Number 1 seed and defending Amateur Champion Brendan O Donoghue from Nenagh SC won the 2022 Irish Amateur Snooker Championship in the SBI HQ Academy of Excellence in Carlow on Sunday 22nd of May. In the high quality final Brendan beat the No. 2 seed Ryan Cronin from Cork 7 frames to 4 to claim his record breaking fifth Irish Amateur title.
In the final Ryan went 1-0 up only to see Brendan go 1-2 up, the match was level at 2-2 but Brendan had a 4-2 lead after the morning session. After lunch Ryan pulled it back to 3-4 but the Nenagh man again went into power drive to go 6-3 up. In the tenth frame Brendan got an early lead but missed the blue to win and Ryan made a fantastic 18 clearance to win the frame and close the gap to 6-4.
In the next frame again Brendan got an early lead and this time Brendan held his nerve to win the title in style 7 frames to 4. The Referee for the final was Paddy Hanafin and the marker was Conor Doyle and a big well done to Paddy on being selected to do his first major championship Irish final.
Brendan was presented with his award and the Perpetual Cup from SBI Chairman Dylan Rees and SBI President Jim Leacy. Brendan now qualifies for the IBSF World Amateur Snooker Championships later in the year.
The Semi Finals
- Brendan O Donoghue 6-4 Greg Casey
- Ryan Cronin 6-0 David Cassidy
In the Semi Finals Brendan was joined by three members from the famous Crucible SC in Cork in Greg Casey, David Cassidy and Ryan Cronin but O’Donoghue showed why he is the No.1 ranked player in the country. He now stands alone as a five time champion which is a record in the modern game in Ireland.
The High Break prize went to Noel Landers from Crucible SC with a 92
The Q-Finals
- Brendan O Donoghue 4-2 Martin McCrudden
- Greg Casey 4-2 Adam Halnon
- David Cassidy 4-3 Aaron Goldrick
- Ryan Cronin 4-1 Noelly Landers
Prize Fund
There was a €1800 prize fund will be up for grabs for this year’s National Amateur Snooker Championships.
- Winner € 750
- R-Up € 350
- Semi Finalists 4 x € 150
- Q-Finalists 4 x € 75
- High Break € 100
Total Prize Fund € 1800
2022 Format
All qualifying matches are the best of 7 frames.
- Last 16 – Best of 7 – Saturday 10am
- Q-Final – Best of 7 – Saturday 2pm
- Semi Final – Best of 11 – Saturday 6pm
- Final – Best of 13 – Sunday 10am & 2pm
SBI would like to thank TD Shane Mason and all the Referees, Players and Supporters on making it a great weekend of Snooker and we look forward to welcoming you all back very soon and please keep an eye on the web site for upcoming SBI events.
Reminder of SBI AGM
The SBI AGM is on the 25th of June in the SBI HQ in Carlow at 12 noon. We would encourage as many members to attend to discuss and plan how to grow the game and develop the game more in the Republic of Ireland in the years ahead.
More Information email SBI info@sbireland.ie
The 5 Time CHAMPION !!!!!
