Monday, 07 October 2024 / Published in Billiards

Lloyd wins Timmy Murphy Memorial Title

The Timmy Murphy Memorial handicap tournament was played at Celbridge Snooker Club on Sunday, 6th of October 2024. After a day’s play, which saw many interesting games and several surprise results, the trophy went to Lloyd Myers (AOH Cork), a fitting reward for the consistently high standard of play he showed throughout the day.

Play started at 11.00am, all rounds being 90 minutes, handicapped. First round eliminations were Ciaran Doyle (Dun Laoghaire), Timmy Murphy Jnr (AOH Cork), participating in memory of his father, Annette Newman (Carlow), Robert McCrum (Portmarnock), Kevin Christie (Malahide) and Brendan Devlin (Celbridge).

The semi finalists in the top half of the draw were Alastair McDonald, a very welcome visitor from Northern Ireland facing Irish multiple National Champion Wayne Doyle (Dun Laoghaire). Alastair gained his place in the semi final with a good quarter final win over equally welcome fellow Northern Ireland player Keith McCready while Wayne crept through a tightly contested quarter final with Kilkenny veteran and six times National Champion Larry Drennan. In the semi final, both played excellent high scoring billiards, Alastair, with a timely break of 53, was able to keep Wayne at bay, despite a well constructed 93 break by Wayne.

The semi finalists in the bottom half of the draw were Joe Doheny (Borris-in-Ossory) and Lloyd Myers (AOH Cork). Joe progressed to the semi final by taking a good quarter final win against Aonghus McAnally (Portmarnock) while Lloyd survived a tight quarter final tussle against Keith Savage, another very welcome visitor from Northern Ireland. In the semi final, thanks to a well constructed 60 break, Lloyd was able to establish a useful lead which he maintained to the finish.

The Final turned out to be an enthralling game, both players matching each other score for score and break for break for the first 60 minutes or so. From this point on, Lloyd gradually whittled away at the 31 point handicap start he was giving Alastair. When Lloyd got onto level terms, there was the prospect that he might continue in this vane and build up a useful lead. Alastair, however, had other ideas, the lead being exchanged several times over. In the final run in to the finish, Lloyd crept ahead to hold the slenderest of leads, frequently down to single figures. As time dwindled to the last minutes of the game, Lloyd had a couple of useful visits leaving him 30 odd points clear when time was called. It was an excellent and absorbing Final and we must congratulate both contestants on a great performance. A special word of thanks is also due to Northern Ireland visitor Keith Savage who did a splendid job as referee for the final.

It was a great pleasure to have Timmy Murphy Junior, not only to participate as a contestant, but also to present the magnificent AOH Cork Timmy Murphy Perpetual trophy to the winner in memory of Timmy Murphy, a staunch and active member of AOH for very many years. In a way it seemed fitting that the trophy, sponsored by AOH Cork, should find its way back to the banks of the Lee in the hands of 2024 title holder Lloyd, himself a very active member of AOH Cork. Congratulations also go to Kevin Christie who was winner of the plate.

As always, 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 90 minutes timed, handicapped, breaks over 50 in brackets):