On Saturday the 23rd of May, Snooker & Billiards Ireland (SBI) held another National Junior Snooker & Billiards Developmental Day in the SBI HQ Academy of Excellence in Carlow. SBI hold Developmental days to introduce and encourage more juniors to play our beautiful sports and this day is held annually after Christmas every year.
There was a mixture of current Irish Junior International players, National Junior Champions, National Junior Number 1’s, plus new and up and coming young juniors attending today with bodes well for the future of the game in Ireland.
Talented Young Players
Payers from all across Ireland from Galway, Mayo, Dublin attended this Junior day with National Snooker Coach PJ Nolan and fellow SBI Coach Ed Donnelly and Nigel Cooke in learning the skills of the game.
SBI used 8 full size snooker tables for the more experienced player plus our mini star tables in the Academy were used to help introduce new younger people to the game. The players were shown how to have some fun, and learn some of the skills of the game.
Event Winners
On the day we held mini tournament with medals and trophies awarded to the winners. Clayton Creegan won the training event with fantastic scoring and potting. There were a number of brilliant breaks on the routines today with
- Clayton Creegan – Line Up 107, Thailand 113, X break 111.
- Dermot Kelly – Line Up 128 + 105, Thailand 110.
- James Stewart O Reilly – Line Up 120 + 104, Thailand 113.
- Max Kennedy – Line Up 112. Thailand 90.
- James Brennan – Line Up 91.
- Will Shannon – Line Up 84.
All players practiced specific routines with Aiming, Break Building, Potting and Safety. A mini match-play tournament plus potting and control drills were also held and the players performed excellent during the day. We really hope all the players had a great time with the coaches.
A Sport for Everyone
SBI would like to thank all the clubs who are currently holding junior coaching to promote the game in their regions. This is the only way to help us grow our game around the clubs. SBI will be holding more free development days with our National Coach PJ Nolan and his team in 2026.
Training Aids
The latest training aids were used to enhance the day like the Mini Domin Eye, QLine, Blade Mat, Master Doctor, Str8aim G-5 & SA-2, Chris Henry Balls and the EBSA Coaching Balls to help players to get on the line of aim and develop a smoother stroke in their delivery.
SBI Coaches
All current SBI Qualified Coaches who are Garda vetted were invited to attend the day. The players then learned about the Stance, Grip, Cue Action, Cue Ball Control and Basic Potting Skills.
Developing Fundamentals
PJ and the coaches gave some tips and advice to all the players. Next the players were coached in developing a good Approach, Stance and striking the middle of the cue ball. All the players received a training booklet with practice drills and coaching advice.
All SBI Members
SBI would like to thank our members who encouraged their children/ friends/ members to attend this promotion day and help grow the game in Ireland. SBI would like to thank all the SBI Coaches for attending and helping out on the day.
Thank you to all the boys and girl who attended and a big well done to all the winners on the day. Remember to practice the drills in your training booklet and learn how to improve with quality practice. We look forward to seeing you all play more in SBI events next season.
President Jim Leacy was on hand to thank all the young players for attending and thanked the coaches for holding a great day for the Juniors. We look forward to seeing all the players in action on the table again soon.
Full Address / Post Code of the SBI HQ
Snooker & Billiards Ireland, Sport HQ, Academy of Excellence, Graiguecullen, Co Laois, Carlow Town, R93 C5Y6
For more information on Coaching contact info@sbireland.ie or PJ Nolan on pjcoach147@hotmail.com
