SHOOTERS Snooker Club are the 2011 Cork Snooker League champions after a stunning performance at the AOH last Thursday night (10th March 2011) where they defeated the Crucible Snooker Club, by thirteen frames to six frames in the best of 25 frames league final.

At one stage the team from Blackpool were an astonishing seven frames ahead after just nine frames played and with the experienced players like Anthony O’Connor and Gary O’Sullivan in top form, it was easy to see where the cup was heading after just one hour of play.

There was a huge attendance present for the final on Morrison’s Island at the famous AOH Club and the tables were in magnificent condition due to the excellent work of Finbarr O’Connor and the atmosphere was really superb too, which all added to the occasion.

One spectator present said “It reminds me of the late 70’s and the early 80’s when snooker was huge in Cork and you couldn’t get in the doors of many of the clubs on finals night, it is great to see that atmosphere back again”.

The final couldn’t have started any better for Shooters with Gary O’Sullivan establishing an early two frame lead against Greg Casey.

O’Sullivan has played very well all year for Shooters and looks a certainty for the Cork Inter-County Snooker Team who will play in National Inter-County Championships this April.

Alongside O’Sullivan was Anthony O’Donoghue who had a re-match of the Cork Close Final taking on the Crucibles David Cassidy who he beat on that occasion in his home club Shooters earlier this year and again the former 147 man was on top leading by two frames to nil after just 35 minutes of play.

Ryan Cronin of the Crucible got an early frame for the favourites, but the lead was short lived as Shooters Gary Bracken rattled off three frames in succession to lead 3-1 on what is definitely the AOH’s toughest table.

Things got tougher for the Crucible when O’Donoghue and O’Sullivan clinched another frame each and the target of 13 frames for victory was getting closer and closer for the Blackpool outfit.

Everyone was expecting the usual Crucible fight back, but all credit to Shooters they battled for every point and didn’t give an inch.

Ryan Cronin, Casey and Cassidy then all clinched a frame each for the Crucible and Shooters nerve was tested, but when O’Donoghue and O’Sullivan closed out their matches with winning frames the writing was on the wall for the Bandon Road men.

 

David Forde of Shooters was locked at one frame all with Daniel O’Regan, leaving the Crucible the almost impossible task of having to win all their remaining frames to claim victory and when on table two Tommy Greaney of Shooters who played against Tony Moore of the Crucible doubled the blue into the corner pocket to secure the all important winning thirteenth frame, he had the final say in this year’s league,.

Ironically for the Crucible, Shooters served the Crucible a rare league defeat on the opening day of the Cork Snooker League, back on the 7th of October 2010 and then last night again they had it over their City rivals on the last competitive game of the season.

Shooters owner John Paul Crowley told the Evening Echo “It is great to see Cork Snooker back after such a long absence and I think that little bit more experience our lads had paid off tonight. After 30 years of being involved in snooker myself I think it was the best night of snooker for quite some time and the standard in Cork is getting higher every week and when you look at the Crucible they are a fantastic side, full of young International talent and to beat them was a great achievement for my team. Tonight reminded me of the great nights that the late Liam O’Connor put on in Cork and with so many young people now playing the game again it is great for the future of Cork Snooker and I am thrilled and proud that our club has won the league in our first year”.

Shooters now hold the two top titles in Cork Snooker with the league title secured and Anthony O’Connor’s ‘Cork Close’ success before Christmas. Now the Blackpool side look like they will be entering a second side into next year’s league along with the ‘Cue Club’ from Killarney who want to be part of the re-emergence of Snooker in the City and County of Cork.

Cork Snooker League Secretary Tim Murphy told the Evening Echo “I must give tremendous thanks to all the players in our league this season and as far as I am concerned, in my 58 years involved in the game this was one of the best final’s I have ever seen. I want to thank the AOH who made their club available to us and compliment the condition of the tables”.

The next event on the Cork Snooker calendar is the very highly respected ‘Orme Shield’ three person team event, which will be held over two days at Youghal CYMS on the 26th and the 27th of March. The closing date for the number of team nominations is the 15th of March and no teams will be accepted after this date.

The entry fee for the Orme Shield is just €20 paid on entry and teams of three, plus one substitute must be named by the 23rd of March.

Next week on Cork Snooker we catch up with Cork’s two Irish Internationals heading for Malta and the International Team Manager and International referee from Cork Don O’Donoghue.

The 2011 Gleneagle Hotel – Ladbrokes All Ireland Snooker Club Championships With Derek Kiely

Day One

Day one couldn’t have gone better for the two top ranked Munster teams as Munster Club Champions New Institute and Munster Club Championships runners up the Victoria both had perfect starts to their respective All Ireland campaigns.

The New Institute team from Nenagh Co Tipperary beat St Pat’s from Magherafelt and Twin Towns Snooker Club from Ballybofey without dropping a match.

The Victoria Snooker Club from Limerick beat Q-Stix from Larne and CYMS Letterkenny and the Cork based Crucible Snooker Club had a mixed day losing out on a black ball yesterday morning to St Matthews from Belfast, but coming back with a good win against Dublin League team Roadstone ‘A’.

The QE1 side from Belfast are again playing solid top class snooker with three powerful wins under their belt already looking like real contenders for this year’s title with wins over Roadstone ‘D’ from Dublin, Ivy Rooms from Co. Carlow and Waterford Snooker Club.

The defending Champions Celbridge from the Leinster League are off to a flyer too with three impressive victories against Roadstone ‘B’, Q-Stix and CYMS Letterkenny. This is a tough group with the prospect of a top place match between Celbridge and the Victoria.

Play continues today with Quarter Finals to be finished by the end of play today.

The semi finals will be played tomorrow morning with the All Ireland final scheduled for 3pm on Sunday afternoon.

There are five groups of five teams.

Winners of each Group will progress through to the Quarter Finals with the five Group runners up going into the hat.

The First team out will progress through to the Quarter Finals, with the other four remaining sides playing each other for the remaining two Quarter Final spots.

The Group Stages are the best of three frames and all other games will be the best of five frames.

The 2011Gleneagle Hotel – Ladbrokes

All Ireland Snooker Club Championships

Group A

Celbridge

The Victoria

Roadstone ‘B’

Q/Stix

CYMS Letterkenny

Group Results ‘A’: Best of Three Frames
Victoria Limerick     3     1     Q-Stix
Celbridge     3     0     Roadstone ‘B’
Victoria Limerick     3     0     CYMS Letterkenny
Roadstone ‘B’     3     2     Q-Stix
Celbridge     3     0     CYMS Letterkenny
Celbridge     3     0     Q-Stix

Group ‘A’ Table                                                                              Total
Celbridge SC           *              2          2            2
Victoria Limerick                      *                2            2
Roadstone ‘B’           0                *          2            0
Q/Stix    SC           0          0        0          *
Letterkenny SC           0          0                       *
Celbridge     Victoria     Road ‘B’     Q/Stix     Letterkenny

Group B

New Institute

D’arcy McGee’s

Twin Towns

NUI Maynooth

St. Pats

Group ‘B’ Results: Best of Three Frames
New Institute     3     0     St Pat’s
D’arcy McGees     2     3     NUI Maynooth
D’arcy McGees     3     0     Twin Towns
NUI Maynooth     3     1     St Pat’s
New Institute     3     0     Twin Towns
St Pat’s     3     1     D’arcy McGees

Group ‘B’ Table                                                                          Total
New Institute           *                2                2
D’arcy Mc Gee’s                *          2          0          2
Twin Towns          0           0          *
NUI Maynooth                 2                *           2
St Patricks          0           0                0           *
New     D’arcy     T Town     NUI     St Pat’s

Group C

QE1

Ivy Rooms

Waterford ‘A’

Waterford ‘B’

Roadstone ‘D’

Group ‘C’ Results: Best of Three Frames
QE1     3     0     Roadstone ‘D’
Waterford ‘A’     3     0     Waterford ‘B’
QE1     3     1     Ivy Rooms
Roadstone ‘D’     3     0     Waterford ‘A’
QE1     3     1     Waterford ‘B’
Ivy Rooms     3     1     Waterford ‘B’

Group ‘C’ Table                                                                                             Total
QE 1    SC           *          2                  2           2
Ivy Rooms          0          *            2
Waterford ‘A’ SC                      *            2           0
Waterford ‘B’ SC          0         0           0          *
Roadstone ‘D’         0                 2                 *
QE1     Ivy Rooms     Waterford     Northwest     Roadstone ‘D’

Group D

Wicklow

Ballina B

Roadstone ‘C’

Drumaness

Cue Club

Group ‘D’ Results: Best of Three Frames
Cue Club Wicklow     3     0     Ballina ‘B’
Drumaness     3     1     Cue Club Killarney
Roadstone ‘C’     3     0     Ballina ‘B’
Drumaness     3     1     Wicklow
Roadstone ‘C’     3     0     Cue Club Killarney
Wicklow     3     0     Roadstone ‘C’
Drumaness     3     0     Ballina ‘B’

Group ‘D’ Table                                                                                      Total
Wicklow SC           *          2          2         0          2
Ballina ‘B’SC           0          *               0
Roadstone ‘D’                      *         0          2
Drumaness

SC
2         2                *
Cue Club Killarney          0               0                 *
Wicklow     Ball B     Ro ‘D’     Drum     Cue

Group E

Roadstone ‘A’

Ballina ‘A’

St. Matthews

Wexford

Crucible

Group ‘E’ Results: Best of Three Frames
St Matthews     3     1     The Crucible
Wexford     3     1     Roadstone ‘A’
Ballina ‘A’     3     1     St Matthews
Crucible     3     0     Roadstone ‘A’
147 Wexford     3     0     Ballina ‘A’

Group ‘E’ Table                                                                                             Total
Roadstone ‘A’           *                             0
Ballina ‘A’ SC                *           2         0
St Matthews                0          *                2
Wexford SC                2                *
Crucible SC            2                0                 *
Roadstone ‘A     Ballina ‘A’     St Matthews     Wexford SC     Crucible SC

Top Breaks
Brendan O’Donoghue (New Inst)     119
Jason Waters (Victoria)       81
David Hogan     105
David Hogan       86
Darren Dorna       82
Philip Murphy       53
Martin McCrudden       61

Today Sunday the 6th of February 2011 at the Gleneagle Hotel-Ladbrokes 2011 All Ireland Snooker Championships

By Derek Kiely In Killarney

Day two was all about the top sides coming through their respective groups and true to form the Northern Ireland teams have shown quality throughout and filled three places in the Quarter Final.

Earlier this morning St Matthews from Lurgan beat Drumaness from Magherafelt 3-1 and will meet their great Belfast rivals QE1 in the semi final this afternoon after they defeated The 147 Club from Wexford.

Two Munster sides remained in the Quarter Final, New Institute and Waterford who played NUI Maynooth and the reigning champions Celbridge respectively.

In those matches New Institute beat Waterford and Celbridge beat NUI Maynooth.

Whatever happens it will be a North versus South final and the semi final matches will start here in Killarney at 2pm.

Semi Finals

QE1 v St Matthews

By Derek Kiely

In Killarney

The Organisers decided to draw for semi final spots as a fairer way to decide the tournament with both Northern Ireland sides avoiding each other.

Sunday the 6th of February 6.30pm

LATEST NEWS………..LATEST NEWS…………LATEST NEWS…….LATEST NEWS……..

From Killarney at the Gleneagle Hotel-Ladbrokes 2011 All Ireland Snooker Championships

Semi Final Results

Celbridge 2-3 St Matthews

New Institute 2-3 QE1

Final at the Gleneagle Hotel Killarney 6.16PM

The launch of the society’s C.Y.M.S. Calendar 2011 recently took place in the main hall with guest FÁS supervisor Mary Carson. Speaking at the launch the President of the society Brendan Cooney congratulated all those involved in the making of the calendar and particularly thanked FÁS supervisor Mary Carson and Cathy O’Mahony, resource tutor with the Youghal Adult Learning Centre.

He said anyone who brings benefit to the organisation as William Swayne, Ray Phelan and Christopher Hennessy, who designed the calendar, also bring benefit to the wider Youghal community by their work. He heaped much praise on Mary Carson from FÁS who’s input to the work of the society did not go unnoticed and was very much appreciated. He also paid tribute to William and Anne Swayne for their support of the society. He thanked Michael Hussey who took the photos for the calendar and said the non-profit calendar may be purchased at the CYMS office or from any committee member.

In turn, Mary Carson, FÁS supervisor, said that she was delighted to be associated with the wonderful work that the Youghal CYMS do and could see this especially with the young teenager members as an invaluable place to go within the centre of our community.

The calendar is the brainchild of senior member William Swayne. This year the calendar’s theme focused mainly with photos of the junior snooker finalists in the various tournaments that were held over the 2010 season and also pictures of people with the World Snooker Trophy and world champion John Higgins during the fantastic snooker exhibition held at the society last year.

WORLD Ranked number one snooker professional John Higgins was in Youghal last Saturday evening for a rare exhibition match at the Youghal CYMS and the ‘Wizard of Wishaw’ didn’t disappoint the huge crowd potting a maximum 147 break on his way to a devastating evening of top class snooker. Derek Kiely reports for Youghalonline.com sports | Photo: Michael Hussey Youghalonline.com

There was a Civic Reception afforded to John and a packed Mall House heard the praise ring out for one of snookers famous sons, but this was different than other receptions that I have been to as there seemed to be a fantastic atmosphere and a real affinity with the man, as one person said to me “Sure he’s like one of our own” and I couldn’t agree more, John Higgins really does have that aura about him, they makes you feel like you’ve known him all your life.

The three-time and current reigning World Snooker Champion is just four weeks away from defending his World Crown at the Crucible in Sheffield and looks like he is in fantastic form going into the event.

At the Youghal Town Council Civic Reception Lady Mayor Sandra McLennan rang out the praises for Higgins saying “It is very important that we recognise the significant contribution John Higgins has made to the World of Snooker. It is important that we in our community recognise his achievements in the game and this really is a list of achievements”.

Higgins has won the World Championships three times, won 21 ranking tournament events and has over 400 competitive century breaks to his name as well, astounding when you think about it.

The Civic Reception was something the John Higgins didn’t expect and as I met him for the first time on Saturday afternoon in Joe Dan’s as he was locked into the Celtic Scottish Cup Quarter Final match, he seemed genuinely surprised by the gesture “I am really honoured, I wasn’t aware of the Civic Reception until earlier this afternoon, it really came as a bit of a shock and to tell you the truth I was a bit emotional when the Lady Mayor Sandra McLennan presented me with a beautiful Waterford Crystal memento I was thrilled” Higgins told Youghal online.

There are many great ambassadors in sport throughout the planet and John Higgins definitely ranks highly in that regard. Not only is he patient, polite and respectful to all he meets, but the man came across as genuine in every department.

“Steve Davis was my role model in every respect, he was a gentleman on and off the table and if I could emulate that I would be very happy indeed” said Higgins.

Of course the Scot who is a well known Celtic FC fanatic has Irish roots, with his grandmother Peggy Doyle originally from Magherafelt in County Derry and over the years he would have made many trips to Ireland as he still has a lot of relations in County Derry, but last Saturday night was the first time that John Higgins had been to East Cork and he clearly enjoyed the experience.

“I love coming to venues like the Youghal CYMS because they really are true snooker venues, where people like Brendan Cooney and his committee look after the youngsters and help to teach them good values. It is great to see the young kids here tonight, I remember when I was very young and started to play snooker I was one of those young lads looking at those superstars of the game, and who knows it might be one of these kids one day” Higgins said.

The future of the game of snooker looks bright as far as John Higgins is concerned with Barry Hearne now at the helm “With Barry Hearn now re-vitalising snooker it will be great for our game, we have already seen the difference that he has made to the game recently at the Masters at Wembley giving Jimmy White a wild card, so I think he will have a big impact on the sport” Higgins told Youghal Online.

With just four weeks to go to the top event in world snooker Higgins believes his preparation has been good ahead of the Sheffield showdown “It’s been going good, I have had a good season, I only had one bad result all year and I have reached the semi-finals in most of the tournaments this season, I have been really please the way things have been going and hopefully I can keep that going into the World Championships in Sheffield next month. From here on in now I will just practice as hard as I can, I have just moved clubs and joined the ‘Cue Club’ in Glasgow and I am based now alongside the likes of Stephen Maguire and Marcus Campbell who are top Scottish players which will be good for me and I can train against them every day and sharpen my game” Higgins added.

Playing an exhibition match is indeed a rarity for Higgins, so when the audience in the Youghal CYMS witnessed six 50+ breaks including two centuries and a magnificent maximum 147 the Scot was delighted as the room gave him a rapturous standing ovation, “I have never been very big on exhibitions because I have always been the type of player that put all my time into fully concentrating on practice and I have always put my time into playing tournaments where you make your living really, but since I have won the World Championship there have been a few more people wanting to see me, which is great and when I can do that I will and I was delighted tonight getting the 147, it was brilliant, I think the crowd really enjoyed it”.

Higgins flew in from Edinburgh especially for last night’s exhibition match and really was blown away by the warm reception he got on arrival in the East Cork Town. Higgins plans to return soon to Youghal with his wife and three children.

Higgins told Youghal Online “I really love Ireland, when we visited my Grandmother down through the years she would always have the Irish music on and I love those tunes right through to today. I am a huge Celtic fan, my Grandfather would go Parkhead, my Father went and I go as often as I can, it really is a family thing. I am coming back to Ireland and next year myself and the family will hire a car and drive around to get a real look at the country and I definitely plan to return to Youghal, the welcome I have had here has been wonderful, everyone I have met have been really brilliant”.

Youghal CYMS President Brendan Cooney who praised the Scot above all previous visiting snooker stars “We started these exhibitions back in 2002 and we have had many great players in our rooms and previous World Champions, but never have we had a reigning World Champion and the standard of his play tonight was astonishing, plus a very first 147 at the Society, it was just fantastic” said Cooney.

It seems the ‘Wizard of Wishaw’ became the ‘Wizard of Youghal’ last Saturday night after an astounding display of top class snooker where the canny Scot didn’t drop a frame.

The players who played against Higgins were Adrian ‘Pepper’ Landers, Christopher Cooney, Aaron Tobin, Derek ‘Mr Maximum’ Aherne, Killian McCarthy, Lee Walsh, Aidan O’Neill, William Kelly, Trevor Flaherty, Gerard Kelly and Brendan Cooney.

On the night John Higgins complied breaks of :

147 v Derek Aherne

104 Against William Kelly

85 Clearance v Christopher Cooney

88 Against Trevor Flaherty

76 Against Brendan Cooney

76 Against Adrian Landers

56 Against Aaron Tobin

56 Against Gerard Kelly.

Needles to say the World Champion was undefeated.

Youghal Town Council accorded a civic reception to reigning world snooker champion John Higgins at the council chambers on Saturday Night (13th March 2010). A large audience representing members past and present of Youghal CYMS were present to honour the world ranked number one snooker star.

Click on image to enlarge

World snooker champion John Higgins to play in Youghal this Saturday 13th February 2010

Tickets for World Champion John Higgins are now on sale in the club or contact any committee member, tickets €20 euro and only a limited number of tickets are available.
Doors open at 6.45pm  Play begins at 7.30pm  9 frames to be played in total
DO NOT MISS THIS ONE!

Youghal CYMS Snooker Club have pulled –or should it be  ‘potted?’- a coup by luring World Champion John Higgins to their Market Square headquarters this Saturday 13th Feb. 2010. The champ will play nine exhibition games against a local selection, plus one doubles game with three junior players, on March 13th. By Christy Parker

It will be the first time a reigning world champion will have graced the venue although the man known as “The Kid” or alternatively “The Wizard of Wishaw,” will be chalking his cue in the wake of some illustrious predecessors. The previous seven years of the club’s annual exhibition nights have seen Ken Doherty (four times), Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis and Jimmy White pot the colours. However, to attract a reigning world champion in any sport merits the highest of praise. Unsurprisingly, “there is a brilliant buzz about the place at the prospect of him being here,” reports PRO Ray Phelan.

The 35 year-old Scot and Celtic fanatic turned pro in 1992 and in the 1994/95 season became the first teenager to win three ranking events in a season, earning £283,970 in the process. In 1997/98 he won his first of three World Championships, during which he became the first player to make three consecutive century breaks in a World Championship match. He subsequently won the 1998 UK Championship, the 1999 Benson & Hedges Masters and the 1999 Charity Challenge, amongst other notable titles.

His career record is 30 wins in 55 finals and he has compiled over 400 competitive centuries to date, including five 147 breaks.

In the 2005 Grand Prix final versus Ronnie O’Sullivan, ‘The Kid’ became the first player to compile four consecutive century breaks in a major tournament. Two years later he won his second World Championship and also regained the number one ranking that he first held in 1998. He won another World trophy in 2009.

Currently rated the world’s No. 4, Higgins is one of only five players to win both the World Championship and the UK Championship in the same year. Only he, Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry have held the World, UK and Masters titles simultaneously.

Facing the star in Youghal will be Brendan Cooney, Adrian Landers, Derek Ahern, Ger Kelly, Aaron Tobin, William Kelly, Trevor Flaherty and Brendan Cooney’s son Christopher. The single game doubles will involve junior players Killian McCarthy, Aiden O’Neill and Lee Walshe, one of whom will assist the champ

Ticket are now on sale @ €20 from the CYMS or committee members. Starts 7.30 sharp.

Tickets for World Champion John Higgins are now on sale in the club or contact any committee member, tickets €20 euro and only a limited number of tickets are available.

Doors open at 6.45pm  Play begins at 7.30pm  9 frames to be played in total
Youghal CYMS Snooker Club
Presents
Reigning World Snooker Champion John Higgins
Date: Saturday March 13th at 7.30pm