On Day 8 of the 2015 IBSF World Amateur Snooker Championships here in Hurghada, Egypt saw two of our Irish players reach their first ever IBSF Q- Finals when Greg Casey beat Mohammed Shehab from UAE and Alen Matic beat Wayne Morgan from Wales.
In the Men’s last 32, Greg Casey beat former pro player Issara Kachaiwong from Thailand in a high scoring match to move into the last 16 of the Men’s Championships with a very impressive performance. The cork man had breaks of 81,75, 68, 45, 46, 43 and he then faced Mohammed Shehab from UAE looking for his Q-Final spot.
Mohammed won the opening frame with a 96 break but Greg fought back to take a 3-1 lead. The UAE champion then closed the score to 3-2, back came Greg to go 4-2 up and go one frame away from his first ever World Championship Q-Final. The seventh frame was very tactical but Casey was very smart to take it and seal victory 5 frames to 2.
Greg will now play Luckas Kleckers from Germany at 10am (best of 9 frames)
Masters Championship
In the last 32 of the Masters Event, Alan Matic beat one of the title favourites Ian Sargeant from Wales 4 frames to 3 in another thrilling match that went all the way to the final black. Alen kept his nerve to pot a difficult pink and black to steal victory and move into the last 16 of the Masters Championships where he faced Wayne Morgan from Wales.
Alen again played superb snooker at the start to take a 3-0 lead over his welsh opponent, back came Morgan to win the fourth frame on the black to deny the Irishman victory. Alen then went into overdrive to win the fifth frame with great snooker to seal victory 4 frames to 1 to reach his first World Championship Q-Final spot.
Alen will now play Richard Peric from Australia at 10am local time in the best of 7 frame match.
Unfortunately earlier in the day Rodney Goggins was beaten by Lin Tang Ho from Hong Kong 5 frames to 4 in a tight match. The players were level at 1-1, 2-2, 3-3 and 4-4 but a fluked snooker on the brown handed his Asian opponent the chance to clear to win a great match which saw Rodney have top breaks of 96 and 55.
Rodney did everything he could and he should be very proud of himself in this Championship.
The players would like to thank everyone at home for the fantastic support and I believe this is motivating them to achieve these marvellous results to date.
Come on Ireland !!!!!!!
