By Christy Parker

Youghal Catholic Young Men’s Society Hon. Vice President and
Veteran International Snooker Player Mr. Brendan Cooney

Youghal snooker player Brendan Cooney has mixed feelings on his return from the European Snooker championships in Glasgow. The veteran international reached the Master’s Over-40 final as one half of Ireland’s Master’s Over-40 side. His partner was Wexford’s Joe Delaney.

Between group games and knock-outs, the duo played contested eight matches, meeting Wales, Iceland, Northern Ireland, Malta and two Scotland sides, whom they played in the quarter and semi-finals also.

Then came Wales in the final. “They had two ex-pro’s, Darren Morgan and Phil Williams, representing them,” recalls Brendan. “Morgan was a former World No.5 and only resigned his pro ticket last year, before joining the over-40 amateur circuit. Other ex-pros are coming on the circuit nowadays,” he adds.

The Welsh boyos had scarcely dropped a frame throughout and “fairly obliterated the Irish lads, 8-0. “Other than that, it was a very enjoyable weekend,” says a rueful Brendan, who shared a runners-up prize of a trophy and £195.

It is difficult to understand why ex-pros would wish to render the competition almost uncompetitive, given the almost token rewards and the requirement to play one’s own expenses.
Brendan, who earned his 55th Irish cap in the final, may inadvertently have hit on the correct clue in the cue. “It was important to play for your country and to get to a European Final, win, lose or draw,” he says categorically.