On Saturday and Sunday 12th / 13th October SBI Challenge Event 2 got underway with a total of 45 players in the SBI HQ in Carlow. There was strong competition with a lot of the matches going the distance and some really good snooker being played Philip Burke from kilrush in Clare had a wonderful 80 break and was unlucky not to make a century break.
Young Joe Shannon played some fantastic snooker also and Richard Flynn got the better of Ray Phelan and make the quarterfinals and the No1 Seed Ken Byrne has played some solid match play snooker to make it to the quarter final line up our 8 quarter finalists are as follows.
Q-Finals
- Ken Byrne v John Ahearne
- Joe Shannon v Clayton Cretan
- Philip Burke v Stephen Sherry
- Nicholas Ryan v Richard Flynn
Semi-finals
- John Ahearne v Joe Shannon
- Philip Burke v Richard Flynn
Joe Shannon had a fantastic result against John beating him 3-0 clearing the colours to win his semi final match clamping his place in the final.
In semi-final 2 it was a hard faugh match where Richard Flynn took the match 3-2 on the pink to take him to the final.
Final
In the final Richie should his experience and class against young Joe Shannon and raced to a 3-0 victory playing some solid snooker I’m sure we’ll see a lot more of Joe in the future and well done to Richard Flynn.
Philip Burke claimed the high brake price with a superb 80 brake .
TD and Referee was Pat Mooney.
This Irish Challenge Snooker Tour has a set criteria.
-
- Open to all members who have never represented RIBSA / SBI in any International event over 16yrs in any category or gender
- All past Winners of the National Challenge Championships are excluded
- Any former National Champion in any level over 16yrs are excluded
- Any WPBSA member are excluded for the Challenge Tour
- All Challenge tour events are 2 day events – Depending on entries *
Four ranking events are planned and this is followed with the 2025 Irish Challenge Championship to find the National champion. Ben Doyle was the 2024 Champion.
Draws & Match Times
Following the closing date all draws will be displayed on the web site – CLICK HERE
Dates & Venues
- Event 1: Challenge Tour 1 – 24th – 25th August – SBI HQ Carlow – WINNER JAMES HIGGINS
- Event 2: Challenge Tour 2 – 12th – 13th October – SBI HQ Carlow – WINNER RICHIE FLYNN
- Event 3: Challenge Tour 3 – 16th – 17th November – St John’s Limerick
- Event 4: Challenge Tour 4 – 22nd – 23rd February – Youghal CYMS
- Event 5: NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – 5th – 6th April – New Instutite Nenagh
- Finals Weekend 16th – 18th May – Semi Final & Final will be played during finals weekend
Players should be aware that all entries are through the on line system and you have to enter before the closing date of Thursday at 1pm prior to each event.
How to Enter
All players will need to register for the new season by paying their SBI registration / membership or Renew their membership for the 2024-2025 season.
SBI Registration runs from 1st July to the 31st of June each season CLICK HERE TO ENTER AN EVENT
SBI Yearly Registration fee
- Over 21 – €30.00
- Under 21’s – €20.00
How to Register
If you were a member in the last three years you simply press the renewal button – CLICK HERE and use the same email and password you created when signing up to the system. You simply choose your type of membership and click and pay.
New First Time Members
If you are registering for the first time, you will be asked to complete the SBI membership form with date of birth, address, club, high break, email and then create a username and password – CLICK HERE
Remember you will only be allowed to enter an event if have logged in as a member using a valid username and password in the system.
Reset Passwords
You can always reset your own password and there is also a support for members by emailing info@sbireland.ie and SBI will follow up to resolve any issue.
REGARDING ENTERING EVENTS AND THE RANKINGS – IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT PLAYERS ONLY USE ONE EMAIL ADDRESS ON THE SYSTEM AS THE ENTRY AND RANKINGS ARE AUTOMATICALY DONE THROUGH THE SYSTEM AND WILL NOT WORK IF YOU USE TWO EMAILS OR YOU GET SOMEONE ELSE TO ENTER YOU IN AN EVENT.
CONTACT info@sbireland.ie if you are having problems to enter or register
Closing Dates
The closing date for all SBI events will 1pm on the Thursday before the event. The Draw will be done automatically on the system with match times and displayed on the web site.
Tournament Entry Fees
The cost of entry will be the following:
- Over 21’s– €25.00
- Under 21’s & Ladies – €1.00
(To be under 21 you must be playing on the U-21 SBI Tour this season 2024-2025)
Only SBI members can access the online system and enter to play in tournaments but one-day registration is available at €10.00 – remember this expires 24hrs after the event.
- One Day/Event Registration – €10.00 plus the entry fee above – CLICK HERE
Prize Fund
Players are asked to note that the prize fund for all SBI tournaments this season will be a guaranteed 70% of the entry fee pot with 30% of the pot going towards officiating and club hosting costs.
Anyone who wins Prize Money at any SBI Events will need to fill in their Bank Details on the Web Site, Failure to do so will results in late or no prize money – CLICK HERE
Anti-doping Testing
In line with sport Ireland guidelines and the anti-doping protocols for the SBI, we will be conducting a standard drug test in all amateur tour events. This will be a randomised test conducted by the TD and anti-doping appointed officer for the tournament.
All testing will be done confidentially and results will be given within 5 minutes of a test. All participants who enter these events are automatically agreeing to testing by entering the tournament.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW SBI ANTI-DOPING DOCUMENTS
Live Streaming
We will be streaming 4 tables in the SBI HQ in Carlow for all events
SBI YouTube – Tables 7&8
SnookerON – Tables 5&6
Format
Matches are played in a the best of 5 frames knock out format in roll on and off basis in the venue. The Q-Final, Semi Final and Final are the best of 5 frames
No match will start after 7pm so the final might need to be arranged at a venue and date to suit both players. SBI will provide a referee for the final.
Dress Code – Ranking Events
Failure to meet with the Dress Code Guidelines will result in being removed from the National event.
- Dark Shoes (no runners)
- Dark one coloured trousers (no jeans)
- One coloured shirt buttoned at the wrist and waistcoat
- You also can wear the official SBI Polo Shirt for all Ranking events.
Polo Shirts available to purchase in the SBI HQ all sizes available @ €25.00 each
Dress Code – National Championships
Failure to meet with the Dress Code Guidelines will result in being removed from the event.
- In the National Championships, one coloured shirt buttoned at the wrist and Waistcoats can only be worn
- Bowties are also required for all matches during Championship finals weekend.
- National Waistcoats are not permissible at any SBI National event.
