavan)

2010: Sean Hoey (Armagh)

PHOTO:
Sean Hoey 2010 Co. Monaghan Open 8-Ball Champion

Article courtesy of www.rballsports.com

Irish Pool – Entries are being taken for the annual 2010 Co. Monaghan Open 8-Ball Pool Championships which takes place this Saturday 24th April at the beautiful Cross Square Hotel Crossmaglen which is close to the Co. Monaghan border.

There will be two time-slots in operation for this annual event starting at 10am and 2pm organised by Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Pool Tour with all players reminded that the dress code must be in place for this, and all other events on the tour with tournament entry being 20 or 25 euros.all players are asked to PRE-ENTER.

The next day Sunday 25th April also at the Cross Square Hotel Crossmaglen venue 32 players will compete in Event two of Irelands 4,000 8-Ball Challenge Tour Series which consists of five ranking events taking place in venues throughout different counties with 800 in prize-money up for grabs at each event with the winner walking away with a cheque for 350, runner-up 200, semi-finals 75 and the -finals receiving 25 each, with all challenge tour events starting at 10am at each venue advertised.

CO. MONAGHAN CHAMPIONSHIPS: —– Past Champions

2008: Stephen Dempsey (Cavan)

2009: Stephen Dempsey (Cavan)

2010:

PLAYING HANDICAP:
The newly named Irelands Pool Players 8-Ball Pool Tour will see a new HANDICAP SYSTEM introduced for all tournaments in 2010 including these Co. Monaghan championships with each and every player receiving a playing handicap for all events they compete in throughout the year.

The idea of handicapping all tournaments played on the newly named Irelands Pool Players 8-Ball Pool Tour is to introduce a even and level playing field for all players that enters and not to give any particular player or players an advantage.

The new playing handicapping system will also see all the top players having to work a lot harder to win any of these tour events.for entries and further information contact 07917887147 or from Rep of Ireland (0044) 7917887147.

Cross Square Hotel
4-5 OFiaich Square
Crossmaglen
Newry
BT35 9AA
Tel: +44 (028) 3086 0505
Fax: +44 (028) 3086 0508
Email: info@crosssquarehotel.com
Website: www.crosssquarehotel.com

Article courtesy of www.rballsports.com

Irish Pool – Tyrone Open Small Table Snooker Championships was recently played for the first time at the newly open Q-Sport Academy Fintona which was a major success attracting top snooker players from throughout Tyrone.

The tournament was only limited to 16 players based on first come, first served with tournament organisers having to turn away a lot of players due to the tournament being a limited event.

This new and superb event seen some fantastic breaks recorded each night that play took place with former Omagh & District Individual Snooker Champion Dwayne Timlin in tremendous form recording five breaks of over 50 in his two matches to progress into the Grand-Finals while the other three qualifiers of Darren Mc Ardle, Paul Heaney and the new current Omagh & District Individual Snooker Champion Damien Corrigan was also in superb form making there way into the Grand-Finals.

GRAND-FINALS:
The Grand-Finals of the first Tyrone Open Small Table Snooker Championship will take place on Thursday 29th April at the newly open Q-Sport Academy Club in Fintona starting at 7-30pm when both semi-finals and final will be played to a finish involving four great cue-sport players the Tyrone county has to offer.

The first semi-final is between two Omagh & District Individual Snooker Champions Dwayne Timlin (Omagh, former champion) v Damien Corrigan (Fintona, current 2010 champion) and this will be followed by the second semi-final between Darren McArdle (Omagh) and Paul Heaney (Sixmilecross) with both semi-final matches being the best of 7 with the final being the best of 9.

TYRONE U-19 SMALL TABLE SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIPS:
Entries are being taking for the first Tyrone Under-19 Small Table Snooker Championship which is open to any player (19 or under) from any county with the tournament only limited to the first 16 paid players with entry fee being only 13.

For all entries and information contact 07917887147.

PHOTO:
Damien Corrigan (Fintona) the current 2010 Omagh & District Individual Snooker Champion will be trying to add another snooker title to his CV on Thursday 29th April.

Article courtesy of www.rballsports.com

Irish Pool – A new individual players pool league has been set-up for pool players in the Southwest Donegal area involving 8 players playing for substantial prize-money with the top four players in the tournament rankings progressing to the Grand-Finals.

The scoring points system for each event is as follows:

WINNER: 20 points

RUNNER-UP: 15 points

SEMI-FINALS: 10 points

FIRST ROUND LOSES: 5 points

The first event took place in Ownies Dungloe and was won by Sean Sharkey who defeated Joe LARRY Gallagher in the final on a 3-2 score-line which was an entertaining and high quality final with Joe going 2-0 up but couldnt get over the winners despite having some chances to finish the match but back came Sean taking out some nerveless finishes and emerge a worthy 3-2 winner.

-FINALS:
Dermot Hegarty 2 -0 Conor Elliott
Joe Larry Gallagher 2-0 Padraig Sharkey
Sean Sharkey 2-1 Patrick Duffy
Noel Brennan 2-1 Eamonn Breslin

SEMI-FINALS:
Joe Larry Gallagher 2-0 Dermot Hegarty
Sean Sharkey 2-0 Noel Brennan

FINALS:
Sean Sharkey 3-2 Joe Larry Gallagher

NOTE:
Results, report and photos from this event will be advertised each week and can be viewed by clicking on the Donegal link on the left-hand-side.

PHOTO:
Sean Sharkey (winner) and Joe “LARRY” Gallagher (runner-up)

Article courtesy of www.rballsports.com