The Snooker and Billiards Ireland Academy of Excellence in Carlow hosted the 2023 National Billiards Short Format Championship that took place on Sunday 5th March and the format was the best of 3x150s in all rounds before the final that is due to take place on Saturday 29th April back at the SBI HQ with a best of 7x150s between two familiar players in the form of Aidan Murray and Wayne Doyle.
13 players took part in the event and several matches were closely fought battles with Wayne Doyle pipping Anthony O’Flaherty after Anthony came back from 2-0 down but Wayne dug deep once more to win the decider resoundingly.
Tommy Murphy beat Joe Doheny 3-1 in the last 16 as did Aonghus McAnally who overcame Larry Drennan that also finished 3-1 which was the big suprise of the day. John Kehoe and Eugene Hughes had 3 nil wins over Brendan Devlin and Robert McCrum respectively. Aidan Murray beat Annette Newman in a straight quarter final encounter and would go on to play John Kehoe in the semi finals after John won 3-0 against muchly fancied Aonghus McAnally.
Wayne Doyle handily defeated fellow Dun Laoighaire man Eugene Hughes and Tommy Murphy edged on of the in-form players of the season Jason Dowling where Tommy only took the game by no more than 30 points in the decider to book his semi final berth against Wayne Doyle.
Aidan Murray booked his place in the final after playing superb billiards against John Kehoe after compiling an 88 unfinished break in the first game and won the remaining two games that included a break of 54 who will now play Wayne Doyle who was just as impressive in his 3-0 win against Tommy Murphy after he won his last game in a fitting fashion with an outstanding break of 107 unfinished to book a final date against Aidan fixed for Saturday the 29th April at the Snooker and Billiards Ireland Academy of Excellence in Carlow.
Thanks to John Kehoe as Tournament Director and Snooker Billiards Ireland Academy of Excellence in Carlow as the host venue in what was a successful tournament that will conclude with the final itself on the 29th April.
Pre Quarters:
- Aonghus McAnally 3-1 Larry Drennan
- Brendan Devlin 0-3 John Kehoe
- Robert McCrum 0-3 Eugene Hughes
- Wayne Doyle 3-2 Anthony O’ Flaherty
- Joe Doheny 1-3 Tommy Murphy
Quarter finals:
- Aidan Murray 3-0 Annette Newman
- Aonghus McAnally 0-3 John Kehoe
- Eugene Hughes 0-3 Wayne Doyle
- Tommy Murphy 3-2 Jason Dowling
Semi finals:
- Aidan Murray 3-0 John Kehoe
- Wayne Doyle 3-0 Tommy Murphy
Final:
- Aidan Murray v Wayne Doyle
To be played on 29th April.
