The final of the 2015 National U-19 will be between Andrew Doherty from Dublin and Adam Fitzgerald from Youghal after both players played great snooker in the New Institute Snooker Club in Nenagh at the RIBSA National Under 19 Snooker Championship on Saturday 11th April.
There were a total of twenty-eight entries for the event, with players entered from Dublin, Cork, Kilkenny and Donegal. There were three entrants from Nenagh, Mark Gleeson, Noel Gleeson and soon to be Irish international, Noel Gleeson. The four seeds for the championship were Charlie Sweeney, Andrew Doherty, Sean Burns and Shane Bates. Brendan O`Donoghue was Tournament Director on the day.
Report written by Niall Farrell
One of the first matches to get underway on the day was between Youghal`s, Noel Landers and Limerick`s, Liam Nix. This proved to be a very one sided match, with Noel in impeccable form early on. This was visible in the 3-0 scoreline, accompanied by his break of 59.
There was also an intriguing battle taking place early on Saturday morning, between the ever improving Ross Bulman and Century Club`s, Shane Sexton. Ross appeared to be struggling on the table in the opening stages but managed to get himself into the lead. After three frames in the match the score was 2-1 in favour of Bulman but the match appeared very even. In the end Ross was able to compose himself and run out a 3-1 victor. However, it must be noted that this was Shane`s first RIBSA tournament and it was obvious that he has a bright future in the game.
The closest tie of the round was the game between Luke Bateman and Joe McEntegart. The opening four frames were shared two apiece, with the game ticking long over the two hour mark. The final frame was another close encounter, with nobody able to predict the winner heading onto the colours. However, Luke seized his opportunity, potting the brown, blue and pink to seal a 3-2 victory.
The number one seed, Charlie Sweeney, entered the competition at the last 16 stage. His opponent in this round was home favourite, Jake Byrne. Jake had a chance in the first frame to take an early lead in the tie but was unable to take full advantage of this and Charlie was quickly back on top, taking a 1-0 lead. It was all one way traffic from there on, with Charlie wrapping up a routine 3-0 victory.
Kildangan`s Mark Gleeson, took on Kilkenny`s Stephen Bateman, also at this stage of the competition. Stephen took a quick 2-0 lead early on, before Mark found his rhythm and put up an almighty fight in the third frame. Mark had an eight point lead on the blue and looked to be all set to pull back a frame. Despite his best efforts, Stephen was able to sink the remaining balls and was able to seal a 3-0 win.
Second seed, Andrew Doherty took on Donegal`s Ronan Whyte, in the last of the round of 16 ties. This was one of the closer of the games in this round but despite this, Andrew was able to prevail on a 3-1 scoreline.
There was an all Youghal affair in the first of the quarter final encounters, as Noel Landers took on Aaron Tobin. This match was destined to go the distance, with the score level at 2-2 after four frames. This game was the centre of attention for the strong Youghal contingent on the day and in the end it was Tobin, who went on to take the final frame and qualify for the semi final.
Meanwhile, it would be at this stage that number one seed, Charlie Sweeney would make his exit. His defeat came at the hands of the Crucible`s Dean Callanan. Dean was victorious on a 3-1 scoreline.
Also making it through were Adam Fitzgerald and Andrew Doherty, with the latter defeating triple national finalist, Ross Bulman by three frames to one.
There was an all Cork affair in the first of the semi-finals, when Dean Callanan from the Crucible Snooker Club took on Adam Fitzgerald from Youghal. This was a highly competitive encounter, with neither player looking to give an advantage to their opponent. In the end it would prove to be Fitzgerald`s day, as he was victorious by three frames to one.
In the other semi-final Aaron Tobin took on Andrew Doherty. Andrew took a 2-0 lead before Aaron won a black ball frame in the third, before taking the fourth to level at 2-2. However, an excellent 50 break from Andrew in the deciding frame handed him a 3-2 win.
Adam Fitzgerald will now take on Andrew Doherty in the RIBSA National under 19 Final in Carlow on Finals weekend in May. The New Institute would like to wish both players the best of luck in the final. The High break on the day went to Dean Callanan with a 69 break.
The committee of the New Institute was also delighted to welcome RIBSA Chairman, John Doherty, to the club on the day. Speaking at the event John said that he was “very impressed by the high standards of the club and also the warm and friendly atmosphere on the day”. He also commended the club on the wonderful facilities that were available on the day.
Also a big thank you goes to referee Paddy Hanafin, who refereed on the day and finally, the club would like to thank all of those who travelled to Nenagh on the day and also commend all the up and coming players on their fantastic sportsmanship and quality of snooker.
Last 32:
(1)Charlie Sweeney v Bye
Jake Byrne 3-0 Conor Kennedy
Jason O`Hagan v Michael O`Sullivan N/S
Dean Callanan 3-0 Noel Gleeson
Mark Gleeson v Dylan O`Shaughnessy N/S
Stephen Bateman 3-0 Josh Healy
Sean Devenney 2-3 Adam Fitzgerald
(4)Shane Bates v Bye
(3)Sean Burns v Bye
Noel Landers 3-0 Liam Nix
Oisin Bateman v Jonathan Murphy N/S
Aaron Tobin 3-0 Craig McSweeney
Joe McEntegart 2-3 Luke Bateman
Ross Bulman 3-1 Shane Sexton
Ronan Whyte 3-1 Shane Hourihane
(2)Andrew Doherty v Bye
Last 16:
(1)Charlie Sweeney 3-0 Jake Byrne
Jason O`Hagan 1-3 Dean Callanan
Mark Gleeson 0-3 Stephen Bateman
Adam Fitzgerald v Shane Bates N/S (4)
(3)Sean Burns 0-3 Noel Landers
Oisin Bateman 0-3 Aaron Tobin
Luke Bateman 0-3 Ross Bulman
Ronan Whyte 1-3 Andrew Doherty (2)
Quarter Finals:
(1)Charlie Sweeney 1-3 Dean Callanan
Stephen Bateman 0-3 Adam Fitzgerald
Noel Landers 2-3 Aaron Tobin
Ross Bulman 1-3 Andrew Doherty (2)
Semi-Finals:
Dean Callanan 1-3 Adam Fitzgerald
Aaron Tobin 2-3 Andrew Doherty (2)
The Final
Adam Fitzgerald Vs Andrew Doherty
