The fourth tournament of the Senior Billiards series was played at Celbridge Snooker Club on Sunday, 3rd of December 2017, the format being best of three games of 150up. Wayne Doyle (Dun Laoghaire), having put an uncustomary shaky start to the season behind him, sailed through the day to take the title without dropping a single game.
The semi finalists in the top half of the draw were Larry Drennan (Kilkenny Shed) and Aonghus McAnally (Portmarnock), Larry gaining his semi final place with a close win over his regular practice partner Aidan Murray (Ivy Rooms), Aidan in turn having had an emphatic early round win over John Kehoe (Enniscorthy) while Aonghus claimed his place in the semi final with an equally emphatic win in his quarter final match over his regular practice partner Robert McCrum (Portmarnock). The semi final was a closely contested match which the more experienced Larry was able to take 2-0.
The semi finalists in the bottom half of the draw were Phil Martin (Celbridge), making a welcome return to the game and eventual winner Wayne Doyle, Phil quickly disposing of his quarter final opponent Brendan Devlin (Celbridge) in a high scoring fast moving match while Wayne had a similar quarter final victory over Joe Doheny (Borris-in-Ossory). The semi final turned out to be the most closely contested match of the tournament, Wayne always maintaining a slight edge in each of their two games to claim his place in the final with a 2-0 result.
In the first game of the final, Larry was first to show, opening the scoring with a couple of useful early visits, only to be overtaken when Wayne got into his stride and could only watch as Wayne finished off the first game with a well constructed 79 unfinished break. From the outset of the second game, Larry took control but, while needing only 29 points to take the second game, again had to sit and watch as Wayne compiled another unfinished break of 80 to take the second game and the fourth tournament title of the season
The next Senior Billiards round of the season takes place at Celbridge Snooker Club on Sunday, 14th January 2018. The format will be seeded draw 400up, 90 minute time limit. Entries will be accepted before 10.30am on the morning of the event.
Our thanks are due to Phil Martin for the excellent playing facilities and to the staff at Celbridge Snooker Club for their help on the day.
Results (all matches best of 3 x 150up):
- Pre-Quarters
Aidan Murray (Brk: 111, 52) 150, 150 -v- 15, 70 John Kehoe
- Quarters
Aidan Murray (Brk: 52, 60) 127, 139 -v- 150, 150 Larry Drennan
Aonghus McAnally (Brk: 65) 150, 150 -v- 53, 65 Robert McCrum
Brendan Devlin 57, 46 -v- 150, 150 Phil Martin (Brk: 67)
Joe Doheny 68, 22 -v- 150, 150 Wayne Doyle (Brk: 112, 74)
- Semi-Finals
Larry Drennan (Brk: 50Uf) 150, 150 -v- 101, 89 Aonghus McAnally
Phil Martin (Brk: 50) 141, 135 -v- 150, 150 Wayne Doyle
- Final
Larry Drennan 51, 121 -v- 150, 150 Wayne Doyle (Brk: 79Uf, 80Uf)
