The Pat O’Sullivan Memorial handicap tournament was played at SBI Headquarters, Carlow on Sunday, 19th of October 2025. Although fewer in numbers than previous years, the event was non the less very enjoyable, all games being well contested and additionally, the shorter day meant an earlier start home for those who had distances to travel.
Play got under way at 11.00am, the format for all rounds being 400 up, open draw, handicapped. Preliminary round eliminations were Eugene Hughes (Baltinglass), surprisingly losing to eventual tournament winner Ciaran Doyle and Brendan Devlin (Celbridge), losing to John Downey (Dungarvan).
The semi finalists in the top half of the draw were veteran and long time practice partner of the late Pat O’Sullivan, Larry Drennan (Kilkenny) and Jason Dowling, travelling from Rathkeale to compete in the event. Larry got through to the semi final with a good quarterfinal win against local player Annette Newman, while Jason had an equally good win against John Kehoe (Enniscorthy). The semi final was nip and tuck all the way, the difference in scores never exceeding 40 or so points, Larry closing a developing deficit with the day’s high break of 69. Perhaps fittingly, the scores were level when time was called. This required the application of the seldom used tie-break rule, Larry just edging out Jason after the extra 9 minutes by a slender 8 points to claim his place in the Final.
The semi finalists in the bottom half of the draw were eventual winner Ciaran Doyle (Dun Laoghaire) and Robert McCrum (Portmarnock). Ciaran progressed to the semi final with a solid quarter final win against John Downey while Robert had an equally impressive quarter final performance against Joe Doheny (Borris-in-Ossory). In the semi final, Ciaran made good use of the handicap he was getting, leaving little opportunity for Robert to catch up before Ciaran reached the required score of 400.
The Final turned out to be an enthralling game between the oldest and youngest contestants, their age difference being almost 70 years, quite an age difference in any sport at National level! Larry, showing no sign of tiring despite being through two previous rounds on the trot, scored solidly to reduce the handicap difference he was giving Ciaran. On the other hand, teenager Ciaran, showing significant improvement in his game, scored well enough to keep Larry at bay, reaching the required 400 points in just over an hours play to become the youngest ever winner of the Pat O’Sullivan Memorial trophy.
We were fortunate to be able to have such excellent playing conditions at SBI Headquarters on the day and our congratulations must go to SBI for the superb level of facilities maintained so effectively by PJ Nolan and Shane Gorman.
Results (all matches 400 up, handicapped, 90 minute time limit):
Pre-Quarters
- Eugene Hughes 117 – 400 Ciaran Doyle
- Brendan Devlin 341 – 400 John Downey
Quarters
- Annette Newman 333 – 400 Larry Drennan
- John Kehoe 229 – 400 Jason Dowling (Brk: 62)
- Robert McCrum 400 – 298 Joe Doheny
- Ciaran Doyle 400 – 331 John Downey
Semi-Finals
- Larry Drennan (Brk: 69) 397 – 389 Jason Dowling
- Robert McCrum 311 – 400 Ciaran Doyle
Final
- Larry Drennan 298 – 400 Ciaran Doyle
