The 19th and 20th of November brings one of the highlights of the Billiards calendar, when we get the opportunity to renew friendships forged in the best possible way, through our annual Four Nations Billiards International in the Ivy Rooms Snooker Club in Carlow.
I have been given the honour of managing the 2016 Republic of Ireland team once again, and as manager and on behalf of the home team, it gives me great pleasure to extend a warm welcome to the visiting players, officials and their supporters who have made the trip to Carlow.
I have no doubt that the current holders, England, will be eager to retain the trophy which they comprehensively won last year. I equally have no doubt that the other teams will spare no effort in their quest for this year’s honours. At all events, whoever takes the title, I wish everyone involved an enjoyable and successful tournament.
In wishing the players every success, I would also like to take this opportunity to extend our thanks to Clive Scott, who has kindly agreed to accept the task of Tournament Director, to the referees and scorers, who regularly give unstintingly of their time and to Marian Leacy and her staff at the Ivy Rooms for providing the playing facilities, all of whose efforts will play an essential part in the success of the event.
Brendan Devlin, Team Manager,
Republic of Ireland Billiards Team.
Tournament Director:
Clive Scott: Clive founded the EABA referees section and has refereed internationally all around the world including world finals and is T.D. for Jersey, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Austria.
EABA Referees : Tom Hughes, John Squires, Dave Smith (Kent), Bob Slee, Phil Brooke, Martin O’Reilly, Joe Graham,, Chris Ellis, Ray Gowton
RIBSA Referees: Jason Dowling, Shane Mason, Ger Murray, Neil Shanahan
Republic of Ireland Team Profiles
Joe Doheny: From Borris-in-Ossory, Co Laois. Joe plays billiards at club, national and international level. Plays the all round game and makes 100 plus breaks regularly.
Wayne Doyle: From Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin. Played in junior events 2008 to 2010 taking the No 1 place in the junior rankings in all three seasons. Past and current national champion in both long and short formats.
Larry Drennan: From Kilkenny. Six times national billiards champion. Won his first national championship in 1970. All-Ireland champion in 1986. Larry has played billiards at national and international level for over forty years.
John Kehoe: From Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. John started playing national billiards at Intermediate level in 2011. He has played at international level since 2013 and is currently ranked No 5 in senior national tournament series.
Robert McCrum: From Dublin. Robert is a well established player on the Irish snooker scene at national and international level. Turned to billiards in 2006. Has played in numerous international billiards events, both individual and team format.
Aidan Murray: From Co Wicklow. National billiards champion on four occasions and All-Ireland Champion in 1990. Aidan has played billiards at top national level and represented Ireland in numerous international events since the 1980s.
Brendan Devlin: Team Manager
Republic of Ireland Team:
Joe Doheny
Wayne Doyle
Larry Drennan
John Kehoe
Robert McCrum
Aidan Murray
Lloyd Myers
Brendan Devlin
Austria Team:
Markus Bauer
Felix Knoll
Stefan Knoll
Werner Rieschl
Martin Schmidt
Carl Walter Steiner
England Team:
Rob Hall
Steve Crosland
Jim McCann
Darren Kell
Mark Graham
Craig Fitzpatrick
Chris Mitchell
Gary Norman
Northern Ireland Team:
Kenny Campbell
Tony Buttimer
Darren Dornan
Christian Kirk
Richie Comiskey
William Lowes
Keith McCready
Norman Whaley
