Continuing from its first staging of SBI National Disability Championship last year in Newbridge CYMS, SBI welcomed its second staging of this event in the Snooker Academy in Carlow for the 2026 Championship. On Saturday the 9th of May, 16 players gathered from across the country to take part in this year’s National Disability Championship.
Like the previous year, all players participating in this year’s championship were divided into 4 categories based around the WDBS system providing us with 4 National Champions.
In Group 4 after a long day’s play, it was Patrick O Rourke from Limerick who topped the group and local Carlow player David Byrne who finished Runner-up. In the final, it was the Patrick who emerged victories against David.
Group 6 was won by Oscar E Gibbins who won all 4 of his group matches, and it was Darragh Maher who secured 2nd place to set up their group 6 final. In the end it was Oscar who won this encounter to retain his title.
Into group 3+7 now, where we had Colvin O Brien, Dylan Rees & Dan Kelly contest this group. After each player had played against each it was Colvin
O Brien who topped the group and Dylan finished in second place. In the final, it was the local player O’Brien who took the 1st frame, followed by Rees taking the 2nd. Colvin took full advantage of a unfortunate in-off when on the colours in the 3rd by Dylan and went on to take the 4th frame to secure a 3-1 win.
In Group 8 we had defending champion John O Sullivan, Francis Coyle and Peter O Neill contesting and in the end, it was John who won out the group and Francis who came second. Into their final and it was Francis who won the opening frame. In the 2nd frame it came down to the colours where Francis at one stage had the final Pink to pot, to take the frame and the match, but unfortunately for him he missed the pot! John took that frame and followed it up by taking the next to secure the win and retain his title.
SBI would like to thank TD Shane Gorman, current World Disability Champion Dylan Rees and referees Aonghus McAnally & Declan McCarron for their participation and assistance in running this year’s National Disability Championship.
