Irish Pool

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