The Pat O’Sullivan Memorial handicap tournament was played at Celbridge Snooker Club on Sunday, 7th of May 2023. After a day’s play, which saw many games decided on close margins, Aonghus McAnally (Portmarnock) emerged the well deserved winner on the day, scoring well in all his matches including making the day’s high break of 54.
Early round eliminations were local players Brendan Devlin and Robert McCrum from Celbridge and Jason Dowling (Rathkeale).
The semi finalists in the top half of the draw were Kilkenny veteran and regular travel partner of the late Pat O’Sullivan, Larry Drennan against Lloyd Myers who had travelled the long distance from Cork to participate. Larry’s progress to the semi final included a close quarter final with Liam Byrne (Edenderry) while Lloyd had close early round wins against Brendan Devlin (Celbridge) and Sean Dunne (Edenderry). In their semi final, which went all the way to the 90 minute time limit, Larry, in an eleventh hour visit, came from behind to claim his place in the final by a margin of 22 points.
The semi finalists in the bottom half of the draw were welcome newcomer and promising billiards player Annette Newman (Carlow) and eventual winner Aonghus McAnally, Annette making good use of her handicap start to sweep past her quarter final opponent Joe Doheny (Borris-in-Ossory) while Aonghus had an equally impressive quarter final win against John Kehoe (Enniscorthy). In their semi final, Aonghus had to work hard, playing some fine free flowing billiards to overcome the handicap start he was giving Annette, eventually taking the match by the closest margin of the day, a mere 9 points.
The Final turned out to be an enthralling and free flowing game, Aonghus opening his account with some early scoring visits, leaving Larry to play catch-up. As the game progressed, both players matched each other visit for visit and score for score, Aonghus effectively keeping Larry at bay for the rest of the game, finishing the match with his handicap start still largely intact to take the Pat O’Sullivan title for a brilliant third time.
By way of compensation for his long journey from Rathkeale, Jason Dowling was the winner of the plate.
Our thanks are due to Phil Martin for the excellent playing facilities and to the staff at Celbridge Snooker Club for their hospitality and help on the day.
Results (all matches 400 up, handicapped, 90 minute time limit):
Quarters
- Lloyd Myers 400 – 373 Sean Dunne
- Larry Drennan 400 – 369 Liam Byrne
- Joe Doheny 174 – 400 Annette Newman
- Aonghus McAnally (Brk: 54) 400 – 204 John Kehoe
Semi-Finals
- Lloyd Myers 378 – 400 Larry Drennan
- Annette Newman 391 – 400 Aonghus McAnally
Final
- Larry Drennan 288 – 400 Aonghus McAnally
