Another fantastic weekend of amateur snooker has wrapped up at the superb CYMS Newbridge club, and once again Ryan Cronin has come out on top. With so many big names in this weekend’s event, it was always going to take someone at the very top of their game to take the title home — and Ryan certainly delivered.
Cronin faced a tough opening match against Jonathan Williams, coming through to set up a clash with young Clayton Creegan, who put up a superb fight against the current No. 1. Ryan held his nerve in the decider to take it 3–2.
On Sunday morning, Ryan moved on to face last season’s event winner Mark Tuite, but nothing was stopping Cronin as he followed up a first-frame 60 break with a superb 110 in the second on his way to a dominant 4–0 win.
The semi-final brought him up against Dublin’s Phillip Brown. Ryan raced into a 2–0 lead and looked set for a comfortable win, but Brown — never one to give up — fought back brilliantly to force a deciding frame. Cronin dug deep and used all his experience to edge over the line 4–3.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the draw, Rodney Goggins was crafting a story of his own, battling back from 3–1 down to defeat current national champion and fellow ex-professional Davy Morris — something very few players can manage. This set up a blockbuster final: Goggins vs. Cronin.
If Rodney was to take the title, he would need to repeat his comeback heroics once again. From 3–1 down he fought back to 3–3, and no matter what happened next, it was already clear that this title was going to be well earned. But it was Ryan Cronin who prevailed in the end, taking home the Talbot Cup and the Event 2 title back to Cork City.
A brilliant weekend of amateur snooker from all involved!
