Joe Shannon and Jack O Brien will compete in the 2025 Snooker & Billiards Ireland (SBI) National U-18 Snooker Championship Final. Both players were in excellent form in the National Championships which was held in the superb Newbridge CYMS on Sunday the 13th of April.
The final will be played during SBI Final weekend in May in the SBI HQ in Carlow and it promises to be a fantastic match to end a brilliant U-18 Season with PJ Nolan’s 147academy was the title sponsor for all the Junior Tours this season.
Play commenced at 10am this morning in the 2025 SBI U/18 championships. 18 of the top young players in Ireland were in the draw and TD Tony Thorpe welcomed all to Newbridge for this prestigious event. A high standard of snooker was evident throughout the day on the new Rasson tables.
The tournament will be played down to the final which will take place in the SBI centre during finals weekend.
First to claim a place was Joe Shannon who overcame Jack Becher in the semi-final on a 3 frames – 1 score line. In the 2nd semi Jack O’Brien beat Jamie O’Connor 3 – 0.
Tony thanked CYMS Newbridge for the fantastic conditions and wished both participants good fortune in the final.
Tony Thorpe
Tournament Director
This season will be holding four ranking events in 18’s and a National 18’s Championships. Start time for all matches in the 18’s will 10.00am. The Entry Fees for all Junior events is set at €10.00 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.
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 and European Snooker Championships in 2025. In 2024 Leone Crowley won the National U-18 Title.
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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- 18’s: a player who’s 18th birthday is on or before 31st December 2024 will not be able to enter the SBI 18’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: 18’s TOUR 1 – 26th October – SBI HQ Carlow – WINNER JAMIE McCARTHY
- Event 2: 18’s TOUR 2 – 23rd November – SBI HQ Carlow – WINNER JAMIE McCARTHY
- Event 3: 18’s TOUR 3 – 23rd February – SBI HQ Carlow – WINNER JAMIE McCARTHY
- Event 4: 18’s TOUR 4 – 22nd March – SBI HQ Carlow – WINNER JACK O BRIEN
- Event 5: 18’s NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – 13th April – Newbridge CYMS (FINAL) JOE SHANNON V JACK O BRIEN
- 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.
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:
- 18’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
