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Report on the QE1 Master's Ranking Tournament -- 4th January 2009. Many of the “over forties” players expressed their delight with regards to the 1st class conditions of the venue set at their disposal by the QE1 Club as hosts for their 2nd ranking tournament and I was asked to pass on their appreciative compliments to the Management and Staff of the club. {Thank you}. Interest in this age group is high and the players are enthusiastic, though the competition was not due to start until 10.30am ninety per-cent of the players were there at 10.00am, this is how these men (who played most of their snooker) in the eighties and nineties era, were trained. From a field of 30 competitors, some of the early round casualties included: John McIntyre and Norman Whaley – 2 of our Billiards stalwarts Paul Lenfestey(Coach Club) beaten by Julian Logue(QE1) Michael McDonald lost to Gerard McAuley 3 frames till 1 Marcus Dickson – another Billiards enthusiast fell to Sean Buttimer (West club) Colm Kelly also lost to Brian Crilly in the final frame Seamus Mitchell also beaten in the final frame by William Eakin Surprise early casualty was (an off form)Tony Buttimer the Fountain Master’s winner, giving more credit to past nineties Ex-Gervins player John Hagan in his 3 nil victory. In the last 16. Michael Kelly beat Connor Gillespie, Michael Quinn beat William Eakin John Hagan beat David Telford Kieran McMahon beat Brian Crilly Julian Logue beat Chris Davidson Ciaran Kelly beat John McCrea Dermot Loughran beat Sean Buttimer Gerard McAuley w/o Noel Halfpenny Quarter-Finals John Hagan McVeigh’s 3 v 2 Michael Quinn Gervins Kieran McMahon Cue club 3 v 0 Julian Logue QE1 Ciaran Kelly Gervins 3 v 2 Michael Kelly Premier Dermot Loughran St Pats 3 v 2 Gerard McAuley Pot Black Semi-Finals Kieran McMahon 3 v 0 John Hagan Dermot Loughran 2 v 3 Ciaran Kelly FINAL Kieran McMahon 3 v 1 Ciaran Kelly Three of the quarter final games were long hard fought tussles as their 3 – 2 score-line indicates, safety here was the order of the day. The result in the other quarter game should have been closer as Julian missed some good chances, which Kieran capitalised on, to give him a convincing 3 nil victory. The 1st Semi-final: Ciaran v Dermot – this game was always in the balance and it was not until the 5th frame at the colours that Ciaran got the advantage lead to clinch victory at the blue ball. The 2nd semi was always in Kieran’s favour as John appeared to be playing very open snooker and often got punished, Kieran took every opportunity to win by 3 clear frames. THE FINAL: Ciaran Kelly should have taken the 1st frame and the scoreline at one stage could have been 2 frames each. Kieran McMahon though was showing some of his old form, putting together breaks early in the frame. This kept pressure on the Gervin’s man coming into the colours, the standard of play from both players was very high in potting and safety play. Ciaran made a good break and took the 3rd frame to make the score 2 – 1 in Kieran McMahon’s favour. In the 4th frame both players produced some very good safety shots and the game was close until Kieran made a clearance break to win the game giving him the QE1 Master’s Title and top points. ======================================================= Intermediate Points Tournament - No 2 CUE STIX'S SNOOKER CLUB - LARNE Semi-finals -- Monday 19th Jan 09 - 7.30 p 1st Semi-final This proved among one of the highest standard snooker matches seen in an Intermediate tournament since their re-inception a couple of seasons ago and would have be-fitted any ranking tournament match. The first two frames were shared and a little scrappy as both players tried to adjust to the very fast table. Delcan then played a solid frame to keep Neil out in frame four but Neil hit back with a 50 and 51 clearance to make it 2-2 at the interval. Frame five may have been the turning point. Neil made 54 to leave Declan needing a snooker with one red left. Declan laid the snooker which Neil managed to hit, but unfortunately for him went in-off. Delcan then made a splendid 35 clearance to force a re-spot. After a couple of shots each, Declan potted a good long black to lead 3-2. Declan’s confidence now high he proceeded to make a 66 break to take frame six. However Neal was determined to make a match of it and made a brilliant 93 break in frame seven. He will have been disappointed to miss the last red with a Century beckoning. In frame eight, Declan got among the balls early and took the match with a superb 87 break, which also should have been a century only for missing a potable red. Both players should be encouraged by their performance and Neil in particular will takes positives from his first tournament entry in over 10 years. The match was refereed by Eamonn Coulter (who was refereeing his first ever match as a newly qualified referee) and by Gary Morton. Scores (Brennan first): 54-65, 70-29, 69-12, 0-101 (50,51c), 67-60 (54 McK), 79-3 (66), 0-93 (93), 87-0 (87) Declan Brennan (Cue Club) 5 – 3 Neil McKelvey (Cue Club) 2nd Semi-final This match proved a tighter and more tactical affair. The first four frames were shared with both players potting fairly well. Colin took the first with the help of a 37 but Gordon hit back to win frame two with the help of a 42. Colin took a scrappy third and Gordon then won frame four with the help of a 38 break. After the interval, Colin seemed to lose his way. He attempted to out-pot his opponent and then started missing a number of balls one would expect him to get normally. In addition, Gordon laid frequent snookers from which Colin gave away great many points in fouls. Gordon took the next two frames aided by a break of 30 in frame six. Colin regained some of his composure and with a contribution of 51 took frame seven, but it was only a stay of execution as Paul played solidly to take frame eight and with it the match.This will be Gordon’s first final in any Association event and it is great to see different players in our Association having such successes. Colin has won an Intermediate event before and although not at his best this time will continue to do well at this level.The match was refereed by Campbell Faulkner and Billy Telford. Scores (Boomer first): 20-62, 78-10, 28-53, 63-35, 56-12, 58-7, 15-71 (51), 70-40 Gordon Boomer (Coach Club) 5 – 3 Colin Gavin (Cue-Stix) The players and referees thanked Colin Gavin, proprietor of the Cu-Stix Club for the use of his Club and its facilities and commented on the fantastic condition of the tables. Report by Gary Morton +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ All Ireland Club Team PLAY-OFFS Sunday 14th December 2008. The Premier Snooker Club – Glengormley was the location selected to host the required “Play-offs” on Sunday 14th December ’08, to ascertain the covetted 5th remaining spot of the NIB&SA’s allocation of five qualified teams to compete in the All Ireland Club Team Championship Finals - 22nd till 25th January 2009 in Killarney. The (4) teams that made it through to the Play-offs were drawn into (2) Semi-finals: Fountain “B” (Antrim) v Keady Club (Armagh) and Minnesota “B” (Ballymena) v West (Belfast) Keady beat Fountain “B” (3) frames till (1) --- West club beat Minnesota “B” (3) frames till (0) THE FINAL *KEADY* Snooker Club - Armagh V *West* Snooker Club – Belfast M. Nugent, D. Hughes, R. Comiskey, B. Whyte & S. McParland. v S. Buttimer, J. Dickson, J. Buttimer, T. Buttimer, & M. McCusker. Each game in this match was still the best of (5) frames and the 1st team to win (3) games secured the covetted (5th) spot of the Northern Section of the All Ireland Team Qualifiers. At the outset West Club looked to be 2nd favourites, inasmuch that from early on in the match they appeared to be always playing “catch-up” and Keady were doing all the front running. Keady took the lead when Mark Nugent, (playing some top-drawer snooker) had a convincing 3 – 0 victory over Sean Buttimer. Barry Hughes showing some of his true form from the late nineties also had a good win of 3 frames to nil over Tony Buttimer. Tony couldn’t produce the same form as he did in his semi-final match when in one frame he recorded an 87 clearance. John Dickson then came to the West Club’s rescue, his opponent being the Northern Ireland No1 Billiards player Ritchie Comiskey, John showed no fear and continued to play aggressive snooker which gave him a decisive 3 frames to nil victory. Keady now (2) games till (1) in front and also 2 frames till 1 in front, in both of the other two games and with Keady only needing 1 frame from the possible 4 remaining frames they must have felt they were on the bus to Killarney, However !! In one of the other games Joseph Buttimer was 2 frames till 1 down and 14 behind with only the Pink and Black remaining in the 4th frame, when his opponent Brendan Whyte potted the pink giving him and Keady the game and match, ONLY to see the White ball travel round and go in-off to the middle pocket. Joseph cleverly potted both Pink and Black to level at 2 frames each. Brendan never appeared to recover from this ill-fortune and Joseph won the 5th frame comfortably to level the scores at 2 games all. On the other table Stephen McParland playing Maurice McCusker and with the final game now at 2 frames each the tension between the two sets of supporters was electric, both players were by now also feeling the pressure. Played down to the colours, at the Yellow ball Stephen potted the Yellow to give him a 31 points lead and Maurice requiring 2 (4 point) snookers. It then looked all over for the West men, Maurice then potted the Green making his deficit now 28 points again needing 2 (4points) snookers. A series of safety play continued until Maurice successfully placed Stephen in full ball snooker which he failed to get out of and in his attempt he fouled the Blue giving 5 points away making now 23 points difference at the Brown ball. Maurice potted the Brown and again placed The Keady man in a difficult escape snooker, Stephen failed to hit the Blue ball and an (under great strain) Maurice potted the Blue, Pink and Black to win the frame and match for the West Club by 4 Points. ANALYSIS: As the old cliché goes --- “It’s never over till the fat lady sings.” This was certainly true in this superb contest. I’m sure the Keady men felt dejected and the moods in the cars on their long journey back to their home town was very sombre, our commiserations to them. Our congratulations to the West Belfast Club, they stuck fervently to the task on hand, reaping the reward and the gratification of Participating in the All Ireland Club Team Championship Finals at Killarney. Good Luck. The officials thanked the Premier Snooker Club and their staff for the use of their superb facilities and their hospitality.
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The FOUNTAIN MASTER'S Ranking Snooker Tournament Final Wednesday 3rd December 2008 - Fountain Club - Antrim Tony Buttimer from the West Social Club - Belfast won the 1st ever Northern Ireland Association MASTER'S Ranking Event by a 3 frames till 1 margin, over a formidable opponent Dermot Loughran from St Patricks Club - Dungannon. The Fountain Club was the setting for this inaugural " Over forties " ranking Final and the onlookers at the club enjoyed some impressive snooker, both in safety play and in potting ability by each player. All games in the Master's events are the best of 5 frames. Tony continued in the good form he had shown during his semi-final and took the first frame. Dermot however didn't take it lying down, with positive skilful snooker he retaliated to win the second frame and level the scores. Frame 3 was a SEESAW affair with both players showing their expert knowledge of table angles in escaping from well laid snookers, this frame being won at the blue ball to give Tony a 2 till 1 advantage. Frame 4 was kept tight and caution appeared to be the aim of both contestants. There was never more than 5 points (at any time) separating both players ( always in Tony's favour). With only 1 red left on the table Dermot put Tony in trouble with a well placed snooker, Tony came off 2 cushions to pot the red and continued to clear-up all the colours by producing some top-drawer potting and secure a decisive victory. Tony now holds TOP spot on our New Master's Ranking List. !!! Congratulations Tony. Thanks were conveyed to Colin Bingham the proprietor of the Fountain Club and also to all his staff for their help and hospitality. Request -- I was requested by many of the players to mention how pleased they were to see their good friend and colleague Con Egan back on duty after his illness.
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THE 2 Semi-Finals -- WED 3rd DEC '08 -- AT 7.00 PM 1st Semi-final Dermot Loughran showed the same good form, as he did when he defeated top player Kieran McMahon in the quarter finals. Kieran Erwin had displayed some high quality snooker on his successful passage to the Semis, but on the night he didn't get any run of the balls and Dermot emerged a convincing winner by 3 frames till 1 In the other Semi-final. Tony Buttimer was playing some of the best snooker he has produced for a long time, on the other hand Noel Halfpenny appeared to be slightly out of form and struggling at times, just showing odd glimpses of his true form. Tony was always in command and came out the victor also by the same score as the 1st semi-final 3 frames till 1
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THE COACH CLUB INTERMEDIATE Final -- Wednesday 7th May 2008. Brendan Whyte (on the left) from the Keady snooker club,Armagh is seen here being presented with his winners Cheque by Coach Club representative Graeme Cummiskey following his 6 frames till 2 victory over Michael Kane, Bridge Snooker Club, Glengormley. This was the 2nd Intermediate success for Brendan in 2007/08, as he also collected top honours in November '07 at the Pot Black Snooker Club.
MATCH REPORT Michael Kane opened the scoring at the Final of the Coach Club Snooker Intermediate with a 56 and a 31 break to take the first frame. Brendan Whyte won the second frame finishing with a 36 break, Michael took the third frame for a 2-1 lead. Brendan again retaliated and took frames four and five to lead 3-2 at the interval. When play resumed Brendan kept on the pressure and appeared to gain in confidence as the match progressed. Michael on the other hand seemed to have lost some of the admirable form he had shown at the start of the game and as one by one the frames dwindled away from him, it was a more subdued Michael at the end of the match. Brendan's finishing score-line of six frames till two proved him a worthy winner. FRAME SCORES-BRENDAN 1ST: [17-96] [75-17] [25-72] [67-43] [62-23] [70-26] [46-24] [68-9] This victory not only gave Brendan the winning prize at the Coach Club but also put him 1st in the players Top Ten Positionsby the points accumulated from all (7) Intermediate Events throughout the entire season. CONGRATULATIONS Brendan. Joe McGonnell Association Treasurer and Jim Stewart theSenior Director were the official referees for the final. Graeme Cummiskey did the honours on behalf of the Coach Club, congratulating both players on reaching the final. He presented the runner up and winner with their well earned cheques. .....................................................
SEMI - FINALS
Played at the Coach Club on Tuesday 6th May '08. Paul Lenfestey V Brendan Whyte was forecast to be an evenly balanced contest as both players are Intermediate Event winners already this season, Paul had his success at the Manor Club in April and Brendan won the Jackpot in Nov-'07. However on the night everything seemed to go Brendan's way, even though Paul made a skilful 60 break in the 2nd frame the Match score finished 4 frames to nil in Brendan's favour. The other semi-final -- Gary Crawford V Michael Kane was a technical battle from the outset. Michael won frame one, Gary took the next to make it all square. Michael was keeping the game tight with good bouts of safety, Gary didn't produce the same good form that gave him the convincing victory of 4-1 over Brian Crilly in the previous round. Michael played the better snooker and deserved his 4 frames till 1 victory.
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DAY (2) -- 4th May '08
The 2nd half of the Intermediate Points Tournament continued at the Coach Snooker Club - Hillsborough on Sunday 4th May '08 and as in Day (1) every match was keenly fought for by all the top players chasing one of the 1st ten places on the points table. Due to the large entry it was a long day for the organisers but they enjoyed some good games right from the early rounds and the standard was high, breaks recorded were: Michael Kane - 104, 56 and 51. Gary Crawford - 83. David McClintock - 77 Brian Crilly - 59 and 56. In the 1st quarter-final Gary Crawford (QE1 Club) in his first Intermediate, had an impressive win over Brian Crilly (Crucible Club) Newtownards by 4 frames till 1, this was a good victory for Gary as Brian was the winner of our 1st Intermediate at the Fountain Club-Antrim in October'07. He also had a plausible triumph by defeating Chris Davidson 3 -- 1 in the previous round. Michael Kane (Bridge Club-Glengormley) was in top form as the breaks shown above indicate, in his first game he beat Colin Gavin the Jackpot Intermediate winner, then young Gary Johnston the NI Under 14 Champion was his next conquest. He won the deciding frame to gain victory over John McVeigh (Drumgor) to set up his match in the quarter-final against Stephen Ferguson (QE1 Club). This was a good snooker game to watch, with some excellent safety play from which Michael emerged the winner by 4 frames till 2.
The 2 semi-finals ----- 7.30pm Tuesday 6th May '08 Brendan Whyte v Paul Lenfestey Gary Crawford v Michael Kane
THE COACH CLUB INTERMEDIATE DAY (1) -- REPORT 27th April '08 The ever popular Snooker venue " the Coach Club" Hillsborough was the location for the last Intermediate points tournament of this 2007/08 season. This event will determine the TOP TEN in the Intermediate Point Table and as all top ten players will receive some prize money, every win here is very important. On this 1st Day as is normal we play the competition down to the Semi-final stage. In the 1st Quarter-Final - Brendan Whyte (Keady) had a convincing 4 frames to Nil victory over Gerard Crawley (Classic) and Paul Lenfestey (Coach) just edged out Declan Brennan (Cue Club) by winning the final frame in the best of seven, for his 4 -- 3 victory. This now set the Semi-Final sheduled for Tuesday 6th May '08 at 7.30 between Brendan and Paul a replica of the Pot Black Intermediate Final in November 2007. In that encounter Brendan emerged the winner by 6 frames till 3, I'm sure Paul will want to change that score-line this time.
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RAFTERS RANKING TOURNAMENT
FINAL WEDNESDAY 23rd APRIL 2008 at 7.30pm.
The spectators were highly entertained to some top drawer snooker at the final of the Rafter's Mini Ranking Tournament, as both players exhibited prime form during the entire best of 11 frame match. In the opening frame of the evening we witnessed a superb 107 break by Kieran McMahon. His opponent Julian Logue undauntedby this rattled off a 60 break in the second, a 40 and 50 in the third with a 41 in the fourth, to go into a 3 frames till 1 lead. Kieran then retaliated with a 61 and 46 to win the fifth, he also took frames 6, 7 and 8 to put him into a commanding 5 frames to 3 lead as he now required only one more frame. Julian then appeared to step up a gear, he took the ninth and with a break of 58 he won frame ten, to again level the match at five frames each. A magnificent 98 break in the final frame, sealed Kieran's fate and gave Julian the top prize and maximum points. Congratulations to both players for a high quality and enjoyable nights snooker. F S. Kieran 1st: [125-0] [37-71] [0-90] [52-70] [107-0] [64-30] [59-0] [49-40] [15-68] [0-80] [0-104] Joe McGonnell and Jim Stewart were the officials in charge. Jim on behalf of the N.I. Association thanked the Rafter's staff for all their hospitality and the use of their fine facilities. he also paid tribute to the club proprietors Uel and Richard Wylie on the immaculate condition their club was always kept in.
Semi-Finals Tuesday 22nd April 2008
In the best of a 9 frame game, at the Rafter's Club, Ballymoney, Julian Logue produced one of his best performances of the season to give him a convincing victory over Dermot McGlinchey of 5 frames to nil. Frame scores -- Julian 1st: [68-25] [81-60] [105-0] [75-27] [108-27] In this 2nd semi-final which was also the best of 9 frames, Kieran McMahon from the outset stamped his authority on the contest with a break of (74) in frame one and a break of (97) in frame three. Michael Quinn who was playing far below his normal par potential, just could not get his game going and Kieran's 5 frames to nil victory was a true reflection on the evenings play. Frame Scores [90-1] [70-23] [97-10] [88-2] [64-35]
DAY (2) The number (1) seed Declan Hughes and the joint number (3) seed Jordan Brown were both sent home early from the Rafters Ranking Tournament on Sunday 20th April '08 as they were eliminated in the 1st round of the penultimate ranking event of this 2007/08 snooker season. Declan fell at the hands of Gerard Crawley (from the Classic Club - Glengormley) by 3 frames till 2 and Jordan went out by v1rtue of a 3 frames to 1 defeat at the hands of Jonathan Kells (from the Clifton Club - Bangor.) These latest results could have a major effect at the top of our next Official Ranking List which will be published on Thursday 24th April '08. Play was of a high standard on day (2) with Simon Cooke (Derry), Robert McCullough (QE1 Belfast) and Michael Quinn (Pot Black, Cookstown) all showing talented improvement to their recent form. Those making it through till the last 16 were:
Kieran McMahon 3 - 1 Jamie McArdle Connor Gillespie 1 - 3 Simon Cooke Paul Lenfestey 2 - 3 Robert McCullough Michael Quinn 3 - 0 Gerard Crawley Quarter Finals Kieran McMahon 4 - 1 Simon Cooke Michael Quinn 4 - 3 Robert McCullough Semi Finals Kieran McMahon v Michael Quinn Dermot McGlinchey v Julian Logue Tuesday 22nd April 2008 7.30
DAY (1) --- Rafters Ranking Tournament The top half of the draw on the 1st day of competition in the Rafters Snooker Club Rooms -- Ballymoney, on Sunday 13th April '08 brought together many of the top guns of the NIB&SA snooker membership. The conditions in the club matched the high standard of play as was evident by the number of high breaks ------ : Dermot McGlinchey - 109 clearance & 103 clearance. Declan Lavery - 104 & 71. Paul Hanna - 82. The following made it through till the Last Sixteen : Dermot McGlinchey 3 v 1 Declan Laverty. Darren Dornan 3 v 1 Joe Meara. Michael Sweet 1 v 3 Julian Logue. Colin Bingham 3 v 2 Paul Hanna. Last Eight D McGlinchey 4 v 0 D Dornan. Julian Logue 4 v 1 C Bingham. 1st Semi-final D McGlinchey v J Logue. Tuesday 22nd April 2008 7.30pm
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Manor Intermediate Points Tournament DAY (1) MANOR Snooker club spectators on the first day at the Intermediate points tournament were entertained to some top class snooker in the round robin stages. Its is good to see our Derry lads back playing in our events, Gavin Gallagher, Stephen Heaney and Simon Cooke. As play progressed to the knock out matches the four who made it through to the quarter-finals were: Paul Lenfestey (Coach) to face Maurice McCusker (West) and Simon Cooke (Dolan's Derry) against Michael McParland (North-Hill Lisburn), Quarter-final games are the best of 7 frames
Match (1) Paul Lenfestey 4 -- 2 Maurice McCusker Match (2) Simon Cooke 3 -- 4 Michael McParland
Paul will now play Michael in the 1st of the Semi-final matches on Tuesday 8th April at 7.30pm.
Day--2 at the Manor Tommy Simons had 4 good victories to reach the quarter-finals before he was subdued 4 frames till 2by David McClintock the previous winner of the Drumgor Intermediate in October 2007. Further down the draw sheet Connor Gillespie took 2 good scalps in defeating Sean Arterton and Paul Currie. Tony Corry also performed well and made it through till the last 8 before being defeated by Stephen McParland. This then set-up the second Semi-final for Tuesday 8th April at 7.30pm.... David McClintock v Stephen McParland A ding-dong game going the full distance and very entertaining to watch, with Stephen coming out the victor by 5 frames till 4. Joe Loughran recorded the highest break (96)
Tuesday 8th April 2008 Manor Snooker Club SEMI-FINALS Michael McParland 1 - 5 Paul Lenfestey Stephen McParland 5 - 4 David McClintock In the 1st Semi-final Paul Lenfestey got off to a good start and always looked to have the upper hand while Michael never gave up at times his safety play let him down. The other Semi-final was a very close battle and at 4 frames each it would have been a brave man who would have forecast the winner. After some good bouts of safety play, David left Stephen an openingwhich he seized on, to take the deciding frame and opened up his place in the final against Paul Lenfestey. Final -- Friday 18th April 2008 -- Manor Snooker Club Paul Lenfestey v Stephen McParland The confrontation between these two players on paper looked very evenly matched, and their results and quality of play in their Semi-final games also indicated this. The finishing score does not reflect the good snooker game that the spectators enjoyed at the Manor Club, as three of the frames could have had gone to Stephen instead of Paul. Over the evening Paul's experience did shine through, there were good potting skills shown by both players and some of the safety shots produced by Paul were harvested from his years playing in the top ranks of Northern Ireland snooker.
Frame Scores Paul 1st: [65--60] [54--20] [66--55] [60--25] [59--22] [58--45].
RESULT---- Paul Lenfestey 6 -- 0 Stephen McParland
Campbell Faulkner and Jim Stewart were the officiating Referees. Jim Stewart as T.O. thanked the Manor Club and all their staff for their hospitality and use of their splendid facilities.
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Cue Club Mini Ranking Day (2) EARLY SHOCKS on DAY (2) at Newry Cue Club Chris Davidson delivered a Knock- out blow to Jordan Brown the number three seed by defeating him 3 frames to nil in the 1st round. Brian Crilly the joint number 6 seed also lost his way in the 2nd round when he was beaten 3 frames to nil in his contest with Rodger Smyth. The results from the last 16 to-day March 16th '08. Declan Lavery 3 v 0 Chris Davidson Julian Logue 2 v 3 Kieran Mc Mahon Michael Kane 0 v 3 Dermot McGlinchey Rodger Smyth 1 v 3 Colin Bingham Quarter-Finals Declan Lavery 0 v 4 Kieran McMahon Colin Bingham 2 v 4 Dermot McGlinchey High breaks of the day: D Lavery 79. K McMahon 70, 70 and 59c. D McGlinchey 65. Kieran will now play Dermot on Tue 18th March '08 in 2nd Semi-final and Declan Hughes v Richard Comiskey in the other Semi-final from Day (1
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Qualifier Day 2 SEMI-FINAL The venue was the Fountain Snooker Club-Antrim, the time was 7.30 pm and it was "GAME - ON" for the two semi-finals on Tuesday 26th FEB '08. Brian Crilly V Dermot McGlinchey Brendan Whyte V Richard Comiskey Semi-finals are the best of nine frames, in the first contest, Brian V Dermot it was mostly attacking snooker throughout. Frame one could have gone to either player, Dermot clinched it by potting the brown, blue and pink. he took frame two in which he had a (51) break, Brian appeared to be struggling to find the good form he produced in his previous matches during the round robin stages, it is possibly Dermot sensed this for he also won the third frame convincingly with breaks of (38) and (60), frame four was a bit scrappy but again went in Dermot's favour giving him a four frames to nil lead. The interval seemed to help Brian as he played some good snooker and took frame five making a (31) break, Dermot got off to a good start in the sixth frame with a (39) break and tied the game up. at the start of the colours Brian shook hands knowing he had been our played by Dermot, finishing score [5--1]. The other game Brendan against Richard---two club mates from Keady was a different type of match,-- "a cat and mouse affair" in the early frames as each player was very aware of his opponents capabilities. Richard produced many good bouts of safety and took on any slight opening that Brendan set up, Richard always appeared to be in command and went into a two nil lead. The next two frames were shared bringing the score at the interval 3 frames till one in Richard's favour. The two Keady men were accompanied by their good ladies and at the interval Brendan's better half must have "read the riot act" as he started the second session of the game, he just performed like a different player. He took frame five and also frame six to bring the scores level at three frames each. In frame seven we saw some good quality snooker from both players but Brendan cleared up to take him into a four frames till three lead for the first time in the game. The eighth frame started with a period of safety and Richard seemed to have lost a little of his earlier form, it was Brendan who made the running with some attractive potting and finally secured the frame which was four frames in a trot to give him a five frames till three victory. EUROPEAN QUALIFIER 2008 - Day(2) Brendan Whyte and Richard Comiskey both from the Keady snooker club, stake their claim to the 2nd semi-final place on 24th Feb '08 - day (2) of the European Qualifying Ranking Tournament in the Fountain snooker club - Antrim.In the quarter-final Brendan had to produce his best snooker to over come by 4 frames till 2 (a returning back to his old form) Michael Kane who was a Jackpot ACE a short while back. The other quarter-final between Richard and Declan Lavery from the host club-Fountain, was a ding/dong gamewith some impressive snooker. Richard lead 3 frames to nil, Declan retrieved the situation back to 3 frames all, in the final frame Declan knocked in a 51 break but Richard countered with 2 mid 30 breaks to take and win a great game. In contrast to their creditable success, the best that can be said of the top seeded players is: "they just simply fell-by-the-wayside, similar to the fate of the 4 seeds on day (1). BREAKS of the DAY D Lavery 83, 78, 71, 63 and 51. J Brown 81 and 55. S Gray 79. R Comiskey 70, 55 and 50. M Kane 55 and 52. C Carson 58.
EUROPEAN QUALIFYING RANKING TOURNAMENT FOUNTAIN SNOOKER CLUB - ANTRIM DAY (1) Brian Crilly and Dermot McGlinchey were very thirsty when arriving at the Fountain on DAY (1) of the European Qualifying Tournament and they certainly quenched that thirst by soaking up the games as they progressed in each round until they successfully reached the Semi-finals, while the 4 seeds and all others seemed to struggle on a day when the standard of play was very high. All of our tournaments and competitions are played in a similar pattern. On the first day we play the top half of the draw sheet and second day the bottom half. Each day all games are played to the semi-final stage of the event, so on opening day 17th February '08, we had 45 participants in contest at the European Qualifier hosted in the Fountain snooker club, Antrim. The four seed for day (1) were: Declan Hughes, Kieran McMahon, Gary Erwin and Ryan McQuillan. When each round was played off, the top seeds were, one by one being dislodged and as is evident by the finish of day results, none of the them made it through to the semi finals.
RESULTS FOR YOUR NOTES Remember this is only half of the event draw!! LAST SIXTEEN Declan Hughes 3 - 1 Roger Smyth Brian Crilly 3 - 2 Raymond Fry Joe Meara 3 - 2 Ryan McQuillan Colin Bingham 1 - 3 Dermot McGlinchey QUARTER FINALS Brian Crilly 4 - 1 Declan Hughes Joe Meara 0 - 4 Dermot McGlinchey SEMI FINAL BRIAN CRILLY v DERMOT McGLINCHEY TUESDAY 26th FEBRUARY '08 at 7.30pm
The snooker standard was of a very high level on this opening day indicated by the numerous high breaks recorded: Joe Meara --- 107 and 78. Declan Hughes --- 99, 70 and 66. Dermot McGlinchey --- 84 and 65. Keith McCrum --- 80. Brian Crilly --- 69, 50 and 50.
Watch out for next weeks results when on the 24th Feb '08 we have another 52 challengers aspiring to make the semi-final stage of this European Qualifying Ranking Tournament.
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