12yrs old Calum Behan from Classic SC in Dublin won the 11th edition of the 147academy Under 12 Irish National Snooker Championship on the 26th of April in the SBI Academy of Excellence in Carlow. In the final the No.2 seed from Dublin beat the defending Champion and No.1 seed James Brennan from Mayo 2 frames to nil to take his first National snooker title.
SBI National Coach PJ Nolan from www.147academy.com who sponsors this prestigious junior event was delighted with the amount of young talent on show from players from Cork, Youghal, Trim, Limerick, Dublin and Mayo.
Both semi finals were very close but it was James Brenan who beat fast improving Rowan Kelly from Youghal CYMS and Callum Behan from Classic SC in Dublin beat Paddy King from Rathkeale SC in the other semi final. All players should be very proud of themselves.
In the 2025 final Calum won two close frames to take his first SBI National title after so many semi finals. In frame 2 it went to the final black when James was unlucky to go in off and lose the title. It was a great final and James should be proud. Last week Calum qualified for the Irish junior team for the up coming Celtic Challenge in July.
National Coach PJ Nolan said it was ten years ago a young 10yr old Corey Ramsbottom from Carlow won the first ever U-12 Title back in 2014 and each year it is sponsored by his 147 Academy. With all the talent on show this year, Irish Snooker are in good hands with so many talented young players who will only develop more in the coming years.
In recent years this u-12 title has also been won by Noel Gleeson, Leone Crowley, Jack O Brien and Joe Shannon who have all went on to play in European or World Junior Championships. The event had a free entry fee to encourage all young players from all parts of Ireland to participate in a SBI National event.
Semi Finals
- James Brennan 2-0 Rowan Kelly
- Callum Behan 2-0 PaddyKing
Final
- Calum Behan 2-0 James Brennan
Plate Event
We also held a plate event for all players who lost their opening match. This was a great challenge of a re-spot black best of 5 in all matches. James Twomey from Crucible SC won the event in a 3-2 battle over club mate Luke Dempsey.
All the players recieved a medal plus a booklet on techniques and practice drill manual plus a 147academy sticker for their case. PJ said he is very proud of starting this competition 10yrs ago and in 2025 we have a great champion in Calum Behan and PJ hopes Calum will win more SBI Junior events in future.
Big thank you to all the parents, clubs, coaches for bringing thier children/students to this event and this is the future of our sport. SBI Coach Con Walsh who is holding junior coaching in the Crucible SC in Cork had 5 players in the event. Finally thank to SBI Referee Shane Gorman for attending today.
