SBI had a team of six player’s Irish players competing in the first ever world snooker disability championships in Bangkok Thailand last week with Alex Henerbrey, Fran Coyle, Niall Pollitt, Aiden Pollitt, Colvin O’Brien and Dylan Rees along with team manager/coach Shane Gorman.
This historic first staging of a World Championship comes 10 years on from the foundation of World Disability Billiards & Snooker (WDBS) took place in Srisaman, Nonthaburi in Thailand and saw Ireland win Gold, Silver and 2 Bronze medals plus the High Break.
Dylan Rees won the World Title beating team mate Colvin O Brien in the final. Colvin won the high break prize award and Aiden and Niall Pollitt won Bronze medals to top off a fantastic week for Team Ireland. In the World final Dylan beat compatriot Colvin O’Brien 3-0 in steady and controlled way giving nothing in the first 2 frames. As the tension mounted in the third frame and nine points down with just the pink and black on the table. Rees threw caution to the wind potting a signature long and tough pink looking for position on a black just a few inches off the middle rail with the rest in hand potted a difficult black to claim the title.
Special mentions to Shane Gorman “team manager” who worked tirelessly throughout the event. At the venue watching and taking photos early in the morning too the last thing in the evening.Shane proved to be a cornerstone of the total Thailand experience.
Support from dad Gary Pollitt, Mam Mary Henerbrey and number one team Ireland fan Karen Evans was unmistakable and moving between matches all day supporting everyone which was unmatched by any other country.
SBI and Sport Ireland deserve great credit for all the formal support. No stone was unturned by Tommy O’Donoghue chairman of SBI to get this great team out to Bangkok.
Thanks to all the well-wishers and supporters from afar.
