The National Billiards Championships, preliminary rounds down to the last four, took place at The Ivy Rooms Snooker Club, Carlow on Sunday, 17th April 2016. A total of 13 players contested the event, which meant that three byes were awarded into the quarter finals, No 1 seed, Aidan Murray, No 2, Wayne Doyle and No 3, John Kehoe.
First round Eliminations were Brendan Devlin (Celbridge), James Bateman (Kilkenny), Aonghus McAnally (Portmarnock), Lloyd Myers (Cork) and Robert McCrum (Portmarnock).
In the quarter finals, to decide the semi finalists who will play at the RIBSA National Championships in May, the top seed, Aidan Murray (Ivy Rooms) and Kilkenny veteran Larry Drennan had convincing 3-0 wins over Liam O’Brien (Borris-in-Ossory) and John Kehoe (Enniscorthy) respectively. By contrast, the other two quarter finals went the full distance, Rodney Goggins (Wexford) taking a 3-2 victory over Eugene Hughes (Baltinglass) while the No 2 seed Wayne Doyle (Q-Club Wicklow) had a similar result in his match with Joe Doheny (Borris-in-Ossory).
The first of the two semi finals, between Aidan Murray and Rodney Goggins was also played on Sunday, in advance of the finals weekend. Rodney was first to show, scoring the more heavily of the two, quickly establishing a 2-0 lead. Aidan turned the tables in the third game, taking the game by more than 100 points. The fourth game, which turned out to be the last game of the match was a very closely contested one, each player matching the other in scores until, with the scores poised at 98-99, Rodney wrapped up the match with an unfinished break of 53.
Congratulations and best of luck to Rodney, Larry and Wayne who won through to their places in the Final stages to be played as part of the RIBSA Finals weekend in May.
As always, our thanks to Marian Leacy and the staff at the Ivy Rooms Snooker Club for their help on the day and indeed throughout the season.
Results:
Pre-Quarters, best of five 150up
Brendan Devlin 48, 119, 43 -v- 150, 150, 150 Liam O’Brien
James Bateman (Brk: 58) 137, 112, 150, 37 -v- 150, 150, 78, 150 Eugene Hughes (Brk: 68)
Aonghus McAnally 105, 48, 106 -v- 150, 150, 150 Rodney Goggins (Brk: 67)
Larry Drennan (Brk: 66) 150, 150, 64, 150 -v- 79, 79, 150, 104 Lloyd Myers (Brk: 50)
Joe Doheny 136, 150, 120, 150, 150 -v- 150, 61, 150, 115, 53 Robert McCrum
Quarters, best of five 150up
Aidan Murray 150, 150, 150 -v- 107, 73, 121 Liam O’Brien
Eugene Hughes 48, 53, 150, 150, 83 -v- 150, 150, 82, 121, 150 Rodney Goggins
John Kehoe 23, 15, 103 -v- 150, 150, 150 Larry Drennan (Brk: 101)
Joe Doheny 114, 150, 117, 150, 150 -v- 150, 109, 150, 60, 114 Wayne Doyle (Brk: 70)
Semi-Finals, best of five 150up
Aidan Murray (Brk: 54, 51) 76, 88, 150, 98 -v- 150, 150, 43, 150 Rodney Goggins (Brk: 54, 57Unf, 53Unf)
Larry Drennan -v- Wayne Doyle
Final, best of seven 150up
8th May 2016
