YOUGHAL CYMS can boast two Irish Snooker International players heading to Wales for the ‘Home Internationals’, but what make this fact even more interesting is that the two players are father and son Brendan and Christopher Cooney. Report: Derek Kiely   Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com

This is the first time a father and son have played on the Irish squad in the home internationals and as Brendan and Christopher take to the green baize in the ‘Pontins Sands World Snooker Centre’ in Prestatyn they will be creating a little bit of Irish snooker history.
Brendan brother of GAA President Christy Cooney is the current Irish over 40’s number one is no stranger to international snooker at this stage after racking up no less than 66 International caps which include two European Championship finals and a World Championship semi final in San Jose, California USA.
Cooney told Echo Sport “It is great to go to Wales with Christopher, he has worked hard and put a lot of time into his game and for me to have my son on the Irish squad is a very proud moment for both me and my wife Siobhan. Sacrifices have been made along the way, but to be honest Siobhan has made more sacrifices than anyone else, she can be a bit of a snooker widow at times and without her we wouldn’t be able to play at all”.
Christopher is a fourth year student at Youghal’s Pobal Scoil Na Trionoide and this will be his second international cap, having represented Ireland at Under 14 level in the Celtic challenge in Carlow a couple of years ago.
“I am thrilled to be picked to play in Prestatyn, when I got the letter from RIBSA Coach PJ Nolan telling me I was on the squad it was brilliant. It is a privilege and honour to represent Ireland and I hope that I can play well, I am really looking forward to it” Christopher said.
There will be six nations represented in Wales. The host country Wales along with Rep. of Ireland, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Jersey will compete for the coveted title of home international champions.
The teams will play three frames per person with a point scored for every frame won, in a round robin format. Brendan will play in the ‘Masters’ section alongside Wexford’s Joe Delaney and Ernie McMullen. As for Christopher he will play in an Ireland under16 team, which has three Cork cue-men on it.
David Cassidy and Ryan Cronin both from the ‘Crucible Snooker Club’ will play alongside Christopher in the same format as the Masters.

Brendan Cooney said “The set up in Prestatyn is second to none; it is the official qualification centre for professional snooker so the tables are excellent and playing conditions are superb. We start play on Saturday through to Tuesday next week and the under-age players start on Monday through until Thursday, so it will be an opportunity for me to watch Christopher and an opportunity for all the other Irish players to get into the arena to support the lads”.
Ireland has no fewer than twelve teams going to Wales with a total of 41 players from senior level through to Ladies teams. There will also be senior billiards teams on show, including the legendary Timmy Murphy from Cork’s AOH Snooker Club – Words courtesy Evening Echo Sport.