The fourth RIBSA Billiards ranking event of the season took place on Sunday 8th December in Celbridge snooker club which saw reigning national senior long-up billiards champion Aidan Murray win his first event of the season having lost the last two finals to the reigning national senior 150up champion Wayne Doyle.
The format was 3×150 open draw and saw Aidan meet Eugene Hughes in the final who had solid wins over Robert McCrum, Ross Doyle and his brother Wayne in the semi-final with breaks of 95 and 69 unfinished to reach a final berth against Aidan who was just as strong in his path to the final beating Jason Dowling, Aonghus McAnally and Lloyd Myers.
Aidan started the final on fire as he won the first game in two visits with breaks of 62 and 88 unfinished leaving Eugene scoreless. Eugene fared much better however in the second game and put it up to Aidan but still came up short as Aidan won by 150-122 to wrap up the match and win his first ranking event of the season also keeping touch with Wayne Doyle at the top of the rankings.
Thanks to Acting Tournament Director Brendan Devlin and Celbridge snooker club. The next billiards ranking event of the season is on February 23rd. For more information contact John Kehoe on 087 7773649.
Pre Quaters:
Kevin Christie 48, 12 – 150, 150 Larry Drennan
Aidan Murray 57, 150, 150 – 150, 37, 66 Jason Dowling
Aonghus McAnally 150, 79, 150 – 134, 150, 104 Brendan Devlin
Ross Doyle W/O – N/S Gavin Farrell
Robert McCrum 33, 109 – 150, 150 Eugene Hughes
Quater finals:
Lloyd Myers 150, 79, 150 – 98, 150, 90 Larry Drennan
Aidan Murray 150, 150 – 68, 138 Aonghus McAnally
Ross Doyle 133, 95 – 150, 150 Eugene Hughes
Joe Doheny 150, 72, 131 – 106, 150, 150 Wayne Doyle
Semi finals:
Lloyd Myers 14, 138 – 150, 150 Aidan Murray
Eugene Hughes 95, 150, 150 – 150, 58, 62 Wayne Doyle
Final:
Aidan Murray 150, 150 – 0, 122 Eugene Hughes
Breaks:
Aidan Murray 95unf, 62, 88unf
Eugene Hughes 65, 55, 95, 69unf
Wayne Doyle 70
Larry Drennan 61
Ross Doyle 55
Aonghus McAnally 53
Report by John Kehoe