Noel Gleeson from Nenagh won the fourth Snooker & Billiards Ireland (SBI) 21’s Ranking event of the season on Sunday the 9th of February in the SBI HQ Carlow. We had 13 entries from all over Ireland and the future is looking good for Irish Snooker
In the final, Noel played Adam Halnon from Maynooth SC in a top quality final which was refereed by International Referee Conor Doyle.
The match went to a decider after the young wexford man went 2 nil in front only to see the Tipperary man come back and level. The decider was full of drama and it went to Noel Gleeson to take the title.
In the Semi Finals, Adam beat James O Connell from Crucible SC 3-0 while Noel battled back from 0-2 down to beat Jamie McCarthy from the Crucible SC in the other semi-final 3-2.
This was the fourth event on the 2024-2025 SBI 21’s Snooker Tour. SBI are holding four 21’s ranking events plus a National 21’s Championships this season.
All ranking events are played on the same day as the 14’s so start time for all matches was 10.00am.
PJ Nolan’s 147academy are the title sponsor for all the Junior Tours this season and it was a fantastic day of Junior snooker with them all gaining National experience on the table. PJ said” It was another brilliant day of junior snooker with these stars of the future in action.
Entry is now open for the 2025 National 21’s Snooker Championships which will be played in the SBI HQ on April 26th.
Everyone is improving and the standard is going up and up at each event and our National Coach was very impressed with the talent on show today.
Q-Final
Noel Gleeson 3-0 Josh O Connor
Jamie McCarthy 3-2 Jamie O Connor
James O Connell 3-0 Ben du Bois
Adam Halnon 3-0 Ronan McGuirk
Semi Final
Noel Gleeson 3-2 Jamie McCarthy
James O Connell 0-3 Adam Halnon
The Final
Noel Gleeson 3-2 Adam Halnon
High Break:
Noel Gleeson 80
It promises to be another exciting year of junior snooker with so many young talented Junior players looking to qualify for the Home Internationals, World Snooker Championships in 2025.
Age Limit
The SBI Age limit will be the 31st December 2024 for all SBI junior events. All member must remember International criteria may vary for events. SBI will go down rankings to qualify players who meet that particular age deadline.
Example:
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- 21’s: a player who’s 21st birthday is on or before 31st December 2024 will not be able to enter the SBI 21’s events in the 2024 /25 season
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Draws & Match Times
Following the closing date all draws will be displayed on the web site – CLICK HERE
Dates & Venues
- Event 1: 21’s TOUR 1 – 28th September – SBI HQ Carlow – WINNER RONAN McGUIRK
- Event 2: 21’s TOUR 2 – 9th November – SBI HQ Carlow – WINNER ADAM HALNON
- Event 3: 21’s TOUR 3 – 18th January – SBI HQ Carlow – WINNER NOEL GLEESON
- Event 4: 21’s TOUR 4 – 9th February – SBI HQ Carlow – WINNER NOEL GLEESON
- Event 5: 21’s NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – 26th April – SBI HQ Carlow
- Finals Weekend 16th – 18th May – 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
- Junior Membership is for all 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:
- 21’s– €10.00
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
Junior Development
€1 entry fee will be offered to any Under 21 Junior player to compete in any of the three Adult open tours for the coming season. This is to encourage more juniors to attend adult events, gain experience, watch and play our leading players and be hopefully be motivated to improve more.
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
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.
