Murray wins Senior Billiards 6

The sixth tournament of the Senior Billiards series was played at the Ivy Rooms Snooker Club, Carlow on Sunday, 26th of February 2017, the format being 90 minutes timed (all rounds). Aidan Murray, having made a slow start to the season, bowing out in the early stages of the first two rounds, then recovered by getting to the final in the next three and on Sunday delivered in dramatic style, taking his first tournament win of the season in devastating fashion, overwhelming his opponent in every match.

The semi finalists in the top half of the draw were Wayne Doyle (Q Club, Wicklow) and Larry Drennan (Kilkenny Shed), Wayne having had a convincing win in his quarter final against Robert McCrum (Portmarnock), while Larry had a solid quarter final win against Brendan Devlin (Celbridge). In the semi final, Wayne and Larry were matching each other in scores for most of the game until the closing stages when Wayne pulled out a timely 55 point lead, leaving Larry with no time to respond before the clock ran out.

The semi finalists in the bottom half of the draw were Aidan Murray (Ivy Rooms) and Eugene Hughes (Kilkenny Shed). Eugene progressed to the semi final with a solid win in his quarter final against Aonghus McAnally while Aidan’s progress included a high scoring pre quarter match against Joe Doheny (Borris-in-Ossory), Aidan scoring the day’s high break, a magnificent 155 in the process to be followed up with another convincing win in the quarter finals against John Kehoe (Enniscorthy). The semi final was the only match where Aidan’s progress was in any way challenged but a timely 55 break was enough to keep him ahead of Eugene when time was called.

In the final, Aidan was first to show, quickly amassing a hundred-plus lead before Wayne could get started. As the game progressed, Aidan forged further and further ahead, scoring solidly when at the table while Wayne always seemed to struggle and then, when eventually managing to bring the balls into scoring position, would inexplicably break down on a basic shot. On the other hand, Aidan’s game got better and better, enabling him to take his first tournament win of the season with a flourish, finishing off the game with his second century break of the day.

The next Senior Billiards event will be the 150s Championships down to the last four and takes place at Celbridge Snooker Club on Sunday, 26th March 2017. Entries will be accepted before 10.30am on the morning of the event.

As always, our thanks are due to Marian Leacy for the excellent playing facilities and to all at the Ivy Rooms Snooker Club for their help on the day.

Results (all matches 90 minutes timed):

Pre-Quarters

Aidan Murray (Brk: 155, 68)   447  -v-  112  Joe Doheny 

Quarters

Wayne Doyle (Brk: 70, 56)  455  -v-  234  Robert McCrum

Brendan Devlin (Brk: 52)  272  -v-  384  Larry Drennan (Brk: 67)

Aidan Murray (Brk: 68)  371  -v-  195  John Kehoe

Aonghus McAnally  268  -v-  430  Eugene Hughes (Brk: 59, 66)

Semi-Finals

Wayne Doyle  368  -v-  313  Larry Drennan

Aidan Murray (Brk: 55)  326  -v-  262  Eugene Hughes

Final

Wayne Doyle  118  -v-  435  Aidan Murray (Brk: 65, 69, 120)