Irish Pool

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

PHOTO:
Co.Cavan (winners) and Co.Fermanagh (runner-up) 8-Ball Pool Teams who contested the last Ulster Inter County 8-Ball Team Championship GRAND-FINAL which Cavan won on a 11-9 score-line with Tyrone A and Derry defeated in the semi-finals.

ULSTER INTER COUNTY 6-ASIDE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS:
The second annual Ulster Inter County 6-Aside Team Championships which was cancelled at the end of 2009 will be taking place shortly with a date and venue announced in the next few days and all team captains from Cavan (holders), Fermanagh (runner-up), Donegal, Tyrone, Monaghan, Derry, Antrim, Armagh and Down are asked to contact 07917887147 if entering a team for this rearrange fixture.NOTE: this will be good practise for northern counties who will be taking part in the up and coming All Ireland Inter County 8-Ball Team Championships.

TOUR RANKINGS:
The official rankings on Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Pool Tour after two events for the OPEN HANDICAP TOUR and Event 1 of the 8-BALL CHALLENGE TOUR is updated and can be viewed by clicking on the 8-ball link on the left-hand-side and then click on rankings.

INTER COUNTY 8-BALL CHALLENGE:
Tyrone and Donegal mens Inter County 8-Ball Team played a challenge match last Sunday at the newly open Q-Sport Academy Fintona, Co. Tyrone with a return match taking place shortly in Co. Donegal with the match played to a high standard but it was the Donegal men who claimed a 19-17 victory on this occasion.

ALL IRELAND OPEN DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIPS:
A date for the 2009 All Ireland Open Scotch Doubles Championships which was also cancelled will also be set in the next few days played on a Sunday.

Article courtesy of www.rballsports.com

PHOTO:
Mark Nugent (Armagh) 2010 N.Ireland Open 8-Ball Champion

The 3rd annual N. Ireland Open 8-Ball Championships took place at the weekend (Saturday 20th February) played at the newly open Q-Sport Academy in Fintona Co. Tyrone which seen a good turnout of players considering all other major pool tournaments which was taking place throughout the province plus the 2010 European 8-Ball Pool Championships that was taking place all of last week in the Barcelo Daventry Hotel, England.

The final of this popular annual event was contested by two of N.Irelands top Amateur Snooker Players who come from Co. Armagh Mark Nugent and Richard Comiskey with both players in tremendous form throughout the day but it was Mark Nugent who got over the winning line on a 7-4 victory to claim his first ranking tournament title on Ireland’s 32 County 8-Ball Pool Tour.

Mark produced a superb display of pool throughout the tournament to be crowned 2010 N. Ireland Open 8-Ball Champion with his attacking style of play a pleasure to watch defeating some top tour players on route to victory which included a fabulous 7-4 defeat of Pro-Tour player Damien Corrigan in the semi-finals with the Armagh player racing into a 6-0 lead before Damien brought the score back to 6-4 before Mark took out a fantastic clearance in the next game to claim a 7-4 victory in this semi-final fixture.

Marks other victories came against Mark Stockton (Tyrone, last-32, 5-3), Tony Mulhern (Donegal, last-16, 7-2), Daryl Beattie (Tyrone, -finals, 7-1), Damien Corrigan (Tyrone, semi-finals, 7-4) and rounded of the day with a 7-4 victory over his friend and team-mate Richard Comiskey (Armagh) in the final.

Richard reached his first final on Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Pool Tour by recording victories over Brendan Mc Donagh (last-32), Carl Martin (last-16), Brian Sheridan (-finals), Paul Corrigan (semi-finals) before losing to the inform Mark Nugent in the final.

A great performance from this Co. Armagh player who has become the 3rd winner of this annual event and also claiming his first tournament victory on Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Pool Tour and I have no doubt there will be plenty of more titles to come this great players way.results from the last-16 is listed below.

PAST CHAMPIONS:
2008: Manny Byrne (Down)
2009: John Mc Mahon (Cavan)
2010: Mark Nugent (Armagh)

TOURNAMENT HANDICAPS:
Its great to see all the players very happy with the new handicap system which has been introduced on Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Pool Tour for the 2010 season which is giving all players a level playing field to play in with some great results being recorded in recent tournaments from the lower ranked players on Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Pool Tour which can be only good for the game.

LAST-16:
Damien Corrigan 7-5 Ben Mc Moran
Cathal Mc Erlean 7-3 Marty Peoples
Mark Nugent 7-2 Tony Mulhern
Daryl Beattie 5-2 Shaun Donnelly
Richard Comiskey 7-2 Carl Martin
Brian Sheridan 5-4 Paul Rennicks
Jordan Gorman 7-2 Ronnie Boyle
Paul Corrigan 5-4 Chris Beattie

-FINALS:
Damien Corrigan 7-5 Cathal Mc Erlean
Mark Nugent 7-1 Daryl Beattie
Richard Comiskey 7-5 Brian Sheridan
Paul Corrigan 7-4 Jordan Gorman

SEMI-FINALS:
Mark Nugent 7-4 Damien Corrigan
Richard Comiskey 7-4 Paul Corrigan

FINAL:
Mark Nugent 7-4 Richard Comiskey

NOTE:
Everyone is reminded that all events (except challenge tour & pro-tour) on Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Pool Tour will be a OPEN HANDICAP TOURNAMENT played in a straight knockout format with all matches best of 13 (first to 7) which sees all players receiving a official playing handicap.NOTE:—-if two players meet with the same handicap (for example +2 v +2 the match will be best of 9 (first to 5).

PHOTO / REPORT:
Please click on the Co. Armagh link on the left-hand-side to view photo and report also.

NEXT EVENT:
Saturday 20th March: Co. Fermanagh Open 8-Ball Championships

Sunday 21st March: All Ireland Under-21 8-Ball Championships

Venue To Be Confirmed

Article courtesy of www.rballsports.com

PHOTO:
John Mc Mahon (Cavan) 2009 N. Ireland Open 8-Ball Champion

Entries are being taken for the annual 2010 N. Ireland Open 8-Ball Pool Championships which takes place this Saturday 20th February in the newly open Q-Sport Academy Fintona Co. Tyrone with two time-slots in operation 10am and 2pm with all players reminded that entries must be pre-entered on or before this Friday 19th February.

All players is also reminded that this event is a OPEN HANDICAP TOURNAMENT played in a straight knockout format with all matches best of 13 (first to 7) which sees all players receiving a offical playing handicap.NOTE: if two players meet with the same handicap (for example +2 v +2 the match will be best of 9 (first to 5).please read rules regarding the tournament DRESS-CODE before entering any tournament on Ireland’s 32 County 8-Ball Pool Tour.

For all entries and full information contact 07917887147 or email rbirish8ball@yahoo.co.uk or visit the following website www.rballsports.com

PAST CHAMPIONS:
2008: Manny Byrne (Down)
2009: John Mc Mahon (Cavan)
2010:

NAME OF EVENT: N. Ireland Open 8-Ball Pool Championships

VENUE: Q-Sport Academy, Fintona, Co. Tyrone

NUMBER OF TABLES: Played on 5 supreme pool tables

DATE: Saturday 20th February 2010

TIME-SLOTS: 10am and 2pm

ENTRY FEE: 20 men ——–ladies & under-16 pays 13

INFORMATION / ENTRIES:
TEL: 07917887147
EMAIL: rbirish8ball@yahoo.co.uk
WEBSITE: www.rballsports.com

Article courtesy of www.rballsports.com

Irish Pool – Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Pool Tour recently held its first event of Irelands 8-Ball Challenge Tour 4,000 series at the beautiful Arena 7 venue Letterkenny when 32 players from throughout different counties took part with young Ben Moran (Tyrone) claiming his second tournament victory over the weekend at the Donegal venue by winning Event 1 of Irelands 4,000 8-Ball Challenge Tour.

The tour was suppose to be limited to 32 players but a lot more interest was shown this year with extra players looking to join the 2010 Irelands 8-Ball Challenge Tour 4,000 Series with the following three players of Conrad Mc Cann, Robert Weatherup and Dwayne Timlin unable to attend the first event but all three players have asked to get staying in the five event series and are still willing to pay the full entry fees.

This was put to all other Challenge Tour players before the first tournament cued-off in the Letterkenny venue with all players agreeing by saying this would be good for the tour to have extra players involved.

All players also agreed, that the extra money taken in for the 4,000 Challenge Tour should be paid-out to the top three players on the Challenge Tour Rankings after the five events are finished.

All players who have signed up for the 2010 Irelands 8-Ball Challenge Tour 4,000 series will be playing for 4,000 over five events with the following breakdown of prize-money paid-out at each tournament winner 350, runner-up 200, semi-finals 75 each and -finals 25 each with the extra entry fees taken in paid to the top three ranked players on the series.

The young Fintona player carried his great run of form through to the next day playing superb pool throughout the tournament to lift the Event 1 title and the 350 first prize defeating some good players on route to victory starting it all off in the last-32 defeating Adam Mc Mackin (Beragh, 7-4) and followed that up with wins over Stephen Johnson (Lisburn, last-16, 7-5), Niall Mc Menamin (Fermanagh, -finals, 7-2), Gerald Elliman (Belfast, semi-finals, 7-5) with the Fintona player rounding of the day with a brilliant 8-5 victory in the final over top N. Ireland snooker player Mark Nugent from Keady, Co. Armagh to secure his second major title victory at the Letterkenny venue.

A great achievement for the new Co. Donegal champion which moves this young Fintona player into number one on both tournament rankings which is Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Pool Tour and Irelands 8-Ball Challenge Tour 4,000 Series.Challenge Tour results are listed below

Prelim Round:
Ronnie Boyle 7-2 Declan Mc Conville

Last-32:
Ronnie Boyle 7-5 Billy Gorman
Chris Beattie 7-4 Keith Ferrell
Mark Stockton 7-5 Colette Henriksen
Shaun Donnelly 7-5 Niall Mc Daid
Seamus Doyle 7-2 Mickey Early
Paul Corrigan 7-6 Connor Mc Aleer
Mathew Campbell 7-2 Adam Gibney
Mark Nugent 7-6 Richard Comiskey
Gerald Elliman 7-3 Sean Judge
Kieran Summerville 7-5 Michelle Rooney
Daryl Beattie 7-2 Luke Quinn
Benny Quinn 7-6 Cathal Mc Erlean
Niall Mc Menamin 7-5 Barry Cunningham
Paul Heaney 7-4 Jordan Gorman
Stephen Johnson 7-6 Brian Curtis
Ben Mc Moran 7-4 Adam Mc Mackin

Last-16:
Ronnie Boyle 7-6 Chris Beattie
Mark Stockton 7-4 Shaun Donnelly
Paul Corrigan 7-4 Seamus Doyle
Mark Nugent 7-4 Mathew Campbell
Gerald Elliman 7-6 Kieran Summerville
Daryl Beattie 7-6 Benny Quinn
Niall Mc Menamin 7-5 Paul Heaney
Ben Mc Moran 7-5 Stephen Johnson

-Finals:
Ronnie Boyle 7-3 Markstockton
Mark Nugent 7-2 Paul Corrigan
Gerald Elliman 7-3 Daryl Beattie
Ben Mc Moran 7-2 Niall Mc Menamin

Semi-Finals:
Mark Nugent 7-4 Ronnie Boyle
Ben Mc Moran 7-5 Gerald Elliman

Final:
Ben Mc Moran 8-5 Mark Nugent

NEXT CHALLENGE TOUR EVENT:
The next Challenge Tour Event will take place on Sunday 25th April 2010 played the next day after the Co. Monaghan Open 8Ball Championships.

SATURDAY 24th April: Co. Monaghan Open 8-Ball Championships

SUNDAY 25th April: Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Challenge Tour — (Event 2)

VENUE: To Be Confirmed

Article courtesy of www.rballsports.com

Irish Pool – Tyrone inter county pool player Chris Beattie who hails from Aughnacloy Co. Tyrone and who plays for Q-Sport Academy A Pool Team in the Clogher Valley Pool League put in one brilliant performance last weekend at the Fairways Hotel in Dundalk Co. Louth to be crowned 2010 Irelands Inter University 8-Ball Pool Champion.

The tournament attracted over 200 players from throughout Ireland which included major players that compete on the European and World scene on a regular basis.

Chris came through a quality field of players representing Belfast Metropolitan College defeating top players on route to being crowned champion which included a brilliant 4-0 victory in the final over the former 2007 European 8-Ball Pool Champion Stephen Dempsey from Co. Cavan picking up 250 in prize-money for his efforts.

Chris recorded other victories over Darren Millar (last-128), Martin Quigg (last-64), John Byrne (last-32), Connor O Boyle (last-16), Gareth Quinn (1/4-finals), and Liam Mc Dermott (semi-finals) before defeating the former European and Irish 8-ball Champion Stephen Dempsey in the final on a 4-0 result.

Article courtesy of www.rballsports.com

PHOTO:
Ben Mc Moran (Tyrone) 2010 Co. Donegal Open 8-Ball Champion.

All roads led to Letterkenny last weekend for the first event on the newly named Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Pool Tour when the 4th annual Co. Donegal Open 8-Ball Championships took centre stage on Saturday 23rd January played in the beautiful Arena 7 venue in Letterkenny followed the next day (Sunday 24th) by the first event in 2010 Ireland’s 8-Ball Challenge Tour Series which offers over 4,000 in prize-money.

The weekend produced top class pool which seen almost up in 100 players take part over the two days play with the newly named tour introducing a new playing handicap system for the first time for all events in the 2010 season except the Pro-Tour and Challenge Tour.

The weekend was a major success and enjoyed by all players but come Saturday evening it was Tyrones young sensation and Irish Junior International Ben Mc Moran who was crowned 2010 champion winning his first official ranking tournament and becoming the third Tyrone player to go on the roll of honours list of these prestigious Championships in the four year history of the event joining Damien Corrigan (Tyrone, 2007 champion), Brendan Mc Donagh (Tyrone, 2008 champion) and Ronan McCarthy (Down, 2009 champion).

Ben went into the tournament with a +2 handicap and played brilliant pool throughout the day to claim the title recording fantastic victories over Ronnie Boyle (last-32, 7-5), Carl Martin (last-16, 7-4), Standley Nelson (-Finals, 7-3), Sean Mc Veigh (semi-finals, 7-3) before winning a last frame decider against Niall Mc Menamin (Fermanagh) in the final to be crowned 2010 Champion.

A great achievement for Ben who is the new 2010 Co. Donegal Open 8-Ball Champion which moves him into number one in the tours official rankings after this first event and will put him in good form when he travels to England in February representing the Irish 8-Ball Junior Team at 2010 European 8-Ball Pool Championships.

It was great to see a good turnout of lady players taking part over the weekend with Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Tour putting a new ladies tour in place for the 2010 season with all the lady players at the Donegal championships receiving the fixture list which will also be advertised shortly on the following website www.rballsports.com along with a new Under-23 8-Ball Tour.

LAST-32:
Nathan Todd 7-4 Noel Brennan
Damien Mc Fadden 7-4 Annette Pearson
Sean Mc Veigh 7-0 Brian Doherty
Martin Gallagher 7-1 Michael O Hara
Carl Martin 7-2 Willie Handratty
Ben Mc Moran 7-5 Ronnie Boyle
Rosey Mc Ginty 7-0 John Duggan
Stanley Nelson 7-4 Cathal Devine
Gareth Kirwin 7-1 Mark Moore
Marty Boyle 7-5 Shane Doherty
Adam Gibney 7-5 Paul Rennicks
Paul Corrigan 7-1 Mathew Campbell
Niall Mc Menamin 7-3 Marty Peoples
Eddie Kirk 7-2 Sean Sharky
Brian Curtis 7-6 Tony Mulhern
Daryl Beattie 7-3 David Moore

LAST-16:
Nathan Tood 7-4 Damien Mc Fadden
Sean Mc Veigh 7-4 Martin Gallagher
Ben Mc Moran 7-4 Carl Martin
Stanley Nelson 7-3 Rosey Mc Ginty
Gareth Kirwin 7-4 Marty Boyle
Adam Gibney 7-5 Paul Corrigan
Niall Mc Menamin 7-3 Eddie Kirk
Brian Curtis 7-4 Daryl Beattie

-FINALS:
Sean Mc Veigh 7-3 Nathan Todd
Ben Mc Moran 7-3 Stanley Nelson
Adam Gibney 7-2 Gareth Kirwin
Niall Mc Menamin 7-5 Brian Curtis

SEMI-FINALS:
Ben Mc Moran 7-3 Sean Mc Veigh
Niall Mc Menamin 7-5 Adam Gibney

FINAL:
Ben Mc Moran 7-6 Niall Mc Menmin

NEXT EVENT:
Saturday 20th February 2010: N. Ireland Open 8-Ball Championships
Sunday 21st February 2010: Ireland’s 8-Ball Pro-Tour —– (Event 1)

Article courtesy of www.rballsports.com

Irish Pool – Entries are being taken for two open snooker tournaments which will be played for the first time in the following category of the Small Table Game when the Tyrone Open Small Table Snooker Championships and Tyrone Under-19 Small Table Snooker Championships takes centre stage played at the Q-Sport Academy Club Fintona.

Small Table Snooker is very big and attractive game in different parts of England when leagues are played on 8 ft tables with full size snooker balls used, with the game played in attacking style format which is very enjoyable to watch and play.

Recently in the newly open Q-Sport Academy Fintona the former European 8-Ball Pool Champion Stephen Dempsey (Cavan) recorded the first century break on the clubs table which was a fantastic 104 clearance.

Both tournaments will see all players that enters turning up one night playing two matches if needed and returning for the Grand-Finals when the -finals will be played to a finish.

Entry fee is 20 for the open event and 13 for the under-19 tournament with all entries accepted by calling 07917887147.

Article courtesy of www.rballsports.com

Irish Pool – All roads lead to the beautiful Arena 7 venue in Letterkenny this weekend Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th January 2010 for the 4th annual Co. Donegal Open 8-Ball Pool Championships and the first event in Irelands 32 County 4,000 Challenge Tour Series.

Saturday 23rd January will see the 4th annual Co. Donegal Open 8-Ball Pool Championships take centre stage with two time-slots in operation 10am and 2pm played on supreme championship pool tables which bees used for the world 8-ball pool championships in Blackpool and all other major events around the world.

These prestigious Co. Donegal Open Championships has produced three fantastic champions on the roll of honours list over the last three years, Damien Corrigan (Tyrone, 2007 champion), Brendan Mc Donagh (Tyrone, 2008 champion) and Ronan McCarthy (Down, 2009 champion) as well as some superb performances coming from local players throughout the Donegal County over the years.

These Co. Donegal championships is the first event in the 2010 tournament diary on the newly named Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Pool Tour which has seen a few changes introduced by the organisers to its playing format for all advertised tournaments in 2010 taking place on Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Pool Tour with some brief details listed below.

The next day Sunday 24th January also at the Arena 7 venue will see 32 players compete in Event one 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.

PLAYING HANDICAP:
The newly named Irelands Pool Players 8-Ball Pool Tour will see a new 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.

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.

DRESS-CODE:
If any player fails to wear the proper dress-code which is listed below will see there opponent rewarded one frame on top of there official playing handicap for ever round they play in.

Players failing to wear the tours dress-code can only receive half the prize-money they win with the rest added to the next tournament.

All tournaments played under Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Pool Tour will have the following dress code:

(a). any kind of casual / dress / polo shirt with a collar.
(b). black dress trousers.
(c). proper dress shoes.

NOTE:
Please keep checking the following website www.rballsports.com as all 8-ball details will be updated as we go along which includes the rules & fees link which can be viewed.

The full 2010 tournament diary will be advertised shortly which can be viewed by clicking on the 8-ball tournament diary link at the top of the page.

Article courtesy of www.rballsports.com

Irish Pool – The Q-Sport Academy in Fintona and Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Tour has teamed up to bring top class action to the newly opened Tyrone venue by hosting major tournaments throughout the year giving all local and Tyrone players the opportunity to compete against top players from the 32 counties of Ireland north and south of the border with some fantastic events being planned at the moment.

The first tournament sees Q-Sport Academy accepting entries for the Inter Town 4-Aside 8-Ball Team Cup which will be taking place on Tuesday nights over a seven week period starting at 8-15pm open to any team from any county followed by a Individual Towns Cup which will also take place when the league is finished which is only open to the players who play in any team.

This new team event will be called the Pizza Place Inter Town 8-Ball Team Cup which has been kindly sponsored by the Pizza Place Fintona which sees the tournament only limited to 8 teams on a first come, first served basis with each team paying 100 entry fee to enter with the tournament paying out 900 in prize-money in team event followed by over 400 in prize-money for the individual tournament involving the 32 players who competes in team event.

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 600 and the perpetual trophy while the runner-ups collects 300.

Each match will be 4 singles and four games of Scotch Doubles with each player playing 5 games each night with one point rewarded for each individual game making it a total of 16 points up for grabs for each fixture.

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.

For all entries and further information please contact 07917887147 with the Q-Sport Academy Club also planning to set-up there own official website which will be advertising all club information www.qsportacademy.com

NOTE:
Before going to press the organisers has received six teams with all players and teams reminded that all team members must come from the same town unless if a few small villages are joined together which is agreed by the tournament organisers.the following teams have confirmed there entry Omagh, Fintona, Beragh, Aughnacloy, Fintona Juniors plus a town representing Co. Fermanagh just leaving two spots available for entry based on first come, first served.

Article courtesy of www.rballsports.com

Irish Pool – PHOTO:
Adam Mc Mackin (Beragh) 2008 Tyrone Under-19 8Ball Pool Champion.

Entries are being taken for the official 2009 Tyrone Under-19 8Ball Pool Championships which was advertised to take place on December of last year but had to be cancelled with the tournament now taking place at the newly open Q-Sport Academy Fintona.

Past winners of this prestigious underage event is Ronan Fay (Coalisland, 2006 champion), Chris Beattie (Aughnacloy, 2007 champion), Adam Mc Mackin (Beragh, 2008 champion) with all players reminded that entries must be pre-entered by calling 07917887147 with full tournament details also given out by contacting the same number.

Article courtesy of www.rballsports.com

Irish Pool – PHOTO:
Cathal McErlean (Dungannon, winner) and Ben McMoran (Fintona, runner-up) pictured after the final of the fourth Tyrone Ranking Tournament.

Tyrone Pool Association held its fourth 8ball ranking tournament for inter county team selection at the weekend past in the newly open Q-Sport Academy Fintona with these events only open to eligible Tyrone players who is interested in representing the Tyrone County at the 2010 All Ireland Inter County 8Ball Team Pool Championships in both mens A & B teams which takes place at the Clanree Hotel Letterkenny Co. Donegal on the first May bank holiday weekend.

This tournament once again produced top class action throughout the day with Cathal Mc Erlean (Dungannon) and Ben Mc Moran (Fintona) contesting the final with Cathal getting over the winners line on a 7-6 victory.

Cathal opened up a 6-2 lead in the final only to see Ben come back playing some great pool to level the match at 6-6 going into the deciding frame which seen Cathal take out a fantastic clearance to seal victory.

Points are rewarded from the -finals.listed below is the scoring points system along with the results from the -finals.

Winner: 50 points
Runner- Up: 30 points
Semi-Finals: 20 points
-Finals: 10 points

-FINALS:
Paul Corrigan 7-4 Jason Gibson
Cathal Mc Erlean 7-3 Mark Stockton
Cieran Summerville 7-6 Adam Mc Mackin
Ben Mc Moran 7-2 Daryl Beattie

SEMI-FINALS:
Cathal Mc Erlean 7-4 Paul Corrigan
Ben Mc Moran 7-3 Cieran Summerville

FINAL:
Cathal McErlean 7-6 Ben Mc Moran

Irish Pool – Emmett Maguire who hails from Dregish in the Tyrone County produced a dazzling display throughout the 2009 Tyrone Individual 8-Ball Pool Championships played at the end of December in the newly open Q-Sport Academy in Fintona to be crowned the official Tyrone Individual 8-Ball Pool Champion for 2009 defeating a host of top Inter County and International players on route to victory which seen the Dregish player record his first tournament title win in this superb event going alongside Connor Mc Cann (Dungannon, 2006 & 2008 champion) and Damien Corrigan (Fintona, 2007 champion) on the champions roll of honours list.

These annual Tyrone Individual 8-Ball Championships which is regarded as the biggest and most prestigious pool tournament for Tyrone based players on the tournament diary once again attracted a large turnout of players who supported this superb event travelling from almost every town throughout the county in the bad and heavy show conditions which is a credit to each and every player who made the effort.

As stated above players represented almost every town in Tyrone with these championships proving its the one every Tyrone player wants to win with players representing the following towns of Omagh, Fintona, Dungannon, Beragh, Sixmilecross, Seskanore, Ardboe, Newtownstewart, Cookstown, Aughnacloy, Coalisland, Dregish, Dromore, Killeshill but come Sunday evening at the end of December it was a young man from Dregish who claimed the title, the prize-money and the perpetual crystal trophy for his efforts when he defeated Ronnie Boyle (Fintona) in a brilliant final on a 7-5 score-line to be crowned champion.

Emmett Maguire who attends Queens University College in Belfast where he represents his college in major team pool competitions throughout Ireland and over seas such as All Ireland Inter College Championships, Inter Province Championships and UK University Championships only to mention afew has now earned his place on Tyrones Mens Inter County Pool Team for the Grand-Finals of the 2010 All Ireland Inter County 8-Ball Team Championships which takes place on the weekend from Friday 30th April to Sunday 2nd May at the beautiful Clanree Hotel Letterkenny Co. Donegal.

On route to claiming the 2009 Tyrone Individual 8Ball Championship crown Emmett was in fantastic form throughout the day starting his tournament campaign off in the last-32 and then turning on the style in the last-16 when he came up against former Irish International and Tyrones Mens Inter County team captain Brendan Mc Donagh (Dromore) but reputation didnt stand in the way of this Dregish cueist performance when he defeated this great Dromore player on a 6-2 score-line.

In the -finals Emmett defeated another Dromore player, young Brian Sheridan who is starting to come through the ranks over the last year defeating a lot of highly ranked men players in tournaments and that was proved when this young lad defeated 2009 Irish 8Ball Masters Champion Cathal McElrean in the last-32 but once again the Dregish player kept his good run of form going to defeat Brian 6-3 and move into his first semi-finals.

In the semi-finals Emmett produced the goods once again when needed by putting in another brilliant performance to overcome the challenge of Irish under-21 international and semi-finalist of the 2009 World Under-21 8Ball Championship Ronan Fay (Coalisland) with another fine result which secured Emmett his place in the final for the first time in the four year history of this great tournament with a 6-4 victory over the Coalisland man.

In the final Emmett came up against Ronnie Boyle who has now reached two semi-finals and this years final in the four year history of the event but it was Emmett who took a commanding 5-1 lead early in the match which seen Ronnie pull back to one frame difference but it was Emmett who held out to record a 7-5 win and become the third Tyrone player to be crowned Tyrone Individual 8-Ball Pool Champion by taking the 2009 event.

Ronnie reached the final recording victories over Paudraig Flannigan (Dungannon, last-32, 6-3), Dwayne Timlin (Omagh, last-16, 6-5), Daryl Beattie (Sixmilecross, -finals, 6-0) and then defeated twice winner Connor McCann (Dungannon) in the semi-finals on a 6-5 score-line before losing to Emmett in the finalresults from the last-16 onwards is as follows.

Congratulations to Emmett on being crowned 2009 Tyrone Individual 8-Ball Pool Champion and know doubt there will be plenty more titles coming Emmetts way in the coming years ahead.

Once again these championships proved a major success and hopefully carry onto be a brilliant tournament which is only open to Tyrone based players and keep growing to be bigger and better year after year with these championships once again proving that the standard of pool throughout Tyrone is second to none, and hopefully this will carry the Tyrone County in good stead when the mens, ladies, and juniors will be competing against the rest of Ireland in the 2010 All Ireland Inter County Team Championships come May.

LAST-16:
Ronnie Boyle 6-5 Dwayne Timlin
Daryl Beattie 6-3 Nathan Todd
Marty Quinn 6-5 Chris Beattie
Connor McCann 6-2 Adam Mc Mackin
Ronan Fay 6-3 Luke Quinn
Bem Mc Moran 6-4 Kieran Summerville
Brian Sheridan 6-2 Gareth Quinn
Emmett Maguire 6-2 Brendan Mc Donagh

-FINALS:
Ronnie Boyle 6-0 Daryl Beattie
Connor McCann 6-1 Marty Quinn
Ronan Fay 6-4 Ben Mc Moran
Emmett Maguire 6-3 Brian Sheridan

SEMI-FINALS:
Ronnie Boyle 6-5 Connor McCann
Emmett Maguire 6-4 Ronan Fay

FINAL:
Emmett Maguire 7-5 Ronnie Boyle

PHOTO:
Pictured from LtoR after the final of the 2009 Tyrone Individual 8-Ball Pool Championships is Ronnie Boyle (Fintona, runner-up) and Emmett Maguire (Dregish, winner)

Irish Pool – All roads lead to the beautiful Arena 7 venue in Letterkenny on the weekend of Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th January 2010 for the 4th annual Co. Donegal Open 8-Ball Pool Championships and Irelands 32 County 4,000 Challenge Tour Series.

Saturday 23rd January will see the 4th annual Co. Donegal Open 8-Ball Pool Championships take centre stage with two time-slots in operation 10am and 2pm played on supreme championship pool tables which bees used for the world 8-ball pool championships in Blackpool and all other major events around the world.

These prestigious Co. Donegal Open Championships has produced three fantastic champions on the roll of honours list over the last three years, Damien Corrigan (Tyrone, 2007 champion), Brendan Mc Donagh (Tyrone, 2008 champion) and Ronan McCarthy (Down, 2009 champion) as well as some superb performances coming from local players throughout the Donegal County over the years.

These Co. Donegal championships is the first event in the 2010 tournament diary on the newly named Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Pool Tour which has seen a few changes introduced by the organisers to its playing format for all advertised tournaments in 2010 taking place on Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Pool Tour with some brief details listed below.

The next day Sunday 24th January also at the Arena 7 venue will see 32 players compete in Event one 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.

PLAYING HANDICAP:
The newly named Irelands Pool Players 8-Ball Pool Tour will see a new 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.

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.

DRESS-CODE:
If any player fails to wear the proper dress-code which is listed below will see there opponent rewarded one frame on top of there official playing handicap for ever round they play in.

Players failing to wear the tours dress-code can only receive half the prize-money they win with the rest added to the next tournament.

All tournaments played under Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Pool Tour will have the following dress code:

(a). any kind of casual / dress / polo shirt with a collar.
(b). black dress trousers.
(c). proper dress shoes.

NOTE:
Please keep checking the following website www.rballsports.com as all 8-ball details will be updated as we go along which includes the rules & fees link which can be viewed.

The full 2010 tournament diary will be advertised in the next few days which can be viewed by clicking on the 8-ball tournament diary link at the top of the page.

Irish Pool – Irelands Pub Players 8-Ball Pool Tour (reds & yellows) which was set-up in 2007 organising 8-ball pool tournaments in different venues throughout the 32 counties of Ireland with overseas players also competing in some events now and then will be changing the tours name for the incoming 2010 season.

The newly named tour will now be called Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Tour which is now moving into its forth year, and is still open to all category of players both amateur and professional from throughout the 32 counties of Ireland with all overseas players also very welcome once again to compete regarding what rules any player plays.

The newly name tour, Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Tour will still be staging Ranking Tournaments, Pro-Tour and Challenge Tour Events, Irelands Pro-Am and other major events in venues throughout Ireland north and south of the border with each tournament having four or more pool tables used.

PLAYING HANDICAP:
The newly named Irelands Pool Players 8-Ball Pool Tour will see a new 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.

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.

TOURNAMENTS:
(1). All tournaments will be played on one day (Saturday) unless second day is needed which will be the next day (Sunday).this will depend on the number of players who enter and the number of tables used for each event.

(2). All Pro-Tour and Challenge Tour Events will take place on Sundays unless otherwise stated with separate rankings set in place for each event.

(3). The newly named tour Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Tour will have a official set of ranking points in place for each ranking tournament which sees the new ranking system lasting for a period of one year.(rankings starting from scratch each year)

(4). Each ranking tournament will see the top 8 players on the tour rankings seeded for each tournament with the first set of rankings taken after the 2010 Co. Donegal Open 8Ball Championships which is a open draw for this first event in the 2010 playing season.

(5). All tournaments on Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Tour will still be played to World Rules which has two playing rules added by the tour organisers for the 2010 season.(a). all players will lac for break in each match.(b). The skill shot will also be added.

(6). The organisers of Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Tour has the right to set and change the rules when need be at any time for the benefit of the tour and its players, but they will let everyone know well in advance.

(7). There will also be a number of other events hosted by Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Tour throughout the 2010 season such as Irelands Invitation 8-Ball Pro-Am the tour plans to host some Blackball Tournaments as well as Ladies and Junior Events, over 40s Events plus lots more which will be advertised on the tours official website www.rballsports.com

(8). The official website for Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Tour will be www.rballsports.com which will keep everyone up-to-date regarding fixtures, reports, results, photos, player profiles, official rankings just to mention afew plus much more.

MEMBERSHIP:
There is no membership fee for any player who wants to compete on Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Tour with all tournaments open to all category of players by just paying a tournament entry fee of 20 for each event they play in unless otherwise stated.

TOURNAMENT ENTRIES:
All tournaments must be pre-entered by the Thursday before each event, and there will be no guarantee for any player getting entered on the day.We will be running two time slots for each tournament starting at 10am and 2-pm unless otherwise stated.All matches will be played in a straight knockout format starting with the best of 13 from start to finish.the games on the tour has been increased because of the new playing handicap system which is introduced for the 2010 season.

ENTRY FEES:
Each Tournament will be 15 entry fee plus 5 registration fee / green fees or 22.50 euros entry fee plus 7.50 euros registration / green fees for each event (men only). and 10 entry fee plus 3 registration fee / green fee for ladies or under-16 or 20 euros (all in).

All registration / green fees will go towards the running and up keeping of the tour such as newspaper advertising, reports, results and photos, the setting up and the up keeping of a website, the organisers expenses and costs for the running of each tournament before and after the event, on the day of the tournament just to mention a few.

PRIZE-MONEY:
All the 15 & 10 (ladies & under-16) entry fees taken in will be paid out in prize-money plus we hope to have added prize-money to each event if the tour can attract major sponsors.

DRESS-CODE:
All tournaments played under Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Tour will have the following dress code:

(a). any kind of casual / dress / polo shirt with a collar.
(b). black dress trousers.
(c). proper dress shoes.

TOURNAMENT DIARY:
The 2010 tournament diary for Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Tour can be viewed by clicking on the 8-ball tournament diary link at the top of the page on the following website www.rballsports.com

PLAYERS:—–(dress-code information)
In any player or players appears or plays in any tournament without the proper dress code he / she will receive the following penalty.

(1). Any player failing to wear the tours dress-code for any tournament will see there opponent rewarded one frame on top of all official playing handicaps for ever round they play compete in.

(2). Players failing to wear the tours dress-code can only receive half the prize-money they win with the rest added to the next tournament.

All tournaments played under Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Pool Tour will have the following dress code:

(a). any kind of casual / dress / polo shirt with a collar.
(b). black dress trousers.
(c ). proper dress shoes.

NO EXCEPTIONS will be given to any player.

TOURNAMENT RANKINGS:
The official rankings used for Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Pool Tour has been changed to a yearly basis only lasting for a period of one year each time starting off in January 2010.

This means that new players will be starting of 2010 and every other season on a level playing field from scratch giving every player a fresh start each year on Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Pool Tour.

The ranking system used for ranking tournaments in 2010 for the newly named Irelands 32 County 8-Ball Tour is as follows.

Winner: 100 points
Runner-Up: 60 points
Semi-Finals: 40 points
-Finals: 30 points
Last-16: 20 points
Last-32: 10 points