Snooker & Billiards Ireland were part of twelve nations across three continents who be represented at the 2026 World Disability Snooker Championship in Thailand from 16-21 June. Dylan Rees, Colvin O Brien, Francis Coyle, Jack Ryan, Shea Fell and National Disability Coach Shane Gorman travelled to the event in Thailand.
Team Ireland had a repeat of the finalists from last year in group 7 of this year’s World Disability Championships in the SPADT Convention Centre, Korat, Thailand between defending champion Dylan Rees & No.1 ranked player in group 7 Colvin O Brien.
The first frame began as expected, with both players playing a good deal of safety and small contributions adding onto the scoreboard. With 1 red remaining Dylan had a 28-point lead, and soon after added a few more pots to leave Colvin needing 1 snooker with brown to black left.
Dylan then playing a safety on the brown he went in-off with the cue-ball. Those 4 points to Colvin now meant he could win and with ball in hand and the brown near the ‘D’, he looked odds on to dish up and claim the first frame. Brown & Blue went down and he looked to have landed perfect on the Pink to play down for the black, but a slight deceleration on the Pink left it in the jaws of the corner pocket.
As luck would have it, he positioned the white the opposite side of the black, so Dylan was snookered on it. But Dylan raised the Butt end of the cue and swerved if around the black to make the pot. Frame 1 to the Dungarvan man.
Into frame 2, Dylan knocked in breaks of 49 & 23 to seal that frame effectively.
Frame 3, and multiple exchanges of small breaks by both players, Colvin always maintaining the scoreline advantage, but up to the colours it was anyone’s really. In the end Colvin potted the balls needed to secure his 1st frame. Frame 4 and a 33 break from the defending champion and further smaller breaks lead to Dylan making it 3-1 now.
Frame 5 and Colvin started off early with a 25 break, several safety shots later and Dylan countered with a 32 break. Another 13-break added to Dylan’s 32 put a little bit of distance between them. He added another 7 points to leave only the colours remaining. After several safety exchanges Colvin does manage to get Dylan into a Snooker, but he escapes 1st time, and after another small safety exchange. Dylan then potted the green and then manages to put Colvin into a snooker.
Colvin failed to contact the object ball and offered his hand and Congratulate Dylan on retaining his title again. Well done Dylan and commiserations to Colvin. Thanks again to all our players for giving it their best Gold, Silver & Bronze from our 5 players which makes it a very good return for our country competing in this year’s World Disability Championships.
Congratulations to Team Ireland of Dylan Rees, Colvin O Brien, Shea Fell, Fran Coyle, Jack Ryan and team mentor Shane Gorman on a magnificent tournament at the WDBS World Championships in Thailand.
Dylan Rees – Gold Medal
Colvin O Brien – Silver Medal
Shea Fell – Bronze Medal
Thank you, to you all for representing Snooker Billiards Ireland and the country with distinction.
