Youghal C.Y.M.S. Host Munster U-21 Snooker Championships
By Christy Parker | Photos by Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)
David Hogan and Andrew Grey from with competitors in the classic snooker championships held Youghal C.Y.M.S.
David Hogan from Nenagh emerged as Munster U-21 snooker champion in a series of devastating displays over five rounds at the Youghal CYMS on Good Friday. The 19 year-old New Institute star didn’t drop a frame throughout and rounded off the day with a blistering 100 break in the last frame of his 3-0 final triumph over Waterford City Snooker club’s Andrew Gray. It was a fine prelude to the Tipp man’s participation with Ireland’s Seniors in European Championship in Glasgow om March 31st.
Both finalists are Irish internationals, but the new champion had four years seniority over his adversary, who had been the country’s top u-14 player for the past three years.
Within Irish snooker’s underage criteria, ‘under’ can mean far under and the youngest participant was 12 year-old Aaron Tobin from Youghal. Aaron sounded a warning for the future by reaching the semi-final before losing to Hogan, who also eliminated his own 14 year-old brother Tom, the current Irish u-14 champion.
Approximately 50% of the 32-strong entry were local, though last years’ winner, Ian Hennessy, now 21, was overage and absent. The field included four internationals, three of which -Youghal brothers Michael (u-16) and James (u-14) Hennessy, along with Greg Casey (u-19 Crucible Club Cork), went out in the first round. A fourth international, David Cassidy (u-16, Crucible), fell in the quarter final. Additionally, the two top seeds -Bobby Ahern and Richie Flynn from Waterford Snooker Club, were also first round casualties, to Youghal’s Trevor Flaherty and Ger Kelly respectively.
It was the second and successive occasion that Youghal CYMS has hosted the Munster u-21 championship and club President William Kelly, who was referree and general administrator, described the standard throughout as “very high” with breaks of “two 40s, a 50 and a 70″ to accompany Hogan’s 100 in the final.
Milestone
For David Hogan, the title is another milestone on a road he intends following to the professional landscape. He currently lies fourth in the Senior amateur rankings, eight points off the leader and that pro rating. Professional snooker is “all I want to do,” he says. “I’ll hardly make it this year but I hope to in the next few years,” he adds.
He displayed a discernibly business-like air on the table in Youghal, dispatching balls without ceremony and with scant hesitation. A class above all challengers, the demeanour as much as the scorelines suggested a young man whose destiny is no more than a dawn delayed.
He proved no less polished off the table then on it. “I’d like to thank the Youghal club for an excellent tournament,” he said afterwards. “The tables were in great condition and it was pleasing to see so many good young players here, I havent seen that big a tournament entry for a long time ,” he proceeded with measured maturity.
It has been eight years since Hogan graduated from pool to the longer table and in that time he has represented his country at various underage levels, reaching the latter round sof world and European championships. Next week he will pot for Ireland again at the Senior European Championships, hoping to improve on last year’s semi-final conclusion.
A keen soccer fan, the former Borrisokane student won’t fail for the want of trying. “I practice five hours a day minimum, usually with tournaments at the weekend,” he smiles. He cites Ronnie O’Sullivan as his favourite player. “He’s the most natural player I know,” he explains. The compliment may yet prove to be mutual.
David Hogan from Nenagh, winner of this years Munster U-21 Snooker Championships and runner-up Andrew Grey from Waterford
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