The SBI 16’s Snooker National Championships was played on Saturday 11th of April in the SBI Academy in Carlow with all the top players in action.
After great days play, it will be Joe Shannon from Longford against Cathal Horgan from Youghal CYMS who will contest the 2026 National final during SBI Finals weekend from the 5th – 7th of June.
There were two fantastic semi finals with Joe Shannon beating Adam Wynne and Cathal Horgan beating Liam Dunne in two excellent matches.
The TD was Conor Doyle and the referee in action was Steven Foster.
It has been a fantastic season with 4 different 16’s winners this season. Who will end up the New National Champion and follow Aaron Donnelly who won the title in 2025.
The current high break stands at 75 with Joe Shannon.
Information on 16’s Snooker
This season will be holding four 16’s ranking events and a National Championships. We will be also four events and a National 12’s, 14’s, 18’s and 21’s plus a Junior Shoot Out.
Ranking Events Dates & Venues
- Event 1 16’s – 30th August – SBI Carlow – WINNER JOE SHANNON
- Event 2 16’s – 18th October – SBI HQ Carlow – WINNER LIAM DUNNE
- Event 3 16’s – 14th February – SBI HQ Carlow – WINNER CATHAL HORGAN
- Event 4 16’s –22nd March – SBI HQ Carlow – WINNER JAMES STEWART O REILLY
- 16’s National Championships – 11th April (to final) – SBI HQ Carlow
- Final during SBI Finals weekend 5th – 7th June
This season SBI will be holding four 16’s ranking events and a National 16’s Championships. PJ Nolan’s 147academy are the title sponsors for all the SBI Junior Tours again this season. PJ said It promises to be another exciting year of junior snooker with so many young talented Junior players looking to qualify for the 2026 Celtic Challenge, Home Internationals, World and European Snooker Championships. He wished everyone good luck this season.
Start time for all matches will 10.00am. The Entry Fees for all junior events is set at €10.00 each.
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.
Age Limit
The SBI Age limit will be the 31st December 2025 for all SBI junior events. All members must remember International criteria may vary for events. SBI will go down rankings to qualify players who meet that particular age deadline.
Example: 16’s: a player who’s 16th birthday is on or before 31st December 2025 WILL NOT be able to enter the SBI 16’s events in the 2025 /26 season.
Draws & Match Times
Following the closing date all draws will be displayed on the web site
It promises to be another exciting year of junior snooker with so many young talented Junior players looking to qualify for the Celtic Challenge, Home Internationals, World and European Snooker Championships in 2025.
Closing Dates
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 2025-2026 season.
SBI Registration runs from 1st August to the 31st of August each season
SBI Yearly Registration fee
Junior Membership is for all Under 21’s – €25.00
Junior Development
SBI have created an extra new Junior Membership for juniors who want to play in SBI Adult Events called ‘’Junior Exemption Membership’’ This membership is offered to any Under 21 Junior player for €10.00
This ’Junior Exemption Membership’’ is to compete in any of the three Adult open tours for the coming season for free. This is to encourage more juniors to attend adult events, gain experience, watch and play our leading players and hopefully be motivated to improve more.
Tournament Entry Fees
The cost of entry will be the following:
All Junior Events – €10.00
Live Streaming
We will be streaming 8tables in the SBI HQ in Carlow for all events
https://snookeron.com/clubs/?club=95
Format
Matches are played in a 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 – 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.
