The third senior ranking tournament took place in the Ivy Rooms snooker club in Carlow on Sat 8th/Sun 9th December. This competition was run as a “double eliminator”. This means that players who lose their match, up to the quarter final, would get a second chance. This format threw up some interesting pairings, such as, Michael Judge beat Martin McCrudden 3-0, and a couple of games later, Martin got revenge, beating Michael 2-0 in the loser’s group.
Four players from the loser’s section would re-enter the main tournament at the quarter final stage; Rodney Goggins, Martin McCrudden, John Sutton and Robert Redmond. In the quarter finals the no. 1 seed David Hogan had a convincing 4-0 win over Rodney Goggins, Robert Murphy also had a good win over Martin McCrudden 4-2, John Sutton and Robert Redmond came from the loser’s section and reached the semi finals with 4-3 victories over David Morris and no.2 seed Josh Boileau respectively.
In the semi finals David was in fine form and was just too strong on the day and emerged a 4-2 winner over Robert Murphy. The other semi produced a convincing win for Robert Redmond over John Sutton 4-1.
The final was a very entertaining affair with both players producing good quality snooker, but it was the no. 1 seed David Hogan who emerged victorious, beating Robert Redmond 5-3.
High breaks; David Morris 125, Rodney Goggins 118, David Hogan 106, 101, 87, 80. David Cassidy 96, Wayne Doyle 79.
David Morris was going for a maximum 147 when he broke down on an awkward brown.
Overall I think the double eliminator was a popular innovation to our game, with most of the players giving positive feedback.
I want to thank my assistant Tony Thorpe for his help in running the tournament. My thanks also to the referees who helped out Neil Shanahan, John Doherty, Breda Doherty and Peter Dunne for their help. Thank you also to Marian and the Ivy Rooms staff for looking after us so well, I have to say the place looks fantastic after the recent renovations.
Congratulations to Jim on becoming President of the International Billiards and Snooker Federation.
On a sad note, on behalf of everyone involved in Irish snooker, I would like to extend condolences to the family’s of Peter O’Brien and Gary Hardiman on their recent bereavements.
Finally, may I take this opportunity to wish all members of RIBSA and their familys a very happy, holy and peaceful Christmas and a great 2013.
Ger Murray. tournament director.
