There were a total of eighteen entries in the fourth national intermediate event of the season in the New Institute Snooker Club in Nenagh, on Saturday last. The top two seeds were Colvin O`Brien and Daniel O`Regan.
One of the first games to start was the all junior affair between Nenagh`s, Mark Gleeson and Newbridge`s, Charlie Sweeney. The opening two frames were shared one apiece, before Charlie came alive in the third, with a superb 102 break. Charlie never looked back from this point and comfortably saw out the fourth frame and record a 3-1 win.
REPORT WRITTEN BY NIALL FARRELL
The shock of the day undoubtedly occurred at the last 16 stage, when 15 year old home player, Jake Byrne, sent top seed, Colvin O`Brien crashing out in his first game. The opening two frames were shared, before Colvin took a 2-1 advantage. However, Jake fought back determinedly to level at 2-2. The pressure mounted on both players, as the crowd focused their attention on Table 2. It was Jake who rose to the occasion however, as he held his nerve to seal a famous 3-2, in a match that he will never forget.
Meanwhile, another major shock took place at this stage and rather ironically it was also on Table 2. This was the elimination of the second seed, Daniel O`Regan, also on a 3-2 scoreline and also to a home player, Dave Garrett. This was a very slow moving game. Neither player seemed quite able to gain much momentum and as a result the game headed for a final frame. Daniel was ahead going onto the brown ball, before Dave caught Daniel in a superb snooker, which Daniel was unable to escape from. This allowed Dave to knock in the blue and later the pink, sealing a 3-2 upset in the process.
At the quarter final stage Dave Garrett was involved in another tight game, as he took on Dublin`s Peter Dunne. Dave took the opening two frames, before Peter pulled a frame back. Despite this setback, Dave regrouped himself and went on to seal a 3-1 victory.
Additionally, Patsy Farrell took on Jake Byrne in an all New Institute affair. However, there would be no fairytale result for Jake Byrne, as Patsy went on to seal a 3-0 victory, making a 55 break in the process. Mark Walsh was the third Nenagh player to advance to the semi-final, after he defeated third seed, Alan O`Connor 3-0. This was a close game despite the score and Mark was pushed all the way to advance to the semi-finals.
The only visiting player to reach the semi final was Tuam`s, Domhnall Foran. Domhnall was playing some fantastic snooker all day and reached the quarter final, after defeating Paddy Brady, 3-2. Domhnall`s long potting display aided him throughout his quarter final against Kilkenny`s, Benny O`Brien, as Domhnall went on to seal a 3-1 victory.
In the first semi final Domhnall defeated Nenagh`s Patsy Farrell by three frames to nil. Although Patsy forced all of these frames to the colours and two to the pink and black, he was unable to claim any frame and Domhnall advanced to the final. Sadly, in the other semi-final, Dave Garrett was forced to retire, after taking a 1-0 lead against Mark Walsh. This was as result of Dave being forced to honour unavoidable work commitments, accompanied by numerous long and drawn out games.
The final was played on Nenagh`s show table and was a close and scrappy affair. Neither player was able to gain any strong hold on the game. However, Mark Walsh was able at certain points to put together some decent pots and these were enough for a 3-0 victory, despite Domhnall`s best efforts. The club would like to congratulate both players on some fantastic snooker throughout the day.
We would also like to thank all players that participated on the day and also congratulate Charlie Sweeney on winning the high break prize. Thanks also to RIBSA referee and New Institute member, Breda Doherty for refereeing numerous games throughout the day and providing some wonderful refreshments.
The club would also like to thank all players and RIBSA associates, who supported our Christmas Draw fundraiser and also a well done to John Doherty, who won the first prize of two hundred euro and the ticket was sold by Breda Doherty.
Finally the Committee of the New Institute Snooker Club would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
CLICK DRAW / RESULTS
